While most of us in North America sweat our way through a late-June heat wave, the ski resorts south of the equator are getting buried with snow—so much snow that one ski area has delayed its opening day for a second time. Chile’s is sitting pretty with a total of 198 inches of snow on the year so far—two inches shy of its 200-inch average seasonal snowfall—before the resort has officially opened.

Originally scheduled to kick off the season the weekend of June 20, the resort located about a two-hour drive from Santiago received over 100 inches of snow leading up to opening day, forcing it to postpone to June 26. Another winter storm taking aim on the Andes this week has again compelled the resort to push the start of the season again, this time to June 29.

Suffice it to say that Portillo skiers will be able to celebrate the start of the 75th anniversary season with a much-anticipated powder day.

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The nascent 2024 South American winter has been eventful, to say the least. In May, several ski areas were able to due to generous early-season snow. Before the calendar was even flipped to June, resorts including Chile’s Valle Nevado, El Colorado, and La Parva began spinning lifts thanks to winter storms that brought 4 to 6 feet of snow. Argentina’s Cerro Catedral, at the country’s southern tip, saw a stunning eight feet of snow in mid-May.

And Las Leñas, set near the Argentinean city of Mendoza, got so much snow that its access road has been completely buried. was supposed to host a pre-opening celebration on June 20, but too much snow made that impossible. The resort will now open for the season on June 29 with a at its 11,000-foot summit.

All of this early-season bounty could equate to one of the longest seasons in recent history for South America’s mountain resorts. While they typically begin to wind down in September, a deep base could stretch winter through the better part of October—just long enough for the flakes to fly here in North America once again.

We’ve said it before, but we’ll say it a little louder for the folks in the back: If a ski trip to the resorts of the Andes sounds appealing, this might be the summer to heed the call. There hasn’t been an early season quite like this in recent memory, and our dollar goes pretty far down there. What’s more, Portillo is offering 15 percent off stays before July 26 for a traditional ski week, which includes lift tickets, accommodations, and meals. For the special offer, email reservations@skiportillo.com.

Check out SKI’s for the down-low on the must-visit resorts, the best times to go, how to get there, and more travel intel.

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We are ready for summer. We’ve got our lightweight tents and Tevas out, spend our free time examining trail maps, and have been outdoors soaking up the longer days in preparation for all sorts of adventures. Where are we going this summer? Some of us have plans to escape to tropical Caribbean ports and the high peaks of South America, while others are simply road-tripping one county or one state over for a long weekend escape.

Haven’t nailed down the specifics of your summer vacation yet? It doesn’t have to be spendy, and you can go with friends, family, or solo. Just pick a place that will offer a sense of wonder, a disconnect from your routine, preferably in nature, which has been shown to improve everything from our psyches to our relationships and even heal heartbreak. Here are the trips we’ve booked.

Northern New Mexico

When the heat hits the country with full force in July, my husband and I will head from our home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, up north to cooler climes near Taos. We’re eager to stay at , which isn’t a hotel at all but a grouping of vintage Airstreams all decorated differently. We’ve rented Castor, built in 1972, our best friends have rented the adjacent Pollux, from 1967, and we’ll share a deck. Each trailer has a queen bed, a full kitchen, a bathroom, and views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The hiking around Taos is incredible, too, with trails in nearly every direction.

From Luna Mystica, you can walk to the Taos Mesa Brewery’s mothership location, which has a stage and live music many summer nights. Early in the mornings we’ll drive the quick 13 miles to the Black Rock Hot Springs on the Rio Grande; my husband will fly-fish from the wide banks while I soak and enjoy the July traffic through the canyon: dragonflies, swallows, kayakers, hawks, and bright-yellow butterflies.

One day we want to tour the nearby , self-sufficient off-grid homes that look like futuristic dwellings. I’m fascinated by their modern sustainability efforts but also love their incorporation of beautiful, unique design elements—walls made of used tires and earth or accents of recycled glass bottles that glimmer colorfully in the sun. —Tasha Zemke, ���ϳԹ��� managing editor

Ten Sleep Canyon, Wyoming

At some point over the winter, I decided I sucked at climbing. As I dragged my feet out of the gym, devoid of stoke and prepared to suck again the next day, I had no idea how to cure my melodramatic self-diagnosis. But that changed two months ago when I started climbing with the , a mentor program in the Denver area led by big-wall athlete Jordan Cannon. A dozen of my peers and I have attended clinics, trainings, lectures, and meet-ups to define and achieve our climbing goals, and it all culminates in a final trip in June to Ten Sleep, Wyoming.

Why Ten Sleep? This tiny cowboy town in the north-central reaches of the state happens to be the base camp of a massive limestone canyon 15 miles away with more than a thousand sport routes for climbers of every skill level. One of last year’s mentees called it “Shelf Road on steroids”—a reference to a popular Front Range climbing mecca—and noted how the population of the local campground, when filled with climbers, seems bigger than the actual town itself. —, National Park Trips digital content producer

Saint Lucia

My fiancé and I are taking our honeymoon this summer on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, best known for two mountains called the Pitons—Gros Piton and Petit Piton. While we’re eager to lounge on the white-sand beaches, snorkel, eat jerk chicken and breadfruit, and enjoy a mud bath at Sulphur Springs, in the dormant Soufrière volcano, we’re most looking forward to guided hikes. I’m especially excited to tackle the Gros Piton Trail (see Gaia GPS map below), which is three miles round-trip, with a little more than 1,800 feet of elevation gain.

We’ve been told this is challenging, but the view from the top of the island and the sea is said to be spectacular. Plus, I plan to set my alarm for an early-morning run just as the sun rises over the sea. —Mallory Arnold, Run associate editor

Machu Picchu, Peru

I’m an editor at Backpacker, and the biggest hiking goal of my life has always been Machu Picchu. I first learned about the ruins in Peru in my middle school history class, and the combination of hiking and Indigenous history intrigued me. A trip to South America seemed like a long shot, but I kept dreaming. Flash forward to the end of May: my college friends and I are going international on our annual reunion trekking trip. We’ll fly into Cuzco and spend two days acclimatizing to the altitude—a little more than 11,000 feet—while touring the city before hitting the Inca Trail with , a sustainable-tourism company.

For four days we’ll hike between 7,218 and 13,780 feet before ending at the famous Inca site. With porters carrying our belongings and chefs cooking our meals, this is going to be a lot more glamorous than my usual excursions to the backcountry. I can’t wait. But there’s a more personal reason why this trip is particularly meaningful to me: I recently learned that a suspicious mole was actually stage-one melanoma and was sidelined for weeks in between procedures. I can’t imagine a better place to celebrate being cancer-free. — Emma Veidt, Backpacker associate editor

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

My theme for the summer is: Stay local, but get far, far away. From our home in Boulder, Colorado, my wife and I can drive to Rocky Mountain National Park in less than two hours, and we’ve exploited that proximity to visit many of the park’s peaks, lakes, and trails. Not surprisingly, popular spots are often packed with other nature lovers. So this year we’re taking advantage of a little-used type of wilderness permit to escape the crowds. We’ve reserved long weekends in four of Rocky’s 23 , remote areas without developed trails or campsites, where we’ll likely see more elk and moose than people.

Hidden in some of the park’s most rugged terrain, typically at elevations of 9,000 to 11,000 feet, these zones require expert navigation skills and total self-reliance. Expect rangers at the backcountry desk to quiz you on bear safety, Leave No Trace ethics, orienteering know-how, and prior wilderness experience before issuing your permit, and expect challenging bushwhacking through dense forest. But the reward is worth the effort: the crisp, star-filled nights, high-country wildflowers, and Alaska-worthy solitude will make you feel much farther from civilization than you actually are.

Fair warning: the park provides scant information about the zones, and trip reports are few and far between. Your best bet is to download the and subscribe to the Premium edition so you can access detailed topo maps for offline use (there’s typically no cell reception in these zones). Study the terrain closely before you go, and don’t expect to cover more than one mile per hour. —Jonathan Dorn, ���ϳԹ���, Inc., chief entertainment officer

Switzerland

When I realized I’d be spending my 30th birthday in Europe, I only had two nonnegotiables: Alpine hiking and cheese. Switzerland, specifically the Lauterbrunnen Valley, perfectly fit that bill. My husband and I are planning to spend four nights in the central Jungfrau region: one in a village hotel at each end of the valley, and two at the remote , an off-grid hut that’s only accessible by foot through forests and wildflower-filled pastures. (See Gaia GPS map to the hut below.) Reservations can only be made by phone, a charming and slightly confusing experience that secured us a bed in a private room, breakfast, and dinner for two days for about $106 per person per night.

We’ll fill our days ascending the area’s many trails in the shadow of imposing peaks, past some of the valley’s 72 waterfalls, and our evenings eating hearty meals, including Obersteinberg’s homemade cheese. I’m crossing my fingers that raclette is served–my favorite Swiss dish, it consists of melted cheese scraped over potatoes–but if not, I’ll indulge back in town with a celebratory pot of fondue.

We’re traveling to Switzerland by car but will leave it parked in Interlaken to take advantage of the valley’s excellent public transportation (think: trains, trams, and gondolas), as many of the hamlets are otherwise inaccessible. —Mikaela Ruland, National Park Trips editor in chief

Victoria, British Columbia

Last year my husband and I became rooftop-tent converts in Iceland. I’ve pitched and slept in backpacking tents my whole life, and I never thought I’d be into a roof rig until our European rental experience went right. We realized it can take us two minutes, instead of twenty, to set up or break down camp. Plus, memory foam is so much comfier than the ground, and our gear stays a helluva lot more organized inside the vehicle.

