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Our favourite snow experiences

At this time of year, everyone’s dreaming of a white Christmas.

READ OUR SNOW STOKED WINTER GUIDE HERE TO THE WORLD HERE 

If you can’t be in New York, Chicago, Berlin or London, the next best bit is dreaming about it.

We asked some of our contributors a pretty simple question:

What’s been your favourite snow experience while travelling? 

TIM McGLONE

INSTA: @mcglone.jpg

At the age of 25 I’d actually never seen snowfall. When I eventually did, I easily matched the Nintendo 64 kid for excitement.

 

This took place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia — the world’s coldest capital city. I’d consumed quite a lot of vodka inside a dark, dingy bar with two Canadians, a Dane and a Norwegian, with no windows from our vantage point to the outside world. When we left the bar to find it snowing heavily, it felt like I had exited a tunnel and entered one of the Christmas snow globes which had enchanted me so much as a child. Although my cooler-climate friends couldn’t have given less of a fuck, drunk and seeing snowfall for the first time is an experience I’d recommend to anyone.

ROBERTO SERRINI

INSTA: @serrini

Coming from Long Island, NY snow is a force to be reckoned with. So anything I find more extreme than a good ol’ fashion February you’re-not-going-anywhere-buddy blizzard is a thrill. For me, I found that thrill in Iceland, which seems name appropriate. Snowmobiling Langjökull Glacier was not only an extreme rush, but a rare one, since, if we keep going the way we are, it will be dirt bikes soon.

TAYLA GENTLE

INSTA: @taylaroxene

 

Growing up, my family didn’t do ski holidays. We were more of a beach kind of gang. So I actually didn’t experience snow until I was 26 and on a shoot in Patagonia. We’d gotten up before sunrise to trek it out to this remote glacier, the sun was starting to rise and these flakes started falling on my face. It was honestly otherworldly. I think I cried.

TIM CHARODY

INSTA: @timcharody.expeditiontotheedge

I joined a sail boat in Tonga with the idea I would spend a month or two sailing the South Pacific, but a year later we found ourselves having sailed through the north west passage above Alaska, Canada and over to Greenland deep in the most remote parts of the Arctic. We got iced into a bay for a month, nearly got crushed by ice, had encounters with polar bears, lost a mate overboard in the ice briefly, hung out with Inuit hunters, sailed under the northern lights, faced epic storms and crossed some of the roughest oceans on the planet.

Looking for Ghosts, Gorges and Good Times

One man gets (very) lost in the great state of Nevada

Click play to WATCH

I land in Reno and am immediately charmed by the old world glitz and glamour of the smallest big city in Nevada. I mean where else are you gonna see Journey, Denis Miller and Blake Shelton all in one place? But alas, I can’t stay. I have a date with Highway 50 – the loneliest road in America.

You've got desert mail.
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Two hours north, I find myself in Gerlach, the gateway to Burning Man. And home to all of the spare Burning Man bikes, apparently. Visiting during off-season actually affords you some pretty special scenic moments at Black Rock City’s seasonal home, from the dramatic desert-scape to the art that’s left behind as a more permanent fixture. The nature here is also super unique, with natural geysers that continually bubble and spurt out of rainbow-coloured volcanoes.

BYO pup for a canine cocktail.

Happily Burn-ed out, I head down to Virginia City, which–no joke–is my new favourite Western town. After a few hours of driving, priority number one is a drink, and for that I literally stumble into bar gem, Silver Dollar. Voted best dive bar in the world, according to its signage anyway, this place has infinitely interesting decor and very, very good (very cheap) Bloody Mary’s. If that isn’t enough, the bar also serves dogs. Real dogs. Real dogs who drink shots of whipped cream like sailors and damn, it’s adorable.

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Hit PLAY, we dare ya

Properly sauced I tour the Washoe Haunted Saloon with a digital ghost detector which, frankly, looks like a garage remote. And yet despite it being broad daylight outside, this place is still creepy. Our ghost host shows us a picture of a spook she spotted last week and my detector goes off the charts every time I pass a doll. Maybe this really is a three-storey dungeon of demons.

Modern ghost hunting technology.
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Green for ghouls, apparently.

Pants properly soiled, it was time for more liquid courage. At a nearby bar, I grab a muddled Manhattan and pull up a perch to listen to some live country music. Then I gamble a little bit and meet a lovely lady who owns the World Record for knowing the most piano songs by heart. She favours a rowdy honky tonk tune.

Writer, Roberto, perched atop Lake Tahoe.
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From V-city, glorious Lake Tahoe is a mere sneeze away. Here the air is cool and fresh and the green alpine roads make you feel like you are in a completely new state, if not planet. This ancient body of water is surprisingly one of the deepest in the world, and is by far one of the clearest I’ve ever seen.

Having been high (altitude-wise), I start to drive lower on Highway 50. This highway, the self proclaimed loneliest road in America, really is quite a desolate experience. But I find places like this more appealing than an insufferable mid-summer in Santorini; here the winding road is the attraction and the vast drive gives you a unique perspective on your place in the world.

Countryside passing in a road trip daze.

Just as the emptiness of my stomach starts to mimic the emptiness of the road, I cruise into the ‘town’ of Middlegate which consists of a soon-to-be-condemned roadhouse and not much else. This place is a dream for dreamers.The deal here is the “Middlegate Monster”; an eight pound burger. If you finish it without leaving the table, you get a t-shirt.

Challenge well and truly accepted.

