We may be staying close to home for the near future, but our desire for far-flung听travel is stronger than ever. According to a from the travel company Kioni, which draws on Google data trends, Japan was the most-searched destination by Americans for 2021 travel. (And we have you covered:听read on听for our recommended adventure detours from Tokyo.)

It鈥檚 easy to see why we鈥檙e all eager to plan: what better way to make up for lost time than by researching an ambitious, once-in-a-lifetime trip?听As Daniel Houghton, the former CEO of Lonely Planet, told us about what the future of travel will look like: 鈥淭hat trip you鈥檝e been telling yourself for six years you鈥檙e going to take but haven鈥檛 yet?听More people are going to make those trips happen when we feel safe to travel again.鈥�

While not traveling at this time is still a matter of public safety, the adventure travel industry and countries that rely on tourism for their economies have been hit hard by the effects of COVID-19. So whether you book your trip in the months or years ahead, we encourage you to plan a visit only when it鈥檚 safe听for these destinations to receive visitors again. If you decide to book now, not only will you likely score some great deals, but you鈥檒l help your favorite places stay afloat as they weather the phases of reopening.听

Most airlines, hotels, outfitters, and operators have responded to the pandemic by introducing flexible cancellation policies, with United, American, and Delta recently . But always read the fine print before booking.听Better yet, sign up for a Cancel for Any Reason travel-insurance policy so that you鈥檙e prepared if you need to change plans. While many countries are experimenting with how to open borders to travelers while keeping transmission rates low, most of the international destinations on this list as of press time, with exceptions being听the African nations of Kenya and Rwanda.听Once borders begin to reopen to U.S. travelers, expect to see a range of requirements, from听showing proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior to arrival to undergoing additional health screenings at the airport.听

The insight听here will help you plan trips for years to come.听Below you鈥檒l find听exclusive flight-fare graphs that 听derived from a destination鈥檚 average month-to-month prices听from 2016 to 2019, which you can use to听determine听the most affordable time to fly听to each country. For further inspiration, dive into our additional reading and video picks for each destination, including some of our favorite stories from 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 archives. And to fully equip yourself for any type of trip, check out this year鈥檚听best听travel gear.听

At 国产吃瓜黑料, we believe that travel should be about places that make the most of outdoor adventures, and our choices here reflect that philosophy, from bikepacking Colorado鈥檚 Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park听to getting off the grid in a lakeside glass cabin in Sweden. Here are the best trips in the world to start dreaming about now.

West Virginia:听Still Wild as Hell

The Mountain State may be the most underrated adventure destination in the country, with everything from multi-pitch climbing up towering cliffs to Class V whitewater. Most of the action happens around , a.k.a. the Mon, 921,000 acres of terrain that鈥檚 uncharacteristically rugged for the eastern seaboard. After the region鈥檚 hosted the UCI World Cup mountain-biking finals last fall, word started to get out: the Mon can play. Snowshoe鈥檚 lift-served bike park was recently named a bronze-level IMBA Ride Center and has resurrected old-school (translation: gnarly) backcountry singletrack.

After a few days of riding, move north to , a 900-foot-tall crag that鈥檚 a hotbed of trad climbing. Finish your trip hiking through Dolly Sods Wilderness, 17,000 acres of red spruce forest. Base out of the recently renovated, ten-room in the town of Davis (from $110). The midcentury design and craft cocktails will make you think you鈥檙e in a hipster enclave, but rest assured: you鈥檙e in West, by God, Virginia.听鈥擥raham Averill

When to Visit

Head to听Monongahela National Forest听from June to August, when temperatures average 80听degrees, or in the fall months of September and October, when temperatures drop听to around 60听to 70听degrees. In September,听the Army Corps of Engineers releases water from the Summersville Dam, which kicks off the area鈥檚 rafting season along the New and Gauley Rivers.听

Before You Go听

Watch: The Wild Ones, a听series made by filmmaker听Logan Bockrath and the outfitter 国产吃瓜黑料s on the Gorge, features people who left the comfort of more traditional paths for the unknowns of river life. In this installment, you鈥檒l听meet Joe Catalano, who started rafting down West Virginia鈥檚听New River as a kid. He knew even then that this was something he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

Detour: From via ferrata routes and wild whitewater to mellow hikes and lush farms, here are five road trips that make the most out of the Mountain State.听

Sweden:听Cabin Heaven

Sweden鈥檚 approach to the pandemic was , to say the least, and resulted in outsized impact compared to its Scandinavian neighbors that did impose lockdowns. As of September, though, the country has one of Europe鈥檚 . Could the country鈥檚 focus on the outdoors and healing properties of nature have something to do with it?听In 2017, five stressed-out people, including a French taxi driver, a German police officer, and a British broadcaster, spent 72 hours on a private island in the middle of Lake Animmen, in southwestern Sweden, residing in glass cabins. Built on stilts, large enough for a bed, and surrounded by fresh water, trees, and stars, the stunning cabins had an impressive effect on the visitors. After three days, all five showed a measurable decrease in systolic blood pressure, a drop in heart rate, and an increase in creativity and feelings of well-being. The experiment was such a success that there are now nine province that anyone can book to swim, fish, paddle a canoe, hike, take a sauna, or do as the Swedes do and just be in nature (from $697 per person for three days, including meals). 鈥�Stephanie Pearson

When to Visit听

Make the most of the sunshine and visit the Dalsland province from May to September, when you can enjoy temperatures between 50 and听65 degrees. It鈥檚 always a good idea to pack layers for Sweden鈥檚 unpredictable weather.

Before You Go听

Read: Starting with a single Alaskan husky named Derby, Kenth Fjellborg built a dogsled-touring empire that attracts 5,000 would-be mushers a year to a frozen patch of tundra in Poikkijarvi, Sweden, 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle. And, according to contributing editor听Stephanie Pearson, he鈥檚 not afraid to yell at you using foul language.

Watch: English adventurer Alastair Humphreys and the crew at Studiocanoe took a five-day float down Sweden鈥檚 Klaralven River on a DIY raft.听

Detour: For an Arctic hit, head to Niehku Mountain Villa in Swedish Lapland, a three-and-a-half-hour flight from Dalsland鈥檚 nearest airport in G枚teborg, to hike, fish, and ski Europe鈥檚 last stretch of wilderness.

Colorado:听Go with a Legend

Steve 鈥淒oom鈥� Fassbinder is known for completing nearly impossible adventures, like biking and rafting 1,000 miles across Tajikistan. The guy has an uncanny ability to suffer鈥攅arly in his career, he was a repeat 24-Hour mountain-bike-racing world champ. Since leaving the racing scene, Doom has made a name for himself by piecing together creative multi-day routes around the world that require mountain bikes, pack rafts, and the occasional llama. Now his distinctive style of adventure is available stateside with his new outfitter, , which takes clients through the deserts, canyons, and rivers of southwest Colorado. The customized tours launch from Fassbinder鈥檚 35-acre Scullbinder Ranch, which has canvas glamping tents and its own mountain-bike trail system and pump track.

One of the trips includes special access to nearby Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park, 125,000 acres of protected lands adjacent to popular Mesa Verde National Park, with a fraction of the visitors. You鈥檒l bikepack for three days through the park鈥檚 dusty canyons, fording the Mancos River to meet Wolf, a Ute Mountain Ute guide who鈥檒l take you up wooden ladders into Native cliff dwellings. The tour finishes with a 40-mile gravel grind back to the ranch, hitting tiny downtown Mancos, where a craft beer on the outdoor patio at awaits. Because what鈥檚 a bike ride without a post-ride beer? From $895听鈥擥.础.

When to Visit

The dry climate of southwest Colorado听makes it an ideal spot for outdoor recreation from late spring to early fall. If you want to avoid the crowds, late fall is your best bet.

Before You Go

Read: Still not sold on Fassbinder鈥檚 cred? This profile听should settle that.

Detour:听Want to shave down your PR? Tack on an extra day or two in nearby Mancos, which made our list听of the top-ten听towns for high-altitude running.听

Pakistan:听A New Trek to K2

If the Lifetime Achievement Award of 国产吃瓜黑料 Travel were a thing, would be a strong contender. The Sydney-based outfit started in 1975 and quickly accrued a litany of world firsts鈥攆irst commercial cycling trips in China, first commercial descent of Tasmania鈥檚 Franklin River, first group treks in Mongolia. Along the way, it developed a knack for edgy destinations, among them , where the highlight was the literally breathtaking ascent to K2鈥檚 16,500-foot base camp. Then sectarian violence rocked the country and tourism all but vanished.

Now, nine years after pulling out, and with security vastly improved, World Expeditions is back with a ($6,390). You鈥檒l be guided by Australian mountaineer Andrew Lock and camp under peaks like Masherbrum and Trango Tower.听鈥擳im Neville

When to Visit

World Expeditions offers trips in June and July, when temperatures range听from 85 degrees听to 32 degrees at higher altitudes.

Before You Go听

Read:听High in the Karakoram, the stubborn armies of India and Pakistan faced off for 19 years on the Siachen Glacier, the world鈥檚 highest battleground and a flash point in the deadly dispute over Kashmir. In this exclusive report, contributing editor听Kevin Fedarko spent two months inside the ultimate no-man鈥檚-land, witnessing the devastating听conflict.

Arizona:听A Cyclist鈥檚 Dream

While its better-known California cousin Joshua Tree attracts three million visitors a year, , divided by Tucson, sees barely a million and is a biker鈥檚 paradise. From downtown Tucson, the 131-mile Loop gets you within two miles of the park. In winter, when temperatures hover in the mid-sixties, this region is a training ground for professional bikers. At the park鈥檚 eastern Rincon Mountain District, mountain bikers will find a section of singletrack that links to more than 800 miles of dirt riding along the Arizona Trail.

Overnight at the RV-friendly, 130-site (from $10), or book a room at the (from $185), a new five-suite inn from the couple behind Instagram sensation . Better yet, book a trip with Backroads, which recently launched ($2,699). It showcases the best riding in Rincon, with the option to tackle Mount Lemmon, a bucket-list climb that ascends 5,500 feet over 20.8 miles.听鈥擩en Murphy

When to Visit

Temperatures are in the sixties听from November to mid-May, making for perfect camping weather. Flight prices are less expensive in the summer (late May through September), but temperatures then can be blisteringly hot, with averages topping 100 degrees.

Before You Go听

News: In December, writer Adam Skolnick traveled to Tucson to report on the ecological threat posed by the border wall, a 63-mile stretch in Border Patrol鈥檚 Tucson Sector that鈥檚 currently under construction.听

Read: When writer Will Grant heard head-spinning tales of treasure from a legendary prospector named Flint Carter, he organized a full-scale expedition into the mountains near Tucson. Following a hand-drawn map, he lit out for the Sonoran Desert, hopped up on gold fever, in search of the fabled Lost City.听

Detour: Mount听Graham, two hours northeast of Tucson, isn鈥檛 somewhere you would happen upon by chance, but according to听our cycling columnist Aaron Gulley, it鈥檚 worth the effort to get there.听

Taiwan:听A Mountain Mecca

As Asian nations go, this tiny, teardrop-shaped island off mainland China isn鈥檛 known for its mountains. But 70 percent of the country is covered with lush tropical peaks teeming with trails and hot springs. Taiwan鈥檚 compact size means that adventure is never more than two hours away by bullet train from any major city. Our recommendation? From Taipei, head for Taichung Valley to the new , a tranquil, 50-room resort located along the Dajia River (from $573). It鈥檚 an ideal launch point to hike 12,966-foot Jade Mountain, the tallest peak in northeast Asia. Or try nearby Snow Mountain, with its razor-edged cliffs and hiking routes, including the Holy Ridge Trail, a 9.3-mile technical route up and down scree slopes to the 12,749-foot summit.听鈥擠evin Gordon

When to Visit听

Taiwan鈥檚 weather is at its mildest from March to May, when temperatures hover听between 70听and 80听degrees. If you want to hike Jade Mountain, late fall and early winter are the best windows听so you can avoid summer鈥檚 typhoons and winter鈥檚听snow.

Before You Go听

Read:听Editor-at-large Grayson Schaffer reported on the lead-up to Alex Honnold鈥檚 2014 free solo of听Taipei 101, Taiwan鈥檚 1,667-foot skyscraper, which ended up falling apart听almost as quickly as it came together.

Puerto Rico:听Always Under the Sun

While Puerto Rico technically never closed its borders to U.S. travelers, the island was hit hard by COVID-19 and in response has redirected all flights to go through听San Juan鈥檚 Luis Mu帽oz Mar铆n International Airport, where passengers much show documentation of a negative test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival, and be subject to additional screening at the airport (those who don鈥檛 complete a test before must go to a certified testing site upon arrival, pay a fee, and quarantine until results are ready).听

While most travelers usually head to the western town of Rinc贸n,听known for its beaches and excellent surf, the north coast is also packed with adventure. In Vega Baja, January鈥檚听hurricane cleared the vegetation covering once unnavigable mountain cliffs, allowing the outfitter to open the Roca Norte Outdoor Climbing Gym. In Arecibo, you can rappel 250 feet into Cueva del Arco and tube through 1,000 feet of cave systems along the Tanam谩 River. Nearby, 1,000-acre Cambalache State Forest has eight miles of hiking trails. The north coast is also home to spectacular beaches, especially Dorado, an emerging surfing hub. Splurge at the recently reopened (from $1,299), or check out the 听(from $107), a family-owned property with 50 rustic rooms. 鈥�Kathleen Squires

When to Visit听

The best weather is in winter, when temperatures are in the low eighties. Beat the crowds from mid-April to June. Avoid听the fall hurricane season.

Before You Go听

Read: Former pro surfer Jon Rose was chasing the biggest swells in Sumatra when the 2009 earthquake hit, and he spent the next few years providing clean water in听remote disaster zones. In 2017, when Hurricane Maria struck, his nonprofit organization听Waves for Water听went to work.听

Watch: Climbing Out of Disaster, from Black Diamond, follows Puerto Rican climber Bryant Huffman as he uses his outdoor skills to help others on the听island recover听from Hurricane Maria.

Detour: Culebra, an island 18 miles east of Puerto Rico鈥檚 mainland, made our list for tropical islands you can stay on for less than $100. It听was unaffected by the recent earthquakes.听

Nevada:听Yes, There鈥檚 Heli-Skiing

As the story goes, it was the 1970s, and a ski patroller from Snowbird, Utah, named Joe Royer would drive back and forth along Interstate 80 between Salt Lake City and his hometown of San Francisco. It was hard to miss the dramatic, toothy peaks that spike up in the middle of the Nevada desert just south of that route. The Ruby Mountains are a big range鈥�90 miles long, 10 to 13 miles wide, with ten peaks that top out above 10,000 feet鈥攂ut they fly totally under the radar. There鈥檚 no resort, but there鈥檚 plenty of snow.

So in 1977, Royer and two business partners opened , Nevada鈥檚 first heli-ski operation. For decades听they stationed guests at a house they rented in the ranching town of Lamoille. But in 2015, they bought more than 1,000 acres on their 200,000-acre guiding tenure and started building a proper base camp. Named the , the ten-bedroom homestead opened three years ago and offers winter access to some of the most remote, rugged ski terrain in the lower 48. The helipad is steps from the lodge, with the closest skiing a two-minute flight away. By day, ski off 11,000-foot peaks with narrow chutes, aspen groves, and wide-open bowls. By night, dine on chef-prepared meals and soak in the outdoor hot tub. From $1,655, including heli-skiing. 鈥�Megan Michelson听

When to Visit听

To make the most of your heli-skiing experience, head to the hills听December through March. If you鈥檙e looking to do more than ski, time your trip for November听or April,听when temperatures range from 60听to 80听degrees.

