149 articles tagged with hiking
I've driven buses on three continents, but nothing prepared me for the sheer magnificence of Peru's Sacred Valley. While Machu Picchu gets all the glory—and rightfully so—there's a treasure trove of trails beyond the famous citadel that'll knock your hiking...
Vienna surprised me. Known worldwide for Mozart, Strauss, and opulent Habsburg palaces, I expected to spend my week surrounded by gilded interiors and concert halls. But what captivated me most was the city's remarkable green soul—a network of accessible outdoor...
G'day, fellow adventurers! There's something magical about returning to your roots, especially when those roots are planted in the sun-drenched paradise of Queensland. Though I've called Hamburg home for over a decade now, my heart still skips a beat whenever...
The morning mist clung to the ancient rooftops as I wandered through Lijiang's Old Town, the cobblestones still glistening from an overnight shower. Having explored pristine lakes across four continents, I thought I'd seen it all until the emerald waters...
There's something alchemical about the Blue Ridge Mountains in autumn. The transformation happens gradually, then suddenly—like the perfect reduction sauce simmering on a back burner while you're distracted by other things. One moment, you're squinting through summer haze at uniform...
Seattle has always felt like a curious contradiction to me—a gleaming tech metropolis nestled within an emerald wilderness. Having visited this Pacific Northwest gem multiple times for translation conferences, I've developed a deep appreciation for how the city balances its...
There's something profoundly spiritual about reconnecting with nature, especially in a place where urban design and wilderness coexist in such harmony. Having grown up just a few hours east of Vancouver in London, Ontario, I've always felt a special connection...
There's something profoundly transformative about exploring Oslo from its waterways and woodlands rather than just its urban core. As someone who has spent considerable time in Norway thanks to my husband's heritage, I've developed a deep appreciation for how this...
The first time I glimpsed Meteora's impossible rock formations from the train window, I understood why the name translates to 'suspended in air.' Six monasteries perched atop massive stone pillars dominate every guidebook and Instagram feed. But during my week...
The first time I glimpsed Bora Bora's electric blue lagoon from my airplane window, I knew the standard overwater bungalow experience wouldn't be enough to satisfy my explorer's heart. As a game developer who specializes in creating immersive digital ecosystems,...
The vermilion gates of Itsukushima Shrine emerge from the gentle tide, creating that iconic postcard image we've all seen countless times. But as I discovered during my recent autumn escape to Miyajima Island, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers far...
There exists a place where the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds feels gossamer thin—where ancient rainforests whisper stories of indigenous wisdom, and the Pacific Ocean crashes against rugged shores with rhythmic devotion. Vancouver Island has called to me...
Standing at the edge of Big Almaty Lake, with the imposing peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains reflecting in its turquoise waters, I couldn't help but wonder why Kazakhstan isn't on every outdoor enthusiast's bucket list. This Central Asian gem...
Mon petit-fils often asks me, 'Mamie, when can we see the lions again?' It's been fifteen years since that company retreat first brought me to Kenya, transforming this game developer into an accidental wildlife photographer. Now, I return annually to...
The first time I laid eyes on Guilin's limestone karsts jutting dramatically from the misty Li River, I understood why this landscape has inspired Chinese artists for centuries. But what truly surprised me was how much more this region offers...