So we scored an open-box deal on a , and this summer we’re taking it for a spin from New Mexico up through the Pacific Northwest to Canada. We’ll hit campsites near Olympic National Park along the way, before ferrying to Victoria, British Columbia, to hang out at an oceanside apartment along a 70-mile bike path for six weeks. We’re stoked to beat the heat, enjoy the nearness of open water, and work from a place that’s new to us both where we can trail-run through the backcountry.

On our way home, we’ll swing through Banff, in Alberta, then Glacier National Park, in Montana—two bucket-list areas I’ve been dying to check out. The best part? My husband is the king of finding last-minute camping reservations, so I barely had to lift a finger to map it all out. —Patty Hodapp, ���ϳԹ��� Online interim digital director

Paris and Annecy, France

I’m heading to Paris for the Summer Games! I’ve been a huge fan of the Olympics for as long as I can remember, and about a year ago I haphazardly put my name on an email list for the ticket lottery. I didn’t put much thought into the idea of actually attending, until I beat out thousands of other eager fans (a process that saw me awake at 3 A.M., repeatedly refreshing my browser) to secure two tickets to men’s rowing in late July.

This will be my third time to the French capital, so after the event concludes and I’ve gotten my fill of Olympic pride, I plan to head southeast to Annecy, a town on the French-Swiss border, for a long weekend in the fresh Alpine air. I’ll brave the frigid temperatures of Lake Annecy, stroll Jardins de ’Europe, and of course do some hiking. Routes to the Citadel of Lake Annecy and the Parmelan Plateau have already caught my eye, but like most things, there’s something to be said for going in with half a plan and figuring out the rest later. —Jamie Aranoff, Ski digital editor

British Columbia’s West Coast Trail

Ever since writer Scott Yorko pitched me on the deadly history of Canada’s (see Gaia GPS map below) a number of years ago, I’ve wanted to see the area’s storied shipwrecks, beaches, and wildlife for myself. Yorko wrote not only of the dramatic rescue attempts that led to this 48-mile path’s construction along British Columbia’s rugged coast but also of sandy campsites, verdant rainforest walks, tide pools brimming with sea life, and a floating crab shack that caters to hungry hikers.

In June, I’ll finally experience the trail for myself. I’m prepared for slow miles through boot-sucking mud, rickety wooden ladders, cable cars, and changing tides. With any luck, my partner and I will spot sea lions, whales, and otters; bears, cougars, and wolves are also known to wander the shore. The salty air and marine views should be a welcome departure from the alpine hikes I usually gravitate toward in the summer, and I couldn’t be more excited. —Zoe Gates, Backpacker senior editor

The Andes, Chile

In 2013, I spent five months living in southern Chile. But that was before I was a skier. In the intervening decade, I’ve spent 100 days on snow almost every year. I rarely travel away from my home in the eastern Sierra to ski these days, but my ultimate dream trip is a ski trip to Chile and Argentina. This is the year that becomes a reality. In August, when the austral winter is in full swing, my fiancée and I will fly from Los Angeles to Santiago and enjoy the change of scenery while sipping pisco sours, sightseeing at the Pablo Neruda museum, and checking out the mountaintop zoo. The following day we’ll take a bus to Portillo, a resort nestled among the Andes that’s famous for runs that empty out at Laguna del Inca, for three days on the slopes, and after that, we’ll travel southeast to Las Leñas, in Argentina, for a final two days of skiing above wine country. I never much cared for summer anyway. —Jake Stern, ���ϳԹ��� Online digital editor

The post Seize the Summer! 10 Incredible Trips Our Editors Are Taking. appeared first on ���ϳԹ��� Online.

I love a good road trip, especially in the mountains of Colorado, where I live. It’s when I do some of the best creative thinking, and it feels like the possibilities for exploration are endless. Should I hike a fourteener tomorrow? Cross the border into Utah to go mountain biking?

I scoured the globe to put together this list of the most stunning drives you could imagine, from the snowcapped peaks of Chilean Patagonia to the windswept west coast of Ireland. I’ve completed a handful, driven parts of many of them, and the rest are on my bucket list. I also chose these road trips for their proximity to adventure, and include essential details like the best hikes, beaches, and accommodations along the way. Buckle up.

The Dempster Highway to the Arctic Ocean, Canada

Miles: 550
Road terrain: Mostly gravel
Best time to go: The Dempster Highway is open year-round, but traditional summer festivals in the Arctic towns and the aurora borealis viewing in winter are seasonal highlights.

Truly rugged and remote, this overland expedition traverses dramatic tundra landscapes, boreal forests, and mountain ranges en route to the Arctic Sea. Begin in the gold-rush outpost of Dawson City, Yukon, and load up on supplies—the unpaved gravel road is a known tire eater, so be sure you have a spare and a four-wheel drive car. From there the heads north through the historic Klondike region, crosses the Arctic Circle, and enters the Northwest Territories, where you’ll have panoramas of what’s known as the polar Serengeti, a wide-open wilderness teeming with caribou, moose, and grizzlies.

Along the way, you’ll pass through Indigenous communities such as Tsiigehtchic, reached by ferry in summer after the snow melts. If you’re traveling during August, you can watch canoe races and listen to traditional music during Tsiigehtchic’s Canoe Days celebration. By the time you arrive in Inuvik, Canada’s largest community north of the Arctic Circle, you’ll have logged 457 miles. Pitch your tent or park your teardrop at (from $28), perched on a bluff overlooking the Richardson Mountains and the nation’s largest river, the Mackenzie.

Pick up the final stretch of the trip in town, the Inuvik–Tuktoyaktuk Highway, an 86-mile gravel road that winds past the Pingo Canadian Landmark, a collection of pingo (mounds of earth-covered ice) more than 100 feet high, and ends in the Inuit shorefront hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk.

Scenic Byway 12, Utah

Miles: 122
Road terrain: Paved
Best time to go: Early spring and early fall

This expanse of highway connects Bryce Canyon to , traveling through Dixie National Forest and the northern part of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument. The whole thing could be completed in three hours, but given its proximity to so many perfect playgrounds for hiking, paddling, biking, and fishing, I suggest a four-day road trip. Bookended by Panguitch to the west and Torrey to the east, this designated bisects multiple ecosystems,�� from sage flats to slickrock deserts, and sleepy rural communities like Boulder, where you should stop for a meal at . The photo opps are endless, but Powell Point Vista, between the towns of Henrieville and Escalante, affords some of the best views of the area’s distinct Wasatch Limestone formations. If I could overnight in one place along the way it’d be , which has a drive-in theater, a pool, and a food truck (from $99).

The Romantic Road, Germany

Miles: 220
Road terrain: Paved
Best time to go: Spring or fall

Germany’s Romantische Strasse, or Romantic Road, could be the backdrop of a Grimm’s fairy tale, with its turreted and crenelated castles, red-roofed villages, and lake-dotted countryside in the Alpine foothills. This scenic byway across Bavaria connects the baroque town of Würzburg with the pastel-hued town of Füssen. The former is home to the Unesco-designated Würzburg Residence, one of the nation’s most opulent palaces, while Füssen is five minutes from what many consider the route’s highlight, King Ludwig’s , which was the inspiration for the palace in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. If you want to stretch your legs, you can tackle the hike to Mount Tegel, located behind the castle, or take the cable car up and explore the trail network at the top.

Along the way you’ll pass plenty of beer gardens—the riverfront in the hamlet of Landsberg am Lech is a must-stop—the vineyards of the Franconia wine region (pick up a bottle of dry, white Silvaner), and spend a few hours rejuvenating in the historic spa town of Bad Mergentheim; at the ($150), you can take advantage of the indoor pool, spa, and gardens.

The Explorers Way, Australia

Miles: 1,864
Road terrain: Paved (and remember, Aussies drive on the left-hand side)
Best time to go: Australia’s fall, March through May

The ultimate outback odyssey, the is a road trip through Australia’s Red Centre. Much of the drive follows the Stuart Highway, named after 19th-century explorer John McDouall Stuart, the first European to successfully traverse the continent from south to north. Stuart’s expedition took nearly a year, but two weeks is ample time to complete the journey from Adelaide in South Australia to Darwin in the Northern Territory.

I highly recommend detours to to stand in awe of the 2,831-foot-high monolith sacred to Aboriginals and to Litchfield National Park, teeming with waterfalls and wildlife like dingo and wallaby. Dedicate at least a day to explore the Aboriginal art galleries of Alice Springs, the Northern Territory’s second largest city and the approximate midway point of the route. When you reach the Top End, toast your trip with a bush negroni at Willing Distillery in Darwin or celebrate with a bush safari at (from $2,425, all-inclusive), just northwest of Kakadu National Park, home to more than .

Atlantic Road, Norway

Miles: 22
Road terrain: Narrow, paved
Best time to go: The coast is most dramatic in September and October

Norway has 18 designated national scenic routes, but the fact that the Atlantic Road was selected as the stage for the James Bond film No Time to Die is a testament to its wow-factor beauty. Officially known as , this drive links the village of Kårvåg on Averøy Island with the fishing village of Bud on the mainland via an archipelago connected by eight low-lying bridges. Few roads bring you so close to the ocean: roll down your window and you’ll likely be kissed by sea mist.

Essential detours include the coastal path at Vevang to see Jan Freuchen’s “,” a sculpture scattered across the rocks and heath-covered hills, and the glass-walled viewing platform at Askevågen, which affords spectacular mountain and ocean vistas. Strømsholmen Seasport, located between the towns of Kristiansun and Molde, offers scuba diving, fishing excursions, and wildlife safaris on the water. It also has four waterfront cabins that sleep up to ten people (from $55).