Before You Go听

Read: Nevada may be big and windswept, but don鈥檛 call it empty. Brad Wetzler鈥檚 adventure road trip听through the Silver State turns up a secret-stash playground of backcountry splendor, high-end diversions, and a horizon that never stops beckoning.

Detour:听Death Valley National Park, which straddles Nevada and central California, is one of the hottest, driest, and lowest places in the country. It鈥檚 also one of the most beautiful鈥攁 place where sculptural canyons, undulating sand dunes, abundant wildlife, and a luminous sky abound. Here鈥檚 our guide to it.听

Japan, Three Ways

We鈥檙e听watching to see if the Olympic听Games will proceed with the听rescheduled 2021 date. If you鈥檙e planning on attending or booking a separate trip, keep听these adventure detours in mind.听鈥擪assondra Cloos听

Maruyama River, Toyooka

In the city of Toyooka, five hours west of Tokyo by train, the Japanese national rowing team trains on the Maruyama River. Rent a kayak from 听(from $4 per hour) to paddle it, or head four miles north to San鈥檌n Kaigan Geopark for a guided kayak tour through stunning rock formations with 听(from $64).听

Southern Daisetsuzan Traverse, Hokkaido

There鈥檚 more to Japan鈥檚 northernmost island than skiing at Niseko. The region, a 90-minute flight from Tokyo, has plenty going on in summer, too. Tackle the Southern Daisetsuzan Traverse, a 22-mile path along a string of active volcanoes. Trek on your own, staying at campsites within Daisetsuzan National Park, or book a guide with Travel Hokkaido (from $387).

Michinoku Coastal Trail, Tohoku听

In the mountainous Tohoku region, northeast of Tokyo, there鈥檚 the 637-mile Michinoku Coastal Trail. For a day hike, opt for the 7.7-mile Oku-Matsushima and Urato Islands Course. There you鈥檒l find Matsushima Bay, which is filled听with 260 small pine-covered islands.

When to Visit听

July and August can be hot and muggy (85 to 90 degrees), perfect weather听for a paddle down the Maruyama River. May, June, and October see the least amount of precipitation. Daisetsuzan National Park is open from July to the end of September; in July and August, temperatures are in the seventies. To hike the Michinoku Coastal Trail, tackle听it from听May to September, when daytime temperatures range between 70听and 80听degrees.

Before You Go听

News:听Due to coronavirus concerns, the Tokyo Marathon, held on March 1, only allowed elite athletes to compete, as health columnist Martin Fritz Huber reports.听国产吃瓜黑料听continues to closely monitor the status of the Summer Olympics.听

Read: Before most of us had even heard of forest bathing, contributing editor Florence Williams traveled deep into the woods of Japan, where researchers were starting to back up the theory that nature could lower your blood pressure, fight off depression, and even prevent cancer.

Watch: Skier听Mary McIntyre听had her eye听on the Japanese island volcano of Rishiri, not far from the country鈥檚听epicenter of powder skiing in Hokkaido, for several years.听Rishiri, due east of Russia, is exposed to howling winds and severe storms. In听The Floating Mountain, from听Black Diamond听and filmmaker听Eliel听Hindert, McIntyre and fellow skier听Parkin Costain听spent听two weeks attempting听a summit bid and scoring听deep turns.

New Zealand:听The Gravel-Grinding Island

It鈥檚 no surprise that New Zealand fared so well after its fast and effective response to the pandemic. In May, the country showed the travel industry even more hope when it announced its plan to create the first 鈥溾€� with Australia (though that plan after an outbreak in the Australian state of Victoria in August). It may be awhile until the country opens up, but you鈥檒l need some time to plan this bucket-list trip anyway.

Among cyclists, the South Island of New Zealand needs no introduction. But sharing the country鈥檚 narrow-shoulder roads with traffic can get dangerous, so New Zealand resident Phil Wyndham, who oversees a 鈥渕ad keen鈥� team of bikers at outfitter , dove into a simple question: How could they ride to their favorite backcountry locations while limiting exposure to cars? The answer: old gravel roads. 鈥淲e knew they existed,鈥� says Wyndham. 鈥淲e just needed to link them up with some of our favorite spots to stay or eat and drink.鈥� So he听launched the first fully supported, multi-day gravel excursion on the island:听 from Christchurch to Queenstown.

Expect to spin up to 55 miles a day, cruising along rugged inlets, past award-winning vineyards, and into soaring alps. Along the way, you鈥檒l granny-gear it up Danseys Pass through the 5,000-foot Kakanui Mountains, soak in hot springs, and tuck along portions of the Alps 2 Ocean Trail, a dedicated bike path from Mount Cook to the Pacific. Day seven includes nearly 6,000 vertical feet of climbing over 45 miles up and down Duffers Saddle, the highest public road in the country. You鈥檒l fuel up at classic Kiwi pubs and stay in places like Dunstan House, a 1900s stagecoach stop in Clyde, where you can sample velvety pinot noirs from Clyde Village Vineyard before catching a ferry across Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown. From $2,575. 鈥�T.N.

When to Visit听

With generally nice weather year-round, the South Island hits its stride in the spring (from September to November), when the snow begins to melt and temperatures average around 65 degrees, and in the fall听(from March to May), when temperatures drop to the low sixties, leaves begin to change, and there are fewer tourists.

Before You Go

Read: The stunning Paparoa Track, which opened in听late 2019, is the country鈥檚 first new Great Walk to be built in 25 years. Jessica Lockhart scored a coveted spot on its opening day.

Watch:听New Zealand is a car-camper鈥檚 paradise, making it the ideal shooting grounds for vanlifer and photographer Louis Charles Pilon.

Detour: The听South Island is undoubtedly one of the world鈥檚 most beautiful places, where golden beaches and dense rainforests border the snowcapped Southern Alps and adventures are endless. Here鈥檚 our definitive guide on how to make the most of your time there.听

Rwanda:听Beyond Gorillas听

Central Africa鈥檚 mountain gorilla success story鈥攖he population increased from 786 to 1,000 over the past decade鈥攚ill always be a major draw. But there鈥檚 much more to the region than communing with hairy apes. Rwanda has three national parks, including Akagera, where you can track the Big Five. On the border of Tanzania in northeastern Rwanda, the 433-square-mile park is Central Africa鈥檚 largest protected wetland and boasts more than 520 species of birds. And years of conservation efforts have restored its populations of elephants, lions, black rhinos, and leopards.

Set to reopen to international visitors at the end of September after Rwanda opened its borders to all in August (including Americans), Wilderness Safaris鈥� new solar-powered (from $470) is an intimate way to experience Akagera; six tents surround a beautiful lodge on the lush shoreline of Lake Rwanyakazinga, which has one of Africa鈥檚 highest hippo densities. The country鈥檚 fourth national park, Gishwati Mukura, is due to open to tourists this spring between Volcanoes and Nyungwe National Parks to create a thriving wildlife corridor. On your way out of the country, spend a day or two in the vibrant capital city of Kigali at the art galleries, coffee shops, and bars that now line its streets. Be sure to visit the gut-wrenching Kigali Genocide Memorial, the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the conflict, which happened 26 years ago. 鈥�S.P.

When to Visit听

June to mid-September is the dry season and the best and most popular time to visit Akagera National Park. The weather is pretty warm year-round, though, hovering at around听75 degrees.听

Before You Go听

Read: Almost 15 years after the country鈥檚 genocide, writer Jason Gay traveled to Rwanda to see what was behind its sudden rise as an adventure destination and how it became the darling of multinational investors.

Utah:听A Climbing and Biking Hub

Most visitors consider Saint George a pit stop on the way to Zion National Park. But the town is coming into its own as an adventure hot spot. The riding is similar to Moab, but with more variety, from slickrock paths to high-alpine singletrack. There鈥檚 plenty of flow, too. In Bloomington, five miles southwest of downtown, the Bearclaw Poppy Trail offers easy routes with optional drops, while the Barrel Trail, in Green Valley, has huge features.

Drive an hour northeast to the , which spent two years turning the mountain into a world-class lift-served playground. When your legs need a rest, there鈥檚 year-round climbing within an hour of town. Skip the Zion crowds and head 90 minutes southwest to Lime Kiln Canyon, a 350-foot-high cliff offering multi-pitch sport routes. Stay at the new 60-room downtown (from $209), or try (from $50), 30 miles east. Each of the 12 cabins comes with a mechanic鈥檚 stand. 鈥�G.A.

When to Visit听

April, May, September, and October are some of the best months to explore this area, when temperatures peak at about 70听degrees. Winter is also nice鈥攋ust pack some extra layers鈥攁nd you鈥檒l miss the crowds by visiting听in the off-season.听

Before You Go听

Read: In 2017, the Trump administration announced that it was shrinking the iconic Utah national monument of Grand Staircase鈥揈scalante by nearly 50 percent. Writer Leath Tonino devised a 200-mile solo desert trek, following the path of the legendary cartographer who literally put these contentious canyons on the map.

Detour: If you鈥檙e interested听in seeing Zion, here鈥檚 our ultimate guide to the national park. If you want to visit听Moab, we鈥檝e got a guide for that, too.听

The Azores:听A Vast 国产吃瓜黑料 Playground

It鈥檚 perplexing that the Azores, an archipelago 900 miles west of Lisbon, aren鈥檛 better known. The islands are surprisingly accessible鈥攁 less than . And they feel like the love child of Hawaii and New Zealand, with cascading waterfalls, pounding surf, and emerald cliffs. Each island has its own draw鈥擯ico for diving, S茫o Jorge for surfing, Flores for hiking. But S茫o Miguel, the largest island, is a one-stop shop for a multi-adventure trip. Year-round breaks, like the perfect swells at Praia de Santa B谩rbara, attract surfers looking to avoid mainland Portugal鈥檚 crowds. Near the southern town of Vila Franca do Campo, a submerged volcanic islet makes for great snorkeling. Ten minutes northwest is Lagoa do Fogo, a crater lake reached via a 6.8-mile hike. Or check out the views from a technical two-mile bike trail called Cathedral. Don鈥檛 miss the hot springs of Furnas half an hour east. Stay at the 12-suite 听(from $134), owned by local surfer Rodrigo Her茅dia. 鈥�J.M.

When to Visit听

There isn鈥檛 a bad time to go to the Azores, with temperatures ranging from 60 to 77 degrees year-round. The winter months, from November to January, see the most rainfall.

Before You Go听

Read: At a time when most of its visitors were听intrepid sailors, Paul Bennett island-hopped the archipelago in his 38-foot ketch.听

Detour: Despite its remoteness, the Azores are听a surprisingly low-cost destination, which is why they听made our list of听20 Affordable Trips to Take Around the World in 2020.

Greenland:听The Great Wide Open

Greenlanders will proudly tell you that their 836,000-square-mile country is . They do, however, welcome visitors to their wild Arctic frontier, marked by 11,000-foot peaks, polar bears, and Jakobshavn, the planet鈥檚 fastest-moving glacier. Roughly one-third of Greenland鈥檚 55,990 residents live in the western capital of Nuuk, which means there鈥檚 a lot of empty space to explore. launched a seven-day, 73-mile summer bikepacking trip on the Ilulissat ice fjord along the island鈥檚 western edge ($4,354).

For a less strenuous trip, stay at the new , south of the town of Sisimiut (three-day minimum; prices vary with activity). The Scandinavian-style property sits on the bank of the Erfalik River, one of the world鈥檚 best Arctic char fisheries. Summer is for fishing; fall and winter are for hiking the tundra in search of caribou and the northern lights; and winter is for heli-skiing the surrounding peaks. 鈥�S.P.

When to Visit听

The summer months (with an average temperature of 50听degrees) and winter (13听degrees)听in Greenland听offer visitors the most to see and do, including experiencing the midnight sun in the summer and the polar night in the winter. There are fewer tourists in the winter, though it鈥檚 still a popular season. Due to low听volume,听Expedia doesn鈥檛 have enough听data on flights into Greenland at this time.

Before You Go听

Read: We promise you鈥檒l laugh and cry while reading this story by correspondent听Wells Tower about a trip to Greenland with his father.

Detour:听There are mountains in Greenland for which virtually no climbing information exists. Chris Brinlee Jr. packed up a sea kayak and flew there听to find听unclimbed alpine routes.

Tennessee:听Your Own Private Park听

in Walland, Tennessee, set the standard for upscale southern hospitality when the Beall family opened it to overnight guests in the seventies. They recently started taking on adventure with , a 5,200-acre property next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park that opened last February. Half the property is set aside in a conservation easement, protecting eight miles of ridgeline and offering guests hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing, and earning it the reputation of feeling like a private national park. You can stay in a multiroom home, a stone cottage, or one of six Watchman Cabins atop the mountain (from $1,045).

Start off with an early hike to the property鈥檚 new restaurant in a restored fire tower for a sunrise view of the surrounding forest and an egg bowl of wilted greens and sweet potato hash. Blackberry Mountain鈥檚 guides will lead you to various hidden treasures on the property, whether it鈥檚 a flowy piece of singletrack or a sculpture by renowned Danish artist Thomas Dambo nestled off a hiking trail. Set aside a day to pedal 33-mile-long Foothills Parkway, a recently finished two-lane blacktop six miles south of the resort with long-range views into the Smokies. The hotel can arrange for carbon-fiber road bikes. Just be sure you make it back for a cocktail鈥攖he Mountain over Manhattan, a rye and rosemary-syrup concoction, uses spices foraged locally. 鈥�G.A.

When to Visit

Anytime from April through October is pleasant. Summer temperatures听average around 85 degrees.

Before You Go听

Read: In 2018, we sent associate gear editor Ariella Ginztler to get inside the mind of the man behind the Barkley Marathons, one of the hardest ultramarathon听races in the world, held every year in Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg, Tennessee.听

Watch: Wonder in the Smokies, created听by filmmaker Drew Perlmutter, chronicles the history of Elkmont, Tennessee, a ghost town situated next to Great Smoky Mountains National Park鈥檚 largest campground.

Detour: You can鈥檛 go to Tennessee and not see Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here鈥檚 our definitive guide on how to make the most of a visit.听

Guatemala:听Coffee, Volcanoes, and Ruins

It鈥檚 now possible to bike or hike between the 16th-century colonial city of Antigua and the volcano-ringed Lake Atitl谩n, 50 miles to the west. has been operating cycling tours in Guatemala for more than 20 years and cherry-picked the best backcountry riding for a challenging new three-day itinerary full of steep climbs and technical singletrack (from $455). The payoff is riding above the Maya ruins of Iximch茅, unsung views of Lake Atitl谩n and surrounding volcanoes, and stays at out-of-the-way inns, like an old flour mill turned luxury B&B.

