Float your boat in the wet and wild
waters of the Austrian Alps

White water rafting: It's only water, right?

Yeah, right. Try to remember that little ditty when you're screaming your guts out as you plunge over your first set of rapids, hanging on for dear life, letting go of nothing except your dignity and your inhibitions. Feel your heart racing? They're not called rapids for nothing.

River exploration in Austria ranges from fast and furious to calm and cool. Grade 3, 4 and 5 can be had on the Imster and Ötztaler Rivers, and many more gentle tours abound. Grab a paddle and hop aboard.

Rafting grades explained:
Grade 1: Calm, rippling water. A pleasant social outing.
Grade 2: Rippling, cascading white water. Ooh, aah!
Grade 3: Adventurous white water, 1-2 metre waves, manoeuvring to negotiate the rapids is required. Yeesh!
Grade 4: Challenging, difficult rapids with precise maneuvring required. Yowzers!
Grade 5: Adrenaline rush, very powerful rapids. Complex sequential maneuvering required. Holy Toledo!

Canyoning: Worried about getting your hair wet? Try another sport.

Ever been frustrated by trying to fit too much into one day? Here's the solution.

Try climbing, hiking, diving and swimming all in one go. It's called canyoning, also described as "controlled adventure", or perhaps more accurately "controlled chaos". First, slip into a neoprene wetsuit. Next, plunge yourself down a few narrow gorges, careen through some currents, hurl over a waterfall, whip down those rock faces and over those chutes. Yes, it seems control is a relative term.

If it sounds appealing you're in the perfect place. Austria has many tributaries where mountain waters have carved dramatic gorges, ravines and canyons. Protected from the chilly waters by your neoprene suit, and with a helmet, climbing harness, karabiners and ropes you'll be guided -- and ‘slided’ -- through some of Europe's most beautiful canyons and stunning scenery.

Canyoning is definitely in the high adrenaline category. If you're happy in the no way out zone, it's the thrill for you. Jump in, the water's wild.