The Ring Road, Iceland

Miles: 820
Road terrain: Mostly paved, with some stretches of gravel
Best time to go: Late spring or early fall

Stretch after stretch of otherworldly landscapes unfold along this , also known as Route 1. It shows off vast lava fields, tumbling waterfalls, spouting glaciers, and bubbling geysers. You’ll want at least seven days to enjoy all the attractions and adventures along the way, and if you do the drive in May, June, or July, you can take advantage of nearly 24 hours of sun.

Most road-trippers start in the capital, Reykjavík, the city closest to Keflavík International Airport. You can tackle it counterclockwise or clockwise, but if you do the latter first, the scenery crescendos from pretty to jaw-droppingly gorgeous. If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss, it’s a detour to the northern Troll Peninsula, which loops around the headlands past the end of the Skagafjörður fjord.

On the southeastern coast of Iceland, take time to explore Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon studded with icebergs, and nearby Diamond Beach, named for the brilliant chunks of ice that sparkle like gems against its black sands. The geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon, just 20 minutes from the airport, are the perfect final stop. Or tack on an adventure—maybe kayak in a glacial lagoon or ride an ATV along the beach—with outfitter .

Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

Miles: 1,600
Road terrain: Narrow, winding, and paved (you’ll also driving on the left-hand side here)
Best time to go: summer to take advantage of longer day-light hours

One of the longest coastal routes in the world, the Wild Atlantic Way hugs the Emerald Isle’s rugged and spectacular west coast for miles, from its northern terminus on the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal to its southern terminus in the town of Kinsale in County Cork. The route is broken into 14 stages, and you’ll want to budget a minimum of five days to complete it.

There are loads of opportunities to stretch your legs on untouched swaths of beach near soaring sea cliffs. Those at Slieve League jut up 1,972 feet at their highest point; follow the Pilgrim’s Path from Teelin village 1.5 miles to the tops, and after pop into town for lunch. You’ll have plenty of options, but I highly recommend the award-winning pub (rooms are also available from $54). The iconic Cliffs of Moher, in the lunar-like Burren region, are one of the natural treasures of Ireland, with a five-mile (one-way) coastal walk that connects the charming villages of Liscannor and Doolin.

On Achill Island, explore Keel Beach, a nearly two-mile stretch of golden sand. When I visited, the waves were pumping and I rented a board and a thick wetsuit from . If the water’s calm, you can rent a stand-up-paddleboard. If your final destination is County Cork, celebrate with a pint at , a pub in Ballydehob that’s been run by the same family for a century.

Pacific Coast Scenic Byway, Oregon

Miles: 363
Road terrain: Paved
Best time to go: Late spring, early fall, or winter

Most people associate the Pacific Coast Highway, or PCH, with California, but the storied road spans from Canada to Mexico. Some of the best lengths, in my opinion, are in Oregon, where the road skirts virgin beaches, craggy mountains, and rocky coves, through a series of quirky seaside resorts and sleepy fishing villages. You could zip along all of it in 10 to 12 hours, but five days is the better plan, stopping at the many parks and public lands along the route. Ecola State Park (sea stacks, tidepooling, wildlife-watching) and Oregon Dunes Recreation Area (whose sweeping sandy expanses are said to have been the inspiration for �ٳܲԱ�’s planet Arrakis) are both top of my list.

About 30 miles northwest of the city of Bandon is Cape Arago; this short detour off the byway takes you through the South Slough National Estuarine Reserve, home to more than 150 kinds of birds and . In the town of Coos Bay, I like to overnight at the modern cabins at Bay Point Landing ($235). The next day, you can drive 24 miles east to the remote Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area and hike 1.4 miles to the top of Golden Falls for an eagle’s-eye view of the cascading waterfall and old-growth firs. Schedule your journey for spring and winter and bring your binocs—you can often spot the blows from migrating gray whales as they surface off the coast.

The Garden Route, South Africa

Miles: 124
Road terrain: Paved
Best time to go: June to December, when you can spot whales from shore

This ocean-hugging highway showcases the Western Cape’s outrageously beautiful beaches, lush forests, national forests, and abundant marine life. Just under two hours’ drive from Cape Town, the former fishing village of Hermanus Bay is the gateway for the Garden Route. I always stop here to take advantage of the excellent land-based whale-watching between June and December. Continue three and a half hours east on the N2 highway to the harbor town of Mossel Bay, the route’s official starting point. Spend some time trekking around before heading out on your drive; my favorite is the 2.5-mile out-and-back trail from Pinnacle Point to Oyster Bay.

, approximately midroute, is a great spot for birdwatching and kayaking and has accommodations that include campsites (from $20), cabins (from $50), and a bed-and-breakfast (from $90). A half-hour farther east is Plettenberg Bay, nicknamed the Saint Tropez of South Africa for its palatial beach homes. Just south is , a nice picnic spot where you can observe seal colonies. Spend a day exploring , which boasts a 50-mile-long shoreline and an interior with 500-year-old trees. Looking to burn off some energy after hours in the car? I suggest the Otter Trail. South Africa’s oldest hiking trail takes five days to complete and begins near the Garden Route’s eastern terminus at Storms River rest camp.

Queenstown to Milford Sound, New Zealand

Miles: 180
Road terrain: Paved, two-lane highway
Best time to go: New Zealand’s fall, March through May, is perfect for hiking

Described by Rudyard Kipling as the “eighth wonder of the world,” Milford Sound is big nature on steroids. The drive on the South Island from Queenstown along State Highway 6 (a.k.a. the Southern Scenic Highway) and then State Highway 94 (Milford Sound Highway) will get you there�� in just over four hours, but slow down to marvel at the waterfalls and alpine lakes framed by mountains. Te Anau is the halfway point of the drive and an ideal place to overnight, refuel, and stock up on food as there are no services farther en route to the sound. The lakeside town is also the gateway to the glacier-carved wilderness of and the jumping-off point for the Milford Track, arguably one of New Zealand’s most famous , so consider tacking on a few extra days.

The Carretera Austral, Chile

Miles: 770
Road terrain: Rugged, pock-marked dirt, requiring four-wheel drive
Best time to go: Austral spring and summer, November to March��

Waterfalls tumbling from hanging glaciers. Forests of lengua trees and turquoise lagoons. Ancient marble caves and flamingo-filled lakes. The wild backdrop of Chile’s Southern Highway (Route 7) is an adventurer’s fantasy. Also known as the , this road cuts through remote, mountainous wilderness in northern Patagonia. Set aside at least two weeks so you can take time to visit Queulat National Park and Pumalín National Park, both located along the route.

Puerto Montt, a bustling town in the Chilean Lake District, is your starting point. It’s considered Chile’s seafood capital, so attempt to score a table at Pa Mar Adentro Restaurant and try the caldo curanto, a traditional seafood stew, before starting your journey south.

Coyhaique, the capital of Chile’s Aysén region, marks the route’s midway point. Take a day here to trek the trails of Reserva Nacional Coyhaique, home to two beautiful lakes, Los Sapos and Venus. Campsites are available in the Casa Bruja section of the reserve ($5), or continue a couple hours south to��General Carrera Lake and hole up at the family-run�� ($170). The owners serve terrific farm-to-table meals and partner with local guides who lead kayak trips to the Marble Caves and treks across Exploradores Glacier.

Rumbo Sur Hotel ($190), in the isolated terminus town of Villa O’Higgins, is a comfy final base surrounded by hiking trails and glaciers. A 4×4 is recommended, as most of the road is unpaved.

���ϳԹ��� travel columnist Jen Murphy hates driving but will happily sit shotgun on any road trip. Last fall she navigated on a weeklong mother-daughter road trip through southwest Colorado.

The post The 11 Best Road Trips in the World appeared first on ���ϳԹ��� Online.

It’s 4 A.M. on Thanksgiving weekend and an experiment is taking place.

At a skatepark on the edge of the Pacific port city of Iquique, in northern Chile, fifteen teams of six runners are about to embark on the inaugural edition of (TSP) Atacama, a 300-plus-mile relay race climbing over 11,000 vertical feet through salt flats, canyons, abandoned highways, and active mines, battling extremes of heat and cold, to finish in the desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama.

The race is invite-only. Each team must be self-sufficient, driving themselves and sleeping when they can. There are no spectators. No cell reception. Few gas stations. No fixed route. No fixed relay hand-off points. No rules on how far each team member must run, or how often they can be subbed back into the race.

In short, there are no rules other than to get to the finish line as quickly as you can.

With the sunrise still two hours off, Nils Arend, a lithe 43-year-old, leads the gathered runners in a expletive-filled call-and-response chant, and with whoops and cheers the runners embark on their pre-planned routes through the sleeping city, and on towards the waiting desert.

A Competition, Loosely Held

Arend, a Hamburg-to-Los Angeles transplant, cofounded The Speed Project with trainer and running legend Blue Benadum in 2013. For that first iteration (and the eight subsequent installments, including one in March of this year), they pioneered a 340-mile route from the Santa Monica pier, through the Antelope Valley, passing Barstow, Baker, and Death Valley National Park, and ending at the Las Vegas welcome sign on Route 160.

The idea was to serve up an antidote to both too-serious ultras and weekend fun runs that encourage participants to don costumes and pound beers along the route. The Speed Project would fall somewhere between the two, attracting the best runners in the world but remaining unsanctioned, with a think-on-your-feet mentality as runners adapt to unexpected changes and innovative shortcuts. Crucially, for all its unpredictability, The Speed Project would be fun.

