There are A TON of amazing places to set up shop, grab your computer, and work for hours on end, all over the world. From white sand beaches to a desert oasis to mountain top cabins surrounded by redwoods. There really is no shortage of scenic “offices” to choose from. I mean, that is one of the biggest appeals of being a digital nomad - the freedom to work from anywhere, right? During the month of June, some places are in their prime. Think warm weather, lots of sun, and a happy, spirited atmosphere. Here are 6 places that are a great option for wiling away the month of June in, with their overall Nomad Score and top 3 reasons for visiting included: Lisbon, Portugal Okay coming in first is Lisbon - the capital and largest city in Portugal. Located on the Atlantic Coast (the only European Capital to do that), Lisbon is quickly becoming a top travel location and it is easy to see why: beautiful beaches, great food, and lots of history. Plus, if you want more nature than city life Lisbon is also a top spot for outdoor adventures, including mountain biking, hiking, and abseiling (aka rappelling). Overall Score: 4.52/5 | Cost per Month: $2,152 | Avg. Internet Speed: 32 Mbps Biggest Perks: Very safe, especially for LGBTQ | Quite friendly and easy to make friends | Fast internet Chiang Mai, Thailand Known as the “Temple City” in Thailand, the second largest city - and beautiful cultural hub of Chiang Mai, is always a great option for working and living in. With lots to do in and around the city, plus its extraordinary good food, outdoor adventures, and awesome coffee shops you could easily spend weeks there and not see it all. Overall Score: 4.36/5 | Cost per Month: $1,087 | Avg. Internet Speed: 23 Mbps Biggest Perks: Super affordable | Good hospitals | Warm all year round Belgrade, Serbia Known as the “White City,” Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. Located on the convergence of the Sava and Danube River the city sits at just under 400 feet above sea level, and at the crossroads of the Pannonian Plain and Balkan Peninsula. Overall Score: 4.33/5 | Cost per Month: $1,478 | Avg. Internet Speed: 24 Mbps Biggest Perks: Great places to work | Good nightlife | Spacious and not overly crowded Taipei, Taiwan Located in northern Taiwan, an island off the coast of China (almost straight east of Hong Kong), the city of Taipei is home to 2.6 million people. Though if you include the nearby metropolitan district of Keelung, then the overall population is about 7 million people, making it the 40th most populous urban area in the world. Taipei is a major cultural hub and home to many world-famous architectural landmarks, including the Temple of Manka, Taipei 101, and Taipei Guest House. Overall Score: 4.26/5 | Cost per Month: $1,834 | Avg. Internet Speed: 20 Mbps Biggest Perks: Very friendly towards foreigners | Great hospitals | Fast internet throughout the city Auckland, New Zealand Located on the North Island of New Zealand, Auckland is the most populous city in the whole country - coming in at 1.46 million people - and home to the largest Polynesian population in the world. The area around Aukland is very beautiful and diverse. Think lush rainforest, dormant volcanoes, and coastal beaches. Overall Score: 4.15/5 | Cost Per Month: $2,827 | Avg. Internet Speed: 23 Mbps Biggest Perks: Very safe, especially for females and LGBTQ | Good air quality pretty much year-round | Great walkability score Mexico City, Mexico The capital of Mexico and the largest city in all of North America, Mexico City is today one of the most important cultural and financial centers in the world. It is also one of only two cities to be founded by an indigenous people (Quito, Ecuador being the other). Overall Score: 4.16/5 | Cost per Month: $1,300 | Avg. Internet Speed: 18 Mbps Biggest Perks: Great walkability score | Lots of great places to work from | Lots of fun stuff to do in and around the city For more top places for digital nomads check out Nomadlist - a great place to do research for digital nomad hotspots.

The first thing we should say is that we LOVE ramen. It is quick, cheap, delicious, and super easy to customize depending on your preferences and/or what you have on hand. Plus, it is compact and can be brought and made while on the trail, or from the comfort of your campsite, van or cabin. Ramen might just be your new favorite go-to camp meal - especially after trying some of these souped up recipes. Add Easy Protein. Maybe the easiest way to step up ramen is to add a hard-boiled egg (or two). We like to prep this ahead of time by hard boiling the egg before stepping foot on the trail - though we have cooked eggs while on the motorcycle and backpacking and it wasn’t too tough. For us, camping cooking should be as fast and easy as possible - and have very little clean-up. That is why adding a hard-boiled egg to our ramen is one of our go-tos. Bring a couple hard-boiled egg with you, boil up some water for the ramen, peel the eggs and plop them in. Wait a bit for all of it to warm up and slurp it down. Veggify It. Another simple thing to do to take ramen to the next level is add a couple of different vegetables. Our favorites are mushrooms, sliced up bell peppers (red being a personal favorite), and some green onions. All three are pretty easy to cut up and don’t cause a lot of mess (looking at you tomatoes and your slimy juice). Other good choices are bok choy, kale, carrots, and broccoli. But honestly you can’t really go wrong when adding some veggies to your ramen. Step Up the Spice. While most (all?) ramen packets come with a flavored packet already, there are TONS of options to make your ramen that much more delicious - and most of the spices you likely already have. A couple of good combinations are curry + cumin + red pepper flakes for possibly the easiest curry recipe ever. Another good one is lemon pepper + garlic powder (or real garlic) + green onion on top. Finally, add in a nice Thai flavor by adding peanut butter + soy sauce + a bit of vinegar for a pad Thai flavored meal. Don’t Make Ramen at All. Now this might sound a bit crazy, but there are so many ways to use ramen noodles and create something totally different than your run of the mill ramen dish. For example, have you considered just making the noodles and adding marinara sauce on top for an easy spaghetti? Or how about a couple of cubes of cheese for a filling mac and cheese recipe? Or if you want some added protein just throw in a packet of tuna. All three include ramen, and even use ramen the way it should, but taste completely different. The great thing about ramen packets is that they are so versatile. Still don’t believe us? Check out this article that outlines 50 Ramen Recipes - including fried ramen trail mix, chili cheese dog ramen, and chocolate ramen cakes. We love eating ramen after a long day on the trail. The salty, deliciousness is tough to beat - plus the simplicity of it kind of makes it a no brainer. While we are not above eating it plain, we tend to step it up a bit (if only for the filling factor). Our go to’s are usually a hard-boiled egg and some vegetables (mushrooms being number one). What are some of your favorite ways to make ramen that much more delicious? Are you into the original flavors or do you like to spruce it up and make it into something else (ramen noodle carbonara anyone?).