Prefer to be on foot? The owners of Trek Guatemala spent two years researching a hiking route between Antigua and Lake Atitl谩n, meeting with locals to share their vision and ask permission for access. The result is a 听(from $796) averaging seven to nine miles a day through thick tropical forests, coffee fincas, and Maya villages. Along the way, you鈥檒l visit a women鈥檚 weaving cooperative, learn how to make tortillas, and hunker down at beautiful glamping sites, one of which has front-row views of Fuego, a very active volcano. While some Caribbean and Central American countries have begun accepting American travelers, Guatemala鈥檚 borders remain closed, so save this one for later. 鈥�S.P.

When to Visit听

Guatemala听is a year-round destination, with temperatures ranging from 75 to 80 degrees. Avoid the rainy season by traveling December through March.听

Before You Go听

View: These photographs by Max Whittaker will make you want to tour听Guatemala by bike.

Detours: Stephanie Pearson endures a few mishaps on a trip along La Ruta Maya, a route through Central America鈥檚 Maya heartland, with memorable stops in Guatemala鈥檚 El Remate, Finca Ixobel, and Lake Atitl谩n.听

Kenya:听The Ultimate Safari

Kenya recently reopened to American travelers and our in-house travel experts Sandy and Chip Cunningham at 听are returning with their popular safari itinerary. On , you鈥檒l stay at three family-run ranches that have made huge progress in conservation-based tourism. The trip starts in Nairobi National Park, where rhinos, giraffes, and lions wander wide-open grass plains. Then it鈥檚 west to House in the Wild, a lodge on the edge of the Masai Mara, where guests can explore the Enon颅kishu Conservancy, a consortium of Masai communities. Next up is Ol Malo, a 5,000-acre sanctuary owned by the Francombe family. Here you鈥檒l get to meet neighboring Samburu families and witness the impact the Francombes have had on wildlife conservation. The final stop is Lewa House, a cluster of cottages on the 61,000-acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. Populations of black rhinos, elephants, and the endangered Grevy鈥檚 zebra have all made dramatic comebacks here, and in 2018, the conservancy invested nearly $1.7 million in local education and community projects. From $9,285 鈥�S.P.

When to Visit听

Head to Kenya during one of its dry seasons鈥擩anuary to March or July to October鈥攚hen temperatures hover听around 70听degrees.

Before You Go听

Watch:听In January, 国产吃瓜黑料听environmental columnist听Heather Hansman听reviewed When Lambs Become Lions, a documentary听about elephant poaching in Kenya that follows three men鈥攁 poacher, an ivory trader, and a wildlife ranger鈥攅nsnared in the deadly industry. And on a trip to Kenya with safari guide听, filmmaker听听created听The Wonder听to capture听his sense of awe, restored by the country鈥檚听vast wildlife and landscapes.

Detour: 国产吃瓜黑料 GO鈥檚 Sandy and Chip Cunningham lived and ran a camp听in Africa for years, and their spectacular knowledge of the continent makes for epic trips for their clients. See the other safaris they offer听.

Guyana:听The Land That听Time Forgot

The spotlight has been on this English-speaking gem, one of six countries that make up the Guiana Shield, a biodiverse geological formation believed to be crucial for the planet鈥檚 survival. And leading up to its closure in March, Guyana was doing tourism right, deploying green initiatives and small-scale community involvement to preserve its natural resources and cultural heritage. In the south, new lodging has opened to accommodate adventure travelers, including the , a family-run guest house (from $90) where visitors can go horseback riding with vaqueros (local cowboys), canoe a nearby river, and track wildlife. There are also small, locally owned lodges in the forests and at the edges of rivers. At 听(from $16), where you can stay in a hammock or a rustic cabin, anglers catch and release the world鈥檚 largest scaled freshwater fish, the arapaima. Be sure to explore the savannas and wetlands of the south-central Rupununi region, home to the Macushi people, who have been here for millennia. With a jungle smorgasbord to nosh, it鈥檚 a place where jaguars, green anacondas, giant otters, and bird-eating Goliath spiders thrive. 鈥�Norie Quintos

When to Go

The dry season in central Guyana and on its savanna听is October to March, with temperatures around 80听degrees, though the region does experience some rain in December. If you鈥檙e headed to the coast, go in the springtime or midsummer to avoid the rainy seasons, which run from May to mid-July and mid-November to mid-January.

Before You Go听

Read: Monkey-eating eagles, 19-foot-long anacondas, and spider-eating fish鈥攃onservation biologist Lesley de Souza has encountered almost all of Guyana鈥檚 unique biodiversity in her work to protect the country鈥檚 species and local communities.听

Detour:听East of Guyana sits the small country of Suriname, a听,听according to The New York Times.

California:听A New Preserve on the Central Coast

It鈥檚 no secret that San Luis Obispo听is blessed with mountains and Pacific Ocean access. But things just got even better on California鈥檚 central coast with the opening of the , just off Highway 101. Closed to the public for decades as a private ranch, the 880-acre nature preserve has 11 miles of quality multi-use singletrack that traverses woodlands and coastal ridgelines, allowing the adventure hungry to spread out into new terrain. Stay in downtown SLO at the industrial-style 听(from $285) or at 听(from $300), which has a rooftop bar. 鈥�Kathryn Romeyn

When to Go听

California is a perfect getaway nearly all year long. We recommend visiting the central coast from听late June to late September, when sunny days are in full force.

Before You Go

Watch:听Golden State Journey,听from director听, producer听, and the manufacturer听, is a mountain-bike tour through the state鈥檚 high peaks, deserts, foothills, and rugged coastline.

View:听The California Surf Project is a travel diary of two surfers who took the听trip of a lifetime. Photographer Chris Burkard听and professional surfer Eric Soderquist听drove听their Volkswagen bus along Highway 1 from the Oregon border to Tijuana, Mexico, to find some of the the state鈥檚 best breaks.

Detour: Check out this听perfect Highway 1 road-trip itinerary.听

Ecuador:听Back to the Future

听Jorge P茅rez, the owner of , a sustainable-travel company with lodges in Ecuador鈥檚 volcano country, has created a new trip for travelers to ponder their evolutionary path. P茅rez鈥檚 听trip unfolds over 15 days from the Andes to the Gal谩pagos Islands, and includes activities designed to spur travelers to think about where they came from and where they鈥檙e going. The journey begins in the Amazon inside the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, a 2,330-square-mile swath of primordial jungle teeming with ten monkey species, tapirs, and pink dolphins. Here you鈥檒l partner with indigenous people to harvest cassavas, fish for food, and communicate only with gestures. From there it鈥檚 off to the Gal谩pagos to hike, snorkel, and contemplate the miracle of life. You鈥檒l visit islands like Santa Cruz and Isabela and either camp on the beach or sleep on a sailboat. Finally, the future arrives in the Andes, at the ranch Hacienda El Porvenir, which translates as 鈥渢he future,鈥� where you鈥檒l spend 24 hours venturing no more than 30 feet from a tent, alone, with a journal. From $4,989 鈥�T.N.

When to Visit听

January through May and October through December, the Gal谩pagos Islands have the warmest temperatures听(around 74 degrees) and the calmest waters.听

Before You Go听

Read: A guy calls and says he found some mysterious papers left behind by a dead relative who apparently shrunk听human heads and bodies in the Ecuadorean Amazon. Do we wanna come see? Uh, no. But we knew writer Mary Roach would.听

Watch:听Created听by听kayaker and filmmaker Mike McKay, Jondachi tells the story of a young man and his connection to the Rio Jondachi in Ecuador. McKay was drawn to this region because of an impending dam project, but rather than focus on conservation alone, he explores a person鈥檚 spiritual connection to a resource.

Detour: Ecuador made our list of the destinations that will make your dollar go further this year.

New Mexico:听The Howling Episodes

Two hours west of Albuquerque, you can spend time with wolves, some of them named by benefactor and New Mexico resident George R.鈥塕. Martin after his Game of Thrones characters. 听is home to 65 wolves, wolf dogs, coyotes, Australian dingoes, and red foxes. Most were rescued from the exotic-animal trade. Visitors can book a feeding tour and watch the wolves get breakfast, and even pet and interact with the animals (prices vary with activity). Stay under wide-open skies at the sanctuary鈥檚 听($15), or 听($125) or the lodge ($150). Add in a couple of days to explore the surrounding region. El Morro National Monument听is 20 minutes away and home to some 2,000 carvings by Ancestral Puebloans and Spanish and American settlers. Hike the two-mile Headland Trail to the top of a bluff overlooking the Zuni Mountains and the volcanic craters of El Malpais National Monument. At El Malpais, explore one of many lava tubes, like the easy-to-access Junction Cave.听Then visit nearby , set to reopen in mid-September. 鈥�Anna Callaghan

When to Visit听

Any time of year works. From April through October, temperatures generally range from 65 to 85 degrees.

Before You Go听

Detour: One of our favorite U.S. road trips is a 635-mile stretch from Carlsbad, New Mexico, up north to Buena Vista, Colorado. The town of Ramah makes for a perfect detour.

Read: Three hours south of Ramah is the Gila Wilderness, the first wilderness area in the U.S.听and the source of one of America鈥檚 most endangered rivers, as environmental columnist Heather Hansman reports.

Morocco to Portugal:听History on Two Wheels

As an archeologist with a passion for Roman history, Sam Wood excavated his way around the Mediterranean. But that didn鈥檛 leave him much time to ride his bike. Then, in 2009, the BBC sent the Australian native to ride more than 2,200 miles from Spain to Italy for a documentary following in the footsteps of the conqueror Hannibal. Shortly after, Wood combined his two loves by founding , a touring company that explores history by bike. Sign up now for the 2021 听tour, named after Shakespeare鈥檚 tragic Moorish general. It begins in Marrakesh, Morocco (thought to be Othello鈥檚 homeland), then heads to Spain and Portugal. You鈥檒l gasp for air spinning up Spain鈥檚 11,148-foot Pico Veleta, but recover in places like a 15th-century convent in 脡vora, Portugal, which happens to serve some of the country鈥檚 best wines. From $7,378 for 14 nights 鈥�T.N.

When to Visit听

Biking conditions are good听anytime from April to October. Summers temperatures in Marrakech can reach 99 degrees. Mid-March to May or September through October, temperatures drop to around 75 degrees.听

Before You Go听

View:听It might not have the name recognition of Hawaii鈥檚 North Shore or Australia鈥檚听Gold Coast, but Morocco鈥檚 Atlantic seaboard boasts some of the best surfing in the world. In 2017, when its annual听听welcomed women competitors for the first time in its history, former digital visuals editor听Mary Mathis was there to capture the moment.听

Detour: Surfing Morocco鈥檚 coast made our Best Trips list in 2019. (See number 33.)

Go the Distance: Three New Long Walks

Canada鈥檚 Yukon Territory:听30 miles, 9 days

听in northwestern Canada is considered the Patagonia of the north due to its granite spires, massive peaks, and big game. A hike led by 听will have you spotting grizzlies and caribou while trekking below peaks like 7,000-foot Mount Monolith. You鈥檒l carry your own gear, but this isn鈥檛 a sufferfest. The daily distance is between three and seven miles. (From $1,999)听鈥擥.础.

When to Visit听

The days are longer and warmer and the wildlife viewing is better from May to October in the Yukon. Summer months bring ideal hiking weather (60听degrees), though听the fall鈥檚 cooler weather is generally still comfortable.听

Before You Go听

Read: Yukon-based correspondent听Eva Holland writes about her experience racing in the 100-mile Yukon Arctic Ultra, one of the world鈥檚 most grueling ultramarathons, in this story for .听

Detour: First Nation mountain bikers are creating some of the world鈥檚 gnarliest trails. Stephanie Pearson finds听the go-to spots for shredding singletrack.听

Australia鈥檚 Northern Territory:听40 miles, 7 days

Many of the continent鈥檚 highlights are in the Northern Territory, an area left unscathed during last season鈥檚 wildfires. To hit them all, hike the Lara颅pinta Trail along the West MacDonnell Ranges for 140 miles. Do the entire route in , camping in designated sites, or sign up for a seven-day, 40-mile trek with . (From $2,999)听鈥擥.础.

When to Visit

Plan your trip between April and September, when Australia鈥檚 winter days are 75 degrees and breezy, for the best hiking conditions on the trail. It鈥檚 not advised to hike it during听the country鈥檚 summer months (from December to February), when high heat (90听degrees) and hot winds may increase the听risk of heatstroke.

Before You Go听

Read: In 2012, writer Matthew Power bounced around the Northern Territory in a 4×4 and discovered that there鈥檚 more to Australia鈥檚 interior than its harsh exterior.听

Detour: We named the Red听Center one of our 12 essential adventures in Australia and New Zealand.

The Canary Islands:听40 miles, 8 days

This Spanish-governed archipelago, a 2.5-hour flight southwest from Portugal, is a hiker鈥檚 playground, known for huge sand dunes, 6,400-foot peaks, and black-sand beaches. Most visitors stick to Tenerife, the largest island, but a new trek with outfitter 听explores lesser-known La Gomera. The eight-day trip hits the coast, rocky peaks, and banana plantations. Stay in a new village nearly every night, from sleepy mountain outposts to the bustling beach town of San Sebasti谩n. (From $1,904)听鈥擥.础.

When to Visit听

The islands have a mild climate nearly year-round, averaging 60听to听70听degrees. September through May, La Gomera is consistenly cooler and perfect for hiking.

Before You Go听

Detour: Spend a night at Lanzarote, the fourth-largest island out of the archipelago鈥檚 eight, which made our list of tropical islands you can stay at for less than $100.

The post 27 Epic Trips to Start Planning Now appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

It鈥檚 practically a daily occurrence to have someone ask me where I love to travel to the most, so I knew it was only a matter of time until my editor did the same. What a question. How can a mother choose her favorite child? That being said, while I might not be able to pick听one particular destination, I can easily select eight spots around the world that I love to pieces and would go back to in a heartbeat.

We all have our travel niches. Some travel in search of their next dose of adrenaline, others want to visit locations steeped in history. As a perpetual traveler who loves food, has a passion for nature, and is mildly obsessed with wildlife, my adventures tend to center around places听with unique local cuisine, crazy landscapes, and interesting animals (with bonus points if those animals can fly and even more if they can鈥檛 ). With that criteria in mind, it鈥檚 easy to see why I find the following destinations so bucket worthy.

1. The West Coast, New Zealand

As an America expat in New Zealand, I鈥檝e been just about everywhere in this听country, but the South Island鈥檚 wild west coast keeps calling me back again and again. The nation鈥檚 least-populated region, the west coast has crazy views, big mountains, stormy coastlines, and an abundance of birds like the , the second-rarest penguin on earth, which can occasionally be seen waddling around these isolated beaches at sunset. While the food situation is less than ideal due to the region鈥檚 remote听location, the coast makes up for it with charm and beauty, especially around the rugged beaches near . For a uniquely kiwi experience, stay in one of the coast鈥檚 many baches,听small, rustic cabins and huts found on the country鈥檚 coast. My absolute favorite is (from $250), which is hidden among the flax bushes overlooking a secret surf beach听near Woodpecker Bay. The off-the-grid cabin comes complete with a wood-fired hot tub and is one of the best spots to hide away and relax on the islands.