RELATED: The Speed Project: A Crazy, 340-Mile Desert Relay

“There’s real beauty in the idea of traveling somewhere on foot and doing it as part of a like-minded close circle,” says Arend, who became the sole organizer as family commitments took more of Benadum’s time.

Despite its underground, unsponsored ethos, TSP has grown into a monster. This March, 500 participants grouped into 60-plus teams and gathered to take part in the original race, known as The Speed Project LALV. Atacama would be an opportunity to grow the race internationally while also returning it to its roots.

The idea came about during lockdown, when ‘TSP DIY’, a do-it-yourself version of the race, asked remote teams to cover as much distance as they could in 1 day, 7 hours, and 15 minutes (referring to the TSP LALV course record set in 2019).

For Chilean running club Maffetones (MAFFS), it was an opportunity to explore the team’s backyard, eventually covering 264 miles of the Atacama Desert and placing them in the top ten of more than 160 DIY teams participating around the globe.

“I think this is going to be a bit rougher than in the States. Everything here is more wild,” says Max Keith, a 34-year-old MAFFS runner who couldn’t resist the chance to run this year’s TSP Atacama as one of seven solo runners.

“LA to Las Vegas has its own craziness, but we felt it was time to take the conceptual backbone and offer something a notch up in terms of adventure,” adds Arend. “The rawness of the landscapes and our connection with MAFFS led us to choose Chile. Atacama is about dialing up the extremes.”

Racing to Another World

The Atacama desert begins in the lower slopes of the Andes Mountains, stretching westward over 41,000 square miles. Its average annual rainfall is just six tenths of an inch, making it the world’s driest non-polar desert. Aside from active gold, silver, and copper mines, parts are so bereft of life that they’re used by NASA to test Mars lander missions.

The TSP route traces 37 miles of coastline before entering a scenic canyon climb emerging onto a 25-mile stretch of rollercoaster hills leading into a wind-blasted flat. Then, 137 miles in, the route takes an off-road detour before climbing to 9,500 feet above sea level. After the inevitable downhill, there’s another long, windy stretch before a 25-mile climb to over 11,000 feet. Finally, it’s a six-mile downhill before a final three-mile ascent to the finish line, signified by a 30-foot white cross on a cliff overlooking the desert tourist town of San Pedro.

Cloaked by the cool of the night, the first two hours out of Iquique passed uneventfully, except for a local street dog nicknamed Diego following runners for some 12 miles before hitching a ride back to town. As the race progressed, packs of free-roaming desert dogs prompted runners to catch short rides in their support cars. This was not unexpected. Runners were advised to carry pepper spray.

The more persistent adversary, however, was the heat. The temperature in Atacama tapped out at a relatively mild 68 degrees Fahrenheit during this year’s race—less than half the maximum temperatures during the summer months of January to March.

“The sun was something special, I felt like I was going to burst into flames,” says Alex Roudnya, one of five solo runners who traced the same route four days before the relay teams departed. “I was lying on the floor in any shade I could find. Emotionally and mentally it felt like I had aged a zillion years.” Roudnya finished in fifth place after five days, 1 hour and 25 minutes of toil.

At night the temperature dropped to 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike the LALV race, where teams drive RVs, the inhospitable terrain of the Atacama necessitated ex-mining trucks as the main mode of transport. For Darcy Budworth, 41, an eight-time TSPer and the race director of New York’s Take the Bridge series, not having a secure and comfortable place to sleep while her teammates were running proved difficult.

“Some people slept outside, but it was so fucking cold that I just could not do it,” Budworth says of her team, Team No Names, led by LA-native Gordon Clark.

Meanwhile, the thin air at 11,000-feet led to unshakable cramps. With rest proving difficult, Budworth and her teammates decided to be extra loose with their relay segments, starting with three miles per runner before dropping down to a mile each for the majority of the race.

Border Crossings and Drug Trafficking

It wasn’t just the temperature and local wildlife that proved challenging. After sunset on the second night, solo runner Lucy Scholz decided to make the most of the no-fixed route rule and took a shortcut by the customs border at Quillagua, where Iquique Province meets Tocopilla Province.

She soon found herself caught among high cliffs. She could see the border crossing below, but getting down to it would mean backtracking for miles. She pushed on, finding a mining trail that led her down through a ravine where customs officials met her in a blaze of torchlights. Scholz had inadvertently stumbled onto a drug-trafficking route.

“There was a language barrier, and the customs officer was pretty mad,” says Scholz, 34, from New Orleans . “It was a total accident. We didn’t intend to skip customs.”

Scholz and her two crew members, Claire and Caleb, managed to pull up The Speed Project’s Instagram page and eventually convinced the officer of what they were doing.

“I showed him my watch and he started laughing,” says Scholz. “He couldn’t believe I’d been running for 40-plus hours. It ended up being fine, but it was a scary moment. We thought we were going to go to jail.”

Crisis averted, Scholz pushed on, finishing third place in the solo race, in 4 days, 9 hours, and 45 minutes.

The Speed Project: Never a Dull Moment

When it comes to The Speed Project, it is these moments that don’t quite go to plan that are exactly the point.

“I’ve seen the LALV race evolve over time and the shortcuts are some of the most exciting parts, so I’m excited to see the evolution of this race as teams get to know which routes are safe to take,” says Budworth. “Part of competing in this first version [of Speed Project Atacama] is knowing that you’re a guinea pig.”

Team No Names stopped the clock in 39 hours and 7 minutes, to finish in fourth place—five hours behind the Belgrade Urban Running Team, which won in 34 hours and 55 minutes. In total, 12 teams crossed the finish line.

For others, the police patrols, running injuries, trucks barrelling past at over 80 miles per hour and encountering a fatal civilian motorcycle accident near María Elena proved too much.

“Cops pulled us over on the first highway,” explains Dan Marrett, a 42-year-old Canadian runner with Team Escape. “It was a good cop/bad cop situation, asking what we were doing on the highway.” After being let go with a warning, Team Escape turned onto a rural road. But the cops pursued. Not wanting to get pulled over again, they decided to skip the segment entirely.

RELATED: Running the Nakasendo, an Ancient Postal Route Across the Japanese Alps

Later, they took a shortcut with the aim of cutting seven miles from the total distance. After a while they were stopped by mining security, who informed them that they were on private property and that the road was unsafe due to heavy machinery usage. Threatening to call the cops, security escorted them back to the highway.

Having now driven 12 miles of the route and learning that other runners were having similar trouble with border guards at the Quillagua, Marrett and team decided to not officially finish the race, driving the rest of the distance and symbolically running over the finish line. They were one of three teams to do so, along with the Brooklyn Track Club and Team ADHD.

“It wasn’t a failure,” Marrett says. “It was just a different interpretation of the experience. But there is a feeling of unfinished business.”

Beyond the Finish Line

Whatever happens on the trails, for many runners, the social side of TSP Atacama was the real prize.

“It felt like a giant family holiday,” enthuses Marrett. “It’s incredibly challenging but that’s the beauty of it. This is one of a kind. I have no regrets.”

“This version of TSP was particularly special,” adds Beba Guzmán from Team 261, the only all-Mexican, all-women team. They finished in 46 hours and 41 minutes for tenth place. “There were only a few teams, so everything was much more intimate,” she There wasn’t a competitive feeling; everybody rooted for everybody.”

For Esteban Morales Sing Long, a 33-year-old Santiago native and leader of second-place MAFFS (35 hours and 50 minutes), inviting the world’s best runners to Chile was something special.

“It’s a dream to have people from other countries come and run in the world’s driest desert and share the experience,” he says. “It’s a magical place.”

His former teammate Keith finished his solo run fourth in four days, 17 hours and 51 minutes after a final 24-hour push with little to no sleep.

“I was completely out of it,” Keith says. “I have never been even close to feeling like that in any other race.”

As the pain faded and exhausted minds recovered, the runners recalled the beauty in those lonely moments running: sand reflecting the pink light of sunsets, salt flats that resemble snow, Martian-esque rock formations, a Milky Way threaded with stars, the pure silence of being alone among it all.

“Now, I just feel extremely happy to have helped make this project happen, and to have helped others enjoy this place,” says Keith.

Arend is currently planning the future of the series. For him, the most important aspect is delivering on the trust shared with him by the TSP community.

“This will not be the last race outside of the U.S.,” he says. “We’re excited to be uncomfortable and to keep pushing forward, toward the unknown.”

“Where Nils goes, I’ll follow,” adds Clark, who has completed four TSPs as a runner and crewed two more. “He knows how to bring us all together, those who are eager for life experiences over accolades. I’ve made lifelong friends through this. We’re trauma-bonded. And we’ll do it again next year. It’s always better next year.”

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The merits of hut-to-hut hiking are many: it’s one of the most accessible ways to tackle a multiday outdoor adventure, offers the benefits of backcountry camping—crowd-free sunrise vistas, deep wilderness immersion, and long, glorious days on the trail—and promises the creature comforts of home, notably running water, toilet facilities and a warm, dry place to sleep.

While the U.S. has several well-known and well-regarded hut systems, I’ve hiked a handful of the world’s most famous hut-to-hut trails and can tell you that some trekking systems abroad are worth traveling for. Here are the most stunning, with accommodations that range from rustic guesthouses run by locals to high-altitude refugios to backcountry bunkhouses set amid scenery that will soothe your soul. One thing’s for certain—every one of these 13 trips is a bucket-list-worthy escape.