We have done our fair share of road-tripping around the beautiful state of Colorado - from the dry, desert-y northern boundary line to the rugged, mountainous central region. And while we feel like we have definitely gotten a taste for what the Centennial State has to offer, we know there are still soooo many amazing roads and routes to still drive. Here are a couple of our favorite drives around the state (some well-known and some a bit more off-the-beaten-path) as well as a few we still have not checked off our bucket list (but definitely want to this summer). The Poudre Canyon to North Park Starting in the amazing city of Fort Collins (home to so many awesome breweries, including New Belgium) you make your way north as if you were heading to Wyoming. Turn left onto Highway 14 (at Ted’s Place, one of the last “cheap” gas stations) and then get ready to be wowed by the beautiful Cache la Poudre River that runs the whole stretch of the route, tall rocky cliffs and lots of great hiking trails. Must-See Spots: Howling Cow Cafe: An awesome coffee shop located on the grounds of Morning Fresh Dairy and noosa Yogurt (you can stock up in the coffee shop). Their coffee is delicious and they also have good bagel sandwiches, perfect for a quick fill up (and caffeine hit) before hitting the road. Cameron Pass: Sitting right on the Continental Divide, this pass - with an elevation of 10,276 - is a nice spot to get out and stretch your legs (and take in the view). There is a small picnic area and bathroom right on the top. Plus, the rest of the drive is all downhill (not figuratively :) ) from here! State Forest State Park: A sort of hidden gem of an outdoor area, this state park is absolutely GORGEOUS! The first thing you will see is the Nokhu Crags, a 12,490-foot rocky peak that jets out prominently from the mountains. If you want to get a closer look and see some beautiful mountain lakes, we recommend stopping by the park and doing the Lake Agnes Trail - a 2.1-mile jaunt through the trees to Lake Agness at the base of the Crags. And if you are lucky, you might spot a moose (State Forest State Park has one of the largest populations of moose in the country)! Collegiate Peaks If you are wanting to see some of the prettiest (and tallest) mountains Colorado has to offer then this is the drive for you! The route takes you from the town of Salida all the way to Granite, a historic mining town that sits at the base of the tallest mountain in Colorado - Mt. Elbert, elevation: 14,440). Stretching only 57 miles, this byway gives you great views of many of Colorado’s famous 14-ers, including Mt. Yale, Mt. Oxford, Mt. Harvard, Mt. Antero and Mt. Shavano. Must-See Spots: St. Elmo Ghost Town: Take a quick detour right outside of Buena Vista to see one of the most well-preserved ghost towns in the state, if not the West. With 43 buildings still standing, including the courthouse/jail, a saloon, and mercantile, this is a great spot for photos and to do some exploring. Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center: The area is full of thermal hot springs, from the more established to the more natural (including some right on the side of the river). The Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center is special because it is the largest indoor hot springs facility in the United States. Whichever hot springs you choose, you will be sure to have a nice relaxing time - the perfect way to end a day of hiking. Midland Tunnels: another relatively off-the-beaten-path location, these completely natural tunnels still stand along the now-abandoned Midland Railroad Route - which once stretched from Colorado Springs to Grand Junction. You can find these tunnels near Buena Vista off County Road 371(near Turtle Rock Campground). Peak to Peak Starting in the scenic (and super busy) town of Estes Park, which sits right on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, this scenic byway takes you through some of the prettiest forest landscapes Colorado has to offer. Think aspen groves, birds-eye views of the Front Range, and the best views of stunning Longs Peak (another popular 14-er). The route ends in the famous (or infamous) town of Black Hawk, a one-time mining boomtown turned casino mecca. Must-See Spots: The Stanley Hotel: Maybe one of the most famous hotels in the United States, and likely one of the most “haunted” this beautiful and iconic hotel sits proudly above the town of Estes Park. You can take two different tours: the day one and the “creepier” night one, where there is a stronger focus on the paranormal. Indian Peaks Wilderness: An awesome spot to go for a hike (without the RMNP crowds), this wilderness area is located near the eclectic town of Nederland (learn about what makes the town famous here). There are multiple trailheads, but we believe the two prettiest ones are Brainard Lake TH (near Ward) and Hessie Trailhead (where you also get to drive through the historic town of Eldora). Moffat Tunnel: Another quick detour, but one that is absolutely worth it for the scenic drive alone, the railroad tunnel straddle the Continental Divide, and even though they opened in 1928 still see around 15 trains a day. Today you can park at the tunnels East Portal Entrance (at Heart Lake TH) and hike above it along the South Boulder Creek Trail, which eventually T’s into the Continental Divide Trail. San Juan Skyway (haven't done yet!) Located in Southwest Colorado, this jaw-droppingly beautiful byway makes a loop through some of the prettiest scenery the state has to offer, as well as some pretty interesting history. The route starts in Durango (or because it is a loop, you could technically start anywhere) then heads west towards the towns of Mancos and Dolores (near Mesa Verde National Park), before quickly turning north into the mountains and the towns of Stoner, Rico, and Telluride. From Telluride you head a bit farther north to Ridgeway before turning south towards Ouray and Silverton before finally hitting Durango once again. This loop is 236 miles long and should be done in at least two days - there is just so much to see you won’t want to rush it! Must-See Stops: Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: Originally opened in 1882 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG), this narrow gauge railway - one of the last of its kind in the country - was meant to transport silver and gold ore that had been mined from the nearby San Juan Mountains. Today it no longer transports ore, but instead thousands of people. You can ride the train in both the winter and summer, though fall might just be the best time. Bridal Veil Falls: The tallest free-falling waterfall in the entire Centennial State, this is definitely a stop that should not be missed. The trail to the falls is rated as moderate, mostly due to the switchbacks right at the beginning of the hike, but is only 4.8 miles total. Ghost Towns: There are lots of interesting ghost towns in the area surrounding the cities of Ouray and Silverton, some more easily accessible than others. Some of the coolest are Animas Forks, an old mining town that used to be the largest at such a high elevation (11,200 feet) and Capitol City, named because the founder, George Lee, hoped it would eventually become Colorado’s capitol (it never did). Unaweep Tabeguache (haven't done yet!) If you are looking to really get off-the-beaten-path then this is the scenic byway for you. Because it doesn’t have any big “ticket items” it is still relatively unknown, and therefore not commonly done. Starting just south of Grand Junction in the town of Whitewater, the byway twists and turns through beautiful canyon country before reaching the historic town of Placerville, 131 miles away. This route is not just pretty, it also has strong historical ties - especially to WWII. Must-See Spots: Uravan: Established as a company town by the U. S. Vanadium Corporation in 1936, Uravan is famous for being the location of the uranium used in the first atomic bombs. Today there is very little trace of the city, which was abandoned in the 1980s. Hanging Flume: Created as a way of transporting water to the nearby mining operations the remains of the Hanging Flume are still visible as it clings to the side of sheer sandstone cliffs from the town of Naturita. Built in the 1880s by the Montrose Placer Mining Company this open water chute once stretched for 12 miles, and up to 75 feet above the river below. At its peak it carried 80 million gallons of water each day! Unaweep Canyon: Translated from the Ute language as “Canyon with Two Mouths” or “the Parting of the Waters,” the remote Unaweep Canyon is the only canyon in the world where two creeks flow out of the canyon in opposite directions - the water from the East Creek flows into the Gunnison River, while the water from the West Creek flows into the Dolores River. Another interesting thing to see nearby is the Driggs Mansion, ruins of a once beautiful home built by mining tycoon, Laurence Driggs. Honestly, you cannot really go wrong when taking a road trip through Colorado. While some roads might be “prettier” than others, anywhere you go in the state will more than likely be amazing. These five scenic byways will absolutely knock your socks off when it comes to natural beauty (and maybe even history). We highly recommend checking them out (or a couple of other great ones) once it is safe to do so!

Now that summer is almost officially upon us (June 20th is the “official” first day of summer), it is time to start thinking of what we want to get up to in these next couple of months. While the coronavirus outbreak has definitely made us re-evaluate some of our plans, we are still set to go on some pretty stellar adventures - both in our home state of Colorado, and (hopefully) elsewhere. Below are a few things we want to check off our Bucket List this summer: HIKE A 14-ER We have both already done this, a handful of times actually, buuuut we always like the challenge of conquering another one of Colorado’s famous 14-ers. Some are definitely harder than others, both in remoteness and length, so we have set our sites on a couple of options: Huron Peak, near Buena Vista, CO DeCaliBron, this is actually a loop hike that lets you visit 4 different 14-ers (Democrat, Cameron, Lincoln, and Bross), located near Breckenridge, CO Mount Sneffels, near Ouray, CO DO A LONG BIKEPACKING RIDE Both of us are suckers for long, hard days whereby the end you feel like you will never walk without pain again. You could say we are masochists in a way. We have talked about doing a really long backpacking ride for a while now - especially after seeing all the amazing trails in Colorado and Utah. Our top contenders: the Kokopelli Trail, Cathedral Valley Loop in Capitol Reef NP, and the Alpine Loop near Silverton, CO. CROSS OVER ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK BY FOOT This is another one of those weird goals that focus primarily on pushing our bodies to the limit. While this one is not nearly as difficult as the previous goal (hopefully) it is definitely something we will have to plan for. Mainly figuring out our trail and the best way to get from RMNP’s East Side to the West Side (near Grand Lake). SEE A MOUNTAIN LION While we are talking about weird goals, this is one that probably scares a couple of people. Don’t ask us why but we have always really wanted to see a mountain lion in the wild. Living in mountain lion country our whole lives and not seeing a single one seems wrong to us. Now don't worry, we are not going to go out and try to bait one in, we are not suicidal. But if we happen to come across one someday that would be pretty cool. DO MORE TRAIL RUNS This is something we have already began to do - we recently did a 10-mile trail run and actually LOVED it. While mountain biking and hiking are always an option, we want to choose to do more trail runs this summer. Plus, Colorado, and RMNP and the Front Range in particular, have some pretty stellar trails. VISIT MORE NATIONAL PARKS This is always going to be a goal of ours, but during the summer it just seems to be a bit easier to accomplish. Plus, we finally have the time (sorta) to hop in our van and drive to some pretty stellar national parks. Our top choices are Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, Glacier, and even Banff up in Canada. FOCUS ON REMOTE WORK A totally different kind of goal for us, but one that is super important. We want to be able to go 100% remote by the fall and to do that we have to work every day on creating remote job opportunities. For us, that means looking for remote jobs, creating passive income opportunities, and building a business that can be run from anywhere in the world. FIGURE OUT WHAT WE WANT TO DO IN THE FALL This is one of those goals that probably won’t be completed until late summer, and even then it will very likely change once… or twice. We have so many ideas that we want to pursue and so deciding on ONE thing is going to be tough. All we know is that we want to leave the country, do some more traveling, find remote or seasonal work, and just be happy. Okay so that is just a couple of bucket list ideas we have for the upcoming summer. We still don’t know what the traveling situation will be in a couple weeks, let alone months. Hopefully, things start to take a turn for the positive, and being able to see some of the best things Colorado, and other Western states, have to offer will be possible. Fingers crossed.

