Mountain Bike Safari in Botswana: Headed to South Africa this month for the World Cup? Well, take a little side-trip to the bush in neighboring Botswana. Now that the rains are over, it’s dry season again in Southern Africa, the best time to go on safari. But instead of bouncing around in the back of a jeep, get your bum sore atop a mountain bike and really see the action close up. At Mashatu Game Reserve, ancient elephant paths have been converted into singletrack trails that will lead to the big game. A four-day guided ride will only set you back $557 US, including guides, tents, and food.

Get High in the Dolomites: Italian Connection now has a new more adventurous option on their Dolomites (Italian Alps) tours. Travelers can hike along the Via Ferrata or the Iron Paths, which are rugged narrow paths with iron cables that you clip onto with a cord. These Iron Paths are peculiar to the Dolomites in that many were put in place during the first World War in order to get troops and supplies through impassable mountain terrain. Their next five-day tour is July 13-17 and costs $2995 US, including gourmet meals and lodging at upscale properties.