I ready myself for a competition worthy of my time, but upon its arrival I know it’s going to be a battle to the death. Try my hardest I failed. Vanquished, I tuck tail, drop two Alka-Seltzer® from the general store and pray for indigestion salvation as I hit the road.

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Needing to walk off my caloric embarrassment, I stop at Cathedral Gorge State Park, which is, well, gorge-ous. This stunning geological wonder is just next to the highway, which means within minutes you’re wandering into a literal void. Your feet kicking up red dust clouds with each step.

From the depths of the gorge, I journey back to the top of the world and find myself in sleepy ol’ Baker. This alpine region is incredible, with lots of hiking trails and the amazing Lehman Caves if you fancy a rare look at a perfectly preserved, prehistoric limestone cavern over 500 million years in the making.

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Above ground I check into the Stargazer Inn, located literally in the middle of nowhere, with a name that’s not just for the cute keychain. This is one of the darkest places on the planet, which, when night falls, treats you to an infinite star show–the Milky Way in the spotlight.

Comet me, bro.

Having overdosed on nature and beauty I remedy myself with a night in good ol’ Vegas. Making a bee-line for ultra swanky speakeasy steakhouse Stanton Social I watch as they ceremonially light my dinner table side. You think it’s a gimmick until you put a morsel in your mouth; now I’m lighting all my food on fire before consuming.

This show is in-tents.
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For the sweetest finish to an epic road trip I check out Absinthe, where there is no such thing as a bad seat. This incredibly funny, immersive, boozy spectacle happens in the round, leaving you slack jawed, flabbergasted, and quite frankly, in need of a vacation from an epic vacation as you sip on a drink and watch the circus performers put on quite the show.

Well fed with fire both in my belly and soul, I reflect on how far the loneliest road has taken me. I chuckle at the irony; all I’ve found on Highway 50 has been new friends, unique places, and meats that light the way to happiness.

Stanton Social steak on fire. Click to view gallery

Fermented fish and forest bathing

When eating hongeo-hoe (fermented skate) the key, apparently, is to sandwich the stinky stingray-like fish between a slice of pork belly and kimchi cabbage.

But will this top and tail of pig fat and red pepper paste be enough to neutralise its nuclear stench? That’s yet to be determined.

Click PLAY to see some highlights

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Just moments ago, I was told that hongeo-hoe is “the most challenging dish you can eat in Korea”. And while I wasn’t planning on eating raw fermented skate for dinner, now I can’t not eat raw fermented skate for dinner. Bourdain would be disappointed in me otherwise.

We’re in the middle of one of Jeonju’s famous makgeolli (rice wine) feasts, on a 10-day adventure with our mates at InsideAsia, where plates of seasonal dishes are stacked higher on the table with each kettle of wine that you order. It’s like the world’s best bottomless brunch—if brunch came with more sides of kimchi and less mimosas.

Click play to WATCH

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But back to the rotting fish at the end of my chopsticks.

Hongeo-hoe is interesting for several reasons—like, did you know skates don’t urinate like other animals? They actually excrete uric acid through their skin. Then as the flesh ferments, ammonia is produced which helps both preserve the fish and give it its powerful (note: nostril burning) aroma.

The dish can also be dated back to the 14th century, when Korean fishermen discovered skate was the only fish that could be transported and stored for long periods of time without salt.

In short, I’m about to eat a pungent slice of Korean history.

Hit PLAY! We dare ya…

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Click here to ENTER NOW!

This is becoming somewhat of a recurring theme on this trip. Food culture here in South Korea is the ultimate example of tradition blending with modernity. In Seoul’s magical marketplaces you can find haejang-guk (hangover soup)—a local cure for too much soju—bubbling in pots beside stalls selling flame-torched marshmallow ice cream.

Hipjiro locals after a few sojus. Click to view gallery

In Gangneung, a beautiful city on Korea’s east coast, we eat super traditional saltwater tofu then chase it with a barista coffee masterful enough to rival Melbourne’s elite. In Euljiro, or Hipjiro as the locals call it, we wander a maze of back alleys that hide everything from kitschy grandma-style kitchens to urban breweries; with a neon taco stand on one corner and a mapo-style Korean BBQ joint on the other.

Gangneung's art galleries are unrivalled.
Go-to goods at a traditional market. Click to view gallery

This clash of K-culture—or should it just be Kulture?—doesn’t just apply to food. We spend our first morning exploring Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site built by the kings of the Josean Dynasty. Translating to ‘the place of prospering virtue,’ this palace and garden was mainly used by the royals as their chill out residence. On the grounds we walk through a gate of eternal youth (I swear my crows feet disappeared), wander beneath colourful terraced roofs guarded by mythical creatures, sit by a verdant lotus pond and learn all about Confucianism.

Changdeokgung Palace is, well, rather palatial.
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Our InsideAsia local guide, Alex, tells me his favourite saying is “you come into this world empty handed and you leave it empty handed”. I understand that this is meant to be a commentary on materialism, however I can’t help but think of Alex later that day as I’m navigating stairs at the baseball stadium, my hands full of Cass beers and chicken skewers. I don’t know what Confucius would think, but I reckon I might have found the meaning of life at a Samsung Lions game.

Baseball hype guys and gals. Click to view gallery
Hanok village, Jeonju. Click to view gallery
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I lose my voice at the baseball, but get it back the next day thanks to a bowl of Mangwon market chicken soup. The restaurant itself is a tiny 20-seater tucked behind a butcher shop, with one thing on the menu—poached chicken broth (heavy on the turmeric and ginger).