Until recently, we seemed to only head out to the beautiful canyon country of Southern Utah for one thing: canyoneering. Canyoneering was and is 100% our thing. We plan trips months in advance (something we rarely do), get our friends to make the long drive out with us, and spend hours rappelling, hiking, and crawling in and around canyons for days on end. But on our most recent trip out to “The Beehive State” we didn’t even pack our ropes or harnesses. And man it felt weird. Instead, our van was stuffed with two contraptions that would allow us to get an entirely different view of the canyons - and allow us to cover a lot more ground in a shorter amount of time. We are of course talking about mountain bikes. Luke has been mountain biking for years - he was even part of the inaugural mountain bike team at his high school in Estes Park. Mountain biking is one of his favorite sports, and one he feels most comfortable with. Myself (Madalyne) on the other hand is very much an amateur. The plan was for us to road trip out to Vernal, Utah with Luke’s younger sister who had a job lined up out there. Then once we left Vernal we would head south to Fruita in Colorado, a known mountain biking hotspot, before crossing the border into Utah. Our main area would be Moab - an amazing town that we 100% could see ourselves living in one day (though way in the future). We had four days set aside entirely for mountain biking. Four days on the trail, in the beautiful weather, trying not to get scratched up too bad. It was going to be great. Here are some of the BEST trails and areas we found, both in Fruita, CO and in and around Moab, UT: FRUITA HORSETHIEF BENCH A total loop of 3.9 miles with less than 400 feet of ascent. This is a great trail to do if you feel comfortable riding over and on sandstone rock and want a stellar view of the Colorado River below. But be prepared - it gets hot out in the sun. RATING: BLACK RUSTLERS Another 3.9-mile loop that is geared more towards beginners - it even has helpful signs giving you advice on what to do in certain situations (like going over rocks, turning and riding uphill). This is the perfect warm-up ride to help you feel comfortable in your surroundings, and on your bike overall. RATING: BLUE KOKOPELLI TRAIL This trail is definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you are crazy enough to do it (it is now very high on our adventure list), we bet it will be completely and totally worth it. It is 143.5 miles (or a bit more if you add on some extra stops) in total, with a mix of technical singletrack and pavement, though the majority of it is on old jeep roads. The trail takes you from Fruita, CO all the way to Moab, UT with almost 14,000 feet of ascent - but over 14,000 feet of descent, so I’d call that a win :). Most people do this trail in 3-5 days. If you are at all interested we highly recommend doing some research, this website is a great place to start. RATING: BLACK ► Explore more information on the Kokopelli Trail - including our own experience bikepacking the 100+ mile route. MOAB SLICKROCK TRAIL Probably one of the most famous mountain bike trails in Utah, and maybe even the USA (or the world?...), Slickrock is definitely worth trying, though it is okay if you just make it through the practice loop on your first go (that is what we ended up doing). The first thing you notice, and it seems dumb typing this, but it is almost ENTIRELY on slickrock. While your tires do definitely stick to it, it is a terrifying thing to get used to and be comfortable with. The next thing you’ll realize is that unless you get there super early, or go late in the day, it will be busy - not just with mountain bikers but with dirt bikers too. So if you are down to try it, come prepared with water, your nerve, and get ready to bump around for 11 miles (or do the practice loop just to try it out, it is only 1.6 miles). RATING: BLACK KLONZO AREA This area about 15 miles north of Moab is a perfect spot to get a mix of different trail difficulties, plus because it is a bit farther out, it is not very busy. Some of the better trails are the Upper and Lower Loops (3.3 miles and 4.8 miles, respectfully) and Gravitron, a fun twisty black diamond trail that is less than 2 miles long. RATING: BLUE AND BLACK BAR-M LOOPS AREA Very close to the Klonzo Area, just a bit closer to town and accessible from the Moab paved bike trail, these loops are also a good mix of difficulties, though more in the Green and Blue range. If you are looking for some easier trails with awesome views, then hit up the Bar-M Loop (7.9 miles and rated Green) or the combination of Lazy and EZ trails (rated Blue). RATING: GREEN AND BLUE WHITE RIM TRAIL Another killer long-distance trail that takes you through some of the prettiest canyon country Utah has to offer. It is also entirely in Canyonlands National Park - meaning more regulations on camping and no dogs. This one is a bit shorter than the Kokopelli Trail (only 100 miles) as well as less elevation change overall - only 5,656 feet of ascent. Most people do it in 3-5 days with a support car, especially since there are almost no services along the trail. Again, just like the Kokopelli Trail, do your research beforehand - this is a great place to start. RATING: BLACK If you are interested in mountain biking in the beautiful canyon country of Utah and western Colorado we highly recommend checking out REI’s Mountain Bike Project. It has all the information you would need, plus a nice handy interactive map to show you trails wherever you are. While heading out to canyon country sans canyoneering gear felt weird, in the end almost a week of mountain biking was actually a ton of fun. Yes, we got a bit scuffed up, fell a couple of times, and got very sweaty, but we also had an absolute BLAST. Seeing the landscape from a bike is a different experience than just normal hiking. You have to be aware of your surroundings at all times - or you might just run into a huge rock or scratch your elbow on an overhanging tree (not that that happened to us… :). Plus, you just feel more a part of the landscape riding through it than you would walking through it. It is a weird thing to explain. While we think canyoneering is still one of our favorite activities, mountain biking is definitely moving up the list - for the both of us.

