Summer is finally here. If the usual beach holidays cannot satisfy your inner adventure desire anymore, this summer, you can consider some of unique activities and destinations recommended by British Airways: From spending a night in a prison-turn-hotel to hunting down the undead at a 1,000-year-old gravesite or living your life on the edge -- at 574 feet up in the sky; these are just some of the unique vacations one can have with British Airways!

Vivian Tan-Loh, British Airways’ country manager for Malaysia, said, “Traditionally Malaysian families love to visit Europe in summer. Outside of the regular tourist sites, we have noticed that Malaysians are getting increasingly open to trying something different, unique and fun while on vacation. With its expansive flight network, British Airways is a great partner when planning your next memorable adventure.”

Here are British Airways’ top five adventurous destinations for this summer.

Palio Horse Race in Siena, Italy

Experience one of Italy’s most famous events this summer in Siena - The Palio. During the Palio, Sienese “contrade,” or different areas in the city, are divided to challenge each other in a passionate horse race in the Piazza del Campo, the heart of the city. The Palio horse race takes place twice a year - on the 2 July in honour of the Madonna of Provenzano and on the 16 August in honour of the Virgin Mary’s Assumption. This horse race is a unique, not-to-be-missed, passionate event that rouses the whole city and attracts tens of thousands of outside spectators. And, if you befriend a local, you may even be allowed to participate in the horse race!

British Airways flies to Rome via London Heathrow seven times a day. Buses departing every 2.5 hours are available from Rome’s Tiburtina bus station to Siena and back. Travellers can also fly to Florence and hop on the airport shuttle bus to Florence’s main transport station located opposite of the magnificent Santa Maria Novella church, and from there on to Siena by bus or by train.

Vampire Hunting in Prague, Czech Republic

In the town Celakovice near Prague, there is a 1,000-year-old site that contains the graves of a few “real” vampires!  This cemetery dates back to the late 10th century, and is supposed to be the favoured burial site for vampires. It is believed that 14 vampires were buried here and the graves of 11 yielded skeletons which had their hands and legs tied and heads cut off.  Rocks were placed on their bodies to prevent them from resurrecting as vampires.  If graveyard visiting is not your cup of tea, take the safer route.  After all, Prague is also full of vampire lore and stories are frequently shared through local tours.   

British Airways flies five times a day to Prague from London Heathrow.

Winery biking tour in Austria

Travellers can enjoy drinking and cycling through Austria’s Wachau Valley and interact intimately with  its local wineries and wine cooperatives. Cycling allows travellers to stop as and when they want to explore the colourful countryside full of natural beutry and culture heritage. For instance, Richard the Lionheart was once held captive in a castle above the town Dürnstein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Wachau Valley.

The Wachau Valley is accessible by boat from Vienna. British Airways flies daily to Austria’s Vienna from London Heathrow; six times per week to Salzburg from London’s Gatwick and twice a week to Innsbruck from London Heathrow.