Most of us like a little adventure in our lives. Sometimes, however, there is something holding us back – like a fear of flying, for example, if we want to explore distant adventure playgrounds.
Fortunately, as travel becomes less restrictive and sunny Mediterranean destinations beckon, there is good news on both counts.
First of all, Spain has just been listed as third in a ranking compiled by US News of the world’s top adventure countries, behind Brazil (number one) and Italy.
The adventure sub-ranking (part of the media company’s overall “best countries” guide) is based on an average of scores from five country attributes that relate to adventure: friendly, fun, pleasant climate, scenic and sexy.
According to US News, “People like adventure in their lives. Research shows that a chance to break away from the normal rhythms of daily life reduces stress and improves health and well-being. And studies show that play is as important in adult life as it is during childhood. These are the best countries to fulfill your wanderlust.”
As the sunniest city in Europe – and fun-filled, happily friendly and stunningly scenic (determining its sexy credentials probably best requires a first-hand experience) – Alicante will be at the top of many people’s lists when planning an adventure-orientated holiday in Spain.
Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is also conveniently linked with all major cities around Europe, and serviced by leading low-cost airlines including EasyJet – who just happen to have a solution if flying causes any pre-travel jitters.
The airline has now resumed its “Fearless Flyer” course for 2022, “enabling nervous flyers to take control and overcome their fears”.
According to EasyJet, the course – priced from £69 per person – has helped more than 9,000 aerophobic passengers to date. Customers can take the courses online and undertake the experience flight at airports across the UK, including London Gatwick, London Luton, Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh and Belfast International airports.
It is divided into three main parts:
- A virtual ground course (lasting approximately two and a half hours), where phobia expert Lawrence Leyton and a senior EasyJet captain “explain the unfamiliar sounds and sensations customers feel onboard an aircraft and teach them a unique set of mind techniques to manage their nerves”.
- A pre-flight one-hour “Meet the Team” online Zoom session, where participants are walked through the airport experience and what to expect, plus a participant Q&A session for any last-minute questions.
- Finally, a special one-hour experience flight from the course airport, “where customers put their new skills to the test whilst listening to a live commentary of the flight from the Fearless Flyer team”.
The course is suitable for anyone who is a nervous flyer, says the aiurline, “whether they experience slight anxiety or whether they have never flown before and, with a success rate of more than 95 per cent, we would encourage anyone wishing to overcome their fear to take part”.
Noting that around one in six people have a fear of flying, Mark Wein, EasyJet’s Fearless Flyer course director, said, “With international travel returning to normal after so long, now is a great opportunity to join so many who have already overcome their fears through our renowned Fearless Flyer course. We’re excited to help many more customers on our courses over the coming months – the results are life-changing.”