There is something magical about seeing the dry, rocky desert come to life with vibrant green grass and a kaleidoscope of wildflowers. The contrast between the rocks, often a deep red in color, and the fluorescent fauna make for a marvelous display. Plus, spring is the PEAK time to get lost in the desert (metaphorically of course) and to partake in some of the best adventures it has to offer. For us, that meant mountain biking. Here is a quick rundown of what we got up to on our escapade into the high country of Colorado's remote northwest: \\ DAY 1 We got a midday start, us in our beloved 1995 Dodge Van and Holli, Luke’s sister, in her more modern Chevy Van. Both of us were prepared for the next couple of days of driving: road trip snacks (Wheat Thins, sweet potato tortilla chips, and baby carrots), plenty of downloaded podcasts, and brand-new walkie-talkies. The trip started in Estes Park, CO then headed down the canyon to Fort Collins, where we grabbed a couple of last minute supplies, then up the Poudre Canyon, a beautiful drive along the river and through granite canyons, until we reached the town of Walden. Now Walden is not much of a town - it has a couple of gas stations and supposedly an okay pizza joint. Walden is really just the terminus of the Poudre Canyon (which actually kind of lives farther up on Cameron Pass, but whatever) and the start of a high plains landscape that is dotted more with cows and oil derricks than trees. During the winter this area gets cooooooold, but during the spring it comes alive with orange and yellow bushes along the streams and lots of calves running around in the fields. Once through the rather empty plains you reach Rabbit Ears Pass, a great spot for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and hiking. Even in May it was still covered in at least two feet of snow (so no trail running for us I guess). Then a nice long descent down the west side before shooting into the beautiful town of Steamboat Springs. But… we didn’t go all the way into Steamboat. We instead headed south on a dirt road that eventually took us through a couple of cute towns before turning onto another dirt road that winded its way back, deep into some aspen groves and up onto a bluff overlooking snow-covered peaks and still frozen lakes. This was Flat Tops Wilderness, one of the oldest designated areas in the country. As the story goes, Arthur Carhart, a Forest Service landscape architect, realized in 1919 the uniqueness of the location when he stood on the shoreline of Trappers Lake. what Carhart saw and experienced at there compelled him to strongly recommend to his supervisors that the area remain undeveloped. Flat Tops, also known as the “Cradle of Wilderness,” is where the idea of wilderness was first applied to public land. We spent one night there, hunkered down in a grove of aspens that still had not gotten their summer leaves, staring out on the namesake Flat Top Mountain in the distance. \\ DAY 2 The next morning we had planned on running the Devil’s Causeway Trail, a 10-mile loop that crosses the famous and slightly nerve-wracking Devil’s Causeway - a narrow strip of land notorious for causing sheer terror, or awe and thrill, for those who dare to cross it. This "land bridge" is roughly 50 feet in length, and narrows to as little as 3 feet in width. On both sides of the rough and rugged trail are 60-80 foot cliffs, with steep talus slopes dropping another 600-800 feet into the drainages far below. But because it is still winter at that high of altitude (~10,000) we were blocked by deep, icy snow. Not exactly what you want to be walking on as you cross a 50-foot land bridge with sheer drops on either side. So we turned back, helped a couple of guys who had gotten their car stuck in a patch of snow and then headed more west - towards warmer weather and drier terrain. Eventually we made it to the booming town of Craig (which is a funny sentence for anyone who has ever for one reason or another, ventured into that neck of the woods). Craig is a coalmining town, with a sparse downtown, a grocery store, and an emphasis on four-wheeling excursions. We only stopped because there was “supposedly” some good mountain biking nearby. Turns out it was absolutely awful: a climb up a dirt road littered with rocks the size of softballs that got so steep that you felt you would fall off your bike backward or slide down if you stopped pedaling for even a second. And if the climb didn’t deter you, then the singletrack trail waiting for you at the top definitely would. Steep. Rocky. Awful. One loop and we were done. Banged up, tired, and slightly disillusioned with mountain biking, we decided to keep driving up towards Dinosaur National Monument and camp there for the night. Two hours later we were cruising on a backcountry road, always the best way to see the area, when we spotted some wild horses (yes they do exist, something new to me as well). A whole herd standing in the field of sagebrush, just chilling. Not a care in the world. By the time we pulled up to our camp spot for the night the sun was starting to set over the high red cliffs to the west and lighting up the sagebrush and wildflowers in the fields surrounding the two vans. \\ DAY 3 The morning dawned bright and warm - a nice change from the previous morning in Flat Tops Wilderness, where our toes and fingers got numb the moment we left the warmth of the blankets. We ate a quick breakfast of granola and fruit, made some black tea, then grabbed our mountain bikes and headed out for a nice morning ride in the glowing desert sun for some close-up views of the Gates of Lodore - the spot where the Green River, after winding across the broad valley known as Browns Park, turns south and makes a direct path into the mountains in front of it, creating a deep red canyon that blocks out the sun. An hour later and we were packed up and headed out of Dinosaur National Monument. Our next destination: the stunning Flaming Gorge. \\ The Top 4 Sites to Explore in Northern Colorado 1 | STATE FOREST STATE PARK With 71,000 acres of forest, jagged peaks, alpine lakes, wildlife, and miles of trails, this park stretches along the west side of the Medicine Bow Mountains and into the north end of the Never Summer Range. Moose is State Forest State Parks claim to fame, for North Park is considered the moose viewing capital of Colorado, with over 600 moose to be observed year-round. 2 | STRAWBERRY PARK NATURAL HOT SPRINGS Nestled alongside Hot Springs Creek lies one of the most spectacular mineral springs in the world. With multiple pools, varying from very hot to positively icy, this is the perfect place to relax after a long day on the trails or slopes. If you are looking to spend multiple days at the springs - and exploring the nearby trails - we highly suggest looking into staying at one of their cabins. 3 | THE SAND WASH BASIN HERD MANAGEMENT AREA One of the few places to see wild horses in Colorado, this area is right on the road between Craig and Dinosaur National Monument. If you are lucky you might also spot deer, prairie dogs, bald and golden eagles, and mountain lions. 4 | DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT While the Gates of Lodore are on the opposite side of many of the Monument’s more touristy features, it is definitely worth taking the time to venture to both areas. On the western side there are nature walks that let you feel like a real paleontologist, the recently updated Quarry Exhibit Hall (absolutely amazing) and lots of trails (they also allow, and even encourage, you to go off-trail to do your own discovering).

1.8312° S, 78.1834° W EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TREKKING THE STUNNING QUILOTOA LOOP IN ECUADOR, INCLUDING THE DISTANCES BETWEEN DESTINATIONS AND WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU. Hiking the famously beautiful Quilotoa Loop is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture of Ecuador, get out and really stretch your legs and see some of the prettiest countryside around. Even though the loop goes through a very populated valley, somehow you still feel like you are off the beaten track and cut-off from the congestion of the modern world. But don't go in thinking it is going to be a simple walk in the park. While it is mostly on dirt roads, there are still some steep uphills and make-your-knees-creak downhills along the multi-day loop; but even if you aren't an avid hiker - it is not like you are hiking up to Everest Base Camp. Meaning, it is a tough couple days, sure, but you definitely won’t die of exhaustion. Knowing this, if you are still a tad worried about the trek, or are wondering what the experience is really like, here are 15 tips to help put your mind at ease and make sure you absolutely LOVE your 3 days out on the trail. 15 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TREKKING THE QUILOTOA LOOP 1 | The Distances Between Towns are Not Too Long or Hard We did the first two days in one. Now granted we are pretty fast hikers who are used to LONG days on the trail but trust us, the hike from Sigchos to Islinivi only took us three hours and had only one tough uphill part. And then from Islinivi to Chugchilan it was another four hours, this time mostly on a dirt road. While I am not saying you should cut the loop down to two days like we did, expect to have a fair amount of downtime after hiking. Or even better, feel free to have a nice slow morning because the time it takes between towns (and your next sleeping quarters) is not very much. 2 | Bring Plenty of Water We brought two liters between the two of us and that was juuuust enough. But a bit more water would definitely have been helpful. While there are a couple of small towns along the way, only the ones where you can stay the night (Islinivi, Chugchilan, and Quilotoa) had stores to buy more from. 3 | And While You Are At It, Don't Forget the Sunscreen Even when it was nice and cloudy out, Luke somehow still got burned. This is because you are at a very high altitude (over 10,000 feet and up to 12,000 in some places). At that elevation you get burned quickly, so put it on right in the morning before setting off and reapply often, especially if you are sweating it off while climbing up the steep hills. 4 | The Hostal Food is Pretty Good We only stayed at one, Cloud Forest Hostal in Chugchilan, but the included dinner and breakfast were both really yummy. The breakfast was surprisingly tasty and different and best of all, FILLING. Unlike other hostel breakfasts it wasn't just bread and jam but yogurt, granola, fruit, coffee or tea, toast, and an egg. Dinner was also yummy and included a soup and a nice fruity dessert alongside the main dish of rice, mashed potatoes, veggies, and chicken. All of this, including the room, was only $15 a person, a real deal. 5 | But You Still Will Want to Bring Snacks Maybe it’s because we were just hiking a lot (16.5 miles total), but we were hungry during and after the hike on the first day. We finished at 2:30 PM and dinner was not until 7 PM - way too long to wait - so we were really glad we decided to bring snacks with us on the trail. While the hostels had snacks to buy, most of it was just chips or candy. 6 | Speaking of Snacks, Make Sure to Get Them in Latacunga Unless you're fine with bringing chips and cookies on the hike, I suggest stocking up in Latacunga beforehand. We stocked up in Sigchos and were lucky to find granola, but besides that the options were not great. Next to the bus terminal in Latacunga, there is a big supermarket with a lot more options. We definitely regretted not stopping in there before catching the bus out to the trailhead. 7 | Latacunga is a Fine City Before heading there we had heard so many people talk about how bad the city was, but honestly we didn't mind it. We only stayed one night after the hike, at Hostel Tiana, but the city squares were pretty, it was clean and we found a bomb sandwich place for dinner (El Submarino). While I don't think we would head there only for the city, it is not what you would call a "destination" city, it was perfectly fine for a night and a day of exploring. 8 | The Crater is 100% Worth the Three Days of Hiking We did the route from Sigchos to Quilotoa and we were so glad we did because ending at the lake, including the LONG hike up to the rim, totally made it all worth it. We met a few people who did it the opposite way and they all were feeling pretty skeptical of finishing the whole loop since they had already seen the big-ticket item. While the route from Quilotoa to Sigchos might be easier (don't worry there are still some nice uphill parts) we just felt that having the crater as the finale was more motivating. 