The restaurant is so discreet I would never have found it without the help of longtime expats and food experts, Ron and Joe. “I love the blend of the traditional and modern here at the market,” Ron says, adding more chilli to his bowl, “and I especially love all these little eating and drinking places.” Joe fills up my water glass and nods in agreement, “Millennials and Gen Z are really keeping Korean culture alive in places like this”.

Entry to the soup kitchen is behind this butcher shop.

I don’t quite know what they mean by that until I meet Soyoun. Or should I say, until I follow Soyoun barefoot into a Gangneung pine forest in the rain.

That might sound creepy and/or romantic, but it’s actually neither. Forest bathing, especially in the rain, is considered a healing practice—good for boosting immunity and reducing stress. And as we navigate the surprisingly soft forest floor, our bellies full of clams (that she caught herself) and artichoke tea (good for circulation), Soyoun tells me how she left the chaos of Seoul to find solace in Gangneung’s coastal mountains. “I wanted to heal my mind and soul,” she says. “We have everything: the forest, the sea, the lake… I’m never sick here.”

Soyoun, barefoot and grounding in Gangneung's pine forest.
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Good energy is the key to making good rice wine.

Later that afternoon, she lets me in on another wellness secret: 10mls of makgeolli rice wine a day will keep the doctor away. I’m actually elbows deep in yeast, rice and water, learning how to make makgeolli the traditional way when she tells me this. “Very nice,” she encourages, as I squash grains under my palm, “remember to put all of your good energy into it. Otherwise the batch might be bad.”

One bottle of makgeolli takes, at minimum, two-weeks to make. It’s a slow, even meditative, process. “I make wine this way, because I want to spread traditional Korean culture,” says Soyoun. “This isn’t just alcohol, it’s medicine.”

The rule: eat it in one go.
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Mapo BBQ in action.

So as I raise the hongeo-hoe to my mouth, I remind myself that this too is a part of Korean culture. As I get a whiff of ammonia and my eyes water; as I struggle to chew and my gag reflex kicks in, I repeat it like a mantra. Remember, you’re eating a slice of history.

It takes several minutes, but eventually I swallow. A waiter walks past and gives me the thumbs up. Alex pours me a fresh bowl of makgeolli, which I down in one go.

Rice wine is medicine, after all. And it sure takes the sting out of skate.

get lost travelled as a guest of InsideAsia and Korea Tourism Organization.

Hot 5 Stress Free Zones

Welcome to the world’s most niche spa treatments.

The internet is full of people telling you to “treat yo’ self”. And we’re not any different.

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Travelling can be hard work. From lugging 25kg suitcases up Italian villa staircases to catching colds on long-haul flights, going on holiday can wreak havoc on the body. To cure all that ails you, here’s our top five weirdly therapeutic spa treatments from around the world. They’re an adventure in their own right:

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GET BAKED
Hot Sand Onsen
JAPAN

Some people might find this particular practice comforting, others might find it claustrophobic. Either way, the Japanese swear by it. If you’d like to get buried up to your neck at the world’s only natural sand bath, get yourself to Ibusuki Onsen. Stat.

Now, this is not your standard sand—this is volcanic black sand. And this is not your standard beach—this beach has natural, geothermally-heated spring water flowing underneath it. Meaning the black sand is steamed at a warming 55 degrees celsius. Why go for the full burial? Apparently, it can improve blood circulation, help eliminate toxins and provide relief from ailments like rheumatism.

Click and BURY ME

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GET SMOKED
Wilderness Sauna
FINLAND

It’s no secret that the Finns, much like the Swedes and the Norwegians, love a sauna. They also love an ice cold lake plunge (we’re not so sold on that one). But why the cultural obsession with the sauna, and why in particular do they like it smokey? It’s a traditional thing.

In Finland they like to sauna as their ancestors did—in a small hut with no chimney so that the smoke stays trapped inside. The smoke is released through the door immediately before sauna-goers enter, but the scent and heat remains. Sauna-ing in general is known to improve heart health, reduce inflammation, detoxify the body and boost your mood, while the added benefit of the smoke is to preserve and purify the sauna space. If you want to go full Viking, we recommend a trip to the Lapland wilderness where you can alternate between a hot sauna and a frozen lake (if you’re brave).

Click to LIGHT ‘ER UP

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GET CHOPPED
Knife Kneading
TAIWAN

Welcome to the wild world of ‘daoliao’ or ‘knife massage’ as it’s known in Taiwan. This spa treatment is exactly what it sounds like—being repeatedly chopped on the back and neck by real (albeit dull) meat cleaver blades.

But this tradition looks more dangerous than it is. While it’s said to have first been practiced in China more than 2,000 years ago, the people of Taiwan are keeping daoliao well and truly alive in modern times. Probably because Daoliao is believed to have physical and emotional healing powers when done correctly.

Click to CARVE UP

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GET SNAKED
Serpent Massage
EGYPT

This has got to be one of the world’s most unorthodox ways to chill out. At this spa in Cairo you can be pampered, and slithered on, by a bunch of different non-venomous snakes. Like the small Abu Sweir, which makes light tracks across your back, and the big python whose heavy body squeezes and presses.

Snake massage isn’t just popular in Egypt though, you can find salons across Russia and Thailand, the Philippines and the USA offering some form of boa relaxation. Terrifying or relaxing? We’re unsure.

Click play to WATCH

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GET MUDDED
Milky Way Lagoon Spa
PALAU

A natural mud bath set amongst Palau’s 300 idyllic islands? Count us in. Jump on board a boat and cruise over to Milky Way Lagoon where the seafloor is caked with a very special type of white clay. Scoop it up, rub it all over your body, wait for it to dry and then rinse it off in the crystal clear waters.

