It’s not always easy to come to an agreement about what to do on a weekend or during those precious vacation weeks. Some are always up for a festival or being part of the scene; others would much rather do something sporty. With a modicum of planning beforehand, friends and families can easily combine athletic endeavors with cultural events. Here are just a few ideas:

SUP and a fest

Take full advantage of Frankfurt am Main’s riverside location by experiencing stand-up paddling and a fest in a single day. A handful of companies offer board rentals and introductory courses; for example, MAIN SUP offers a two-hour basic course including a short paddle along the shoreline on summer evenings and during the afternoons on Saturdays and Sundays. Each participant pays 49 euros. Online: main-sup.de/kurse-and-touren

Two August festivals would combine well with the above; the first, Mainfest (Aug. 2-5), is a classic inner-city volksfest with rides, gaming booths, bratwurst, beers and the like. Museum and culture lovers shouldn’t miss the Museumsufer Fest (Aug. 23-25), when countries and clubs show just how multicultural the city is by serving typical cuisine or showcasing their music and culture on stage. With the purchase of a button, entry into several world-class museums figures into the mix. Online: museumsufer.de

River rafting alongside music and sport

In long-past centuries, the Isar River was used to transport timber to Munich. Following in this tradition, adventurers of today can board rustic log rafts in the town of Wolfratshausen and catch a ride to Munich-Thalkirchen, a journey of some 20 miles. The rafts, equipped with tables and benches, are steered by a skillful crew. Along the river’s calmer stretches, guests can swim alongside the rafts, but when the craft pass through the locks, everyone hops aboard. Depending on the river’s water level, the journey can take anywhere from five to seven hours. Raft trips are offered from May through mid-September. The cost of a trip, inclusive of drinks and snacks, comes in at about 200 euros per adult passenger, depending on the company offering it. Online: tinyurl.com/438by77h

For a full weekend of action, combine rafting with a visit to Munich MASH Aug. 2-4, when sports including basketball, wakeboarding, skateboarding and BMX are played by the pros. Music lovers could combine the rafting outing with a concert by Adele, who will make her only European appearances here on 10 different dates in August. Online: tinyurl.com/bdetm368

Suspension bridge trek and folklore

Just outside Zermatt, Switzerland is found the Europaweg Skywalk, the Alp’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge. Also referred to as the Charles Kuonen or Randa Suspension Bridge, the 1,621-foot-long bridge hangs at the dizzying height of 7,218 feet above sea level. The bridge, open since 2017, affords breathtaking views over the Mattertal, the deepest-cut valley in Switzerland. The bridge can be experienced as part of a day hike and is easily reached by means of a 20-minute train ride from Zermatt to Randa. The ascent and descent to the bridge makes for a hike taking about four to five hours in total. Online: tinyurl.com/24k9znsj

Back in the not-so-big city, Aug. 11 sees Zermatt celebrate its annual Folklore Festival, an event that’s been bringing a days-of-old feel to the town for more than 50 years. On the day, some 30 groups clad in traditional costume share the music and dance of their forefathers. Festivities go from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and admission is free. Online: tinyurl.com/5h9rwyc4

Kayaking and cuisine in Copenhagen

Like Venice and Amsterdam, the Danish capital of Copenhagen is a city of waterways and canals. Exploring them with a swan’s-eye view is possible by means of a tour booked through Kayak Republic. The company’s classic city tour takes water lovers past historical landmarks, houseboats and the free town of Christiania. Themed tours focused on architecture or Nordic cuisine are also available. Seasoned paddlers can alternately rent kayaks and explore independently. Those wishing to do something positive for the environment can take out a so-called green kayak, gather up trash and debris and have a two-hour working mini-holiday free of charge. Online: kayakrepublic.dk/en

A fine time to visit, for gourmets in particular, is Aug. 16-25, when the event known as Copenhagen Cooking showcases Nordic-cool cuisine. More than 100 food experiences await, from tastings, workshops, show kitchens, markets and dinners seated at long tables in the company of new friends. The event celebrates its 20th anniversary edition with the crowning of cabbage as its headline vegetable and a visit from this year’s guest of honor, the Belgian region of Flanders. Online: copenhagencooking.dk

Historical hike followed by fireworks

High in the hills across the Neckar River from Heidelberg, Germany, sits a relic from the dark past, a Third Reich-era theater known as a Thingstätte, one of about 40 such structures built in the country between 1933 and 1939. The oval-shaped amphitheater was used for rallies, plays and seasonal celebrations promoting the National Socialist movement. Following World War II, the venue was used for jazz and rock concerts, as well as an annual celebration of Walpurgis Night. Just behind the amphitheater are found the ruins of an ancient monastery. A nearby beer garden offers rest and restoration following the semi-arduous climb up the Heiligenberg, or Holy Mountain. A hike up and down the mountain would take about 2.5 hours or more, depending on starting point.

The hike would combine nicely with the night of Heidelberg Castle Illuminations, set for Sept. 7 this year. At about 10:15 p.m., flares will bathe the castle with a red glow, reminiscent of the 1689 and 1693 dates when troops of the Sun King Louis XIV set fire to the structure, leaving behind the ruins we see today. The spectacle is immediately followed by fireworks over the Neckar River. Online: tinyurl.com/3efmbb6j