9 | The Short Route Around the Lake is Enough In the beginning we considered doing the long route around the lake (the three-hour trail) but once we actually got to the lake and felt how cold and windy it was we quickly changed our minds. And honestly the views were just as good on the one hour route (the right side) and obviously took way less time and had a lot fewer hills (you will be thankful for this once you get to the end). 10 | You Probably Won’t Get Lost We came in thinking it would be really hard to find the right route, even with beta. So many other posts online talked about this constantly. But as of now (2018) there were a lot of helpful signs along the route showing you where to go, especially in areas where it was probably really easy to get lost previously. While we still had to use the beta in a couple of places, as long as you follow the red/yellow markers or signs put up by hostels (looking at you Cloud Forest Hostal) it is actually pretty simple going. And not gonna lie, we were a bit sad about this. 11 | All of The Views are Great Not just the views of Quilotoa Lake itself, but the entire valley you walk through is stunning. It is a mix of vibrant shades of green, cute homes and farms, has lots of animals. Honestly, the whole hike is just really peaceful and quite - a great way to see the natural landscape and get a feel for the rural “Ecuador.” Even though you are surrounded by the people living there, you really do feel cut-off from the world. So we totally recommend doing the entire loop - even the trek from Islinivi to Sigchos, which somehow many people think is boring, but we thought it was just as pretty. 12 | It Does Get Cold at Night, No Matter How Hot the Day Is We wore short sleeves and wished we had brought shorts during the day hikes, but once the sun started to set we were layering up real quick. We are not saying you need to pack a parka or anything, but we brought our lightweight puffies along and they were perfect. 13 | Hiking Boots are Not Necessary Honestly, no part of the loop is actually that hard or treacherous. Most of it is on dirt roads, so wearing tennis shoes won’t be a problem. But Chelsea boots, which we saw two people wearing, probably aren’t a great idea. 14 | The Bus System is Simple to Use and Cheap All you have to do to catch one is wait along the side of the main paved highway that goes through all the small villages. The only town we had to take a taxi from was Chugchilan, and that was simply because we had missed the earlier buses. Besides their simplicity, they only cost around $2.50 - even from Quilotoa to Latacunga. 15 | Finally, Be the Candy Man We bought a bag of lollipops in Sigchos for about a dollar and handed them out to all the children we met along the trail. It was a really simple way to make some kids' days, especially the young ones who lived in the tinier villages. So if you have the time stop by a store and pick up a couple of candies. Simple, yet sweet. Hopefully, these 15 tips make you even MORE excited to do the Quilotoa Loop! We definitely enjoyed our time there and would recommend it to anyone traveling through Ecuador. It is safe and fun, and even though it is very much on the "Gringo Trail" it is big enough to feel like you are completely alone. Plus, it is absolutely beautiful!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GETTING THE YELLOW FEVER SHOT IN PERU - INCLUDING HOW TO FIND IT IN LIMA, HOW MUCH IT COSTS AND WHY YOU NEED IT. If you have ever Googled how to get a yellow fever vaccine in Peru, or even Lima specifically, you know how much information (helpful and not-so-helpful) is out there. While doing the research ourselves, we came across so many TripAdvisor threads and web pages declaring THIS is how you get the shot. Well let me tell you, it seems most of those are actually wrong. In our personal experience, we found it was NOT actually at the main airport in Lima, and is now no longer at the Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza near downtown Lima either (a thread had said it was, but many years ago...). So while the internet is full of misinformation on the subject, let us tell you how we ended up getting the yellow fever vaccine in Lima, Peru (in about ten minutes no less) for FREE! GETTING THE YELLOW FEVER VACCINE IN PERU \\ Yellow Fever in Peru There are two common questions surrounding the yellow fever vaccine (vacuna contra la fiebre amarilla) and Peru. The first is whether you are required to have the yellow fever vaccine to enter Peru and the second is how common yellow fever actually is in Peru. Luckily, we are here to answer both of those questions and also give you all the information you need to actually receive the vaccine while in Peru - but more on why you actually need the vaccine in a second. IS THE YELLOW FEVER VACCINE REQUIRED FOR TRAVEL TO PERU? The answer is no. You do not actually need to have the yellow fever vaccine to enter Peru. In fact, if you are only planning to stick to areas like Lima (the capital), Cusco and Machu Picchu you really don't even need to think about getting the vaccine. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) only advises travelers to receive the yellow fever vaccine if they are planning to explore the regions of the Amazon Rainforest and/or areas at an elevation of less than 2,300 meter or 7,546 feet. This includes popular tourist areas like Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, Manu National Park and Pucallpa. If you are planning to either stay along the coast (the Lima and Trujillo areas) or at elevations above 2,300 meters (7,546 feet) then you should not be at risk of getting yellow fever and therefore do not need the vaccine. See the Peru yellow fever map below for more insight. ❔ GOOD TO KNOW: while the CDC states that a yellow fever vaccine is not required for travelers just planning to visit Machu Picchu, they also recommend that if you are planning to spend a long period of time in the town of Aguas Calientes (the town at the bottom of Machu Picchu) then you may need to consider getting the vaccine. This is because the town does sit below 2,300 meters (7,546 feet) and it is in a tropical location, i.e. there could be mosquitos carrying yellow fever present. Just some food for thought. YELLOW FEVER VACCINES AND TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF PERU While you do not need the yellow fever vaccine to enter Peru you do need it to visit some of its neighboring countries; including, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia (if arriving from Angola, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Uganda). You can find more information on these three countries yellow fever vaccine requirements - including more info on what areas you specifically need the yellow fever vaccine for and which areas are safe - at this WHO website. HOW COMMON IS YELLOW FEVER IN PERU? While most of Peru is said to have mosquitos carrying yellow fever (see the map above) in truth, there have been very few confirmed cases of yellow fever in the couple of years. In fact, according to some sources like WHO (the World Health Organization) there have only been 111 cases of yellow fever within Peru in the past six years. Similarly, in 2021 there were only 14 cases - of which 10 were confirmed (4 are still pending investigation). So, while it is highly recommended that travelers get the vaccine if they are planning to travel to areas where yellow fever could be present, it is not something that needs to keep you up at night. Obviously be smart and take all of the precautions necessary (like getting the vaccine - it is free after all), but definitely do not cancel any adventures you might have planned in Peru due to yellow fever. \\ Where to Get the Yellow Fever Vaccine in Peru We originally planned on going to the airport in Lima to get the shot since we had to head over there to pick up our friend anyway. We had read a lot of information explaining that you could just walk into the airport and go to the small hospital inside the international terminal and grab it. Luke, being the smart guy he is, decided to call the airport hospital just to make sure this was still the case. And lucky he did, because they told us we could NOT actually get it there anymore. We don't know when this changed, but according to a woman working at the airport they no longer administered the vaccine. So we instead headed over to Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza, another spot commonly mentioned as a place to receive the vaccine. After walking around the beautiful and historical gray stone buildings, which reminded us both strongly of the movie “Shutter Island”, looking for any sign of people administering vaccines. We finally found a nurse who spoke okay English and who pointed us to Building 7. Which ended up being… the maternity ward, not exactly what we were looking for. At first we thought it was some misunderstanding (it wouldn't be the first time someone asked if we had a child or if I (Madalyne) was pregnant). But after looking around some more, we found that on the second floor they do administer vaccines, but just for children and newborns. But because we were not under a year old (or something to that degree) we couldn't actually get the yellow fever vaccine there. Which was a real bummer. But, they did give us a list of hospitals that we could go to that would have it as well as their times of operation (score). The one the very helpful nurse recommended was Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia, about two miles north of Hospital Loayza. HOW TO GET TO HOSPITAL NACIONAL CAYETANO HEREDIA Luckily, while Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia, is farther away from the Lima city center, it is still quite easy to reach. | To start, hop on the Metropolitano Bus and take it up to Estacion Honorio Delgado (you can take routes B, D, and 5 - we ended up taking route D). | Once off the bus, walk right across Avenue Tupac Amaru until you see an older, but still legible sign, for Cayetano Heredia. The street you are looking for is Honorio Delgado (like the stop name). | Take that road (Honorio Delgado) all the way until you see a big yellow building on your right (there will be a big gate to walkthrough). This is Cayetano Heredia Hospital. From there all you have to do is walk straight towards a small building right past the gate where there will be a small window with someone waiting to check you in. GETTING THE YELLOW FEVER VACCINE Once at the check-in window, just tell them you want vacuna contra la fiebre amarilla (the yellow fever vaccine). The nurses will ask for your passport, name, and age. Once the paperwork is all filled out, you will receive a little booklet with all of the necessary information. Take the booklet and walk through the door to be checked in by another nurse. 💬 INSIDER TIP: make sure to keep that booklet safe because you will need it later on when you have to show proof of vaccination status. After a quick wipe on the arm with a cleansing towel the nurse will administer the yellow fever vaccine. We had expected the shot to be quite painful, especially since the nurse mentioned in passing that it would be. But honestly it felt like a normal flu shot (though our arms did ache for about 15 minutes after). Both of us were in and out in about ten minutes, with our handy dandy books proving we had gotten the yellow fever vaccine in hand. But the best part was not the quickness, but the fact that the vaccine was completely FREE! This was such a great bonus since we had considered getting the yellow fever vaccine in the USA before heading down to Peru, but it would have cost us over $240 USD each. Overall, the whole ordeal of getting the yellow fever vaccine in Lima was pretty easy. While the run around between the different hospitals was kind of annoying, in the end, everyone we talked to was super helpful and the shot itself was very fast. Plus, it cost us nothing and it allowed us to feel safe while traveling around the Amazon region of Peru and up to Ecuador. If you have any questions about getting the yellow fever vaccine in Lima, Peru - or just questions about Peru in general - feel free to leave a comment below or reach out to us here.