Why bother? The locals reckon it will rejuvenate your skin and leave you looking younger. Even if it doesn’t, you’ve just spent a day exploring one of the world’s most pristine corners. It’s a win-win, really.

Click and LET’S LA-GOOOO-ON

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And the winner is…

Best in Travel 2024 is Lonely Planet’s 19th publication of the travel icon’s annual collection, featuring 50 must-visit destinations around the globe, celebrating its 50th Anniversary.

To celebrate the release, get lost are giving away a copy of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024.

We asked you where you wanted to travel in 2024, and you duly delivered. Here are some of our favourites, which almost took home this brilliant little coffee table book:

“Currently looking at the Stans (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgystan, Kazakhstan) plus throw in Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Seem to be places that you don’t hear a lot about, are off the beaten track but might be hidden gems. It remains to be seen if they are but it’s something that my partner and I are keen to find out and will add to our dream of getting to 100 unique countries together.”

– Matt Farrelly is keen to get off the beaten track.

 

“Macau, with unique mix of Portuguese and Chinese, home of the phenomenal ‘House of Dancing Water’.  Many hotels offer easy access to the jaw droppingly beautiful ‘Grand Canal Shoppes’.  Feeling like you are in Venice  strolling around the Venetian Gothic shopfronts under a gorgeous blue sky ceiling along the beautiful Grand Canal with sounds of lively music.

“Taking a gondola ride serenaded by a handsome gondolier, then soak in the atmosphere sitting by the ‘Grand Canal’ at Lord Stow’s Bakery savouring a legendary Portuguese Custard Tart, apparently you will remember your first bite forever.

“Macau, truly a ‘City of Dreams’.”

– Glenda Lattimore went hard on the adjectives, and we love it. Hope you get your handsome gondolier Glenda.

 

“In 2024, a hidden gem I’d choose to find, Bhutan’s serene valleys, in my mind. Nestled amongst the Himalayas’ grandeur, where nature’s purity is the true procurer.”

– we’re with you, Alicia Fox – we want to go to Bhutan too.

 

Cairo.

I just want to see the chaos, the majesty and the history and walk past a goat, a building that should be in a museum, and a McDonalds at the same time. Fascinating.

– Luke Skarbek, you sound like a chaotic individual, so we’re sure you’ll fit right in in Cairo.

 

And the winner is:

Drumroll please…

Congratulations Paul Buschenhofen! 

Tough to beat Paul’s sentiments for wanting to visit Berlin:

“While going through my late mother’s personal effects after her funeral, I discovered a  grainy photo of my parents kissing at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Shortly after that, dad was sent to the Eastern Front, was captured, and subsequently imprisoned in a Russian POW camp, After Germany’s surrender, he made contact with mum and a few weeks later they were reunited. 

I now have a strong desire to visit Berlin,  particular the Brandenburg Gate, in honour of my parents who have demonstrated so powerfully that romance and love are able to exist and flourish in the most horrific circumstances.”

The book is broken down into top 10 countries, cities and regions, plus the best value and most sustainable destinations from around the world. It’s 222 pages of epic travel inspiration and coffee table chic.

Mongolia was ranked as the number #1 destination to travel to in 2024, while Australia’s own Kangaroo Island was seen as the #2 region, a tremendous effort as they continue to bounce back from devastating bushfires of 2019/20.

Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024 list is essential gift-giving for the traveller in your life. Available at $27.99 RRP from all bookstores around Australia, as well as online – click here to purchase.

MEGA ULTIMA SOUTH AMERICA

BIENVENIDOS TO THE CONTINENT OF EXTRAORDINARY EXTREMES

From the vibrant landscapes of Colombia to the rugged tip of Cape Horn, and across the majestic Andes, South America offers an awe-inspiring mix of vast deserts, dense rainforests, immense glaciers, and picture-perfect islands. It’s a continent overflowing with natural beauty and diverse ecosystems. ¡Qué bueno!

But this guide isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s a true get lost list—a curated collection of wild, unique, and often challenging experiences designed to fully immerse you in the rich cultures and breathtaking landscapes of this epic continent. Ready for adventure? Pack your open mind and dive in!

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DIVE WITH ANACONDAS
BRAZIL

This is surely one of the most ridiculous tour offerings we’ve ever seen. Which means it had to be included.

The gang at Big Fish Expeditions take keen travellers (with scuba licences) to Bonito, in southern Brazil, where you swim with the world’s largest snake. Why is it ridiculous? Because they’ve made movies about this very experience and we’re pretty sure it didn’t end well. For anyone.

That said, this adventure is for the more extreme daredevils and any serious snake lovers who want to get up close to a water boa. Just a heads up—these snakes spend their time underwater hunting for caimans and other river-dwelling prey. Terrifying.

Click to SNAKE A DIP

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GO FULL RANCHER ON A TRADITIONAL ESTANCIA
PARAGUAY

Horseback riding, gastronomic delights, rodeos, blissed out landscapes… here’s your warning: you may never want to leave the estancia.

Rural stays are an epic way to experience some of the Paraguayan way of life. Depending where in the country you are, keep an eye out for tapir and armadillo; and expect lots of good, locally-sourced food (often cooked over fire). Remember to stretch your glutes after a day in the saddle and practicar español!

Click for ESTANCI-AMAZING

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VISIT THE FIESTA DE LA VIRGEN DEL CARMEN
PERU

Festival fiend? Add this one to your bucket list. Held over four days in July—in a small town a few hours drive from Cusco—the Virgen del Carmen festival sees dance, art, masquerades and food come together in a magnificent community event.