Laugavegur Trail, Iceland

Length: 33.6 miles
Terminus: �ճ�ó������ö����
Best time to go: July to August
Days to complete: 5 to 6

Starting with the splotchy rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar, as colorful as an artist’s paint palette, Iceland’s fabled doesn’t slouch on the scenery for the entire route southward. The trail, only open mid-June through September—and even then you’ll encounter snowfields—traverses volcanic moonscape slopes freckled with obsidian and plunges into deep green valleys filled with mirror-clear tarns. Because its otherworldly landscapes and jaw-dropping beauty attract the masses, the five (from $80) tend to book up to six months in advance, though hikers may elect to bring their own tent and camp near each hut for free. Want to trek with a guide or explore farther off the beaten path? arranges a Hidden Trails itinerary each summer that tacks on several obscure lakes and waterfalls to this famous hike (from $3,475).

Overland Track, Tasmania

Length: 40.4 miles
Termini: Ronny Creek (north) and Narcissus Hut at Lake St. Clair (south)
Best time to go: December to March
Days to complete: 6 to 7

Though it’s punctuated by a state-of-the-art hut system (think: mud rooms, clean kitchen spaces, and composting toilets), Tasmania’s is rugged, rooty, and rocky, even by American standards. Still, we wouldn’t let a little rain and mud stand in the way of this recommendation; the trade-off are expansive button-grass plains descending into ancient eucalyptus forests, possible encounters with adorable wallabies and wombats, sapphire alpine lakes, and the chance to set off on a class-three scramble up 5,305-foot Mount Ossa, the highest in this Australian island state. Most hikers depart from Ronny Creek and stay in a handful of huts en route to Lake St. Clair and the ferry to the St. Clair Visitor Center, though if you’re up for another 11 miles of tramping, by all means. Plan to pay a total of about $190 for . Looking for a splurge? Check out Tasmanian Walking Company’s six-day (from $2,803), which boasts privately owned huts with fireplaces, local wine, and freshly prepared meals.

Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Length: 143 miles
Termini: Besisahar (east) to Pokhara (west)
Best time to go: March to April or October to November
Days to complete: Up to 21

The is a breathtakingly high altitude romp around the Annapurna massif, passing through some of the Himalayas’ most soul-stirring scenery as it climbs from lush forests filled with delicate butterflies and past rushing cascades to Thorung La Pass, a lung-crunching 17,769 feet above sea level. Travelers can expect to see myriad important Buddhist cultural markers, too: fluttering prayer flags, centuries-old temples, and intricate prayer wheels. Accommodations are simple and affordable: teahouses with Western-friendly menus and private-room options—just don’t expect a heater. And small villages are now connected via a dirt road that spans most of the route, so making the trek is not the remote experience it once was (and you can hop on adjacent trails to avoid the road altogether). As of April 2023, Nepal implemented a new rule stating that all trekkers must hire a licensed guide or porter to explore the country’s wilderness trails. Experienced tour companies like and offer excellent guided trips, full of history and heart (inquire for prices).

Mount Meru Trek, Tanzania

Length: 43.5 miles
Terminus: Momella Gate
Best time to go: December to February or July to October
Days to complete: 3 to 4

If you don’t have time for a full expedition up Kilimanjaro (19,340 feet), or you’re seeking an epic acclimatization hike before the big journey, Mount Meru (14,968 feet) is a fantastic option. Situated in Arusha National Park, in northern Tanzania, this brief trek boasts abundant wildlife sightings on day one (giraffes, zebras, and, if you’re lucky, elephants) before a steep ascent that affords phenomenal views of the collapsed crater and ash cone. From the summit, hikers can even enjoy panoramic vistas eastward to Kilimanjaro, often hovering above the clouds like an ethereal being. As for accommodations, expect rustic, dorm-style cabins with indoor mess halls and separate lodging for your porters. Due to the amount of wildlife, an armed ranger is required to hike with groups on the first day of this trek, so a guided trip is a must. and are both highly regarded (inquire for prices).

Kumano Kodo, Japan

Length: 43.5 miles
Termini: Tanabe (west) and Katsuura (east)
Best time to go: March to May or October to November
Days to complete: 5

The , located south of Osaka on Japan’s Kii peninsula, is a centuries-old pilgrimage route and one of only two paths of its kind to earn Unesco World Heritage status (the other is the Santiago de Compostela in Spain and France). Technically, the Kumano Kodo is not a singular route but a network of footpaths that crisscross the deeply wooded region, passing ancient Shinto shrines and temples, edging past misty waterfalls (including the tallest in the country), and wending through tiny villages. The (a.k.a. the Imperial Route) is the most popular way to explore. Skip the guided tours on this one—the Kumano Travel website is incredibly thorough and helpful with bookings—and instead plan to overnight in traditional ryokans, or inns, as you go.

Nahuel Huapi National Park Traverse, Argentina

Length: 25 miles
Termini: Villa Catedral (south) to Arroyo Lopez (north)
Best time to go: December to March
Days to complete: 4 to 5

Soaring, toothy peaks that seem to grasp at the sky, glittering azure lakes, rushing waterfalls, and refugios that resemble hobbit houses… there’s a lot to love about this trek across Argentina’s first national park. Utilize the robust public transportation from the gateway city of San Carlos de Bariloche, and nab a night at —the only reservable hut of the four—in advance. Alternatively, you can hire a respected company like for a guided adrenaline-fueled adventure along steep, rocky ridgelines, with opportunities to rock-scramble and take in the striking views of enormous Lake Nahuel Huapi (from $1,310). Before jetting off, spend a few days luxuriating in Bariloche, surprisingly European and often touted as the Switzerland of South America.

Jotunheimen National Park Historic Route, Norway

Length: 35.4 miles
Termini: Gjendesheim (east) to Eidsbugarden (west)
Best time to go: July to early September
Days to complete: 4

For a hearty dose of towering peaks, deep-cut valleys, and crystal-clear lakes, look no further than through , often referred to as Land of the Giants. Thirty-five miles might not seem like much at first, but this trail is no walk in the park—you’ll be following in the footsteps of Norway’s mountaineering history, sometimes gaining over 3,600 feet in a day as you clamber over craggy terrain (chains are present to aid with grip on the most harrowing sections), making your way between two remote lakes once essential to accessing the region: Gjende and Bygdin. You can book the DNT huts—the video below, of Fondsbu, is just one run by the —in advance and traverse the “fairylands” of Svartdalen solo, or sign on with for a similarly supported route that’ll quench your hiker hunger with delectable included meals (from $4,800).

Tongariro Northern Circuit, New Zealand

Length: 22.4 miles
Terminus: Whakapapa Village, North Island
Best time to go: November to April
Days to complete: 3 to 4

Unlike the Tongariro Crossing (a day hike which traverses the same eponymous national park), the allows travelers to get up close and personal with the nation’s most notorious volcanic peaks, sans the crowds. The loop circumnavigates the snowcapped, charcoal-hued cone of Mount Ngauruhoe, skirting hissing steam vents, ancient lava flows, and brilliant emerald lakes. Considered one of New Zealand’s Ten Great Walks, this hike is for geology and Lord of the Rings buffs who’d love nothing more than tackling a such a boulder-strewn landscape en route to Mordor. You can opt to through the well-appointed huts (which include bunk beds with mattresses, indoor heating, kitchens, and non-flush toilets), or book a locally led trip like three-day jaunt (from $891).

The Walker’s Haute Route, France and Switzerland

Length: 108 to 141 miles (depending on the route)
Termini: Chamonix, France (west) and Zermatt, Switzerland (east)
Best time to go: Mid-July to mid-September
Days to complete: 10 to 14

Sure, this one winds up on virtually every best-of hiking list on the planet, but if you take a second to Google a few snapshots of the gobsmacking glacially carved valleys, fields full of crocus and blue bugle, and steep summits that jut skyward like granitic witches’ hats, you’ll quickly see why. The (not to be confused with the similarly named ) passes below the summits of ten of the twelve highest peaks in the Alps. You’ll alternate between staying in well-appointed mountain huts and quaint European villages, indulging in fresh pastries and local cheeses between leg-burning ascents. Huts book up well in advance (and require a for booking), or just let an experienced company like or do all the hard work and logistics, while you focus on the scenery (from $6,195 and $3,616, respectively).

Sunshine Coast Trail, Canada

Length: 111.8 miles
Termini: Sarah Point on Desolation Sound (north) to Saltery Bay (south)
Best time to go: June to September
Days to complete: 9 to 10

Often lauded as our northern neighbor’s best, least commercialized, and longest hut-to-hut trek, the meanders across the British Columbia seashore, terminating some 90 miles north of Vancouver. The journey is a bucket-list adventure for forest bathers and ocean lovers alike, with wonderful opportunities to spot wolves, deer, raccoons, grizzlies, and elk, not to mention pick plentiful blackberries and salmonberries in late summer. Fourteen (with another slated to open next year) are set along the route, and the provides loads of how-to info it you’d prefer to go it alone. Another possibility is a guided partial trek with (from $1,340).

The O Circuit, Chile

Length: 85 miles
Terminus: Torres del Paine National Park’s Laguna Amarga Entrance
Best time to go: November to March
Days to complete: 11

As one of the premier treks in South America, southern Chile’s O Circuit is a show-stopping option for mountain-loving backpackers who want to put in the big miles when the U.S. is knee-deep in winter. Longer (and more secluded) than its more famous cousin to the south, the , the O Circuit includes the aforementioned route, plus dozens of off-the-beaten-path miles skirting the northern expanse of Torres del Paine National Park. Purchase your online in advance, then plan to get to your refugio (see the sites managed by and ) or camping spot as early as possible, as this trip is incredibly popular. Wildland Trekking offers , if that’s your preference ($5,900).

