Albufeira, Amsterdam and more
A tandem skydive is a half-day: training, kit, the climb and a jump with an instructed strapped to you.
A tandem skydive is a half-day: training, kit, the climb and a jump with an instructed strapped to you. A bungee or a zip wire is much quicker, a briefing and a harness and then your turn. All three are weather-dependent and all three can be called off on the day.
Every operator has weight limits, age limits and a medical declaration, and they enforce them. Check yours against the numbers before anyone pays anything.
Close-fitting clothes and trainers. Glasses, loose jewellery and anything in your pockets go in a locker.
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The airborne options around Albufeira are parasailing and a treetop high ropes course rather than skydiving. Parasailing gives about ten minutes in the air over the coast, with up to 12 people sharing a boat, so a group rotates through. Slots run 10am to 6pm and you wear swimwear. The high ropes course has zip lines and bridges at up to 65 feet, runs about an hour with start times from 11am to 6pm, and needs a minimum height of 1.4m. Transport is not included, so arrange a taxi.
The big zip lines are outside Cardiff. A high-speed seated zip line runs from Hirwaun near Aberdare, about 45 minutes and 24 miles away: two lines totalling 1.5km at up to 70mph, with four riders side by side. Arrive 30 minutes early; the weight limit is 130kg, shoulders must be covered and shorts must reach the knee. A treetop course at Margam Country Park is about 30 miles out, with a 20.5-stone limit. High ropes, abseil and zip combinations run about 20 minutes from the centre.
Check the location and travel time before booking, because skydiving, bungee and zip-line sites tend to be away from the city centre, and the activity can take most of a day once the journey is counted. Weather decides whether these go ahead, and operators can postpone on the day, so put it early in the weekend and keep a fallback ready. Lisbon's long season from April to October gives the best odds of suitable conditions. Nobody can drink beforehand, so schedule it before the first night out, not after it.
London's height options are closer to town than a drop zone. At the Olympic Park in Stratford, a tunnel slide wraps down a 76-metre tower in 34 seconds; arrive 30 minutes early and remove jewellery. Out west near Hounslow, a zip line and high ropes centre sells a three-activity pass of about four and a half hours. In Chessington, Surrey, a treetop course reaches 30 metres, with a weight limit of 20.5 stone, old clothes and closed flat shoes. Allow travel time for the last two, and arrive early, as late arrivals can lose their slot.
United Kingdom
Around Newcastle, the realistic options are high ropes and climbing rather than skydiving. A treetop course with a zip wire sits at Matfen, about 17 miles from the centre, with transfers not included. There is a 20.5-stone weight limit, closed flat shoes are required, and you should arrive early for the paperwork, as late arrivals can lose their slot. Guided rock climbing in the North Pennines runs three to five hours, from beginner level upwards; wear loose clothing and no jeans. Both depend on the weather and are best booked for the morning.
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Albufeira, Amsterdam, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Lisbon, London, Newcastle and Prague.
In Albufeira, from £38 pp. In Amsterdam, from £27 pp. In Bournemouth, from £27 pp. In Cardiff, from £54 pp. In Lisbon, from £42 pp. In London, from £40 pp. In Newcastle, from £53 pp. In Prague, from £105 pp. Flights are not included.
Yes, in any of these cities: Albufeira, Amsterdam, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Lisbon, London, Newcastle and Prague. Add it when you get an instant price, or ask us.
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