Expect fireworks, parades and a final gathering at the cemetery to pay homage to the souls of the dead. Yep, you read that right. If you’re looking for an immersive Peruvian experience, this is the one.

Click to PERU-VE YOURSELF

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HIKE THE LOST WORLD TO THE GLOBES TALLEST WATERFALL
VENEZUELA

Angel Falls is the world’s tallest uninterrupted waterfall, standing proudly at 979 metres*.

At the foot of this behemoth of a natural gift is a swimming pool with a much, much smaller, waterfall (think of it as a replica) where you can strip off your kit and go for a swim / bomb / pin drop. This is an extraordinary corner of the globe for natural beauty; in the same national park is Mount Roraima, boasting some of the best trekking in the world a set of cliffs that inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Lost World (1912).

That said, Venezuela is currently in a time of political and economic instability, we recommend this is one for the bucket list.

Click and see WHERE ANGELS FLY

*Estimations of South Africa’s Tugela Falls indicate that waterfall may be 983 metres high, but this has not be confirmed and measurements are ongoing.

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PABLO ESCOBAR: THE FULL STORY
COLOMBIA

We’ve all seen Narcos, and we’ve all sent the meme of Pablo Escobar wandering aimlessly around his abandoned mansion. He is in some ways, a figure of entertainment for us Westerners.

What we haven’t seen is the devastating effects the kingpin drug lord had on his own people— you don’t become the wealthiest criminal in history without leaving a trail of destruction. The thing we like about the Real Pablo Escobar Tour in Medellin is that it retraces history without glorifying it again.

It equally inspires awe at the empire he built (which is genuinely astonishing) while not shying away from the negative impacts on local communities—not something every true crime tour offers. See the prison he built (for himself) and the soccer stadium, but also catch a glimpse of where he is buried. You’ll also hear first-hand experiences from local Paisanos and Costeños peoples.

Click for THE DOWN LOW ON PABLO

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STARGAZING IN THE ATACAMA DESERT
CHILE

The Mars-like Atacama Desert is known, almost universally, as the best place for stargazing. And it’s for good reason.

The combo of high altitude and low humidity means this pocket of Chile gets an average of 200 cloudless nights a year. So you’re (almost always) guaranteed great night sky conditions. If you want some serious #education, join a group and learn about the local Indigenous peoples’ relation to the stars and how the constellations impacted their everyday lives. Or just grab a blanket (nights get cold), cuddle up to your travel buddy and watch the Milky Way have its moment.

Click to SEE THE STAR ATTRACTION

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BUNK DOWN IN A VINEYARD LOFT
ARGENTINA

For those of us chasing a little more indulgence, Entre Cielos (translating to Between Skies) is a luxury spot that’s home to 16 ‘vineyard lofts’.

You couldn’t get closer to the wine if you slept in the cellar door. Imagine: you wake up to views of the Andes Mountains, you’ve got Argentinian Malbec on tap, a hamam spa around the corner and some of Mendoza’s finest dining just a stroll away. This is the good life, travel doesn’t always have to be hard.

Click for a WHOLE LOFT-A LOVE

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GO OFF-GRID AT CABO POLONIO
URUGUAY

Cabo Polonio is basic, in the best kind of way. We’re talking uninterrupted coastline, no electricity, minimal infrastructure, no late-night bars (or any loud nightlife, full stop).

It’s curious, it’s magical and it’s beloved by locals. This is not a dire state of economic affairs, this is a village united by their values. Everyone who inhabits Cabo Polonio chooses to exist like this: low key and in touch with nature. You can surf, you can sit by beachfront fires, you can cook over a stove top with your headlamp. This is pure peace and wilderness. Just don’t ask for the wifi password.

Click for ABRA-CABO-DABRA

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NOSE DIVE INTO THE WORLD'S FIRST COCAINE BAR
BOLIVIA

We don’t normally encourage hard drug taking at get lost, but we are interested in entrepreneurial spirit and independent thinkers with business initiative. Which is where Route 36 comes in.

Cocaine is on the menu at La Paz’s Route 36, which is (allegedly) the world’s first Cocaine Bar. We think it’s unlikely this business model will take off, a la Starbucks, so it might remain the only cocaine bar for a while. We can’t tell you where it is, because the location changes every month. We can tell you what they serve there: beer (it is a bar after all) and coke, which is distributed freely and easily (local police are paid to turn a blind eye). You can find the bar via word of mouth, and it’s probably the safest place to partake of nose candy in Boliva—low bar we admit. Very different to Route 66 further north.

Click for A VERY DIFFERENT ROUTE

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FACE THE RIVER MONSTER: THE WORLD'S LONGEST WAVE
BRAZIL

A few times a year, deep in the Amazon, a true monster—Pororoca—rears its head.

Pororoca means ‘great roar’ and ‘destroying everything’ in local dialects, and it’s not difficult to figure out how they came up with that one. A powerful tidal bore which thunders upstream on the mighty Amazon for as long as 800 kilometres, and as high as four metres, Pororoca is both feared and revered. The tidal phenomenon is best observed on biannual equinoxes in September and March during a spring tide.

Most surfers would rejoice at the prospect of a wave that lasts kilometres­—not so much at the prospect of sharing it with crocodiles and schools of piranha that are swept along with it. Still, a select group of maniacs attempt it every year and currently the world record ride stands at a mighty 12.5 kilometres—and has stood for the last 20 years.