In honor of yesterday being Earth Day (though we here believe EVERY DAY should be Earth Day) we thought it would be fun to look at some of the prettiest, most awe-inspiring natural wonders that Mother Earth has created. Dotted across the world, from the Amazon River in South America to the massive caves of Vietnam in Southeast Asia, these natural wonders are truly a sight to behold. Below are 11 spots, some of which we had heard of before (The Amazon River, Great Barrier Reef) while others were totally new to us. Which is kind of crazy. As very outdoorsy, adventurous people we thought we knew all the amazing wonders around the world. How truly naive is that? Planet Earth is massive and full of so many crazy landscapes, of course we hadn’t heard of all of them. So if anything, this article has helped us gain an appreciation for new places (and add a couple more things to our already overflowing bucket list). The Amazon River While you have probably heard of this natural wonder, you might not know that while the Amazon ranks second in terms of distance (to the Nile) it is still equivalent to the distance between New York City and Rome. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Featuring limestone karsts and a very impressive cave system, this natural wonder is located in the southwestern part of the Philippine Archipelago, roughly 360 kilometers from Manila. The underground river is approximately 8.2 kilometers long and empties directly into the sea, where it is subject to tidal influence, a natural global phenomenon. The Great Barrier Reef Another well-known natural wonder, the Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world. In fact, it actually is comprised of 3,000+ individual reef systems. Another fun fact is that it is not only larger than the Great Wall of China but is the ONLY living thing visible from outer space. Mount Everest Located on the border between Nepal and Tibet, the highest mountain in the world (elevation: 29,035 feet) is revered by the local people. But they don’t call it Everest: the common Tibetan name is actually Chomolungma, meaning “Goddess Mother of the World.” Which might be the most fitting name ever. Victoria Falls As the only waterfall in the world with a length greater than a kilometer, it is no wonder that Victoria Falls is one of the most visited natural places in Africa (and even the world). The mist from the falls rises to over 400 meters and can be seen from 50 kilometers away, giving rise to the local tribes nickname for it: “The Smoke that Thunders.” Paricutin Volcano This might be the weirdest wonder on the list. Located in the Michoacan state of west-central Mexico, this volcano is one of the youngest on Earth. Before 1943 there wasn’t even a volcano, it was just an open field. But in February of that year everything started to change. First came fire, lava and hot ash - which together destroyed two nearby villages. By 1952, the peak had reached 9,210 feet(!!). Today the only evidence of life before the volcano is a partially buried church that used to sit on the edge of the now buried town of Paricutin. Jeita Grotto Discovered in 1836 by American missionary William Thomson (in the most American fashion, learn more here), this spectacular underground system actually consists of two separate cave systems - which together total 9 kilometers (making it the longest cave system in the Middle East). The Upper Cave is home to dazzling rock formations including the largest hanging stalactite in the world (27 feet!). Sundarbans This highly important ecosystem is home to a hundreds of unique bird species, the Bengal tiger and threatened species such as the Indian python and estuarine crocodile. Located in the southwest of Bangladesh, it is the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world. Today it is home to three wildlife sanctuaries, which are considered core breeding grounds for many endangered species, like the aforementioned Bengal tiger, the Ganges and Irawadi dolphins and river terrapin (a large freshwater turtle). Bay of Fundy Known as one of the seven wonders of North America, this bay in Canada has the highest tides in the world - water levels rise and fall by as much as 48 FEET every day, is home to some of the rarest whales, and even has dinosaur fossils along its craggy cliffs. Mud Volcanoes of Azerbaijan Forming thanks to underground pockets of gas that have found weak spots in the earth, and therefore can force their way up to the surface, “mud volcanoes” are actually very cold (unlike their brother, actual volcanoes). While there are over 1,000 such volcanoes around the world, almost 400 of them exist along the coastal areas of Azerbaijan. Another major difference between normal volcanoes and their mud brothers is that the latter can only reach up to 700 meters in height (for an idea of how tall that is, the One World Trade Center in NYC is 541 meters tall). These mud volcanoes are crazy cool and some even believe they are connected to the appearance of the Zoroastrian religion found in Azerbaijan. Read more about it here. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Known for its towering quartzite cliffs, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in the Hunan Province of China is a crazy natural wonder that makes you feel like you are on a totally different planet or in some sci-fi movie (maybe that is why it was the inspiration for the movie, Avatar). Today it is a popular tourist destination: you can walk across glass-bottomed bridges, ride a cable car and look out from numerous observation elevators. While it might be heavily visited, it still is a beautiful and awe-inspiring wonder. Mother Nature sure knows how to create some stunning landscapes. While these are only a couple of the most amazing natural wonders on this beautiful planet, there are TONS more out there. You just have to go out and find them!