2. Asturias, Spain

There鈥檚 no doubt that Spain鈥檚 best-kept secret is , and here I am blabbing to the world about how awesome this rugged听region听is. About as far off the beaten tourist path as you can get, Asturias runs along the country鈥檚 northern coast and is filled with pleasant seaside villages complete with cute fishing boats, colorful house shutters, and even more colorful locals, who are always willing to show off their cider-pouring skills (trust me, it鈥檚 an art here). The area鈥檚 main hub is the picturesque town of Oviedo, located some 15 miles south of the Bay of Biscay. Inland Asturias is flanked by a stunning mountain range, the 8,000-foot Picos de Europa. It was the very heart of Christian Spain a millennium ago, but today it鈥檚 an incredible wilderness area few outside of the country听even know exists. Don鈥檛 miss out on hiking up to the Covadonga Lakes or walking along the , a tough six-and-a-half-mile trail in Picos de Europa National Park, for some of the best views of the mountains.

3. Canggu, Bali

I鈥檝e only recently discovered the incredible vibe that permeates this seaside on Bali鈥檚 southeastern coast. Normally, I shy away from places where my fellow foreigners congregate.听But by happy chance, Canggu called to me,听and I answered. Originally not much more than a bunch of rice paddies, the village now boasts a hip caf茅听and bar scene that can only be described as millennial catnip. Vegan acai听smoothie bowls, anyone? From the amazing vegetarian dishes at to the epic chef-concocted lunches at to watching the sunsets from , there鈥檚 no shortage of amazing and iconic spots to park yourself. Home to entrepreneurs, surfers, and generally happy folk who aren鈥檛 in a hurry, Canggu often sees travelers听visit and never leave. (from $250), a听luxury property that鈥檚 been there听long before the听expats descended, is a must-do splurge for those seeking听a bit of Balinese opulence.

4. South Georgia

I wonder what it says about me that one of my favorite places on earth has no permanent human residents. On , a far-flung subantarctic island 1,300 miles off the east coast of Argentina, elephant seals, albatross, and king penguins rule supreme. You must have a tough stomach, a keen sense of听adventure, and relatively deep pockets to be able to afford a spot on one of the听expedition ships bound for the island,听such as 鈥� purpose-built vessels, which run a few trips to the polar region each austral summer (November to March). Because听South Georgia is even farther than the Antarctic Peninsula, the trips there take longer and start at around $10,000. But your newly emptied bank account and the seasickness that will have your head buried in a bucket along the way will both be worth it as soon as you set foot on land and are surrounded by half a million penguins with no fear of humans and visiting albatross colonies so packed you can鈥檛 see the end of them. The mind-boggling scale of the island鈥檚 wildlife is thanks to intensive predator control and serious biosecurity rules, making it one of the best places on earth to see听polar creatures.

5. Hong Kong

This city has a special appeal, thanks to its fascinating history and culture. It鈥檚 also a great introduction to traveling in China without getting thrown off the deep end in a country of 1.3 billion people. But as far as I鈥檓 concerned, there鈥檚 only one reason to visit: to eat everything. Dumplings, steamed buns known as bao, egg waffles, wontons, egg tarts, noodles, and that weird coffee-tea hybrid called 测耻补苍测补苍驳鈥�Hong Kong has it all, and with so many hole-in-the-wall restaurants, dingy back-alley noodle shops, and modern-fusion haunts to explore,听I鈥檓 never bored. In fact, it鈥檚 home to my favorite restaurant in the world, , which makes (you guessed it)听bao burgers.

6. Margaret River, Australia

Trust me:听skip the easier, eastern tourist traps of Sydney and Melbourne听and head due west to Perth on your next adventure Down Under. Once you鈥檝e arrived in the Western Australia听capital, be sure to visit听Rottnest Island, just off the coast, to take a selfie with the听, an incredibly听cute, incredibly听tiny marsupial native to the area. Then grab a car and hit the road with your mates for the 170-mile drive to Margaret River, a wine-growing region with perfect cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and sauvignon blanc grapes and a strong foodie scene anchored by the , a ten-day听festival that celebrates this state鈥檚 culinary landscape. Speaking of landscapes, the area around Margaret River is big: big beaches, big views, big skies. Don鈥檛 skimp out on a visit to , or get your inner Instagrammer on at the .

7. Kyrgyzstan

I鈥檇 bet my life that most of you can鈥檛 find it on a map, let alone spell this Central Asian nation鈥檚 name correctly on the first try without looking. But as a melting pot that blends Chinese Muslims with post-Soviet Russians, Uzbeks, and of course the local Kyrgyz people, Kyrgyzstan should be on everyone鈥檚 bucket list. As soon as you land, you鈥檒l be smacked in the face with such a range of chaos and culture that you can鈥檛 help but be swept up in the mayhem. Give yourself time to visit the eagle hunters, ride horses, and stay in yurt camps outside the main city of Bishkek, where nomadic culture still thrives, and be sure to try the cold, spicy noodle dishes for which the country is famous; they can often be had for less than a dollar, though it鈥檚 best not to ask what meat is included. More than 90 percent听of the country is mountainous, so it鈥檚 easy to get way off the grid.

8. Dubai

This city is the听main stopover between the South Pacific and basically everywhere else on the globe, so I鈥檝e听spent a lot of time here听over the years transitioning to and from my various travels.听And though I tend to stay away from big cities, I weirdly love it here. Dubai is unlike anywhere else I鈥檝e ever been, and it knows it. Instead of roughing it in search of unique adventures, as I would elsewhere, when I am in the Sand Pit, as expats call it, I indulge in its unashamed opulence and just plain pamper myself after the 17-hour flight from New Zealand. I book myself into one of the thousands of fancy suites, like those at the , go to the spa, shop, and binge on yummy Middle Eastern treats like kunafah, a cheese pastry soaked in syrup, and the rice dish known as machboos. When you鈥檙e perpetually on the road or in the air, sometimes you just need a holiday doing nothing in a city that never sleeps鈥攁nd Dubai has that in spades.

The post 8 Places Our Travel Columnist Never Gets Sick Of appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

We rounded up ten听contributors and editors to dish the secrets on their all-time favorite destinations. Here鈥檚 the list of places around the world that they came up with.

#1. Colombia

Getting to Los Llanos Orientales, a patchwork of forest, grassy savanna, and wetlands in eastern Colombia, takes effort. From Bogot谩, it鈥檚 a one-hour flight east to the regional capital of Yopal, followed by a 2.5-hour drive into the bush. But when you arrive, you鈥檒l be rewarded with a stay at Corocora Camp, a new four-tent safari lodge in the heart of a private 22,000-plus-acre nature reserve that鈥檚 reminiscent of Botswana鈥檚 Okavango Delta. Keep an eye out for giant anteaters, pumas, chubby capybaras, and over 200 species of birds as you enjoy aged Colombian rums on your tent鈥檚 private terrace. Or search for wildlife on foot, by 4×4, or on horseback with your own private guide. Guests can also partake in the camp鈥檚 conservation efforts by setting up camera traps to track jaguars, or visit a nearby ranch to observe how the local llaneros (cowboys) use chants to herd cattle. From $490 鈥擩en Murphy

#2. New Mexico

Taos Ski Valley has seen a renaissance since it was bought by philanthropist Louis Bacon in 2013. In addition to becoming the first B Corp鈥揷ertified ski resort鈥攊t meets the nonprofit鈥檚 high standards for environmental and social responsibility鈥攖he mountain has seen massive improvements including a new high-speed quad chair and the LEED-certified, 80-room Blake Hotel (from $259). It鈥檚 beefing up its summer offerings as well, particularly lift-accessed mountain biking. Two flow trails with 6.5 miles of berms, rollers, and bridges will open this summer, with plans for a total of 15 miles in the future. Off the slope, hit Black Rock Hot Springs, summit 13,161-foot Wheeler Peak, or fish for native cutthroat trout. Big groups: snag room 433 at the Blake, a two-bedroom suite overlooking the base village. 鈥擭icholas Hunt

#3. Dominica

The 115-mile Waitukubuli National Trail on mountainous Dominica is the Caribbean鈥檚 only through-hike. Spanning from the village of Scott鈥檚 Head in the south to Cabrits National Park up north, the trail opened in 2013 but was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017. Today all but three of the route鈥檚 14 sections have been entirely rehabbed and are open to the public. Along the way, you鈥檒l pass an 18th-century French settlement, view dormant volcanic peaks, and swim in Emerald Pool beneath a cascading waterfall in 17,000-acre Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Stay at campsites or inns just off the route, or set up base camp at Secret Bay Resort鈥檚 brand-new Ti-Fey Villa, a luxurious two-story structure with a kitchen, wraparound deck, and plunge pool (from $705). Day passes $12, 15-day passes $40 鈥擲tephanie Pearson

#4. Utah

The Lodge at Blue Sky, which will have its grand opening in May, offers a fresh take on the ranch escape. Forget rustic cabins鈥攁ccommodations range from 600-square-foot rooms to two-story, two-bedroom suites, each with panoramic views of the 3,500-acre property. And while there鈥檚 a 7,400-square-foot spa and classic dude-ranch staples like horseback riding and sport shooting, it鈥檚 the year-round mountain adventures鈥攊ncluding heli-biking, resort and nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fly-fishing鈥攁nd the lodge鈥檚 exclusive ski-in, ski-out lounge in the Park City Mountain Resort village that steal the show. Blue Sky also takes brag-worthy hotel bars to a new level with an on-site distillery from award-winning Utah whiskey maker High West. Before you sip grain-to-glass cocktails, you can learn about the mashing, milling, and aging process. From $850 鈥擩.M.

#5. Italy

Whether you prefer haute or hut cuisine, the Dolomites in Italy鈥檚 South Tyrol have the best of both. The region is a culinary melting pot of Italian and Austrian traditions mixed with rustic influences from the local Ladins culture. On weeklong guided or self-guided gourmet ski safaris with adventure outfitter Dolomite Mountains, you鈥檒l earn your turns and meals. Owner Agustina Marmol has spent over a decade finding the area鈥檚 top restaurants to customize trips for every palate. You鈥檒l ski between remote rifugios (backcountry huts) that serve hearty dishes like venison polenta and offer lodging, and dine in Michelin-starred restaurants like San Cassiano鈥檚 St. Hubertus. In the summer, the outfitter offers a food crawl, where you鈥檒l hike, bike, and climb to reach picnics and restaurants housed in alpine farmhouses. From $2,200 for seven days 鈥擩.M.

#6-9. Explore the Last Frontier

Why you should go now to Alaska鈥檚 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

In fall 2017, after nearly four decades of protection, Congress opened part of the 19.6-million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge鈥攐ne of America鈥檚 largest, wildest, and most re颅mote tracts of public land鈥攖o oil exploration, which could devastate its ecosystem. For first-time visitors, it鈥檚 best to go with a guide. Outfitters like and can build you custom trips, or choose from one of the latter鈥檚 eight preset itineraries. Here are our favorite expeditions. 鈥擭ick Davidson

Rafting the Kongakut River

For ten days and 42 miles, you鈥檒l float Class II鈥揑II rapids from the river鈥檚 headwaters at Drain Creek through mountain vales and lupine-studded tundra to Caribou Pass.

Camping for Caribou

Work with your guide to set up base camp on the state鈥檚 North Slope in late June to early July and ogle the migrating, 200,000-strong Porcupine herd at its calving grounds on the coastal plain.

Pack-Rafting the Continental Divide

The weeklong 60-mile trek and paddle adventure from the Jago River to the Hulahula takes you along trackless tundra and past 8,000-plus-foot peaks. Bring a pack raft for the smaller waters.

Photographing Polar Bears

Local Inupiat guides from Kaktovik will ferry you on the Beaufort Sea to Barter Island, where dozens of polar bears gather in autumn to scavenge whale carcasses.

#10. Portugal

Noah Surf House looks even better in person. Located an hour north of Lisbon in the small village of Santa Cruz, the resort鈥檚 13 podlike eco-friendly bungalows and a main lodge are just across the street from one of the best breaks in the region, along with the bunk room鈥檚 fitness studio, infinity pool, skate park, hot tub, and fire pit. If it isn鈥檛 going off, the coast has endless other options, which the in-house guides will drive you to. Don鈥檛 miss Noah鈥檚 Restaurant and Beach House, just down the hill on the sand of Praia da Fisica, for drippingly fresh seafood and comfy chaises鈥攖he perfect place to lounge beachside between surf sessions. Then head up the road to the hotel鈥檚 higher-end sister property, Areias do Seixo, for a massage. Pro tip: eat as many past茅is de nata, small Portuguese custard tarts, as you can get your hands on. Bungalows from $181, bunks from $57 鈥擬ary Turner

#11. Texas

It takes some savvy navigating skills to tackle the newly mapped , a ten-day self-supported cross-country trek that links existing paths, dirt roads, and sandy arroyos, often with ten or more miles between water sources. In other words, this undertaking requires research, expert backpacking and camping skills, and DIY grit, but the rewards are total solitude, stark desert beauty, and the increasingly rare satisfaction that you鈥檝e completed a through-hike few have even heard of. The route starts at Big Bend Ranch State Park and rambles for 100 miles across creek beds and past ancient rock art to the 7,000-foot Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park, where you鈥檒l need back颅country permits to camp each night. The view from the top is sublime, with the Rio Grande and Mexico falling away as far as the eye can see. 鈥擲.P.

#12. Chile

The austere mountains, turquoise rivers, and wind-whipped steppe of northern Patagonia feels a lot farther off the grid than famed Torres del Paine National Park in Chile鈥檚 southern tip. Get even deeper into the steppe with South American outfitter Upscape, which offers fly-fishing, photography, and trekking trips March through April (the end of austral summer) at a pop-up camp on the Jeinimeni River. Just yards from the Argentinean border, Upscape鈥檚 remote camp has 300-square-foot tents with sleeping quarters and a living room, and a communal dining tent for meals of perfectly grilled carne asada. Not that you鈥檒l spend much time there with the monster brown and rainbow trout to be stalked, sunsets behind craggy peaks to be captured, and glacial valleys and alpine lakes to be explored. From $3,950 for five days 鈥擲.P.

#13. Colorado and Utah

When explorer John Wesley Powell made the historic first descent of the uncharted Green and Colorado Rivers in 1869, which was considered impossible at the time, one boat sank and nearly half the crew abandoned the cause. Things will definitely go more smoothly on OARS鈥檚 150th anniversary re-creation of a portion of the expedition. The 28-day, 466-mile, fully outfitted trip through Colorado and Utah encompasses some of the most iconic landscapes in the Southwest鈥攎any of them named by Powell himself鈥攚hile hitting an overload of Class II鈥揑V whitewater. OARS will run expeditions by raft and dory from Flaming Gorge to Lake Powell in June and September, but if you can鈥檛 make the whole enchilada, sign up for the 13-day upper-river or 16-day lower-river section of the trip. $8,899 for the full expedition 鈥擥raham Averill

#14. Sweden

In their youth, the owners of Niehku Mountain Villa, a 14-room adventure base 124 miles north of the Arctic Circle, were ski-bum fixtures at Riksgr盲nsen, a nearby resort on the Norwegian border. Today, Johan Lindblom, a ski patroller turned international mountain guide, and Patrik Str枚msten, a ski racer turned award-winning sommelier, run what鈥檚 arguably the Arctic鈥檚 most luxe lodge, complete with a 500-bottle wine cellar and tundra-to-table restaurant. From its doorstep, helicopters can access 60 skiable mountain peaks. And unlike the Alps, where heli-skiing is limited to a handful of prescribed landing spots, the Arctic is a rule-free playground where you can do as many as 15 lines a day. Grabbing first chair at your local hill no longer sounds that impressive, huh? From $4,658 for three-day heli-ski packages, meals and accommodations included 鈥擩.M.