Click to BRAVE THE MONSTER

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GO FULL JUNGLE SURVIVOR
GUYANA

Hold up, you’ve never heard of Guyana?

Tucked on the coast between Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela, Guyana is a slice of wild paradise. In fact, it’s 95% wild paradise. From epic savannahs to winding rivers, pristine beaches and lush rainforest. What this pocket of South America offers is total, unparalleled adventure. Even more extreme is this two-week jungle survival course where you’re thrown into the depths of the rainforest with an instructor and team of local experts to hone your skills amongst the jaguars and caimans.

Click for JUNGLE BELLS

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HIGH (AND RARE) DINING IN THE ANDES
PERU

Perched 3,568 meters above sea level and overlooking the Moray ruins in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, sits Michelin star chef Virgilio Martínez Véliz’s acclaimed restaurant Mil.

The coolest thing about Mil, besides dishing up absolutely exquisite culinary fare, is it’s mission helping Peru reconnect with it’s Indigenous roots.

The restaurant works (or ‘collaborates’) with Mater Iniciativa, an organization employing anthropologists, biologists and a number of other technicians all with titles ending in ‘ologists’ who among other things, team up with local Indigenous communities to re-discover new varieties of potato and other rare plants that are found throughout Peru. Mil is fine dining of the highest order, at the highest altitude. And much more than that.

Click for MOUNTAINOUS, INDIGENOUS, DELICIOUSNESS

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SEE CAÑO CRISTALES, THE RARE LIQUID RAINBOW
COLOMBIA

This is one for the nature / photography buffs who are up for a remote journey to an isolated corner of Colombia. Sounds like an adventure, right?

It is. Caño Cristales, also known as ‘the river that ran away from paradise’ is considered one of the most beautiful rivers in the world and a bloody phenomenon unto itself. For a very, very brief period of time every year, the river actually blossoms in an explosion of colour. For just a few weeks between September and November, the river is a rainbow.

To get there, fly into nearby La Macarena airport, head to Serranía de la Macarena National Park and then grab a donkey. Some swimming is permitted, but leave your sunscreen at home! The chemicals can destroy the ecosystem.

Click and I CANO SEE A RAINBOW

 

RV THERE YET?

A couple of campervan-ing virgins bang out an epic Utah roadtrip.

My husband and I are virgins.

Oh, we’ve talked about it heaps, but never actually done it.

Now here I am, faced with ‘The Beast’, wondering what exactly I’ve got myself into.

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Long, lonely roads winding through the ethereal landscape of southwest Utah help us bond with ‘The Beast’—our DriveNow RV. And like the Mojave Desert tortoise we spot at our first stop, with our home on our backs for the next eight days, our mantra is to take things slowly.

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“We don’t see many of these,” says Chad, our cycling guide, as we pull our bikes off track. Unfazed, the prehistoric creature lumbers past, scaly legs kicking up puffs of desert dust in its wake. “They’re endangered.”

Cycling with a local guide in Snow Canyon State Park is a mellow intro to a state where small treasures can be overshadowed by the famed ‘Mighty 5 National Parks’. Tucked into folds of soaring rainbow-coloured cliffs chiselled over millions of years by wind and water, the canyon is like a gallery of precious art.

Monumental (geddit?) days on the road.
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We follow Chad along trails dotted with wildflowers; through a narrow slot canyon; and clamber over swirls of polished slickrock to the top where the fading sun rays are turning the rock fire red. “When I’m standing up here, it makes me think no matter what’s happening in the world, there’s hope,” says Chad, spreading his arms towards the horizon.

As each day unfolds, we embrace the grandeur of our surroundings. I ride a mule named Porky to the floor of Bryce Canyon; act out movie scenes in Monument Valley; and dance like no-one is watching on top of Muley Point.

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In Zion National Park, I pretend to be disappointed that Angels Landing, the hairiest of all hikes in Utah, is temporarily off limits. To make up for it, we hike the short, steep Canyon Overlook trail, tramping over bridges and along precarious ledges with gobsmacking views, before a leisurely bike ride on the Pa’rus trail that snakes alongside the Virgin River. With record spring snowfalls, the lifeblood of southwest Utah is running high, and I find myself pedalling to the rhythm of the river.

Another day we hike through a canyon where the terrain changes faster than a chameleon. Following the Calf Creek Falls trail in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument through 12 micro-climates, from arid rocky overhangs to lush wetland forest, we’re rewarded with a 40-metre drop of frigid water cascading over tiger-striped sandstone cliffs.

Bryce Canyon on my mule, Porky.
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The geological richness of Utah is balanced by its Indigenous cultures.“Hozho is an important word in our language,” says Louis Williams, a proud member of the Diné tribe of the Deer Springs clan. “It’s the equilibrium, the connectiveness between nature, and our mental, physical and spiritual state.”

We’re walking beside Louis in Bears Ears National Monument. As owner and operator of Ancient Wayves River and Hiking Adventures, he shares his passion for his ancestral land with people from all over the world. “I haven’t met many Aussies though,” he says with a smile as wide as the canyon we’re standing in.

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Traversing a dry creek wash trail in Cedar Mesa, Louis describes the significance of the desert flora surrounding us. “We make rope from the leaves of the yucca plant and shampoo from the roots. Juniper needles keep negative energy out of our homes, and we weave baskets from sumac.”

As the sun starts to cast shadows across the canyon, Louis quickens the pace to reach the ‘surprise’ he wants to share with us. “This is a granary where my ancestors stored food,” he explains.

