It's no secret that the Alps are home to world-class skiing. But for those who want exclusive access to untouched powder and secluded wilderness, there's nothing like a heli-skiing trip to make you feel like the mountains are your own private playground. At the northern edge of Piedmont, Val Formazza offers all the isolation you'll need.

The protected valley is surrounded by three majestic peaks: Ofenhorn, Blinnenhorn, and Basòdino. And because it's so high up (the highest landing spot available is around 10,500 feet), snow falls by the feet every year. To access all that unspoiled backcountry, Heli-Guides maintains a fleet of Airbus AS 350 helicopters, and the menu of options — from easy day trips to full-week packages — means you can spend as much (or as little) time in the valley as they like.

Diving With Great Whites in South Australia

Off the coast of Port Lincoln in South Australia, the Neptune Islands are home to Australia's largest colony of long-nose fur seals. And while those cuties are worth a visit themselves, what interests thrill-seekers are their top predator: the great white shark.

Little is known about the migration habits of great white sharks, which is what makes this site so exciting for adventure travelers. Thanks to a mingling of cold and warm currents merging from the Indian and Southern Oceans, the islands offer an incredible diversity of wildlife, hence the appeal for bloodthirsty sharks.

Humans aren't on the menu, of course. Companies like Calypso Star Charters keep you safe inside a steel cage or what's known as an "aqua sub" (essentially a reverse aquarium, where the fish are outside the glass). You'll be free to marvel at these 19-foot-long beasts as they swim within arm's reach.

Belize's Great Blue Hole is not only one of the most mysterious — and beautiful — sites on Earth, it's also a must-visit destination for divers. Venturing all the way down is recommended for experienced divers only. But that doesn't mean the rest of us can't go exploring, too.

Snorkeling is a fun, beginner-friendly way to glimpse life below the surface. On Belize's largest island, Ambergris Caye, an area called Tres Coco is a wonderful place to start. Here, snorkelers benefit from large brain and elkhorn coral in waters that only about four to eight feet deep. You'll see not only tropical fish like yellowtail snapper and rainbow parrotfish, but also conch, banded shrimp, sea urchin, and stingrays.

A few miles off the southern tip of Ambergris Caye, you'll find Hol Chan Marine Reserve, another excellent destination for underwater thrills. The protected reserve is teeming with wildlife, including a sandy-bottom area that's become a gathering place for nurse sharks, hence the name: Shark Alley. Don't worry, though. Despite the sharks' intimidating appearance and rows of serrated teeth, they're harmless to humans, and will only respond aggressively if provoked.

If you're not afraid of heights, a visit to Guatemala's Tikal National Park might be in order. The UNESCO World Heritage site is best taken in from the treetops on a canopy tour, one popular thing to do in the park.
On one of these tours, you'll soar through the jungle via zipline. The route connects multiple platforms built about 100 feet above the forest floor, and it offers an impressive bird's-eye view of the flora and fauna. Along the way, naturalist guides will be able to identify any creatures — howler monkeys, ring-tailed coatimundi, jaguars, and toucans, to name a few — that catch your eye.