It’s summer, and the last thing you want to do is sit in your cube staring out the window at a bunch of other guys sitting in their cubes across the way. Daydreaming about a beach vacation might be a great way to pass the hours at work, but here at American Crew we think you should be a little more creative with your hard-earned days off. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

But I’m a beach addict!

If the beach is your thing, at least be sure to visit one of the best in the world. Travel connoisseurs agree that it doesn’t get much better than Palawan: an island group in the western Philippines that boasts unbelievably exotic scenery, gleaming white beaches and virgin rainforests. And while it might be tempting, don’t spend all your time just sitting in the sand; the islands are also famous for wreck diving. So grab your scuba gear and get going!

Wanna hit the road?

You’d be hard pressed to find a vacation more classic than a road trip along America’s historic Route 66. Re-read Kerouac’s On the Road to get yourself in the right frame of mind, start searching for a Gran Torino or Harley (if you’re going to do it, might as well go all out!) and perfect your look for the highway. Forget coming home with a tan, on a trip like this you’ll want to return with a few scars and some serious stories.

Get adventurous.

Zip-lining, also encouragingly known as death-sliding, is the sensible art of hurtling across a ravine while clipped to a cable. This sport is gaining in popularity and is a great way to add some serious adventure to your summer. While there are probably local destinations for you to let out your inner dare-devil, why not step it up a notch? In Thailand you can zip through the exotic jungle canopy up to 50 meters in the air. Or if that sounds like child’s play, try New Zealand’s Mokai Gravity Canyon, the “most extreme zip-lining site in the world,” where adventurers fly across 1 km of cable at speeds around 100 mph.

Go native.

Another great way to make sure you get the most out of your summer vacation is to “go native” for a couple of weeks. Whatever your dream destination (Caribbean? Tuscany?) just ignore the resorts and hotels. Instead, rent a house or apartment well off the tourist track, stock up at the local food markets, visit the neighborhood bars and cafés and settle into the relaxing routine of living like a local.

Whatever you do, wherever you go – make sure you look the part.

Bon Voyage!