Swinging (and Biking and Swimming . . . ) Singles

Surfing Pilgrimage in Australia

Any Monday during the entire year you can hop aboard a bus in Sydney and follow the route that surfers in-the-know have been taking since the 1960s. With the guidance of several charismatic surf bums, you will learn to read and ride the waves off remote beaches, visit tiny towns overflowing with surfer lore while singing and drinking the soreness away with friendly folks from across the world.

The constant companionship, stunning beaches and charming nighlife make it one of the greatest surf trips for singles in the world, says Jose Gutierrez who oversees 60 surf camps for Nomad Surfers. Regardless of whether you are shy or wild, experienced or new to surfing, you are bound to have a great time, he says.

After five days of travel, pilgrims arrive in Byron Bay, a funky artist's colony.  Within a ten-minute radius of the Nomad Surfers camp, there are great beaches for beginners and experts alike, a marine reserve, a rain forest and a lively town, all overflowing with fascinating creatures. It's understandable that few revellers leave when they plan to.

Details: A two week package, including five-day bus tour along the coast and nine days in Byron Bay surf camp costs $995 (low season) / $1027 (high season). For more information, go to http://www.nomadsurfers.com, e-mail info@nomadsurfers.com or call 34- 971- 31 20 99.

Costa Rica

Zigzagging across the rain forest and climbing up a bubbling volcano are part of what Trish Sare, founder and director of BikeHike Adventures calls the "bread and butter" of singles travel.

For those who truly love to sweat, once a month the company offers the Ultimate Adventure Medley which packs mountain biking, rafting, sea kayaking, hiking and swinging on cables into ten days.

"Often you really connect out there in a way you might not be able to back home," says Sare who has watched numerous romances develop on the trip -- including several which led to marriage.

Details: A 10-day package, (land only) runs $1999 and during peak season, $2099. For more information, go to http://www.bikehike.com/costa_rica/, info@bikehike.com or call (888) 805-006.