#15-19. Our Favorite New Cycling Trips

Along for the ride

Bourbon Trail, Kentucky

The recently launched three new cycling routes, including a three-day, 188-mile pilgrimage to ten distilleries, notably Woodford Reserve and Maker鈥檚 Mark. 听

Dalmatian Islands, Croatia

For eight days, guests on island-hop around the Adriatic to cycle some of the region鈥檚 best routes, from the olive groves of Brac to the ancient fishing villages on the isle of Vis. $7,695

The Ozarks, Arkansas

The 鈥檚 Epic-designated Upper Buffalo Headwaters Trail is like pizza, says founder Dustin Slaughter: 鈥淓ven when it鈥檚 bad, it鈥檚 good.鈥� Guided day trips tackle big hills and creek crossings, with opportunities to cool off in blue lagoons. From $95

North Highlands, Scotland

Wilderness Scotland has launched a seven-day road-cycling trip along the , Scotland鈥檚 Route 66, which winds past rugged mountains, sweeping beaches, and charming fishing villages. May 11 and June 29; $2,250

Lake Champlain, Vermont

On this edition of the foodie-friendly series, routes of 7 to 93 miles around the Champlain Islands include pit stops stocked with local cider slushies and wood-fired pizzas. Finishers are rewarded with a BBQ feast and a pint of regional craft beer. July 21; from $40 鈥擩.M.

#20. Wyoming

Scraping leftovers into a compost pile might not sound like a vacation activity, but on Natural Habitat 国产吃瓜黑料s鈥� new seven-day Yellowstone safari, composting is as essential to the experience as camping or hiking. While expert naturalists guide you in search of bison and wolf pups, you鈥檒l also be on an industry-first zero-waste expedition. You鈥檒l drink from reusable water bottles and dine on locally sourced food sans single-use plastics like straws, plates, and cups. Everything that can鈥檛 be composted or recycled locally is hauled back to the company鈥檚 headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, to be recycled, upcycled, or handed off to TerraCycle, an innovative company that specializes in the reuse of otherwise unprocessable waste. The hope is that the trip will inspire you with the landscape and wildlife while fostering habits you can take home. From $5,695 鈥擲.P.

#21. South Carolina

骋谤别别苍惫颈濒濒别鈥檚 is the perfect place for you and your pooch to relax after a long day exploring this burgeoning Southern adventure hub. The 3,500-square-foot on-site dog park features misters and galvanized water troughs to keep your canine cool while you enjoy locals brews, like , on the covered patio. In town, bike beside the Reedy River on the 22-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail and refuel along the way at the route鈥檚 many breweries and restaurants. Or head into the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains to hike, bike, or paddle. The Class II鈥揤 rapids of the Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River, made infamous by their role in the thriller , are located just an hour and a half away. 鈥擩ohanna Flashman

#22. Arizona

Every May in the high desert an hour north of Phoenix, the 1970s experimental community Arcosanti plays host to Form, the best house party in the Southwest. For three days, the festival鈥檚 2,000 attendees start the morning with rooftop yoga, then hike the Verde River basin, mingle during discussions of art and climate change, and groove to an eclectic lineup of world-class musicians and DJs playing sets on three stages. The event removes the commercialism, angst, and druggy vibe from the music-fest template and replaces it with inspirational talks, views of the Sonoran Desert, and daily cliffside pool parties. Campsites are included with admission, and a platoon of food trucks are on hand throughout. Or snag one of the glamping tents or an RV. Bookend your trip with a mountain-bike ride on the red-rock trails of Sedona, just an hour鈥檚 drive north. This year, festivities run May 10鈥�12. $364 鈥擶ill Palmer

#23. Tanzania

Need to check Africa off your bucket list? There鈥檚 no more iconic destination than Tanzania, and for 25 years, Sandy and Chip Cunningham at have been refining the perfect itinerary. On their nine-day safari, you鈥檒l travel with a private guide from the foothills of Mount Meru in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro to Serengeti National Park, stopping along the way to view elephants, lion prides, buffalo, and alien-looking baobab trees at Tarangire National Park, as well as one-of-a-kind sunrises over Ngorongoro Crater, at 100 square miles the world鈥檚 largest intact caldera. Your housing? A tented camp right on the rim. From $8,295 鈥擭.H.

#24. Massachusetts

Tourists, a remodeled motor lodge in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, is your home base for exploring the highland region鈥檚 mountain peaks, river valleys, and famed cultural institutions like the Tanglewood Music Center and Clark Art Institute. Set on 55 acres in the town of North Adams along the Hoosic River, the 48-room retreat is the brainchild of a group of creatives that include John Stirratt, whose band Wilco puts on the Solid Sound music and arts festival every other summer at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. A network of boardwalks and suspension bridges leads guests to a saltwater pool, art installations, and the Airport Rooms, a craft-cocktail lounge with hearty fare from chef Greg Thomas. The Appalachian Trail runs right through the property, and 3,491-foot Mount Greylock, the state鈥檚 highest point, is just half a mile away. From $199 鈥擩.M.

#25. Poland

Need proof that Eastern Europe is the continent鈥檚 new premier destination? Look no further than Krakow. Sitting on the banks of the Vistula River below the 8,000-foot Carpathian Mountains, the city beat out culinary hot spots like Lisbon, Portugal, to become the 2019 European Capital of Gastronomic Culture. And for good reason. Krakow has 26 Michelin-recommended restaurants, such as Karakter, whose chef specializes in making exotic animal parts like bull testicles taste delicious. Burn off those calories pedaling nearly 60 miles of mountain-bike trails in the surrounding hills or by sending some of the thousands of limestone climbing routes in the nearby Jura uplands. Two hours to the south are the majestic, craggy Tatra Mountains, a playground with more than 600 miles of trails known as the Little Alps. 鈥擲.P.

#26. Nepal

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the outfitter MT Sobek, a California-based adventure travel pioneer and one of the first American companies to offer small-group Himalayan expeditions. Join the celebration on one of its five 20-day pilgrimages to Everest Base Camp this year. Three veteran guides will lead you on a route that hasn鈥檛 changed much in the decades since MT Sobek led its first trip in 1969, but that鈥檚 a good thing. The dicey flight into the clifftop town of Lukla is an extreme adventure in itself, and staying in Sherpa villages, visiting the iconic Tengboche monastery, and passing rhododendrons in bloom and prayer flags disintegrating in the breeze as you hike more than 8,000 feet up to 17,600-foot Base Camp is one of the world鈥檚 most iconic journeys. From $6,695 鈥擲.P.

#27. Michigan

Lake Michigan鈥檚 56-square-mile Beaver Island is only accessible by a two-hour ferry ride or puddle-jumper flights from a few nearby cities and towns. But that remoteness has preserved this adventure haven鈥檚 rugged character. The island has five inland lakes filled with pike, perch, and bass, lazy dirt roads that are easily navigated by cruiser bike, and Mount Pisgah, a 150-foot sand dune that, with an elevation of 730 feet, is a surprisingly strenuous hike. For a little more adrenaline, expert paddlers can test their skills against the Great Lake along a new 42-mile water trail that passes remote dunes, wetlands, and beaches as it circumnavigates the isle. The ($10) overlooking Garden, Squaw, and Whisky Islands is a great spot to observe the northern lights flicker across the sky. 鈥擲.P.

#28. California

Perched dramatically atop a 150-foot cliff overlooking the crashing Pacific, the 103-year-old, ten-room Harbor House Inn in tiny Elk, California, completed an eight-year renovation last spring. Book the property鈥檚 Shorepine cottage for private-terrace views of 75-foot-high Wharf Rock, a historic natural arch where ships once docked to load lumber. Then wander the private beach, swim beneath the giant trees of Navarro River Redwoods State Park, ride horseback in the inland mountains, or kayak through sea stacks along the craggy coastline. To experience a different taste of the region, head to the inn鈥檚 25-seat dining room, where chef Matthew Kammerer鈥檚 eight-to-twelve-course tasting menus are completely foraged, farmed, and harvested within 50 miles. The payoff? Dishes like spring-vegetable nori with smoked oysters, abalone, and sea vegetables. From $355 鈥擲.P.

#29. Canada

Richard Weber and his wife, Jos茅e Auclair, and sons Tessum and Nansen have spent 30 years exploring the polar regions, notching countless records and expeditions, like the first crossing of the Arctic Ocean on skis. The family also runs three lodges spread across the Arctic Archipelago, each offering unique adventures. In July and August at Arctic Watch, the northernmost fly-in lodge on the planet, kayak among icebergs while looking for beluga whales. At Arctic Haven, located on the shores of Ennadai Lake, 450 miles from civilization, you can observe North America鈥檚 largest caribou migration in August and September. And in April and May, the family runs the world鈥檚 northernmost heli-skiing operation from the Baffin Island hamlet of Clyde River, Nunavut. The only other tracks you鈥檒l see belong to the resident polar bears. From $6,616 for six nights 鈥擩.M

#30. Montana

Former Tour Divide champion cyclist Cricket Butler had bikers in mind with every step as she renovated an old barn in northern Montana. The result? The Whitefish Bike Retreat, a simple, tasteful lodge that serves as a base camp for bikepackers weary from the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which passes by six miles away, and rippers looking to explore some of the state鈥檚 best trails. Private rooms start at $110, or you can pitch your own tent for $40. Stay in the lodge and you鈥檒l have access to the wood-fired sauna, repair shop, hot showers, and bike wash. As for where to ride, there鈥檚 a private skills park on the property, and the 42-mile Whitefish Trail offers machine-cut cross-country routes right out the back door. Nearby Spencer Mountain has freeride terrain, and Whitefish Mountain Resort boasts lift-served downhill galore. 鈥擥.础.

#31. New Zealand

What nobody tells you about Milford Sound鈥攖hat World Heritage site and most dramatic of New Zealand fjords鈥攊s that there鈥檚 (almost) no place to stay. Instead, buses shuttle in day-trippers from Te Anau, an adventure base two hours south, and deposit them onto giant boats for a loop of the fjord. But those in the know will have secured a bunk bed, camper spot, or small river chalet months in advance at Milford Sound Lodge (from $27, $40, and $307, respectively). Kayak to the fjord鈥檚 500-foot waterfalls, fly-fish the wide, graveled Cleddau River outside your door, and indulge in local pinot noir and Stewart Island salmon at the on-site Pio Pio Caf茅. But the best part is the sense of peace and awe when the last tour bus pulls out of sight. 鈥擡lizabeth Hightower Allen

#32. West Virginia

OK, it鈥檚 not actually infinite, but with over 200 trad and sport-climbing routes strewn along three miles of world-class sandstone high above the New River Gorge, the Endless Wall sure feels that way. All-day sun makes cool weather ideal for classics like Fantasy, a 5.8 trad crack route that鈥檚 one of the crag鈥檚 few double pitches. Climbers comfortable leading 5.10鈥檚 will get the most out of the area, but the gorge is filled with more than 1,400 established routes to session. There鈥檚 also 60 miles of mountain-biking trails, trout-filled tributaries, and Class III鈥揤 rapids to explore. To refuel, grab a beer and a grape and Gorgonzola pizza at Fayetteville鈥檚 Pies and Pints. It鈥檚 just four miles from the American Alpine Club鈥檚 颅official campground ($30). 鈥擜bigail Wise

#33. Morocco

With four lodging options in Taghazout, British expats Ben O鈥橦ara and Ollie Boswell have put this laid-back surf village on any boarder鈥檚 bucket list. The duo鈥檚 newest chic offering, Amouage by Surf Maroc, opened in 2016 and is perched over a point break on a coastline riddled with good waves. And the boutique hotel鈥檚 local guides and instructors know a thing or two about where the swell is. The best waves are November through March, and pending conditions, the guides might drive you an hour and a half north to the hamlet of Imsouane or put you in the water right out front. Meals are family style, and the mostly European guests are eager to exchange wipeout stories while lounging on Moroccan poufs. Too tired or sore to surf? There鈥檚 yoga in a glass-walled room overlooking the sea, masseuses to knead throbbing arms, and an infinity pool with views of the waves you鈥檙e missing. Seven-day packages start at $644, all-inclusive 鈥擬.T.

The post The 33 Best Trips of 2019 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Warning: unless you鈥檙e an annoyingly carefree bon vivant with a hefty trust fund, reading our annual Best of Travel awards may trigger a deep sense of dissatisfaction with the pathetic state of your mundane life. There are so many cool places to go, you鈥檒l think as you scroll through our 30 epic selections. And not enough time! Why am I stuck at this desk! Do not panic鈥攖his is a totally natural reaction. And that鈥檚 the beauty of our annual awards.

国产吃瓜黑料 has been covering the adventure-travel beat for nearly four decades, and our two veteran Best of Travel writers, Tim Neville and Stephanie Pearson, have spent months poring over the latest trip offerings and scouring the globe to uncover surprising new ideas. We know this beat, and now we鈥檝e narrowed your choices of hotels, destinations, and outfitters from approximately 10.6 million to 30. The final choice is still on you, but the task is at least manageable. Or maybe you鈥檒l get that trust fund. 鈥�Chris Keyes

1. Best Island: Bermuda

A subtropical archipelago of 181 volcanic islands, Bermuda won the bid to host the 2017 America鈥檚 Cup, thanks to near perfect North Atlantic sailing conditions. Beyond wind, the British Overseas Territory, just a two-hour flight from New York City, has 75 miles of pink-sand beaches interspersed with jagged limestone cliffs, many of which are perfect for deep-water soloing and hucking into the Atlantic from the top. Stay at , a 50-acre hideaway with a private stretch of sand on the southern shore (from $455).

2. Best Dive: Cuba

Already sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department as an educational tour, this 11-day live-aboard yacht excursion helps fund research 鈥╝nd conservation work by trip leader David Guggenheim, a marine scientist, underwater explorer, and founder of the Washington, D.C., nonprofit . The location: , an archipelago of 250 coral and mangrove islands, located 60 miles off Cuba鈥檚 southern coast, that Fidel Castro established as a marine protected area and a no-take fishing zone. Only 1,000 divers are allowed each year, so you鈥檒l be one of the few to see whale sharks, sperm whales, sea turtles, goliath groupers, and some of the most pristine coral reefs anywhere on the planet. The package includes a chartered flight from Miami and a night at the five-star in Havana. From $7,474.

3. Best Street Food: Austin, Texas

The scene here is so fast-paced that today鈥檚 sweet chile chicken lollipops at or kimchi fries at the Korean-Mexican fusion truck may be gone tomorrow. (Though we sure hope not.) Hit eight trucks in one location at the Barton Springs Picnic Park, and find more worth seeking out at and .

4. Best River Trip: Fiji

Lined with vertical cliffs and cascading waterfalls, the 18-mile-long Upper Navua River Gorge on Viti Levu is like a tropical Grand Canyon, which is why formed and worked with local landowners, villagers, a timber company, and the Native Land Trust Board to establish the 10.5-mile Upper Navua Conservation Area in 2000. Bask in the fruits of their labor by paddling this pristine Class II鈥揑II warm-water river lined with swaying palms. As long as you鈥檙e here, add a couple of days kayaking the Middle Navua, sea-kayaking and snorkeling among the coral gardens of Beqa Lagoon, and sprawling out on white-sand beaches. $2,899 for eight days.

