Intro

Think adventure is a calling for nut cases? Well, you can blame your thirst for adventure on your parents. A study published in Nature Genetics reported that people who are prone to be exploratory and excitable have a longer version of a gene called D4DR found on chromosome 11. The gene helps regulate dopamine which controls pleasure and emotion in the brain. Although the research is not conclusive, the researchers believe that finding this gene may help identify thrillseekers.

If you indeed possess that extra gene, you will find that there is no one perfect source for information on travel or adventuring to far-flung places. This is only a sampler of what is out there. We encourage readers to send in any sources they have come across to expand our list and to report on the experience.

Everybody has a different idea of adventure. It could be bird-watching or it could be parachuting into jungles to fight with rebels. So don't assume that there is only one flavor of adventure.

A few things to keep in mind when dealing with folks who offer adventurous travel: Tell them why you are calling. Ask them for more information. Ask them to describe the typical member, client etc., and then ask for references. Do not take brochures or PR material at face value.

There is no one way to join or organize an expedition. By definition, all you have to do is walk out your door. Most expeditions have goals, structure, deadlines, budgets, and so forth, and require more planning than execution. Most are scientific in nature. Many are adventurous or exploratory, with little of the painstaking information recording required of expeditions in the old days.