Triglav National Park Traverse, Slovenia Mountain Trail, Slovenia

Length: 27 miles
Termini: Vrsic Pass (north)��to Lake Bohinj (south)
Best time to go: June to September
Days to complete: 4

It seems like the Julian Alps have been on the tip of every travel writer’s tongue ever since the Juliana Trail made its debut back in 2020. But if you’d rather not blow all your vacation time hiking the full 168 miles through this scenic landscape, through Triglav National Park will give you a taste of the best stuff. Book hut reservations for , , and in advance, then get ready to traipse across craggy ridgelines, limestone escarpments, and peacock-green tarns. If arranging the trek yourself sounds like too much of a headache (and the language barrier can be intimidating), offers a similar itinerary, with an optional add-on to summit 9,396-foot Mount Triglav, the highest in Slovenia ($430).

Sneffels Traverse, Colorado

Length: 29.4 miles
Termini: Telluride (south) and Ouray (northeast)
Best time to go: July to September
Days to complete: 5

The U.S. is home to several well-regarded hut systems, but one stands out above the rest: the . Run by the in the (you guessed it) glorious San Juan Mountains of western Colorado, this route begins at 10,676-foot Last Dollar Pass, above the iconic ski town of Telluride, and meanders between four diminutive, eight-person bunk-style cabins on its way to the gold-rush town of Ouray. Due to its popularity, hikers ($275, including return-shuttle service) through the hut system between June 1 and October 15. Expect eye-catching meadows of purple lupine, serrated sky-high peaks, and verdant forests of aspen and pine along the way.

Emily Pennington has now trekked on every continent, including hundreds of nights spent on the trail in the United States. For big adventures, she recommends bringing a Kula Cloth and a clip-on carabiner mug.

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I can’t remember the last time I spent more than a few days exploring a single destination, let alone weeks. Now that it’s 2022, I’m stockpiling my time off for fewer, longer excursions. I can’t imagine a better way to get that feeling of travel immersion again than with this 11-day trek across northern Patagonia, alongside ���ϳԹ���+ members and ���ϳԹ��� readers. I’m most excited for the region’s newest park—Patagonia National Park—which I first learned about from this amazing 2018 feature by ���ϳԹ��� contributing writer Stephanie Pearson. The Patagonia trek is one of a collection of exclusive trips created in partnership with travel outfitter Modern ���ϳԹ���, and on each inaugural journey, you’ll be joined by a member of our editorial staff. From November 11 to 23, I’ll be with you to experience a part of Patagonia few ever do, including the iconic jagged peaks of Cerro Castillo, the cerulean waters of the Baker River, and a series of stunning, lesser-known national parks. Come join me! —Erin Riley

Chile: Northern Patagonia

Guest ���ϳԹ��� editor: Erin Riley, senior travel editor

Inaugural Trip Dates (with Erin): November 11–23, 2022 | Price: $6,600 | ���ϳԹ���+ price: $6,400

Additional Trip Dates (without Erin): February 4–16, 2023 | Price: $6,200 | ���ϳԹ���+ price: $6,000

On the list of time-­honored destinations, Patagonia, with its glacial peaks whittled into fantastical spires, ranks at the top. “I count Chilean Patagonia as a dream-list trip and can’t wait to share trekking days with the group on this all-time classic,” says Erin Riley, who oversees ���ϳԹ���’s travel coverage. Deciding which corner of the 400,000-square-mile region to see can be challenging, so Modern ���ϳԹ��� sorted that out for you.

You’ll start in Aysén, in northern Patagonia, where towering peaks, raging rivers, and national parks spread out across one of the country’s least populated areas. This 11-day itinerary samples the dramatic landscapes of two of Chile’s lesser known parks, with a day of rafting the Baker River to round it out. You’ll hike anywhere from three to ten miles per day and sleep in guesthouses, panoramic domes, and backcountry base camps. The adventure begins near the town of Coyhaique, about a thousand miles south of Santiago, with a 10.5-mile trek into 554-square-mile Cerro Castillo National Park. You’ll then cross over 4,265-foot Piñón Pass and ascend through forests to camp under the hulking basalt walls of 7,605-foot Cerro Castillo. Ditch your pack for a quick jaunt up to New Zealander Camp, a base for climbing expeditions, before heading down to a hot meal and a cozy room in Villa Cerro Castillo.

Be on the lookout for old gaucho camps as you make your way to General Carrera Lake, which at 1,923 feet is the 11th deepest in the world. After crossing it by ferry, you’ll trek into the new ten-million-acre Patagonia National Park, created by Kristine and Doug Tompkins. (Doug cofounded the North Face in the 1960s and adventured throughout Patagonia with his friend Yvon Chouinard.) At the end of the trip, celebrate in the town of Chile Chico and feast on delicious barbecue. Oh, and that dark spot you saw in the grass on day six? That really was a puma. —Tim Neville

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There’s a reason Alaska, Patagonia, Everest Base Camp, and the French Alps are at the top of every traveler’s bucket list: the stunning terrain and adventure history are so iconic that there’s simply no substitute. We partnered with the outfitter Modern ���ϳԹ�����to create four custom trips to our favorite destinations, experienced the best way we know how: by getting into the landscape and heading for the wildest, most remote corners. Better yet, on each inaugural journey an ���ϳԹ��� editor will join you to share campfire stories and give you the lowdown on gear, fitness, and travel trends. You’ll be in good hands with Modern ���ϳԹ���, a company run by active-travel experts who provide off-the-beaten-path itineraries and guides with deep knowledge and local connections. What’s better than an epic journey with a small group of people who love the outdoors?

Secure your spot soon; we expect the trips with editors to fill up quickly. Bonus: become an ���ϳԹ���+ member and you’ll receive a $200 discount off the trip price. And don’t worry if you miss out on traveling with an editor. There will be additional departure dates for the trips to Alaska, Patagonia, and Nepal in 2022 and 2023.

We can’t wait to head into the wild with you.

Alaska: Deep Backcountry

Guest ���ϳԹ��� editor: Christopher Keyes, editor in chief

Inaugural Trip Dates (with Chris): August 15–21, 2022 | Price: $5,700 | ���ϳԹ���+ price: $5,500 [[SOLD OUT]]

Additional Trip Dates (without Chris): August 22–28, 2022 | Price: $5,400 | ���ϳԹ���+ price: $5,200

Few adventures bring you face to face with Alaska’s immense beauty so viscerally as blazing your own trail through the remote wilderness of Katmai National Park and Preserve. Here you’ll find volcanoes soaring above salmon-choked rivers and brown bears feasting on berries. The only way in and out is by boat or plane; what happens in between is trekking at its best. This seven-day, ten-person trip for experienced backpackers will show a side of the state that few have seen. It begins with a floatplane that departs from the hamlet of Port Alsworth and drops you deep inside Katmai, landing wherever the pilot can safely touch down. You’ll set a pick-up spot about 30 miles away, shoulder a pack full of food and survival gear, and set out across the treeless tundra. No two trips are ever alike.

Typically, groups begin near Kukaklek Lake, at the headwaters of the Alagnak River, and walk six to eight miles per day, with up to 2,000 feet of elevation gain, to reach Mirror Lake, an area rich in wildlife. There are no trails, so exactly how you get there depends on weather, visibility, and how rugged your group is. Do you circumnavigate that 3,000-foot peak or head right over it? At night you’ll camp wherever you get tired and share in the ­cooking duties. The rewards for working this hard include a look at some of the densest populations of brown bears on the planet—­multiple sightings are nearly guaranteed—and herds of curious caribou that thunder across meadows to check you out.

“I’ve visited every state except Alaska, and backpacking in Katmai represents a life-list opportunity,” says editor in chief Chris Keyes, who’ll be joining you. “I cannot wait to share my passion for the outdoors—and ���ܳٲ������—with readers participating on this amazing trip.” Be forewarned, however: the sound of the plane coming to fetch you at journey’s end will be distinctly jarring to the wild person you’ve become.

French Alps Grand Traverse

Guest ���ϳԹ��� editor: Jeremy-Miles Rellosa, gear review editor

Inaugural Trip Dates (with Jeremy): September 11–22, 2022 | Price: $7,400 | ���ϳԹ���+ price: $7,200 [[SOLD OUT]]

Additional Trip Dates (without Jeremy): August 7–18, 2022 | Price: $7,200 | ���ϳԹ���+ price: $7,000

In 1786, a doctor in Cha­­m­onix named Michel-­Gabriel ­Paccard and a local crystal hunter, Jacques Balmat, teamed up to become the first two people ever recorded to stand atop 15,770-foot Mont Blanc, a feat that inspired cen­turies of exploration in the French Alps. But there is an even better way to see these beautiful mountains that doesn’t involve risking your life.

Start at Megève, near Chamonix, and amble and eat your way 100 miles down to Sospel, a hillside village near Monaco. It takes ten days to complete the trek; on most of them you will log up to eight hours of hiking, with 1,500- to 4,000-foot climbs on dirt footpaths that have served shepherds, tradesmen, and armies for centuries. Come evening, you’ll arrive in picturesque villages where a hot meal and a warm bed await. If your legs get too tired—or your belly too full—a few cable car rides along the way will lessen the pain.

“I am excited to experience the beauty of the French Alps with our readers, though secretly I’m coming along just for the food,” says Jeremy-Miles Rellosa, the ���ϳԹ��� editor joining this trip. Yes, the gooey raclette cheese, delicious local red wine, and stunning mountain views will undoubtedly leave you in awe, but this trip is also designed to hit the nooks and crannies of the French Alps that remain unknown to many North Americans, like the 12,650-foot Grande Casse massif of Vanoise, the nation’s first national park. By the time you arrive at the coast, you may want to turn north and walk back to where it all began. Or stay put and soak in the Mediterranean Sea.