5. Best of the Wild West: Montana

Since 2001, the nonprofit has been working to restore the northern great plains to the pristine condition Lewis and Clark found them in more than 200 years ago. The resulting reserve, in northeast Montana, is now 305,000 acres. The aim is to reach 3.5 million by 2030, creating a U.S. Serengeti and the largest wildlife park in the lower 48, where herds of elk, mule deer, and bison thrive. But don鈥檛 wait to go. You can sleep under the stars now at the 11-site ($10), four miles north of the , and take a DIY mountain-biking safari on old ranch roads, passing grazing bison and scanning the skies for American kestrels, Sprague鈥檚 pipits, and Swainson鈥檚 hawks. Or paddle the Missouri River past pioneer homesteads and historic tepees to , a set of five luxurious yurts, each with AC, a hot shower, and a veranda for sundowners (from $4,800 for six days).

6. Best Place to Tie One On: Portland, Maine

The other Portland may have the microbrewery rep, but it distributes its beers to half the country. Many of the best brews in Portland, Maine, can only be quaffed here. , a classic American farmhouse brewery, just opened a tasting room downtown where you can try local favorite Space Cowboy, a low-alcohol ale, and full-flavor European-style beers like the Continental. Then head to , one of the country鈥檚 best beer bars, with 33 rotating taps, including roughly ten Maine brews. Or join , which offers two-and-a-half-hour tours along the Old Port area, with stops at distilleries and breweries like and (from $59).

7. Best Splurge: Greenland

鈥� brand-new eco base camp, with high-thread-count linens, hot showers, and a gourmet chef, is as close to a luxurious safari-style camp as you can get in these parts. Set on Sermilik Fjord at the edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet, one of the least explored regions of the Arctic, the camp is within view of 5,000-foot peaks that plunge into the sea. Why pay top dollar to sleep in polar bear country in temperatures that barely hit the fifties in August? Because as Olaf Malver, the Danish camp founder who has spent 26 years exploring this coastline, says, 鈥淵ou will be dazzled by its dizzying beauty, strength, and simmering silence.鈥� Guests can take guided ten-mile hikes through tundras, kayak among humpback whales, and visit Inuit villagers who live by centuries-old traditions. From $8,995 for nine days.

8. Best Way to Get Strong Quads: San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Elevation, elevation, elevation. That鈥檚 what I recall about the through the San Juans, from Durango, Colorado, to Moab, Utah. Much as I want to write about the towering vistas and cascading ribbons of singletrack, you have to reach them first, and my memory of the 200-plus-mile ride is the 25,000 feet of elevation gain. The pain is worth it, with climbs ending at huts with glorious views. Note that these aren鈥檛 your gorgeous, timber-pegged cabins鈥攖hey鈥檙e two-by-four-and-particle-board huts, hauled up on trailer frames. But you鈥檙e not here for raclette and a hot-stone massage; you鈥檙e just happy that you don鈥檛 have to carry your own food, water, and shelter. The cabins are well stocked, including cold beer and a warm sleeping bag on a soft pad. A couple of suggestions: carry the hut system鈥檚 maps; where it says singletrack option, take it; and read the log books (some of the comments are hysterical). When you get to Geyser Pass Hut at the end of day six, start smiling, because you鈥檙e at the top of the La Sal Mountains, and a 7,400-foot descent, aptly named the Whole Enchilada, awaits. As do the Colorado River, Moab, and a Milt鈥檚 malted and cheeseburger.
鈥�Dave Cox

9. Best New Jaw-Dropping Hotel: Alila Jabal Akhdar, Oman

Oman is one of the most peaceful and stunning nations in the Middle East. Start your exploration of the vast Arabian Peninsula at amid date, peach, and pomegranate trees, perched at 6,500 feet on the edge of a deep gorge in the Hajar Mountains. Ffrom $325.

10. Best International 国产吃瓜黑料 Hub: Chile

Running 2,610 miles north to south, Chile is the longest country in the world, and 80 percent of it is covered by mountains. With vast wild spaces like 650,000-acre (which opened to the public this year), pristine rivers with big trout, classic old-school ski areas, and pisco sours and damn good wine, it鈥檚 hard to go wrong. Consider these dream itineraries: (1) Fly into the capital city of Santiago, then work your way south to 370,000-acre in Tierra del Fuego. The former cattle ranch opened in 2013, but very few people have been lucky enough to explore this swath of untouched glaciers and peaks. Be one of the first to take it all in on a 16-day boat-assisted hiking and sailing epic with ($8,000). (2) Mid-country, two hours south of Santiago in the Millahue Valley, stay at the brand-new , a 22-room retreat and wine spa in the middle of an 11,000-acre vineyard with stunning views of the Andes (from $1,200). Mountain-bike the 65 miles of vineyard roads, then laze by the infinity pool. (3) Eleven hundred miles north in the Atacama Desert, explore the lunar landscape on horseback, relax poolside at the luxurious (from $1,350 for two nights, all-inclusive), then set out after dark to to view the universe through the clearest sky on earth.

11. Best SUP Odyssey: Belize

With the 180-mile-long Belize Barrier Reef, this laid-back country has long been a heaven for divers and snorkelers. It just got better with the world鈥檚 first lodge-to-lodge paddleboarding trip. On this through Belize鈥檚 118,000-acre , you鈥檒l paddle four to eight miles per day through calm turquoise waters, jumping off to snorkel where spotted eagle rays and barracuda glide in reef areas too shallow for motorboats. You鈥檒l visit with researchers at Smithsonian鈥檚 to learn about reef biology, stop for a beachside fresh-catch lunch at a Garifuna fishing camp, night-snorkel at Southwater Cut (a deep channel where the coral blooms after dark), and sleep in rustic overwater bungalows on tiny Tobacco Caye and in the seclusion of private Southwater Caye, 12 acres ringed by white sand in the Belize Barrier Reef. $1,829 for six days.

12. Best Place to Get in the Car and Go: India

Mention driving in India to veteran travelers and they鈥檒l recount white-knuckle cab rides and six-hour traffic jams. But on a ten-day driving trip with , you and a caravan of like-minded adventurers gain access to crowd-free luxury lodging and villages far from the tourist hordes. You鈥檒l pilot a Mahindra Scorpio (an Indian four-wheel-drive SUV) up to 90 miles a day, charging through the dirt roads of the Himalayan foothills or over the sand dunes of Rajasthan. A mechanic will be right behind you for on-the-fly repairs. From $1,500 for ten days.

13. Best Beaches: South Carolina

The Palmetto State has over 200 miles of coastline and an ample supply of gorgeous beaches, with comfortable water temperatures from May through October. Start in Charleston and head 20 miles north to uninhabited Bulls Island, part of the stunning 66,000-acre Cape Romaine 鈥∟ational Wildlife Refuge, for a hiking or kayaking tour with (from $40). Farther north lies Pawleys Island and its laid-back beaches, and three miles north of there is our favorite stretch of the state: Litchfield Beach. The northern end is the protected . You won鈥檛 find any putt-putt here, just wide-open white sand for miles.

14. Best Small Cruise: Doubtful Sound, New Zealand

As my wife and I planned our South Island road trip, the big debate was: should we do an overnight cruise into Doubtful Sound on a 70-person, three-masted sailboat? We didn鈥檛 really think of ourselves as cruising types. Then we looked at pictures of Doubtful Sound, which seemed too stunning to be real: ridiculously lush forest clinging to sheer cliff walls, pods of dolphins, towering waterfalls. So we booked the trip with . While we did some unbelievably cool stuff while we were in New Zealand, including helicoptering into a swanky lodge in the Southern Alps, the defining moment came during a rainy afternoon on that boat. Temperatures were in the mid-forties, and we had just returned from a short sea-kayaking excursion, wet and cold. But when I saw a few of my fellow cruisers (who, it should be said, were mostly young and adventuresome) lining up to jump off the rear deck, I stripped down to my skivvies, climbed onto a platform, and launched into the scrotum-searingly cold water. And then I did it again. My wife looked at me like I鈥檇 lost my mind. And maybe I had, at least temporarily. From $310.鈥擲AM MOULTON
鈥�Sam Moulton

15. Best Comeback Country: Sri Lanka

The first decade of the new millennium was rough on Sri Lanka, with a devastating cyclone, the tsunami, and a 26-year civil war that ended in 2009. Today, this largely Buddhist island in the northern Indian Ocean, with 8,000-foot peaks and 830 miles of coastline, has bounced back big time鈥攆oreign travel grew 19 percent in 2014. There鈥檚 no shortage of fun to be had at these base camps: Book a deluxe safari-style tent at and Spa in the center of the country and hike to sacred rock Sigiriya (from $221). , a brand-new clifftop hotel on 12 lush acres, 30 minutes east of the port city of Galle, hovers 100 feet over the Indian Ocean, with mountain biking, diving, and paddleboarding nearby (from $767). On the east coast, the village of Arugam Bay, sandwiched between miles of beaches and an inland tropical jungle, has consistent right breaks. Rent a beach cabana at the (from $38). Twenty miles south is Yala National Park, with herds of elephants and solitary leopards.

16. Best Outfitted Trips: Anywhere with Wilderness Travel

This 37-year-old team in Berkeley, California, dreams up more than 30 unique trips across 75 countries every year and is known for pioneering adventures that other outfitters copy later鈥攌ayaking tours through remote stretches of Tierra del Fuego, the world鈥檚 highest trek (at 23,000 feet) across Tibet鈥攁nd doing it all with an eye toward supporting locals and minimizing environmental impact. But what makes truly exceptional are the company鈥檚 trip developers and guides. Take Barbara Banks, a polyglot who鈥檚 spent 23 years with the company traveling hundreds of thousands of miles setting up local connections. (Norwegian ferry captains know her so well, they鈥檒l make unscheduled stops to allow Wilderness Travel groups to disembark directly at their waterside hotel after a day of hiking fjords.) Some recent new trips: sea-kayaking and camping on isolated beaches in Palau, visiting little-seen pyramids in Sudan, and tracking desert lions in Namibia with Flip Stander, a Ph.D. who has spent decades living among the big cats.

17. Best Domestic 国产吃瓜黑料 Hub: North Carolina

Take California, make the mountains greener and the beaches and restaurants less crowded, and replace all the digital millionaires with hospitable southerners, and you get North Carolina. On the coast, you鈥檒l find some of the East鈥檚 best breaks on the Outer Banks, and stand-up paddleboarders cruise through the 160,000-acre , filled with salt estuaries and flooded pines. In the west, there鈥檚 world-class singletrack and road riding in the Blue Ridge mountains (pros like local Matthew Busche of Trek Factory Racing train for the Tour de France here), 96 miles of Appalachian Trail, and some of the country鈥檚 best whitewater at the . That鈥檚 to say nothing of cities like Asheville, Wilmington, and Chapel Hill, which are full of farm-to-table restaurants, local breweries, and great music venues. Where to start your trip? Get a room at the two-year-old in Asheville (from $159) and mountain-bike the Big Avery Loop, a challenging 13-mile romp through rhododendron tunnels and way-off-the-back rock steps. Or rent a house on the Outer Banks in the spring or fall and learn to surf with the folks at (from $100).

18. Best Base Camp: Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, Namibia

Yes, getting to Namibia involves at least a full day of travel, but the payoff is worth it: no other landscape is like the surreal Skeleton Coast, which was carved out of lava rock 130 million years ago. One excellent way to see it is via , a fly-in oasis that opened last August on the banks of the Hoanib River in one of Africa鈥檚 most extraordinary wildlife-viewing regions. Desert-adapted rhinos, elephants, and other charismatic megafauna like springbok (a gazelle) linger near the camp鈥檚 spacious, fire-warmed common area and eight luxury safari tents (think pitched canvas roofs, big decks, and twin-bed interiors). A small plane can drop you off near the shipwrecks and seal colonies at Mowe Bay. From $500.

19. Best Road Biking: California

The Golden State has 800 miles of coastline and half a dozen mountain ranges鈥攁nd you can ride practically all of it year-round. From coastal tours like the supported eight-day, 525-mile from San Francisco to Los Angeles, to foodie-friendly tours along the back roads of Sonoma (visit for routes, rentals, and outfitters), to epic climbs like the five passes and 15,000 feet of elevation gain through the Sierra Nevada during the annual ($135), California has greater variety than just about anywhere. Get route maps online at the , or sign up with an outfitter like . Its supported, self-directed six-day tours from Yosemite to San Francisco or through Death Valley National Park let you decide where to ride, sleep, and eat, but a leader in a van sets up snack stops and water refills and hauls your gear. It鈥檚 like an egoless, six-cylinder domestique ($1,495 for six days).

20. Best Place for a Meal in Ski Boots: Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico

After a morning spent charging Taos鈥檚 famously steep West Basin chutes, there鈥檚 no better place to refuel than the 鈥檚 festive outdoor deck. With its waitstaff in dirndls and lederhosen, German fare, and view of Kachina Peak, this ski-in, ski-out chalet is about as close to the Alps as you can get in the southern Rockies. I start with the soft-doughed pretzels and house-made sweet grain mustard. They鈥檙e the perfect warm-up for the goulash, bratwurst, or spaetzle (a German version of mac and cheese) and an Asam Bock, a beer on tap from Germany鈥檚 . On powder days, I often don鈥檛 end up at the Bavarian until dinner, which is served inside the log-built lodge, where you can still dunk bread in cheese on fondue Tuesdays during the winter. If I鈥檓 sleeping in one of the Bavarian鈥檚 four luxe suites, waking up to easy access to Taos鈥檚 new Kachina lift, which expands the mountain鈥檚 lift-served advanced terrain by 50 percent, is heaven. During summer, trails to Williams Lake and New Mexico鈥檚 highest peak鈥�13,159-foot Wheeler鈥攁re right out your door.鈥�Mary Turner

21. Best Urban Upgrade: Philadelphia

It may be better known for its cheesesteak, hoagies, and underdog sports teams, but lately the City of Brotherly Love has been gaining ground as an outdoor town. This year it鈥檚 launching a bike-share program and adding three miles of multi-use trails to its 220-mile citywide system. In 2014, it transformed 20,571 square feet of cemented wasteland into . You can even do paddleboard yoga along the Delaware River with (from $45).

22. Best Outfitted Trips for Families: Anywhere with Bicycle 国产吃瓜黑料s

Roughly 10 percent of 鈥� trips are now geared specifically toward families with preteens in tow. This year the Washington-based company launched three multi-day rides in Oregon, Idaho, and South Dakota that follow car-free bike paths and pass through kid-captivating areas like Mount Rushmore and Idaho鈥檚 Trail of the Hiawatha, with stops for ice cream, rafting, and swimming holes. Have younger kids? They鈥檒l pedal tag-alongs hitched to adult bikes, and toddlers and infants can ride in provided trailers. From $2,295.

