Fantastic 5 nights in the east region of Tre Cime Nature Park, a little off the beaten path. We did via ferratas Strada degli Alpini and Nord Croda Rossa…
All in RTW 2024
Day Hike: Prato Piazza to Lago di Braies
Prato Piazza is a high-altitude alpine meadow in Fanes-Sennes-Braies National Park. Great day hikes and an excellent vantage point to behold some of the Dolomite’s most spectacular peaks…
Day Hike: Trail #19 at Lago di Braies
Loop Trail #19 from Lago di Braies wildly exceeded expectations. We escaped the lake-side crowds with a heart-pumping hike to high Alpine pastures…
Dolomites Base Town: Dobbiaco
Dobbiaco (aka Toblach) in Pusteria Valley, South Tyrol, was our base town while exploring Tre Cime National Park, Lago di Misurina, Lago di Braes, and more...
Day Hike: Tre Cime via Val di Rienza
Our first hike in the Italian Dolomites set an exceptionally high bar! We hiked from Val di Rienza up to Locatelli Hut and then Path 101 to Tre Cime…
Cultural Immersion: Walking the Olle Trail in Jeju Island (제주올레길), South Korea
Jeju Island is often referred to as the “Korean Hawaii”. In March 2024, we walked the majority of the Jeju Olle Trail (제주도 올레길), a 437 kilometer (270 miles) walking path that circumnavigates the island. Budget, logistics, food, and life on the trail…
Jeju Olle Trail: Budget and Logistics
This post covers our budget breakdown for the Jeju Olle Trail in South Korea. We spent a total of USD$1,860 over 17 days of walking…
The Colors and Attitude of Oaxaca de Juarez, Mexico
It seems everyone in Oaxaca de Juarez is both an artist and an activist, adept at expressing complex thoughts and emotions through art…
Mission in Oaxaca, Mexico: Learn to Love the Beach
We spent a month on Oaxaca’s Pacific coast. We learned to surf in Puerto Escondido and got PADI SCUBA certified in Huatulco…
Jungle Pools and Biodiversity in Copalita Ecology Park, Huatulco
The Copalita River tumbles down the mountain and spills into the ocean, creating a unique ecological zone just outside of Huatulco, Mexico…
Hierve el Agua and the Zapotecs
We booked a hiking tour to see the gorgeous pools of Hierve el Agua in Oaxaca; we gained a far better understanding of Mexico’s diverse indigenous population…
Winter in Kyushu, Japan: 17 Day Roadtrip
We spent 17 days road tripping around Kyushu in February, hiking in national parks and pampering ourselves with leisurely kaiseki meals and hot spring pools...
The Hellish Unzen Jigoku Hot Springs, Kyushu, Japan
“Jigoku” means “hell” and the geothermal hot spring fields in Unzen do create a surreal inferno-like landscape. From hot springs to castles to buried houses, there is so much to do in Shimabara and Unzen National Park!
Evening Kagura and Takachio's Gorgeous River Gorge
Takachiho’s legends — and the beautiful Gokase River gorge — have captured the imagination of curious travelers and manga lovers worldwide. The highlight is Takachiho’s Evening Kagura, a ritualistic performance with costumes, masks, and music…
Yakushima: Communing with the Giants
Yakushima’s semi-tropical forests, white sandy beaches, lazy monkeys, and memorable sunsets calmed our minds and renewed our spirits! The Yakusugi Old Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage site…
Hiking, Kaiseki, and Hot Springs in Yufuin and Beppu, Kyushu
Our winter roadtrip around Kyushu, Japan, included several days of hiking, hot springs, and gluttonous kaiseki in Yufuin and Beppu in Kyushu’s Oito Prefecture…
Thrilling Active Volcano Hike: Mount Aso in Kyushu, Japan
Witnessing the enormous power of planet earth’s most primordial act of creative destruction is an unforgettable thrill! We hiked Mount Aso in Kyushu, Japan...
Steamy Kirishima Kinkowan National Park in Kyushu
Our final stop during our 17 day winter roadtrip in Kyushu, Japan. The highlight of this steamy landscape was Shankara Lodge…
Japanese "Love Motel" in Fukuoka, Kyushu
We stayed at a Japanese "love motel" in Fukuoka, an over-the-top experience. Of course, we didn't just go there for the kitschy accommodations...
A Message of Love from Nagasaki, Kyushu, Japan
When we visited Nagasaki, I was prepared for a solemn day of dark tourism and reflection. What I did not expect was the inspiring message of love and hope that we also received from Takashi Nagai...