Cowboy walking off into the actual sunset.
Ancient rock art.
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Hidden beneath a massive sandstone rock, the ruins of this architectural masterpiece—built between 700 and 2,500 years ago and known as ‘the house on fire’ for the way the light catches the rock at certain times of day—is perfectly intact.

As we peek through its windows, I try to visualise Indigenous Puebloan life. “Squash, corn and beans were their staple crops,” Louis says. “They put food in pottery urns, lit a small fire inside the rooms and sealed up the windows. Once the fire sucked out all the oxygen, it went out and the food was preserved.”

A pictograph of a hand and sherds of broken pottery scattered in the sand adds to the profoundness of the site.

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After action-packed days, nights bring another dimension entirely. Setting up camp for us RV newbies is remarkably simple. Hook up the hose for fresh water here, connect the power cable there, and we’re all good.

Van life is very much the way of life in Utah. RV parks are friendly laid-back places to do as much or as little as you like. Sometimes we cook dinner, other nights we take the recommendation of locals and head to a restaurant or diner.

Long and winding roads.
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“Don’t miss Patio Diner in Blanding,” says everyone we seem to meet. This family-run hole-in-the-wall is straight out of an episode of Happy Days. And what’s even better is their burgers live up to the hype as ‘the best in the southwest.’

However, cooking dinner at Yonder in Escalante is the RV roadie highlight. We pick up a DIY food pack from the onsite shop and sit around the campfire cooking chicken and veggies. We eat too many ‘smores and sip on a fine US chardonnay beneath a big sky crammed with stars.

Eight days, 1,700 kms, and untold adventures in ‘The Beast’ now turned ‘Bestie’. With the RV cherry popped, I’m only left wondering, what took us so long.

Writer was hosted by DriveNow Rentals and Utah Tourism Office.

CHASING CHEETAHS

Disco donkeys, mud fights and a professional game tracker, this South African safari is the definition of wild.

A six-tonne elephant is slinging mud at the back of my head.

Not even mud, per se. It’s fresh sludge, straight from the wallowing pool. At first I was like, “beat it, Dumbo” but now it feels like a blessing of sorts—who needs holy water when you’ve been baptised by an African elephant?

Face-to-face with Flippy.
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From the seat of our safari truck, we’re watching a 30-strong herd take their twilight bath. Huge males with tusks the size of bull bars lumber past as females spray water on the backs of clumsy calves. Two women (and one man) in my truck are crying with—what I hope is—joy.

Gavin, a certified safari veteran and our G Adventures guide, leans over to tell me he’s never seen anything like this before. And he’s been guiding for decades.

But that’s the beauty of safari. You never know what’s around the next Marula tree. It’s why Gavin has got us whispering “thank you bush” every time an animal (Big or Ugly, doesn’t matter) comes into view. “Thank you bush” is an offering of gratitude to the South African game reserve gods, and a reminder to check your safari expectations at the park entrance.

Just because you want to see a lion doesn’t mean the wild is going to offer one up, and no one—I mean, no one—is about to lure a leopard out of a tree just so you can get the perfect IG shot.

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That said, you can still hope. This is my third South African safari and while I’ve seen a pack of lions take down a giraffe, I’ve never actually spied a cheetah. So you could say I’m energetically chasing some spots this trip.

I’m at Karongwe Private Game Reserve as part of a 7 day National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures tour through South Africa. Karongwe is a private 10,000 hectare parcel north of Kruger National Park, and while Kruger is epic, Karongwe is like stepping into an Attenborough documentary. You’ve got disco donkeys doing the zebra crossing, monkeys with (literal) blue balls, giraffes silhouetted against African sunsets, hyenas sneaking out of dens, baboons eating bird eggs, prancing impala and hakuna matata-ing warthogs. I’ve got a sore neck from all the seat swivelling.

Giraffe's get the best sunrise view.
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Ranger Jurie with his morning coffee.

Driving the safari truck is our Afrikaans ranger, Jurie. There are many reasons to love Jurie, but topping the list is: his unending, infectious enthusiasm for wildlife; his choice to support conservation rather than smuggling (despite a close family member once dealing in the contraband trade); and the fact that his spirit animal is a warthog.

“I just love them… I guess because I’m also resilient and sometimes a little stubborn,” he laughs, showing me his warthog tattoo. “Oh, and really energetic.”

Freddie playing spot the vulture.

Jurie and his tracker partner, Freddie, are the dream safari duo. From his perch at the front of the truck, Freddie uses his exceptional skills (honed over a tracking career spanning almost two decades) to spot rare birds in flight, civet scat and drying rhino tracks.

“We’re not lazy, we’re clever,” Jurie explains to me one day while we’re off-road, bush bashing through river reeds in search of three lionesses and their cubs. “Some people like to chase their radios, but Freddie and I look for things ourselves.”

And it’s true. Freddie is so good at reading tracks that he can tell how recently an animal has moved through the area, the pace of their grazing and what direction they’re headed. It’s beyond impressive. While I still need road signs to get me to the airport freeway, Freddie gets us up close to a snoozing Mufasa—no directions necessary.

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And yet it’s been three days in Karongwe, with a phenomenal tracker, and still no sign of cheetahs. I’m beginning to think I’m either cursed or perhaps there just aren’t any cheetahs on the reserve. Kulani, an expert from Endangered Wildlife Trust who partners specially with G Adventures National Geographic Journeys (this expert insight is a definite perk of the trip!), is quick to assure me otherwise.

