ZNMD Road Trip Itinerary For Adventure Lovers
Films and TV shows allow you to learn more about culture and countries' attractions. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is the perfect example of how spots and activities can be promoted and inspire the viewers! From skydiving in Sevilla to scuba diving in Costa Brava, let you guide through this exciting ZNMD road trip!
For those of you who don’t know, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara or ZNMD (if you’re in a hurry) is a 2011 Bollywood film about 3 Indian friends, Kabir, Arjun, and Imraan, who grew up together and do an unexpected amount of adventure activities during a road trip in Spain. They commit to that philosophy by facing their fears in the form of 3 extreme sports.
As the film has such a cult status, we thought of creating a ZNMD road trip itinerary for adventure lovers seeking inspiration! To give you a breakdown, in this article, we listed the spots visited by the 3 amigos and give you a preview of thrilling sports you can try there… perhaps with your friends! From bungee jumping in Barcelona to skydiving in the birthplace of Flamenco – in Sevilla, this road trip will be like living the film itself and the adrenaline won’t let you blink!
Rock climbing in Montserrat near Barcelona
We all know someone who cannot relax even when they’re on holiday, well it's the case of Arjun, who plays the workaholic in this film. He is a stockbroker glued to his phone and laptop, and this situation pretty much annoys his friends – Imraan and Kabir.
Even in a breathtaking setting like the Montserrat mountain range, Arjun is talking to his Japanese associates before Imraan throws his phone out of the car. Although the 3 friends drove to this spot, they practice any activity (other than looking for Arjun’s phone)... but you, can!
We recommend you try the rock climbing activity in Montserrat mountains of Catalonia. A short one-hour trip via the C-58 highway from Barcelona will take you to the multi-peaked mountain range.
Conquering the Monserrat will not just give you an adrenaline rush, but also a great deal of a sense of accomplishment. The topic and the fundamentals of climbing progression and safety will be covered during this activity. For those who have never climbed and would like to give it a try, this half-day initiation is perfect: it also allows you to see Montserrat from a completely new perspective.
Scuba diving in Costa Brava
According to a childhood pact between the three friends, each of them should propose an activity of their choice! Starting with Kabir’s proposal, they must go scuba diving in Costa Brava. Even though he can't swim, Arjun overcomes his fear of the sea when they visit the Spanish coast during their trip through Spain, thanks to Laila teaching him how to dive.
When you don't know how to swim, you should have a lot of patience and special attention, just as Laila did with Arjun. In this scene, we understand Arjun trusts Laila fully and so he tries to overcome his fears when he decides to go into the water to dive! In real life, you will of course, be guided by a certified instructor.
Even though Costa Brava is just an hour and a half away from Barcelona, it feels like a different planet. The beaches of Costa Brava have golden sandy beaches, and crystal clear waters surrounded by postcard-like seaside villages, making it ideal for your first dive. You could for example, try the discovery diving experience in Montgri Natural Park and even receive a certificate!
Through Arjun’s character, the ZNMD road trip teaches us new experiences (like scuba diving) that can be scary at first but eventually liberating once you tried it.
Jet Ski in Valencia near Bunol
A 30-minute drive West on the A-3 highway from Bunol is the port city of Valencia. The city known for its futuristic establishments like interactive museums and a planetarium is also home to exhilarating jet-skiing activities. Jet-skiing in Valencia gives you the chance to cruise past a wide variety of beaches and coves in the Mediterranean ‘forest’.
Another feel-good scene of the film is when the group goes to Bunol to partake in the age-old Tomatina festival – which is basically a party where people throw squashed tomatoes on each other for entertainment. The scene was filled with music, dance, which reminds the Bollywood spirit, it wasn’t exactly an adrenaline-filled experience. If you visit the region on the last Wednesday of August, you could live the Tomatina festival Bunol and go jet-skiing in Valencia!
Skydiving in Sevilla, Andalucia
It was time to snap back to reality after painting the town red at the Tomatina festival when Imraan decides to visit his biological father for the first time since he abandoned Imraan. His father, a painter, lives in Andalusia but don’t worry – we have slightly less emotionally charged and slightly more exciting activities in store for you. To keep the Bollywood spirit once again, you will enjoy the music and dancing shows, when the ZNMD group makes a stop in Sevilla, the birthplace of Flamenco, the traditional dance of the region. The popular ‘senorita‘ song was shot in a bar in Andalucia, underlying the festive nightlife of the region.
One of the most thrilling things to do in the south of Spain is the tandem Skydive from 4000m in Sevilla, which allows you to soar above the clouds and admire the most picturesque city in Andalusia. Because of the amazing weather in this area, skydiving is possible practically year-round! You will experience speeds of up to 200 km/h during the free fall! Did you know that Sevilla is home to the best skydiving instructor in the South of Spain?
If you still have time to spare, the dramatically beautiful town of Ronda is an architectural masterpiece and must be visited. It also happens to be the residence of Imraan’s father and is less than 2 hours away from Sevilla via highways A-375 and A-374.
Bungee jumping in Catalonia, near Barcelona
Even though the ZNMD road trip did not feature a bungee jump, a big part of the film was shot in Barcelona and the Catalonian region but also the drive through Montserrat, scuba diving, and skydiving in Costa Brava. It would be unfair not to write about the highest bungee jump in Spain, located near Girona.
Following a safety briefing and preparation by the guides, you'll be ready to jump from 70 meters is a formidable height for a first jump, so the experienced instructors advise taking a bold step forward. One hour on Highway C-32 from Barcelona will take you to the jump spot. An adrenaline-filled 5-second jump goes with the theme portrayed in ZNMD, which is off conquering your fears.
Paragliding in Sopelana near Pamplona
The climax scene of the film deals with Arjun’s doubts to face reality and call off the wedding with his fiancée. This is portrayed symbolically in the form of the third and final extreme sport – running with bulls during the Festival of San Fermín. Bullfights filled with adrenaline are the main attraction of Pamplona's San Fermin Festival and is one of Spain's ancient cultural customs. Although running with bulls can be an adrenaline-fueled experience, it is potentially deadly, without any exaggeration.
Instead, we suggest you visit Sopelana, located less than 2 hours away from Pamplona via the A-1 highway. The fresh breeze from the Bay of Biscay propels you while you feel like a bird, gliding over green hills and a beautiful coastline. A tandem paragliding flight in Sopelana 30 minutes away from Bilbao, we will give you the chance to fulfill your dream of taking a flight over the northern coast of the Basque Country! Regardless of your age and experience, you will fly in the air for twenty minutes with a professional guide, who will make sure the weather is ideal while you are in the air...
If this film and the ZNMD road trip have inspired you to try thrilling activities off the beaten track, you'll be pleased to know that there are plenty of crazy things to do in Spain, like bungee jumping near Lloret del Mar or canyoning in Nerja!
Maybe you want something less crazy to do in this sunny country, so don't miss out on reading the top 10 activities to do in Spain, in order to find out what activities you can do with your friends or family for example!