23. Best Place to Eat and Drink Yourself Silly: Scotland

A decade ago, when restaurants like Noma ushered in a Scandinavian culinary renaissance, a bunch of Scots headed north and took jobs in those kitchens. Now they鈥檝e returned to make use of their homeland鈥檚 nearly 6,800 miles of coastline, abundant mushroom and strawberry harvests, and massive beef industry. Which is part of the reason the country named 2015 the . Just about every town has at least one restaurant with a creative menu. To experience the best of it, go to the , on the edge of Loch Dunvegan. Chef Michael Smith serves Sconser king scallops, Skye blackface lamb, and lobster from practically right out the door. And don鈥檛 forget to take in a Scotch distillery tour.

24. Best Places to Stretch Your Budget: Japan, Europe, and Brazil

With the economy bouncing back, the dollar is getting stronger鈥攅specially in these three destinations, where the exchange rate has steadily improved over the past 12 months.

Japan

Three nights at the ski-centric

• February 2014: $260
• February 2015: $220

Europe

One-week tour with

• February 2014: $4,000
• February 2015: $3,395

Brazil

Three nights in the Amazon at

• February 2014: $850
• February 2015: $750

25. Best Deal: Kolarbyn Hostel

These , located about 80 miles west of Stockholm, are made from wood and earth (you can pick blueberries off the roof) and set you up in the middle of a spruce forest straight out of Endor. Spend your days napping, hiking, or paddling nearby waterways, and end them with a visit to the floating sauna on Sk盲rsj枚n lake. $120.

26. Best Effort to Mitigate That Carbon Footprint: Indianapolis International Airport

Air travel is tough on the environment. So it鈥檚 nice when there are initiatives like the . Last year, workers more than doubled the number of solar panels at Indianapolis International Airport to 76,000鈥攅nough to power 3,210 homes for an entire year.

27. Best Safari: Kenya

国产吃瓜黑料 GO鈥檚 11-day was put together by owners Sandy and Chip Cunningham, who lived in Kenya for five years, in response to a simple truth: Africa鈥檚 most worthwhile destinations are often some of its most vulnerable. You鈥檒l visit three remarkable locations on the cutting edge of both conservation and accommodation in the wildest sections of East Africa. Take Campi Ya Kanzi, nestled in the shadow of Kilimanjaro, which has exclusive access to 300,000 acres of wilderness with lions, elephants, zebras, and giraffes, and not a single tourist in sight. You鈥檒l be hosted by local Masai and sleep in a lavish tent without the humming generators that mar other properties鈥攖he camp gets 24-hour power from solar. The trip culminates in a visit to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust鈥檚 elephant orphanage, where young pachyderms that have lost their parents to poaching are fostered. You鈥檒l get a once-in-a-lifetime, up-close look. From $9,585.

28. Best Viral-Video Opportunity: Bay of Fundy

Go with on a sea kayak with pods of humpback whales in the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick. From $85.听

29. Best Airbnb Property: Mary May鈥檚

A morning spent at outside Bozeman, Montana, presents a dilemma. Do you fire up the professional range, swing open the French doors, and have a leisurely breakfast? Do you head out and explore the property鈥檚 100 acres of trails and trout waters? Or do you hop in the car for a quick trip to Yellowstone? There鈥檚 no easy answer, but few places let you experience as much for so little. $125.

30. Best Surf Trip: Baja, Mexico

There are lots of ways to enjoy Mexico. But I鈥檝e found that the very best is to cross the border in a 4×4 truck with surfboards, a few extra tanks of gasoline, and a couple of bottles of mezcal. If you don鈥檛 count the border cities of Tijuana and Mexicali鈥攁nd, frankly, you shouldn鈥檛鈥攖he Baja peninsula has a population of just over two million spread across 55,000 square miles. That鈥檚 fewer people than Houston. The region鈥檚 2,000 miles of wild and desolate Pacific coastline are littered with fantastic, almost always empty surf. Many of the most famous breaks鈥擰uatros Casas, Scorpion Bay鈥攏ow have hostels and other amenities on the bluffs, but the rule of thumb is that the farther you get from San Diego, the more challenging and rewarding it becomes. You get to work for your dinner: spear-caught fish for ceviche and a lobster as big as a small dog. Lodging options that far south are limited鈥攚e slept in tents or our truck bed鈥攕o if you go, remember that when the wind starts whipping and the night gets cold, dead yuccas burn hotter than tumbleweeds.
鈥�Matt Skenazy

More of 国产吃瓜黑料's 2015 Best of Travel

• Gear: The 5 Best Pieces of Gear for the Road
• Guides: 5 Travel Guides You Need to Know
• Coming Soon: The Best of Travel Runner-Ups

The post The 30 Best Trips of 2015 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Each year, the editors of 国产吃瓜黑料 hand out our list of Travel Awards. Beginning with our 2015 Travel Awards, we will consistently award the same five prizes each year, in addition to a collection of other awards given at our discretion. The five annual awards will go to the Best U.S. 国产吃瓜黑料 Hub, Best International 国产吃瓜黑料 Hub, Best Outfitter/Travel Company, Best Lodge, and Best Guide(s). We invite applications for each of the awards, which will be decided by our team of travel editors and industry experts.

To Apply: Please answer the following questions in a pdf or word document, and send an email to travelawards@outsidemag.com听with the award type (Best Outfitter/Travel Company, Best Domestic 国产吃瓜黑料 Hub, Best Lodge, etc) as the subject line.

Deadline: All applications must be received by November 15, 2014.

Decision: Finalists will be announced online in February 2015. Winners will be featured in our April 2015 issue.

Best Outfitter/Travel Company

• What new trips are you offering in the coming year?
• What trip or trips (no more than three) are you most noted for?
• What kind of involvement do your tours have with the local community?
• How do you research your trips?
• Does your company have exclusive access to any areas?
• What does your company do to mitigate your environmental impact?
• What is the average group size on your trips?
• What kinds of customization do you offer to clients?
• What percentage of your clients return for future trips?
• What are your hiring requirements for guides?
• What is the experience level of your guides and are any of your guides particularly noteworthy for their accomplishments?
• What is your safety record and what safety precautions do you take?
• Do you have any type of philanthropic program?

Best Lodge

• When was your lodge founded?
• What new activities or events will your lodge host in 2015?
• What types of trips or activities are available through your lodge? Or they guided or self-guided?
• Do you have guides on staff? If so, describe their experience and qualifications
• Does your lodge offer any trips or activities to exclusive areas?
• Briefly describe the rooms, accommodations, and amenities offered at your lodge.
• What efforts has your lodge made to reduce its environmental footprint?
• Please describe the area the lodge is in, including terrain, weather, and adventure potential.

Best Guides

• How many years experience does your nominated guide have?
• What safety training and record does your guide have?
• What trip is your guide best at or most known for?
• What other qualifications does your guide have?
• What is the client satisfaction rate for your guide?

Best U.S. 国产吃瓜黑料 Hub

• What sports/activities are available within your city or state?
• What type of adventure-focused lodging is available within your city or state?
• What new trails, parks, lodges, etc have opened in the past year that make your city or state the best in its field?
• Is there anything about your city or state that helps it stand above others in your field?

Best International 国产吃瓜黑料 Hub

• What sports/activities are available within your city or country?
• What type of adventure-focused lodging is available within your city or country?
• What new trails, parks, lodges, etc have opened in the past year that make your city or country the best in its field?
• Is there anything about your city or country that helps it stand above others in the field?

The post Apply to Win an 国产吃瓜黑料 Travel Award appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The 听covers听a grueling 136 miles, making it by far the longest stand-up paddleboard race in the world. Divided into five daylong stages, it’s the Tour de France of paddling, taking competitors through some of Holland’s most scenic terrain.

Native Dutchwoman Anne-Marie Reichman, a professional windsurfer, followed the five-day route as a personal challenge in 2008, then took it to the masses in the first open event in 2010. The race route stems from a historical ice-skating path that farmers once took to create a round through Friesland, a province in northwestern part of the Netherlands.

It follows narrow canals鈥攐f mostly flat water鈥攖hrough “the pearls of Friesland,” historical cities built from the 1700s. The loop begins and ends in Leeuwarden, traveling through Sloten, Workum, Franeker, Dokkum, and several smaller towns between. When you aren’t ducking your head to pass beneath bridges, you can take in countryside views of windmills, open pastureland with sheep, cows, and horses, and forests.听

Some 200 paddlers participated in the various stages of the 2013 race. Even more are expected for the 2014 event, which will take place September 3鈥�7, particularly since organizers plan to vie for the Dutch record for the most stand-up paddleboarders on the water at a time.

“Elite participants need to be able to paddle hard five days in a row…This is demanding,” says Reichman. “Athletes get meals and massages offered every day. However, a distance of 44 kilometers is tough, and then there are four more stages.” For those in the elite category, the payoff is a solid test of performance and recovery, and preparation for the rest of the season.

Even if you’re not an elite athlete, you can still enjoy this challenge by participating in the amateur category (which doesn’t give out rankings). Form a two- to five-person team to take on different stages, or try out the weekend-only portions of the tour.

Along the route, you can lodge for the evening on an authentic Frysian sailing ship. You’ll be bunking with up to 26 other participants, but as Reichman observes, “This is an experience in itself and participants bond throughout the entire event becoming family.” Maybe a pep talk from a newfound family member will be just the thing to help you complete this epic challenge.听

The post How Can I Compete in Holland’s SUP 11-City Tour? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

On a 25-degree austral summer day, loose clouds spackled the sky, and the dark skyline of South Georgia Island, a battering ram of 9,000-foot peaks, 160 glaciers, and frayed coastline, loomed off the bow of the ship. I stood on the lower deck, wrapped in industrial-strength rain gear and giant rubber boots rated to minus 40, about to step into a dinghy to venture to shore, when the captain suddenly ordered us to halt.

Transport yourself to South Georgia Island through the hoots and howls of its wildlife.

Almost instantly, the wind picked up and began gusting at 50 knots. Penguins rolled down the beach. The tideline became a thick white band, and squalls scoured the surface of the bay like ghosts.听

This is hardly unusual for South Georgia, a chunk of the Andes that wandered into the southern Atlantic some 50 million years ago. The 100-mile spit of land is so isolated that it creates its own weather system, but despite鈥攐r perhaps because of鈥攊ts ruggedness, it鈥檚 also a holy grail. Located 1,300 miles east of Tierra del Fuego in the South Atlantic Ocean, a combination of underwater topography and converging currents produce rich seas that support some of the .

South Georgia was also a grail for one of the previous century鈥檚 most famed explorers, Sir Ernest Shackleton, and the men of Endurance, his ill-fated ship. But they didn鈥檛 know that when they set sail from London 100 years ago this August.

The British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914 aimed to cross the entire Antarctic continent on foot, a first that Shackleton, already an accomplished explorer, considered the last great polar objective. Instead, they failed famously. Before the expedition even reached Antarctica, Endurance became trapped in the shifting pack ice and sank. The crew spent the next year and a half trying to save themselves, inching across a puzzle of ice and sea, subsisting on seal blubber and penguin giblets, and clinging to survival in the black Antarctic winter. They finally made it to Elephant Island, an uninhabited collection of cliffs on the edge of the continent.

What happened next is adventure legend: Shackleton and five men sailed a lifeboat 800 miles across one of the most violent seas on earth to South Georgia, the only speck of civilization in hundreds of miles. Then they made the first traverse of the spiky isle to summon help from a whaling station. Every member鈥�28 people鈥攐f the expedition survived.

As a result of this remarkable story, Shackleton鈥檚 leadership has been immortalized in countless books, films, and commemorative expeditions. This year鈥檚 100th anniversary is spurring a new wave of remembrances, but nothing quite compares with going to South Georgia. And there鈥檚 only one way to get there: by boat, which takes two full days from the Falkland Islands or three from Ushuaia, Argentina.

Occasionally, pro athletes or private companies like organize mountaineering expeditions, but most of South Georgia's few visitors鈥攁 fraction of the number who make it to Antarctica鈥攁rrive by passenger ship. I hitched a ride on the , a 148-person reinforced ferry run by , which pioneered Antarctic tourism in the 1960s.

For me, South Georgia was a different holy grail. Much has changed over the century since Shackleton was at his prime and the world was still partially unexplored. But at least ostensibly, little has changed in South Georgia. For Shackleton, the island was a prized sliver of civilization; for me, it was a vestige of wilderness and a window into a world that vanished nearly a century ago.听

That afternoon, the wind eased and I boarded an inflatable raft for shore, a sweep of stones framed by charcoal cliffs, verdant mountainsides, and a skein of waterfalls. The black-and-white dots of thousands of nesting seabirds transformed the tableau into a shifting mosaic.听

鈥淭here鈥檚 quite the greeting party, as you can see,鈥� said Jason, a naturalist manning the motor, as I stepped into the turbulent shallows. A three-foot-tall king penguin waded belly-deep, turned his head, and peered at me with one sidelong eye. He was so close鈥攁 few feet鈥攖hat I could see the beaded water on his feathers and the gleam of light in his eye.

Penguins have no natural land predators, and they are not only fearless but comically inquisitive. Dozens toddled down the beach, pecked at my boots, and whacked each other with stumpy wings like bored siblings. Shackleton would have looked at these jellybean birds and thought: snack. I, on the other hand, was happy to be an audience. Hundreds of fur seals lounged in the tussac grass. Pups with globelike eyes bluff-charged me, barking like Labrador puppies. Elephant seals the size of sedans sunned on the beach and galumphed into the water.

Being so outnumbered inspired the prick of both fear and wonder. I instantly understood why people have a cultlike reverence for this place. Many of the 100 passengers on the National Geographic Explorer had been here before and felt compelled to return, some more than half a dozen times. Perhaps partly this was because鈥攈appily鈥攐ur experience on this ship was nothing like Shackleton鈥檚.

He and his crew ate pemmican and penguin legs and, on a good day, an albatross chick. We enjoyed wild boar steaks and Chilean wines. (鈥淚f I had not some strength of will, I would make a first-class drunkard,鈥� admitted Shackleton.) They catnapped in slimy rotting reindeer hides. We snored under fluffy down duvets. They navigated with a sextant; the Explorer鈥檚 bridge is equipped with GPS, radar, constantly updated weather forecasts, and more than 2,000 paper charts. The only real emergency this ship has seen? “I think we ran out of beer one time,” said captain Oliver Kruess.

The island鈥檚 weather conditions are often so treacherous, however, that even the most well-equipped ships can鈥檛 land, which is why few people ever make it to the interior of the island. But a few days later, I hiked through a moonscape of sparse plants and past a pewter lake to Grytviken, a historic Norwegian whaling station and now the island鈥檚 densest population center, home to 30 hardy scientists, UK fisheries regulators, and nonprofit workers in summer and 10 in winter. The blubber cookers and bone boilers are now rusted, but the contorted machinery suggests the savage life whalers suffered here 100 years ago.

On beaches stinking with carcasses, they butchered as many as 25 whales a day below skies that hurled wind and snow, even in summer. The God-fearing Norwegian station manager forbid the whalers to drink, so they resorted to cocktails made with boot polish. He built them a trim, white clapboard church, which they used to store potatoes. Life was bleak, but some couldn鈥檛 stay away.