Trying out unique and fun forms of transportation is a definite must when traveling abroad. And trains, at least for us, often take the cake for the most exciting way to get from Point A to Point B. For some reason, in the United States train travel is not really a thing :( Yes, there is Amtrak. Buuuut it is expensive and doesn’t really go to too many locations (major cities, yes. Cool outdoor locations, not so much). The USA is very much a car kind of country. Everyone drives cars, our interstate system is top-notch (though not that pretty) and therefore train travel is very much an unnecessary, “waste of money.” Luckily, some countries know what is up and have made train travel a core part of their transportation network. According to statistics gathered by the International Union of Railways, Japan leads the world in numbers of passengers carried by rail. In 2016 alone, roughly 24.6 BILLION people rode passenger trains in Japan. In fact, 37.2% of total transportation was by train. Next came the countries of India, Germany and China in terms of total passenger usage. While passenger trains can be found on every continent (except for Antarctica of course), and in almost every country (only 33 countries do not have passenger trains, though many of them either historically had railways, like Lebanon and Suriname, or are in the process of building them), not all of them are the same. Some are more luxurious, some are more basic, some take you through towering jungles, and some just through cities. There is a plethora of trains trudging along around the world. And while all trains have their own unique enjoyment. We have found 7 that are definitely worth buying a ticket for: Jungle Railway, Malaysia Spanning the length of Malaysia’s peninsula, mostly through its rugged interior, this beautiful train starts in Johor Bahru near the Singapore-Malaysia border and ends at Tumpat, near the Thailand border. The building of the route started in 1910 and ended in 1931, with 526 kilometers of track being laid mostly along the rivers that criss-cross through the mountains. There are two types of trains: a daily intercity sleeper train that travels in each direction, and a local train which travels about three quarters of the length of the line three times a day. If you want to get the best views of the jungle and local scenery, take the latter. To learn more, as well as information on other trains, check out this website. West Highland Line, Scotland Running from Glasgow to Fort William, the largest town in the West Highlands of Scotland, and then onwards to Mallaig, a tiny port town where you can catch a ferry to the awe-inspiring Isle of Skye, this train is considered one of THE prettiest in the world. Much of it is on a single track, twisting and turning through vibrant green Highland landscapes. It also crosses the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by a book/movie you might have heard of: Harry Potter. Other beautiful locations you can see from the train window are Erskine Bridge, Dumbarton Castle and the Arrochar Alps. Learn more about the route here, as well as what it looks like in winter (no surprise, it is stunning). Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia Probably the most famous train route - and the longest railway line in the world - the Trans-Siberian Railway is more than likely VERY high on many travelers lists (we know it is for us). Built between 1891 and 1916 (during the rule of Tsar Alexander III, father to Tsar Nicholas II, the last Emperor of All Russia), the route covers 9,289 kilometres (often taking 6-7 days). Since 1916 the route has connected the metropolitan city of Moscow to Vladivostok, the largest Russian port on the Pacific coast, a whole whopping 8 time zone difference. Today the already very long route is continually being added on to: including trains going to Mongolia, China and even North Korea. If you want to learn more about the Trans-Siberian route, as well as the other off-shoots of it, then visit these sites: Planning Your Journey, Information on the Experience and What You Can See. Chiang Mai - Bangkok Route, Thailand Looking to see as much of the Thai countryside as possible? Then hop on one of the many different trains that criss-cross the country. Taking anywhere between 11-15 hours depending on the train type, the route from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (or vice-versa), allows you to see the diverse landscape of the “Land of Smiles.” While you can also make the journey at night in a sleeper car (which we have done and had no issues with) we highly recommend the day trip. Why? Because it is amazing to go from the highlands and greenery of Chiang Mai in the morning and end in the hustle and bustle of Bangkok at night. We took the day train twice, once from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and then from just outside Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Both were wonderfully relaxing: you sit in your chair (that isn't too uncomfortable), eat the snacks you brought with you or got on the train (people often jump on at stations to sell fruit, chicken and even PANCAKES) and just watch the countryside and small towns roll by. Learn more about train travel in Thailand and the different departure times here. Reunification Express (Vietnam) Empty beaches, abandoned buildings and endless thick jungles, all viewed from the comfort of your own window. This is the Reunification Express*, a glorious three-day trip from Ho Chi Minh City in the south up the spine of Vietnam to Hanoi in the north. Originally finished in 1936 during French Colonial rule, the railway line was almost obliterated during the 40 years of war that followed. It wasn’t until 1975, when Saigon (now Hanoi) fell, that the line finally got a reprieve. In fact, once the war was over, the Vietnamese government launched a massive rebuilding campaign and were able to reopen the line in 1976 (yes in ONE YEAR they repaired 1334 bridges, 27 tunnels, and 158 stations!!). We took the Reunification Express from Ho Chi Minh City up to Hanoi and absolutely loved it. While it was a long time on the train (almost three days, two nights) the change in scenery, food offerings and ability to just relax and catch up on reading or simply stare out the window was an amazing way to get a feel of the country. Riding this train was definitely a highlight of our five months spent in Southeast Asia. Highly, highly recommend. Learn more about riding the train from this handy article. Madagascar Slow Train Sometimes (okay most of the time) we choose to take trains instead of cars, buses or plains because we are looking for an adventure. And on the “Madagascar Slow Train” or more officially, the Fianarantsoa-Côte Est (FCE) railway, you can push that idea up a couple notches. The ride takes anywhere between 12-24 hours to cover 163 km. That is anywhere between 13.5 km/hr and 6.79 km/hr (so get comfortable…). But the jungle scenery, and the fact that you get to see the true spirit and culture of the Madagascar people make it all worth it. Plus, Anthony Bourdain did it on his trip to the country. Learn more about the train here. Alishan Forest Train, Taiwan Completed in 1912 while under rule from the Japanese, this historic and scenic train follows the same route that loggers used to when they went into the forest for the prized (and now endangered Taiwan Cypress tree). Running between the cities Chiayi and Chushan, the train gains an insane amount of altitude: from 30 meters in Chiayi to 2,451 meters in Chushan, the highest station in Taiwan. In fact, it is the highest narrow-gauge mountain railway in Asia - higher than the more famous Darjeeling Himalayan Railway in India. Learn more about the train and the area's amazing history here. As you can probably tell, a lot of the trains that we believe to be the best are not fast. They are definitely NOT the most efficient way to get around an area. But they do give you this unique and beautiful perspective of a country and it's culture: both from staring out the window at the passing scenery and the goings-on within the train (while riding the train in Thailand we sat next to this very nice couple and their baby, and though we didn't speak Thai and they didn't speak English we were still able to communicate. A truly amazing experience). So if you have the time then take a train. We promise you won't regret it (even if it takes double the amount of time) :)

37.1052° S, 12.2777° W IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL - INCLUDING PEOPLE - THEN CONSIDER ADDING THESE 10 INCREDIBLY REMOTE PLACES TO YOUR TRAVEL BUCKETLIST. While you may feel like you are all alone in your house, apartment, condo, van or what have you, you most likely are not. In many places, the absence of people is hard to find. Hence why some of us choose to escape the bustle of civilization and get lost in nature for a bit. But for some people being in self-isolation is not new. Even in this highly populated world of ours there are still places that have been relatively untouched by man (a miracle really). Below you will find 10 of the most remote places on this wonderful planet. 1 | Tristan da Cunha, Britain Made up of a group of volcanic islands in the south Atlantic Ocean between Africa and South America, Tristan da Cunha is the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world. Home to just 250 people, the namesake and largest of the islands is still only 11 square kilometers in diameter (and roughly 98 square kilometers total). To reach the island, and the only permanent settlement of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, you have to take a boat on a six-day journey from the nearest port: Cape Town, South Africa, which is a mere 2,161 kilometers away. The climate of Tristan da Cunha is quite wet and windy. In fact, about 66 inches of rain falls annually along the north coast. The islands - though extremely empty of people - are actually a well-known habitat for animals such as elephant seals and seabirds. You can learn more about the Tristan da Cunha islands here. 2 | Cape York Peninsula, Australia This large remote area is located in the far northern state of Queensland, Australia. In fact, the Cape York Peninsula is the most northern point in Australia as well as the largest unspoiled wilderness in the country. The peninsula is home to various types of ecosystems, including savannas and tropical rainforests. And due to its remoteness, lack of development and people (only about 18,000 people live there, with 60% of that population being Aborigines), it is recognized and preserved for its global environmental significance. While there is an overall lack of people, the Cape York Peninsula is home to a plethora of animals - including around 40 species that are endemic to the area (or only found there). That list includes the eastern brown snake, which is incredibly venomous. And if the eastern brown snake doesn’t deter you this might: there are two types of crocodiles in the area, one freshwater variety and one saltwater. The latter of which is said to stalk and kill humans for food. You can learn more about the Cape York Peninsula here. 3 | Oymyakon, Russia While it doesn’t