Seeing the unique scenery of Cappadocia from the vantage point of a hot air balloon is an unforgettable experience. Imagine floating over the surreal landscapes of fairy chimneys, rock formations, and small towns. Going for a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia was our favorite experience in Turkey. Gazing out over these magical landscapes at sunrise is well worth the …
Best Hikes in Europe: Our 20 Favorite Day Hikes
Europe is one of our favorite places to go hiking. There’s no better way to explore the dramatic and varied landscapes here, from the snow-capped Alps to coastal trails to the remote, volcanic interior of Iceland. In this guide we list 20 of the best hikes in Europe, 20 amazing ways to explore this beautiful continent. We have hiked trails …
Complete Guide to the Maple Pass Loop | North Cascades National Park
The Maple Pass Loop offers a little bit of everything…wildflowers, old growth forests, a visit to a lovely alpine lake, and (the best part) panoramic views of the North Cascades. Although it is not located in North Cascades National Park, you bump right up against the park border. From the highest points along the trail, you will have spectacular views …
How to Hike the Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge, RMNP
The Ute Trail to Tombstone Ridge is a wonderful, short, easy hike to do in Rocky Mountain National Park. For the entire hike, you are walking along the alpine tundra with unobstructed views of Longs Peak and Forest Canyon. If you are looking for an easy hike with spectacular views of Rocky Mountain Park, put this hike at the top …
12 Best National Parks to Take the Kids
If you are planning a family vacation in the United States, the national parks make an excellent destination. There are currently 63 national parks in the USA…that’s a lot to choose from. We have narrowed down the list to 12 great national parks to take the kids. When you are traveling with kids, you want a place that’s easy to …
Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Hike: North Cascades National Park
For outstanding views of the North Cascades, put the Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm hike on your list. Often labeled as the best day hike in North Cascades National Park, the Sahale Arm hike is gorgeous every step of the way. You’ll hike through evergreen forests, through fields of heather and wildflowers, past marmots, mountain goats, and maybe even bear. …
One Day in Landmannalaugar (with Háifoss and Sigöldugljúfur)
Landmannalaugar is a wonderland of rainbow-colored mountains, lava fields, and hot springs. Hiking trails crisscross these colorful hills, making this part of Iceland one of the most unique places to go hiking. With one day in Landmannalaugar, you can hike one or two trails, soak in the hot springs, photograph the stunning landscapes, and add on a quick visit to …
The Mürren Via Ferrata: One of Switzerland’s Most Thrilling Experiences
Does the idea of dangling 600 meters (2000 feet) above the Lauterbrunnen Valley floor interest you? How about walking across a tightrope, with nothing below you except a rushing river? Or how about walking across a wobbly, narrow, suspension bridge? If you said yes to all of these questions, then put the Mürren via ferrata on your list of things …
How to Visit Kerlingarfjöll and the Hveradalir Geothermal Area, Iceland
Kerlingarfjöll is a mountain range located in Iceland’s central highlands. Tucked away within this mountain range is Hveradalir, a geothermal wonderland of steaming vents, boiling mud pools, and rainbow-colored hot springs. The combination of hiking trails, rust-colored mountains, and clouds of steam creates one of Iceland’s most unique hiking and photography destinations. Kerlingarfjöll is located in central Iceland and is …
10 Days in Norway: The Fjords and the Lofoten Islands
10 days in Norway…the options are endless for the best way to explore this gorgeous country. We have been to Norway twice and after each trip we wrote a 10-day Norway itinerary. Our 10 Day Norway Itinerary only covers the fjord region, from Stavanger to Ålesund, with epic hikes, fjord cruises, kayaking, and more. Our Northern Norway Itinerary covers northern …
One Perfect Day in Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands is an enormous National Park. Over 330,000 acres are filled with arches, buttes, mesas, canyons, hiking trails, dirt roads, campgrounds, and overlooks. It would take days, weeks even, to fully explore all that Canyonlands has to offer. However, if you only have one day in Canyonlands, you have just enough time to visit the highlights. There are several different …
How to Trek to Everest Base Camp: Your Questions, Answered
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is an unforgettable journey. Hike through the mighty Himalayas, visit the monasteries, spin the prayer wheels, and make memories that will last a lifetime. We get a lot of questions about what it takes to plan and then trek to Everest Base Camp. So, I decided to put together a post with our answers to …
16 Amazing Things to Do in Arches National Park (+ HELPFUL Tips)
Arches National Park is a wonderland of desert vistas, short hiking trails, strange rock formations, and you guessed it, arches. Not only will you find over 2,000 arches here, but you will also see hoodoos, fins of sandstone rocks, massive mesas, and balanced rocks. Here are the best things to do in Arches National Park. About Our Experiences in Arches …
14 Best Hikes in Norway to Put on Your Bucket List
If you ask us, putting one foot in front of another on a hiking trail is the best way to experience Norway. Hike along the jagged mountain peaks of the Lofoten Islands, the picture perfect fjords in southern Norway, and through some of the world’s most awe-inspiring landscapes. Stand on iconic Trolltunga and Pulpit Rock and even Kjeragbolten (if you …
Svalbard Budget: How Much Does it Cost to Visit Svalbard?
Do you have big dreams of visiting Svalbard? Then you probably also have the question how much does it cost to visit Svalbard? The short answer: it can be very expensive. We spent four days in Svalbard at the end of June 2018. Here is our Svalbard budget, with a full cost breakdown of flights, activities, food, and accommodations. Why …
Hiking to Vel’ká Svišt’ovka and Zelene Pleso in the High Tatras of Slovakia
For stunning mountain views and a visit to several vividly green alpine lakes, the hike to the summit of Vel’ká Svišt’ovka is a good one to add to your Tatras hiking list. A cable car lops off the first major ascent, so this hike is easier than many of the hikes in the Tatras. Even so, this hike is not …
Complete Guide to Climbing Svolvaergeita in the Lofoten Islands
Svolvaergeita, also called “The Goat,” is a pinnacle of rock that is a popular rock climbing spot in the Lofoten Islands. It is named The Goat because of the two horns of rock that sit atop the rock. Those with a sense of adventure can climb to the top of Svolvaergeita and those who are just a little bit crazy …
Kayaking Adventfjord and Hiking Hiorthfjellet: A One Day Adventure in Svalbard
Svalbard offers a wide range of adventure activites. Ride on a rib boat and search for walrus, kayak in front of an active glacier, or cruise out to an abandoned mining town. For a really cool one day adventure, how about kayaking across Adventfjord and then hiking to the summit of Hiorthfjellet, one of the tallest mountains in the area? …
2 Amazing Days in Death Valley: Itinerary from Las Vegas
If you like the idea of exploring sand dunes, climbing down into an extinct volcano, hiking through canyons, and seeing one of the United States’ most unique landscapes, Death Valley is calling your name. With 2 days in Death Valley, you can see the main highlights, although more time allows you to explore further. Here is our two day Death …
Hiking Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley
Mosaic Canyon is a fun hike to do in Death Valley National Park. There is just enough rock scrambling and navigating through obstacles to keep things interesting. Mosaic Canyon narrows and widens several times throughout the hike so the views are always changing. This tends to be one of the more popular hikes in Death Valley, so be prepared to …