Chile: Northern Patagonia

Guest ���ϳԹ��� editor: Erin Riley, senior travel editor

Inaugural Trip Dates (with Erin): November 11–23, 2022 | Price: $6,600 | ���ϳԹ���+ price: $6,400

Additional Trip Dates (without Erin): February 4–16, 2023 | Price: $6,200 | ���ϳԹ���+ price: $6,000

On the list of time-­honored destinations, Patagonia, with its glacial peaks whittled into fantastical spires, ranks at the top. “I count Chilean Patagonia as a dream-list trip and can’t wait to share trekking days with the group on this all-time classic,” says Erin Riley, who oversees ���ϳԹ���’s travel coverage. Deciding which corner of the 400,000-square-mile region to see can be challenging, so Modern ���ϳԹ��� sorted that out for you.

You’ll start in Aysén, in northern Patagonia, where towering peaks, raging rivers, and national parks spread out across one of the country’s least populated areas. This 11-day itinerary samples the dramatic landscapes of two of Chile’s lesser known parks, with a day of rafting the Baker River to round it out. You’ll hike anywhere from three to ten miles per day and sleep in guesthouses, panoramic domes, and backcountry base camps. The adventure begins near the town of Coyhaique, about a thousand miles south of Santiago, with a 10.5-mile trek into 554-square-mile Cerro Castillo National Park. You’ll then cross over 4,265-foot Piñón Pass and ascend through forests to camp under the hulking basalt walls of 7,605-foot Cerro Castillo. Ditch your pack for a quick jaunt up to New Zealander Camp, a base for climbing expeditions, before heading down to a hot meal and a cozy room in Villa Cerro Castillo.

Be on the lookout for old gaucho camps as you make your way to General Carrera Lake, which at 1,923 feet is the 11th deepest in the world. After crossing it by ferry, you’ll trek into the new ten-million-acre Patagonia National Park, created by Kristine and Doug Tompkins. (Doug cofounded the North Face in the 1960s and adventured throughout Patagonia with his friend Yvon Chouinard.) At the end of the trip, celebrate in the town of Chile Chico and feast on endless barbecue. Oh, and that dark spot you saw in the grass on day six? That really was a puma.

Mount Everest Base Camp

Guest ���ϳԹ��� editor: Matt Skenazy, features editor

Inaugural Trip Dates (with Matt): October 4–20, 2022 | Price: $9,500 | ���ϳԹ���+ price: $9,300

Additional Trip Dates (without Matt): November 19–December 7, 2022 | Price: $9,000 | ���ϳԹ���+ price: $8,800

Huge peaks, gripping mountaineering his­tory, and a deep sense of spirituality are major draws to the Himalayas. But getting to know the Nepali people is what makes trekking here one of the greatest joys you will ever experience. Of all the mountain routes, nothing beats the journey to Everest Base Camp, at 17,600 feet. This 17-day, yak-assisted trip includes 12 days of trekking, with breathtaking views of world-famous peaks, like 27,940-foot Lhotse and 22,494-foot Ama Dablam. But it goes deep on Nepalese culture, too. You’ll linger in the village of Namche with artists who create devotional paintings called thangka.

On day five, you’ll get your first views of 29,035-foot Mount Everest and also meet Kancha, the last living Sherpa guide from the first successful expedition to the top of the world, in 1953. On day eight, you’ll stop in Dingboche, a Sherpa settlement at 14,400 feet. The highest point on the trek is 18,209 feet, the summit of Kala Patthar, which you’ll reach on day 11. Your head guide is a third-generation Sherpa climber who has led Himalayan treks for 20 years. Most nights you’ll stay in tra­ditional teahouses, where limited solar power often means early bedtimes—a blessing, we promise.

Once you arrive at Base Camp, you’ll get a firsthand view of where climbers begin their summit push. And you won’t have to hike all the way out. From Namche Bazaar, a private helicopter will take you to Dwarika’s Resort in Dhulikhel, near Kathmandu, where you’ll rest up among fragrant forests. “I’m looking forward to experiencing the high peaks I’ve been reading and writing about for decades,” says Matt Skenazy, ���ܳٲ������’s features editor. —Tim Neville

The post Come Travel with ���ϳԹ��� on These ���ϳԹ���s of a Lifetime appeared first on ���ϳԹ��� Online.

Plant-based beef from brands like ��and�� is quickly��becoming a new staple. If it’s not already on the menu of your favorite fast-food chain, odds are good that it’s coming soon, and it’s most likely already in the meat section of your local grocery store.

Sure, you might be able to tell the difference between an Impossible burger and one made with Angus beef. But if you’re crumbling the plant-based stuff into a recipe or seasoning it heavily for taco meat or kebabs, you’d probably be able to trick even the staunchest carnivore.

This is by design. Both Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods��have engineered their products to be almost identical to real beef in every sense. Jonathan Valdez, a dietitian and founder of , explains that both of these companies’��products are fortified with vitamins and minerals that aren’t naturally found in plant foods but that are typically found��in beef, like iron and vitamin B12. Their��total and saturated fat content is similar to ground beef that’s��80 percent lean, 20 percent fat. That’s a choice the companies made, not for the sake of nutrition—the recommend limiting saturated fat to less than 10��percent of your daily calories, regardless of whether it comes from plants or animals—but so the faux beef better mimics the real stuff.��

Thanks to that careful formulation, you can substitute the same amount of plant-based beef in just about any recipe that calls for ground beef. (Although Valdez warns that plant-based beef is higher in sodium, so you might want to go easy on the salt.) If you’d like to follow a recipe that’s been developed and tested with plant-based beef, here are three to try.

Pineapple Tacos��

“I love this taco recipe, because it’s approachable, bright, and satisfying,” says Jasmine Shimoda, chef and owner of , a plant-based restaurant in Los Angeles. She explains that imitation ground beef browns in a skillet just like the real stuff and actually packs a tastier punch than most store-bought ground beef, thanks to yeast extract that lends it ample umami flavor.��

Ingredients��

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 pound plant-based ground beef
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped��
• 2 garlic cloves, minced��
• 2 teaspoons chili powder��
• 1 teaspoon chipotle in adobo sauce (from a can)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or less,��to taste)
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper��
• 1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed��lime juice, divided��
• 1 small jicama, peeled and��cut into matchsticks
• 5 radishes, thinly sliced��
• ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 serrano or jalapeño pepper, seeds removed,��thinly sliced��
• ¼ cup raw red onion, thinly sliced��
• 1½ tablespoons Vegenaise��

For serving: warm corn tortillas, warm black beans, vegan crumbly cheese, cilantro, lime wedges

Instructions

Heat the oil in a large saut�pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the plant-based beef, and break up with a large spoon or spatula. Spread it out in the pan to ensure the maximum amount of caramelization. Once the plant-based beef is browned, about four to five minutes, transfer to a plate and set aside somewhere warm, leaving most of the fat in the pan.��

Return the pan to the stove.��Cook the yellow��onion in the remaining fat until translucent, three to four minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for two more minutes, then add the chili powder, chipotle, salt, and pepper, and stir everything together. Turn up the heat to medium-high, and toss in the diced pineapple,��cooking for two more minutes until the pineapple is heated through and slightly soft. Add the imitation beef and one tablespoon of lime juice. Stir everything to combine, then remove the pan from the heat.��

Meanwhile, mix together the jicama, radishes, and cilantro, as well as the remaining two��tablespoons of lime juice, the red onion, and the Vegenaise��in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Assemble tacos by topping tortillas with the beef-pineapple filling, jicama slaw, and garnishes. Serves four.

“Beef” and Barley Stew

This veggie-filled soup recipe puts a spin on classic beef and barley stew, with the addition of chili powder for a pretty serious kick. And instead of hulled barley, it calls for pearl barley, which is softer and cooks more quickly because the tough outer layer has been removed. The recipe is reprinted with permission��from Adams Media’s��,��a collection of simple dishes flavored with everything from fresh chili to homemade hot sauce.��

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 medium stalks celery, trimmed and coarsely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 1 medium green bell pepper, seeds and stem removed, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup water
• 2½ cups tomato juice (like Mott’s or V8)
• ⅓��cup uncooked pearl barley
• 1½ teaspoons chili powder
• 1½ teaspoons dried parsley
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 pound plant-based ground beef
• ⅛��teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Place a large soup pot or stockpot over medium heat, add the oil, and sauté the��onion, celery, carrot, and bell pepper until almost soft, about four to five minutes. Add the water, tomato juice, and barley, stirring well to combine, then add the chili powder, parsley, and bay leaves.��Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Add the plant-based beef and cook uncovered until the barley is soft, about��another five minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

To serve, remove bay leaves, and ladle soup into bowls. Garnish each bowl with parsley, and serve with crusty bread for dipping. Serves six.

Chiles Rellenos

Traditional chiles rellenos are battered and deep-fried, but San Francisco chef ��prefers to roast them instead, which means that her version is easier and a little lighter. “Without all that fried batter, you really taste the interplay of the chile and the filling,” Des Jardins says. She included this recipe in , which��she helped author.