It was here, in 1922, on his way to yet another Antarctic expedition, that Sir Ernest Shackleton died of a massive heart attack aboard his ship. He was eulogized in the church, which now displays dozens of tributes from across the globe, and buried in the cemetery facing south, his own magnetic direction. At his grave, as the wind blew the snow sideways, a Lindblad staffer poured me a cup of Irish whiskey, Shackleton鈥檚 favorite. 鈥淭o the boss,鈥� he said. I thought that coming to South Georgia Island would put his legendary accomplishment into perspective, but instead, it made it more incomprehensible.

As the ship motored east, I visited the bridge, where Captain Kruess, a strong-jawed German with a buzz cut, gazed intensely over weather monitors, which showed two storms beelining toward us. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not really funny, yah, but it鈥檚 not so catastrophic,鈥� he said in his European staccato. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not like I must go and change my underwear or something like zis.鈥�

It was hard to imagine how the sea, serenely reflecting the light in shards, could change so dramatically. But sure enough, in a few days, the wind accelerated to 60 knots and the swells soared to 25 feet. The bow slammed into troughs and sent spray four stories up over the bridge. In the kitchen, dishes crashed and saltshakers hurtled off the tables. In my cabin, I listened to swells boom against the side of the ship. At times it felt like everything in the room was suspended, including me. The ocean seemed like a living thing, slowly devouring this 367-foot ship. I thought about Shackleton, who encountered the exact same conditions in his 22-foot boat, and I shuddered.听

鈥淯nlike the land, where courage and the simple will to endure can often see a man through, the struggle against the sea is an act of physical combat, and there is no escape,鈥� wrote Alfred Lansing in , arguably the most famed account of the expedition. 鈥淚t is a battle against a tireless enemy in which man never actually wins; the most that he can hope for is not to be defeated.鈥�

The ocean has always been a great equalizer. Even Shackleton, with his dauntless swagger, knew that no matter how bold your personality or how big your ship, this place could quickly show you the true nature of our flimsy existence. This seems like a reminder we need now more than ever. After a century in which humans have explored corners of the solar system Shackleton could never have imagined, I鈥檓 heartened to know there are wildernesses that still inspire that rare, unnerving, but lovely feeling: awed humility.

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Journalist Benoit Denizet-Lewis judges people by whether they love dogs. He has, however, struggled to accept that dogs can love people back. Compelled to understand the canine-human bond, Denizet-Lewis and his yellow Labrador, Casey, jumped in an RV and drove around the country to meet various dogs and their humans. The result? : A funny and insightful survey of the highs and lows of dog life.

国产吃瓜黑料 caught up with Denizet-Lewis to hear him reflect on the journey, the novel, and the state of his relationship with Casey.

OUTSIDE: What were you most interested in regarding the state of America鈥檚 relationship with its dogs?
DENIZET-LEWIS: I have been a dog lover my whole life, and I was interested in the different kinds of relationships that people have with their dogs. For example, the relationship a homeless person in Seattle has with his dog; is that relationship different from that of a rancher in Colorado who relies on his border collies to move cattle? Is that different from a debutante in L.A. who scoots her dog around in a baby stroller?

Also, I was interested in exploring the incredible variety of roles that dogs play in American life. I mean, they help our cops, they fight our wars, they help our sick get better, they help our injured live their lives and get around, they help lonely people living by themselves feel some connection to something.听

You’ve always worried that Casey doesn’t really like you. Why’d you think an RV trip might help you deal with that?听
I wondered whether I was the right fit for my dog. I worried that I wasn’t giving my dog everything that he deserved or should have for a happy life. I wanted to get on the road and have almost four months devoted entirely to getting to know my dog in a real way.

How did Casey come into your life?
I’m 39 now, and Casey’s 11. When I was 28, I wanted a dog, but I really didn’t know anything about dogs. I was living in the city at the time, and I saw this ad in the paper for puppies for sale at a house in the suburbs. I later realized that Casey was very likely a puppy mill dog; I’d read in the paper that some dogs got sick at the house. Thankfully,听Casey turned out to be fine.听

You spent time rescuing strays and touring animal shelters. Did that make you take a critical look at what it means to buy versus adopt pets?听
Yes. I saw so many stray dogs roaming every corner of this country; I would never buy a dog again. I鈥檓 not one of those people who鈥檚 going to make people feel guilty if they choose to get a purebred dog. But personally, I urge my friends to go to shelters, to rescue dogs off shelter kill lists, to volunteer at shelters. It was just astonishing to me how many stray dogs there are languishing in shelters.听

Where was the problem of stray or unwanted dogs most visible?
I spent a few days in East St. Louis, Missouri, which is the most dangerous neighborhood in America. I spent a few days on this trip rescuing dogs with dog rescuer Randy Grim in a ghetto there. Seeing these dogs injured and roaming in these forgotten, core parts of our country … I saw the same thing on Indian reservations.听

For people dealing with extraordinary poverty and hardship, taking care of dogs is not high on the list of priorities. And so you have hundreds of thousands of dogs that just roam, and very few of them live past four or five because they die of preventable illnesses.

What鈥檚 something about these dogs鈥� lives that surprised you?
Randy, the dog rescuer in East St. Louis, talked about how he won鈥檛 rescue some dogs because he’s convinced they’re happier living out with their pack than they would be in a home. We have a lot of misconceptions around what dogs need and what dogs want. People might see a homeless person and his or her dog and call Animal Control and say, 鈥極h, that poor dog is living on the street.鈥� Well, I found that homeless dogs are actually some of the most well-adjusted and happiest around, as long as they can get medical care. They are pretty much always outside, and always with their owner. What better life for a dog?听

You adopted a rescue mid-trip. What was that like?听
I鈥檝e never felt more alive than when I鈥檓 rescuing a dog. I even joked with Randy that I wanted to quit my job as a writer and just rescue dogs with him. There’s such an amazing feeling of helping a dog that’s injured or badly neglected.听

The dogs we found included skinny pit bulls that weren’t getting fed. When we found them, they came up to us and were just the sweetest things; they desperately wanted a new chance at life. I also rescued dogs that had been beaten or injured and dogs that had been involved in dog fighting. We saw so many, but you can’t rescue all of them. That鈥檚 the hardest part.听

How did you and Randy decide which dogs to save?听
Randy has to figure out if he has space in the shelter, if he’ll be able to find a foster home, if he has enough vets to deal with these dogs. He ends up having to make these really difficult decisions. You look at these dogs and you say 鈥極kay, do I take this one because it’ll only survive a few more weeks if I don’t find him again…鈥櫶齓ou almost have to try to read their minds.

I didn鈥檛 intend to rescue a dog from an Indian reservation. I just pulled over for gas and a Milky Way. There was this pack of four strays, one of which stayed close to me and really seemed like she belonged there the least. It was difficult to leave the other three behind, but it was a risk even to take the one. She was very timid at first, but she turned out to be just an amazing dog. I named her Rezzy鈥攏ot very original, I know, but continues the tradition of naming rescue dogs by where you found them. There are a lot of dogs called Freeway.

After learning about all the reasons it’s tough to be an American dog, did you feel that maybe you weren鈥檛 screwing up Casey鈥檚 life?
Yes, I think that鈥檚 true. But I even struggled when I picked up Rezzy. Part of me was like, who am I to just come in here and decide that this dog is unhappy? Does this dog even want to go in an RV with me for the next three months, or is she part of this pack?听

I don’t necessarily believe that any dog that’s living outside in a pack is miserable. But I do know the stats on these dogs: they tend not to live long. I found out later when I took Rezzy to the vet that she had a pyometra, which would have been fatal in about two weeks. So it was fortunate.

What made you think Casey didn鈥檛 love you?
Casey is really good at looking, well, sort of miserable. He’s really good at sighing. He likes to sigh a lot if he’s not being walked or fed or played with. And he gets more excited sometimes about seeing my friends than he does about seeing me. He鈥檚 also not a very physical dog in the sense that, while he likes roughhousing, he’s not the dog that’s gonna cuddle up against you in bed.

For a lot of people, a dog is the one being in life that is happy to be with you, right? I mean, that’s why dogs are so popular鈥� they don鈥檛 talk back, and they stick around. That said, it was interesting to see that I certainly wasn鈥檛 the only one whose dog brought out insecurities鈥攁lthough I was the only one who worried about not giving my dog the best life possible.

Did you meet anyone whose approach to dogs didn鈥檛 make any sense to you?
I was fascinated by several women I met who claimed that the quality of their love for their dog was the same as the quality of their love for human children. I would ask: 鈥榃ell what if your human child died? Would that be the same as if your dog died?鈥� and they insisted that, yes, it would be. As much as I love my dog, I know that I would mourn a family member or human friend differently than I would a dog.

What about people who don’t, or can’t, have that close relationship with their dog?
I was interested in people who have dogs that are supposed to work鈥攐n farms, as sled dogs. These are dogs that cannot be spoiled as much. A lot of humans really struggle with keeping that boundary.

In theory a working dog is happiest when it has a very clear job. These dogs know they鈥檙e not house dogs and don’t need constant human connection or attention, but people still struggle with that. They’re like, 鈥榊eah, I sneak ’em food when I鈥檓 not supposed to,鈥� or 鈥業 let ’em sleep in the bed sometimes.鈥�

We love dogs at 国产吃瓜黑料, especially when we’re exercising with them. Can you tell us about about your and Casey’s collective fitness exploits along the way?
We were constantly in nature, hiking along the Appalachian Trail and in Colorado. We also went dock jumping. Casey was not a natural at that at all. I had to cannonball into the water hoping that I would show him that it was safe, but he was scared by the drop into the pool. I also did yoga on the beach with my dog鈥攕omething called Doga.听

How healthy is our relationship with dogs in this country?听
On one hand, we spoil our dogs and treat them like family members. On the other hand, hundreds of thousands of dogs are returned to shelters every day, dumped, given up on, mistreated, neglected. So I wanted the book to be realistic about that and not just be a story about how wonderful our dogs are, and how great their lives are, because that’s not true for every dog.

If I meet someone and they love dogs, I tend to give them the benefit of the doubt and just assume from the beginning that they’re a kind, nice, generous person. And then, you know, people can still prove you wrong. There are some people who love dogs that aren’t pleasant to other humans.

How did your relationship with Casey change because of the road trip?
Let鈥檚 put it this way: I’m aware now that it’s not Casey’s job to care for my emotional needs. As I start to sense myself projecting onto him, or being sad that he鈥檚 not a certain way, I catch myself and I rarely feel bad about it anymore.

So now, in the time we have left鈥攈e’s 11 and starting to slow down鈥攎y goal is just to appreciate him for the funny, goofy, friendly dog that he is and not put any more expectations on him. Some days he wants to cuddle, other days he doesn鈥檛, and you know, that’s fine.

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On June 22, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) named the 听in Botswana the 1,000th site on its World Heritage List. The list spotlights the world’s most important natural wonders and cultural sites, and the Okavango Delta certainly fits the bill.听

Instead of ending in the ocean as most river deltas do, the Okavango River empties into a savannah to create the 6,500-square-mile delta. It’s also rare in that “the annual flooding from the river Okavango occurs during the dry season, with the result that the native plants and animals have synchronized their biological cycles with these seasonal rains and floods,” according to the UN World Heritage statement.

The fan-shaped delta is home to several endangered large-mammal species, including cheetah, white and black rhinoceros, African wild dog, and lion, making it a top safari destination in both Botswana and Africa at large.

The delta is best known for explorations by mokoro鈥攄ugout canoes that easily navigate the mazelike lagoon channels and papyrus swamps. These nonmotorized boats glide silently through the water, making them ideally suited for game watching. Tented camps at destinations such as Khwai and outfitted by and are launching points for nighttime game drives, during which visitors tour by Jeep when the animals are most active.

The list of World Heritage Sites keeps growing; the committee added听. UNESCO identifies natural (Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, for example) and man-made landmarks (the Pyramids of Egypt) that are of outstanding value to humanity. Although UNESCO designates the sites in the name of cultural preservation, it’s up to the individual countries to take action on the directive.

This year, the first site in Myanmar and one in the United States听, bringing the total number of World Heritage Sites to 1,007 in 161 countries.

In Myanmar, the site includes the remains of three brick, walled, and moat-encircled towns (Halin, Beikthano, and Sri Ksetra) that flourished between 200 BC and 900 AD. The cities include partially excavated palace citadels and monumental Buddhist stupas.

In the United States, , also a Louisiana State Park, became the country’s 22nd site UNESCO site. At this site, 3,400-year-old earthworks stand as a testament to the master engineering talents of Native Americans who constructed the five mounds and six concentric ridges around a plaza that was a major political, trading, and ceremonial center in its time.

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Everybody hikes with a pack, but almost no one packs it right.听

So I turned to my buddy , who just听hiked 114 days in a row to finish the 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail. All told, the听Los Angeles native听has spent 305 days on the trail in the last four years. And in that time, he鈥檚 packed and unpacked his backpack at least 610 times.

Here are Sam's best practices on packing your pack, whether it鈥檚 your first time in the backcountry or you鈥檙e a fast, light hiker focused on ultra distances.

#1: Ditch the Stuff Sacks

Packing items like a sleeping bag without a stuff sack allows you to efficiently fill every corner of your pack. Plus, it saves you some weight, and tight stuff sacks can compress the bag鈥檚 loft over time, Sam says. He packs his sleeping bag at the bottom of his pack with a layer of clothes on top to create a base for the rest of his gear.

#2: Place the Heaviest Gear in the Middle

Focus on putting the heaviest products鈥攜our food, your stove, and, if you have one, your tent鈥攊n the middle of the pack, on top of your sleeping bag and clothes. You鈥檒l have a much more balanced pack that won鈥檛 sway side to side as you walk, says Sam. Stuff lightweight gear鈥攜our clothing鈥攁round the heavy items to keep them from jostling around inside the pack.

#3: Think About Balance

“If one side [of the pack] is heavier than the other, it will pull you back and be uncomfortable when you鈥檙e walking,” Sam says. If you鈥檙e carrying one liter of water on your right side, think about moving some heavy food to the left to balance the pack. If you carry two liters of water, put one container on either side of you.

#4: Pack Tight and Tidy

“I don't like things jangling on the outside of my pack becasue I don't want to have to think about things falling off,” Sam says. The only item he keeps outside his pack is a spork attached to a carabineer that鈥檚 tightly held to the pack with an elastic cord.

He鈥檚 also diligent about organizing the interior of the bag. He packs his sleeping bag flat at the bottom to create a good base for the rest of his gear. Once that base is set, he meticulously fills all available nooks and crannies so his gear doesn't move around while he walks. “Think of it like Tetris,” Sam says.

#5: Keep Essentials Handy

Sam kept snacks, his water, his iPhone (which he used as his camera), and his toothbrush in side and hip pockets so he could get to them without unpacking his . Having snacks easily accessible will make you more likely to eat while on the trail鈥攁nd less likely to crash later. The toothbrush was to remind Sam to stay motivated to maintain his hygiene, something that鈥檚 easy to forget while logging miles on the trail.

#6: Line Your Pack with a Trash Compactor Bag

Save yourself weight and money and stay away from a waterproof pack cover, Sam says. Place a trash compactor bag鈥攚hich is much more durable than a normal trash bag鈥攊nside your pack, then stuff all your gear in the plastic bag and roll it up. It鈥檚 difficult to poke holes through a trash compactor bag, and it鈥檚 100-percent waterproof when closed properly. Sam also brings plastic sandwich bags to protect items such as his phone that are stored outside the main compartment.

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