Many of us book holidays to kick back and relax, and help ease the stress of everyday life. But not all of us find solace in a relaxed holiday - and if you're one of those people, then perhaps you'd rather do something a little more extreme on your travels to get the blood pumping. It sure makes a change from the typical trip to a tropical destination to lie on the sand sipping margaritas…

Extreme holidays aren't necessarily everyone's cup of tea, but you can't deny that they're thrilling and - if you're brave enough to go for it - potentially life-changing. So if you're ready for something out of the box that'll have you on your feet and wide-eyed in excitement, then it's time to look toward intriguing vacation options. Here are some to consider…

Green parakeets flying out of the Cave of Swallows (source)

The Cave of Swallows (Sótano de las Golondrinas) is the largest cave shaft in the world and is located in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. When you stand on the edges of this pit cave, you'll peer into a dark hole that goes over 370 metres down to the cave floor.

Numerous green parakeets and white-collard swifts live inside, which means the destination is both naturally wonderful and aptly-named. If you're lucky, you'll see these swarms of birds fly in circles around the cave before they exit and disperse.

What makes the Cave of Swallows a fantastic place for extreme holidays? Namely, BASE jumping and vertical caving. You can take advantage of its humongous depth to fling yourself into the abyss, then take a longer period of time to climb back up to the top.

For your trip, stay at Gran Tamoanchan, which is just 22.5 km (14 mi) away from the Cave of Swallows and 48.3 km (30 mi) from Tamul Waterfalls if you'd like to visit that spot too. Every room has a patio with a garden view, so you can enjoy a cool beverage while taking in the sights after a heart-pounding excursion.

Click here for cheap flights to Cave of Swallows.

Shark in Gansbaai (source)

Come face-to-face with a great white shark by jetting off to Gansbaai. This South African fishing town is considered the "Shark Capital of the World", as ever since 1995, people can cage dive with these fearsome beasts.

If you don't feel comfortable getting into an underwater cage to see great white sharks, then you can take it down a (small) notch by booking a crocodile tour. After learning about these prehistoric creatures, you'll have a chance to swim with them. There's a steel fence separating you and the crocodiles, so it's safer than you think.

If you prefer to stay on land, you can whale watch while you feel the warm white sand between your toes. You can also visit the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary. Not only can you view and learn about cute birds, but you can purchase souvenirs to remember your trip too.

Book a few nights at the White Shark Guest House, where you'll be 400m away from the harbour. You'll get a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean, and you won't be far from shark cage diving and whale watching areas. Also, don't forget to take advantage of the traditional braai barbecue facilities for a delicious, traditional feast!

Click here for cheap flights to Gansbaai.

At first glance, you may not think much of Mount Thor's height. Located on Baffin Island in Nunavut, Canada, it's not even 1,700m tall, and there are plenty of other peaks that are much more intimidating.

However, what makes Mount Thor notable is that it's the world's steepest summit. It has an average angle of 105 degrees and there's a 1,250m vertical drop - the biggest on earth - meaning it'd take a bowling ball around 20 seconds to hit the ground if you dropped it from the very top of Mount Thor. That's quite a sobering thought…

Sure enough, this peak made of jagged granite is a challenge to climb. And despite it being in a remote area, many thrill-seekers gather here to conquer the mountain. You can officially camp at the entrance to Akshayuk Valley, then make the trek up in the early morning if you wish. Wild camping is also allowed, if that's what you're into.

You'll be rewarded on this trip with breathtaking views of glaciers and ice-cold waters. In fact, the hike from the park entrance will take you across a river and small streams, making the journey more pleasant.

Click here for cheap flights to Mount Thor.

Northern lights in Reykjavik (source)

In all honesty, the entire country of Iceland is outstanding for extreme tourism. However, the best place to start with is Reykjavik, as it's the capital and makes a great home base for your stay. In addition to being in a large city, you'll also be surrounded by nature and fun activities.

Reykjavik's beautiful landscape allows for many extreme sports, such as ATVing and rafting. You're sure to be exhausted after an action-packed day, especially after soaking in the country's amazing views. If you're lucky, you can even catch the northern lights at night on an ATV or quad tour!

To catch your breath, go on a puffin tour or whale-watching tour. Either will take you out on a boat with experts who will take you up close to exotic animals. You might even spot harbour porpoises and dolphins.

When you're done, rest your weary head at Midgardur by Center Hotels. It's in an excellent location on Laugavegur, the city's main shopping street. You can soothe your aching muscles by booking a full-body massage, then treat yourself to delicious Icelandic cuisine at the hotel's restaurant or tasty cocktails at the on-site bar.

Click here for cheap flights to Reykjavik.

Overhead view of the Azores Islands (source)

If you've always dreamed of swimming with large, majestic whales, then you need to visit the Azores Islands. More specifically, you should go to Pico, which is one of the few places in Europe where you can free-dive with these gigantic mammals.

The optimal time to swim with whales is in the spring. However, if you're willing to wait a little until the summer, you'll also see some sharks in the water.

Can't go on a holiday until autumn? Not to worry - there's another extreme sport waiting for you. Head over to Sao Miguel, where you'll find a paragliding festival in October. You'll enjoy landmarks like Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo from a unique vantage point.

Don't discount the other islands either. If you'd like to try coasteering, then pick Sao Jorge. Otherwise, if canyoning down waterfalls sounds appealing, spend your time on the island of Flores.

Whichever islands you choose, make sure you spoil yourself and your significant other by staying at a top-notch hotel, such as the Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa. At this 5-star hotel, you'll benefit from stunning sea and mountain views, a relaxing spa, a fun game room, and free private parking.

Click here for cheap flights to Azores.

View of Guadalcanal Province in the Solomon Islands (source)

The Solomon Islands will definitely take you off the beaten path, as not many people vacation here. However, these islands are a hidden gem, especially if you're looking for extreme holidays.

The biodiversity is incredible across these 1,000+ islands, and you'll even find species that are unique to this area. This makes snorkelling and scuba diving unforgettable experiences! You can also catch ridiculous waves on reef breaks where you'd be the first surfer out there.

The Solomon Islands are so off the beaten path that it'll be a real challenge getting around as a tourist. You'll have to do everything that locals have to do, and even the hotels won't push activities onto you.

Considering that there's a tourist information office in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, it's best if you stay here. The Heritage Park Hotel places you in the heart of the city, and has restaurants, bars, and a nightclub on the premises.

Click here for cheap flights to Solomon Islands.

Trip.com is a site that offers a huge range of flights, hotels, attraction and tour tickets, car hire options, train tickets, and more. With our Trip Coins reward system ensures that the more you book, the more you benefit from using us.

The Trip.com app offers exclusive offers and holiday deals. Download our app now to see what all the fuss is about.