Ingredients

• 8 fresh poblano or pasilla chiles��
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 12 ounces plant-based beef
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin��
• Pinch of ground cinnamon��
• Pinch of ground allspice��
• Pinch of ground cloves
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced��
• 2 cloves garlic, minced��
• ½ cup canned diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 tablespoons raisins��
• 1½ cups chopped fresh parsley leaves (about one small bunch)
• ¼ cup slivered almonds, toasted��
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted��
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper��

Instructions

Preheat a��broiler. Place the chiles on a baking sheet and broil, turning every few minutes, until blackened on all sides, about 15 minutes. Transfer the chiles to a large mixing bowl, and cover with plastic wrap or place in a zip-top plastic bag. Let steam for about five minutes to help loosen the skins.

Line a��baking sheet with paper towels. Rinse the chiles under water, removing��the charred skin. Make a two-inch slit on one side of each chili, so you can open them up a little bit. Using a teaspoon, carefully remove the membrane and as many seeds as possible. Place the chiles on the lined baking sheet. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.��In a skillet over medium-high heat, warm one tablespoon of oil. Crumble the plant-based beef into the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about three minutes. Add the oregano, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves, and mix well, then season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Add the remaining oil to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and add the onion, garlic,��and canned tomatoes. Cook, stirring, until the onions soften, about ten minutes. Add the raisins, and cook for another two minutes. Add this��to the meat mixture, and stir.��Set aside one tablespoon of parsley, one teaspoon of��almonds, and some sesame seeds for garnish, then��add the remaining parsley, almonds, and sesame seeds to the meat mixture. Mix well.��

To assemble, spoon the picadillo mixture��into each chile through the slit in the center, filling it as much��as possible. Transfer the chiles to another��parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast until heated through, 15 to 20 minutes.��

Serve garnished with the remaining parsley, almonds, and sesame seeds. Serves four.

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Aside from booking future trips,��one way you can inspire the adventure traveler on your list��and help the industry this year is to spend your holiday dollars on gifts that support��small travel businesses and��properties, as well as regions��and industry employees. Most lodges sell merchandise, so check their websites��and start ordering, or buy a gift certificate toward a trip from an outfitter you love. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite gift��ideas that benefit the places we can’t wait to visit again soon. At a time when travel has been at a standstill, these thoughtful presents��bring the world to you.

Gift Certificates

For the person on your list��who prizes experiences over material items, a gift certificate from their preferred��guiding outfitter, lodge, or travel service is a guaranteed hit. Established��mountaineering and climbing groups��like ,��, and����are offering vouchers for 2021 trips, but any of your go-to guiding services will likely be happy to tailor a gift certificate for you. And with camping and road trips predicted to be just as popular next summer, RV rental company is offering that cover any kind of a trip, from an overnighter to a weeklong escape.

Food and��Drink��

It’s likely that everyone you’re shopping for has gotten into cooking since the start of the pandemic—whether that’s meant perfecting a home brew or discovering new spices. For the friend who wants to take their talents to the next level, “adopt” an olive tree for them through (from $79), an Italian company that works with small-scale grove farmers in the provinces of Liguria, Sicily, and Marche. The company will ship cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil directly to your door, along with information about the grove and farmer. Or opt for a customizable three-spice set from ($36), a woman-led, direct-trade business��that supports local farms in India that have invested in sustainable agricultural practices.

There are plenty of coffee subscriptions out there, so add a personalized touch by picking a company��in a destination that your giftee has always wanted to explore. Some of our favorites include coffee from Papua New Guinea–based , a tour operator that’s recently established a coffee mill to benefit��the local Native community (from $9, not including shipping), and Colombia-based , which sources from 600 producers across the country, roasts its beans in Medellín, and immediately ships��bags to the U.S. so that they’re fresh upon arrival��(from $10, not including shipping). For a gift that’s closer to home, many U.S. breweries, distilleries, and wineries are making delivery��easier, with some states that prohibit liquor shipments .

Virtual Experiences

Yep, we get it—we’ve all spent a lot of time online this year. But there have been some upsides to that, like access to fitness training, classes, and events we might never get to enjoy��otherwise. Some of our favorite virtual experiences include ’s (from $10 for group seminars; private sessions are available, too). The Costa Rica resort is usually booked a year out, but this online opportunity gives you or your budding surfer friend a front seat to excellent instruction.

We’ve dreamed of visiting the , a spa, yoga, and meditation resort in northern India. Now at least we can sign ourselves and others up for its�� (from $70 for a monthlong subscription; get a 10 percent discount during the holidays by using the code ANYEAREND��at checkout).

We’ve been watching a ton of cooking videos during quarantine. Give someone you love a ��($25) with a European chef through , and they’ll learn how to make you tapas that taste just like you’re in Spain.

For your strung-out friend who needs a way to relax, how about��gifting a virtual birding tour in Colombia?��The country is known for its enormous variety of avian��species, and now you can see them, too, through from , which connects you with experts for guided tours ($125 for one person; group experiences are available as well). Email anna@tripsite.com��to set it up.��We hope to spot a rare blue-billed curassow.

Philanthropy

Giving back��to conservation organizations feels especially important this year, as the tourism dollars funding many of these efforts have dramatically declined. There are too many amazing organizations to list here, but these recently caught our eye. Sponsoring an animal is fun and fulfilling for kids and adults alike, and you can adopt��an elephant through the in Cambodia, a sanctuary for the formerly captive giants. The��ecotourism outfitter��., based in Fairbanks, Alaska,��is offering , like Sluggo, above, to help support the dogs��and the company until its��dogsledding-trip bookings rebound. Meet its��team of awesome pooches��.

If you really want to splurge for someone, let them name a newborn rhino through the program for—gulp—$25,000 to protect the future of species, which has been devastated by poaching. (The organization is happy to receive smaller donations, too.) With fewer tourists in Africa, poaching is on the rise, and rangers don’t have the resources to keep working. In another great offering from the Great Plains Foundation, Project Ranger allows you to ��to keep them employed and the wildlife protected. Or give a donation in someone’s name to �� to provide direct economic impact��to local guides who’ve been unemployed��this year in destinations around the world.

The grew out of the to contribute to��projects that conserve resources in adventure travel locales. The fund is currently focusing��on the acute needs of those in many destinations��right now suffering from��a lack of tourism income. in someone’s name to fund��projects, such as��protecting Namibia’s desert lions. Your gift will be matched by other companies in the travel industry.

After a devastating fire season in the West, many communities that rely on tourism dollars are still being rebuilt. Gift a donation in someone’s name to an organization supporting these communities through foundations in , , , and ; the ; or by calling a business you love in one of the hard-hit areas and making an online purchase or buying a gift certificate for future use.

Books

For history buffs and trail lovers, ($55)��is a must-give item. Written by , who has authored 13 books on hiking and has completed the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails, and with stunning photography by , who walked every historic trail mentioned, this coffee-table-worthy book takes you from the Pony Express to the paths of civil right marches and along 17 other trails designated as nationally historic by the National Park Service. The trails range in length from 54 miles to 5,000��and are perfect for socially distant adventures—whether you decide to hike, bike, or armchair-dream about them.

Nothing brings you the taste of a place like food. So gift a cookbook this season, especially one that benefits��some fantastic��lodges, like the , primely located in Utah near the state’s best national parks and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, and its James Beard–recognized restaurant and . The Italian guides who work for the bike-touring company created a ($15) full of their secret family recipes to bestow��your friends. (It’s in a PDF format, so you can gift��it right away.) The proceeds support the guides during the travel downturn. The in Nelson, British Columbia, is famed for its Fresh Tracks Café. Try out its chef’s fare in one of . The ($45) gathered up 100 recipes from various local chefs to give back to��the Colorado town’s struggling restaurants. And if you’re missing the taste of the wild frontier, these two Alaskan offerings from chef Kirsten Dixon bring you the cabin feels and fresh-seafood vibes from two awesome places: (from $19) and ($35).

While app travel guides are great, don’t forget good ol’��guidebooks that help travel writers and local tourism efforts. Guidebooks still offer the most comprehensive intel about a place, like former New York Times reporter and Denver-based author ’s recently updated ($18). If you’re seeking warmth this winter, check out .

Home Goods��

What better travel gift than a souvenir that might not fit into a suitcase? The online marketplace carries everything from ceramics and lampshades to artwork, all created by artisans across Chile. There’s an equally varied selection at , which offers alpaca-wool items handmade by Peruvian craftsmen. The company is currently employing out-of-work guides from the outfitter to help choose the items you import, by having the guides show shoppers around stores through video calls. Based in Ahmedabad, India, works with up to 2,300 women artisans across the country to produce modern pieces inspired by traditional handicrafts, including (from $8) and (from $10). And for the friend who was looking forward to a beach getaway this year, you can’t go wrong with a traditional Mexican hammock from (from $70), a Yucatán-based certified B Corp company.

Apparel and��Accessories��

Everyone appreciates a gift that has a story and a positive impact. Seattle-based partners with 30 Masai women in Kenya to produce beaded earrings, necklaces, and rings and pays them wages rather than a commission. Safari company recently launched an that showcases items from regional craft makers. Among its luxury home and accessory items are cotton-silk scarves (from $125) from sub-Saharan brand , which feature designs from students enrolled in a program for at-risk youth. For your loved one who dreams of hiking the Himalayas someday, support local outfitter by gifting (from $20); proceeds benefit its guiding staff. And for the friend who’s counting down to the Olympics next summer, the is filled with goodies, including this (from $200) and this (from $72).

The post 36 Awesome Gifts for ���ϳԹ��� Travelers appeared first on ���ϳԹ��� Online.

The Rio Claro in Chile is one of the most beautiful stretches��of river that we’ve��ever seen. This video follows��professional kayaker Dane Jackson and his friends��as they paddle through one of its��narrowest sections,��only accessible by kayak.

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