take the prize for the most isolated inhabited place on Earth, it definitely takes the title for the coldest. This small Siberian town (population: 500) lives in bitingly cold temperatures practically year-round. In fact, the average temperature is -58° F, though there have been instances where the temperature has dropped to around -90° F. Burr. It is actually said that if you stood outside naked, it would only take one minute for you to freeze to death. Because of the cold, the townspeople cannot grow crops, so instead, they subsist on reindeer meat, frozen fish and ice cubes of horse blood mixed with macaroni. If you are looking to venture out to Oymyakon yourself, then you will have to first fly to either the town of Yakutsk or Magadan and then drive 580 miles along barren roads. In fact, Oymyakon is closer to the Arctic Circle than the nearest city. And be aware, that the town has no hotels or restaurants, so expect to get cozy with a local family if planning to visit. You can learn more about Oymyakon here. 4 | Siwa Oasis, Egypt Isolated right in the middle of the western desert of Egypt, this beautiful town has somehow been able to preserve its culture and history thanks to it being just so hard to get to (think a minimum 5-hour bus ride from Cairo). The Siwa Oasis, though rather small (it is 6 miles long and 4–5 miles wide) is home to about 200 natural springs. Today, the beautiful town is inhabited by Berber-speaking Sudanic people who still live in traditional mud-brick houses. While the oasis is a somewhat popular tourist spot, it has a long and interesting history. In fact, in ancient times, the Siwa Oasis was the site of the Amon Oracle, which even Alexander the Great visited during his time in Egypt. Besides the ruins of the oracle, there are also fragments of ancient temples within a couple of miles of the oasis. You can learn more about the Siwa Oasis here. 5 | Chang Tang, Tibet Nicknamed “The Roof of the World,” the Chang Tang region in the high reaches of Tibet - where the elevation can range anywhere between 4,000 and 7,000 meters - is pretty darn tough to reach. To start, you will either need to take a train or a plane, both of which take a long time and cost quite a bit. But the effort is entirely worth it - especially if you are looking to totally immerse yourself in a pristine wilderness that stretches for over 700,000 square kilometers (or roughly the size of Germany, Poland and Lithuania, combined). While the size is incredible, what really makes Chang Tang feel so remote is the fact that it is almost entirely uninhabited. In truth, while the namesake Chang Tang people and their nomadic herding culture do call the region home, there are only about half a million of them. Instead of people, you will more likely encounter the area's diverse wildlife, which includes snow leopards, Tibetan wild ass (kiang), Tibetan brown bears, blue sheep, Tibetan sand foxes, black-necked cranes, and wild yaks. You can learn more about Chang Tang here. 6 | Longyearbyen, Norway Located on the remote far north Arctic island of Svalbard is the tiny metropolis of Longyearbyen. This colorful town, which is actually the world’s northernmost town, is home to only 2,400 residents that can be split into 53 different nationalities (talk about a melting pot). While the town of Longyearbyen only has about 40 kilometers of roads (some of which are only for snowmobiles), it does have all of the major urban necessities you could need; including a grocery store, hospital, library, post office and multiple hotels. It also has a small university where every student has to learn to use a firearm due to the high number of resident polar bears. To get to Longyearbyen, which also claims the title of having the most northerly airport in the world, you have to take a 3-hour flight from Oslo, Norway. Learn more about Longyearbyen here. 7 | Supai, USA Who would have thought there would still be some untouched wilderness in the United States (especially in the mainland USA). But somehow a place like Supai, located in the deserts of northern Arizona, has held on. Today, you can only reach the town by helicopter (very expensive), horseback, or on your own two feet - even the postal service still has to use mules to bring the mail in. The small town, which is home to 208 people - all of whom are members of the Havasupai Indian Tribe (a group that has called the area home for over a thousand years) - is approximately 8 miles away from the closest road on a relatively steep trail. If you are curious to learn more about Supai or to visit for yourself, make sure to check out the Havasupai Indian Tribe website. 8 | Pitcairn Island, British Overseas Territory Pitcairn Island - or officially the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands - is a British Overseas Territory situated roughly 3,300 miles from New Zealand. Due to the incredible distance from New Zealand (and everywhere else), no plane or helicopter has ever landed on Pitcairn Island. Instead, to reach the island you need to take a 32-hour yacht ride. Rough. Even though Pitcairn Island is actually made up of four separate islands - Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno, together they only have a combined land area of about 18 square miles (or 47 square kilometers). Henderson Island is the largest of the four (it accounts for 86% of the land area), but only Pitcairn Island has people living on it. Interestingly enough, all of the island inhabitants are from a biracial ethnic group that is descended mostly from nine Bounty mutineers and a handful of Tahitian consorts. Today, the islands are only home to 47 individuals. You can learn more about Pitcairn Island here. 9 | Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland Founded in 1925 by settlers from the Tasiilaq and West Greenland tribes, the small town of Ittoqqortoormiit - which means “Big-House Dwellers" in the Eastern Greenlandic dialect - is about as far away as you can get from any other inhabited area of Greenland. Which is saying something, as only 56,000 or so people live on the landmass anyway. In fact, Ittoqqortoormiit is so far west, that it is two hours ahead of all of the other settlements in Greenland, including the capital city, Nuuk. Similarly, the closest human presence to the town is the Danish Sirius Patrol, which is an elite military group that uses dog sleds to get around. Today, 345 people call Ittoqqortoormiit home. Most of the inhabitants live off of hunting and meat production from polar bears and whales. Though, recently, tourism has started to boom in the area, thanks mostly to its interesting fauna and its relatively close proximity to Iceland. You can learn more about Ittoqqortoormiit here. 10| Desolation Island, Antarctica With a name like Desolation Island, you would kind of suspect that this place is very (very) remote. And you are not wrong. Technically, Desolation Island is known as the Kerguelen Islands. This small archipelago, which is made up of 300 different islets, is located in the far southern Indian Ocean near Antarctica. In fact, the islands are so far south that the closest major landmass is the far southern tip of South Africa - and even that is still 2,000 miles away. And because of the distance, and the relatively rough landscape between the two points, the islands are usually only accessible by ship four days a year. Today, Desolation Island is mostly home to French researchers, who first started living on the island in the 1950s. You can learn more about Desolation Island here. As you can see, there are some truly remote places on this planet. While many of these places tend to be either cold and dark, or islands that are extremely far away from any other major landmass, in some cases, finding a remote place to call home is as simple as heading off into the middle of the desert. If you have any questions about these 10 extremely remote travel destinations then please leave a comment below or reach out to us directly.

Culture Trip With the tagline, “Created for Curious Travelers” Culture Trip is one of the BEST sites to hit up for travel inspiration and useful information. Their whole MO is to “create stories that reveal what is unique and special about a place, its people and its culture” which is exactly what you need to know when looking to travel to a place - you don’t need the obvious touristy places. No, if you are anything like us, then you want to go deeper and understand what makes a place special and learn about the people that call it home. Here are some of our favorite articles from Culture Trip that are keeping us excited about traveling: Hidden Gems to Explore in Marrakech, The True Story Behind The Environmental Degradation Of Nauru and The 9 Best Cafés and Coffee Shops in Odessa, Ukraine (because who else is missing amazing coffee shops right now?!). TripSavvy This site began thanks to the need for reliable, trustworthy travel information. And because of that, everything is written by real travel experts and not by anonymous reviewers. TripSavvy has been around for 20 years, meaning they have an extensive library of articles on all manner of travel topics, from information on trip planning (car rentals, cruises and tech & gear) to inspiration for road trips, adventure and the outdoors to golf (yes even golf). Some articles that give us all the travel feels are The 10 Most Adventurous Things to Do in the Atacama Desert, The 12 Best Virtual Vacations You Can Take Without Traveling (because #coronavirus) and New Zealand's North Island or South Island: Which Should You Visit? (because who hasn’t had this question before???). Lonely Planet Similar in style to the two sites above, but with the added bonus of destination specific travel books, Lonely Planet is a great spot to learn about unique destinations all in easy to understand categories (i.e. adventure, family, romance, foodie, etc.). An added bonus though is that a lot of their information is also presented in videos - meaning if you don’t feel like reading an article, you can still learn about the polar bears in Manitoba (curious? Find the video here). Some other pieces we are loving are: Step up: eight epic hikes of the world, Best in Travel Awards for Value and As people stay home, cities around the world report better air quality. Nomadic Matt What started out as a site to help you travel for cheaper has grown to be a massive community of like-minded, travel hungry individuals. While there is still very much a focus on travel hacking, traveling cheaply and traveling smarter there is also tons of information on destinations and the founder, Matt’s, own experiences. Here are some articles from Nomadic Matt that we are checking out to pass the time (and continue dreaming of the places we will go once this is all over): 7 Ways To Scratch The Travel Itch Without Traveling (very timely indeed), Why Travel Makes You Awesome and How To Become A Sustainable Traveler In 2020. With so much time spent inside these days, it is easier than ever to sit down, read a couple articles and get excited to travel once again! Because, though things seem grim right now (and they are, there is no doubt about that) we WILL get through this! Stay safe. Stay positive.