For bold travelers, there's nothing more exciting than an adventure vacation. Not only do you get to experience a place you've never seen before, but also you get to challenge yourself physically and keep in shape. This type of vacation can go in many directions. Are you interested in biking? Perhaps you'd like to bike through France, stopping at hostels along the way. Do you like running in races? Why not follow a trail of 5K races all over New England in the spring?

Here are some other ideas that might fulfill your adventurous whims. Web sites for these trips are listed in Appendix A:

• Walk the outback of Australia

• Learn to surf in Hawaii

• Learn to sail in the British Virgin Islands

• Bicycle through Baja California

• Hike to Machu Picchu

• Helihike in British Columbia

The important thing to remember about these trips is that they require training. Even if you're very active, you need to train specifically, i.e., train for the type of trip you're going to take. Ask the group you're going with to advise you on ways you can get in shape to get the most out of your trip.