Kulani is working on the Cheetah Range Expansion Project, a collaborative effort between 60+ southern African reserves that involves routinely relocating cheetahs to avoid inbreeding. It’s very important, god-like stuff. But why do cheetahs need humans to physically move them around southern Africa? Good question, with a not-so-good answer—cheetahs are the most endangered big cat on the continent.

Kulani, cheetah conservation expert.
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Kulani is a cheetah aficionado and conservation expert. He’s also super passionate about sharing his knowledge with people, especially the kids he takes on field trips to Kruger. “I have always loved leopards the most, but I learned quickly that I need to let children fall in love with whatever wildlife they want,” he tells me.

“There was one girl, and she fell in love with a tiny bird… and that’s perfect because the whole objective of these trips is for kids to fall in love with the landscape and conservation and protecting animals. Because then no matter what you do when you grow up, you’ll never lose that love.”

Freddie and Jurie assessing lion tracks.

Kulani is joining us on our evening game drive, and that feels like a promising omen. Surely a big cat expert is the good luck cheetah charm we need. Two hours later, the sun has set and so too have my hopes. It has drizzled incessantly, pushing the animals to take shelter in the scrub. We hardly see an impala, let alone a cheetah. I resentfully thank the bush, my safari expectations running rampant.

Speaking of running rampant, we wake the next morning to a ropeable bull elephant (named Flippy) tearing through the lodge, unearthing trees and bulldozing garden beds. Flippy’s in a seriously vexed mood—maybe he also hasn’t seen any cheetahs.

Binoculars and radio, a ranger's tools.
Off-roading by the river in search of lions.

On our final morning drive, Jurie receives a radio call to say there’s been a lion spotting. We hustle into the truck as the sun starts to rise, dewy spider webs glistening. The air is crisp enough to warrant a beanie and blanket. Everyone is silent as Jurie sends us charging down narrow dirt tracks.

It’s a perfect morning. The reserve is just waking up, birds are singing to each other, giraffes are stretching their necks for a morning feed. We come to a fork in the road when Freddie holds up his hand, signalling Jurie to stop. He’s seen something.

He motions for Jurie to take the right-side path, slowly. We inch forward on silent wheels. Our collective eyes scaning the bush for orange lion manes. And that’s when I see them—spots.

Three cheetahs on the hunt.
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Right beside our truck, three male cheetahs are stalking through the scrub. Lithe and focussed, they don’t acknowledge the truck as they pursue a lone wildebeest.

Just when I think they’re going to go for the kill, they veer off and move away; choosing to lay down in a patch of sunshine rather than toy with their prey. The wildebeest prances down the path, oblivious to his near-death. We watch as the cheetahs soak up the sun, like domestic cats on a warm windowsill. Their spotted coats are glistening and their huge paws kick up red dust; they’re magnificent.

All I can do is whisper “thank you bush”.

get lost was hosted by G Adventures on one of their National Geographic Journeys.

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AH, IRELAND...

She’s a beauty, to be sure. But this island is more than just a pretty face and a set of rolling hills. A trip to Ireland can be heart-filling, soul-warming and full of ‘good craic’ if you do it right. To help ya have the grandest time, we’ve handpicked nine of our favourite adventures:

Púca parade in full flight.
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GOOD CRAIC

‘Craic’ is an almost indefinable part of the Irish spirit. It’s good natured fun; it’s the local gossip in town; it’s the quintessential Irish sense of humour. Best served with other people, whether down the local pub or at an ancient festival. Basically, good craic is a good time.

1. DISCOVER PUCA FESTIVAL

Take everything you know about Halloween (ie. bags of candy and trick or treating) and forget it.

Because Ireland’s ancient pagan celebration of Samhain, in particular its Púca Festival, is where it’s at. Púca is all about welcoming some of the more strange, wonderful, very mischievous creatures that come into the world during the Celtic New Year. How do these creatures get into the world? Through the chasms of space and time at places like the Hill of Ward. Ceremonial, celebratory craic. Highly recommend.

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This is what the average festival-goer looks like at Púca.
A long view of Benbulbin mountain in Sligo, Ireland.
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2. GO WILD ON HORSEBACK

Whether you’re an equestrian expert or just a regular horse enthusiast, galloping your way along Ireland’s west coast is an adventure and a half.

The lovely folk at Island View Riding Stables will take you out for a day (or days, plural) on one of their very noble, and very friendly, steeds. Walk through water, trot along hilltops, take in the epic Wild Atlantic Way. You’ll be gifted lungs full of fresh Irish air, and a whole lot of funny Irish banter from your local tour guides. Craic at a canter. Lol.

Click to RIDE ON

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Dublin Bay looks much warmer from above.
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3. DIVE THE FAMOUS FORTY FOOT

Know what really enlivens the spirit? A seriously cold plunge in the seriously cold Irish Sea. It’s a seriously good time.

People have been swimming this spot at Dublin Bay for over 250 years now, sharing the waters with herons and cormorants and the occasional seal. It’s an all-season, all-weather activity, and a time-honoured Christmas day tradition for locals. So go on, join ‘em for a cold swim and a shot of endorphins. Don’t chicken out, or they’ll think you’re no craic at all.

Click to TAKE THE PLUNGE

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Oh, Molly Malone...
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GOOD CHARACTERS

Cead Míle Fáilte is Gaelic for “a hundred thousands welcomes”—and if that doesn’t sum up the warmth of this place, we don’t know what does. A trip to the Emerald Isle isn’t complete without a heartwarming convo or three with some bona fide locals. If you’re up for a chat, here’s how to find it:

4. GO ON A PUB CRAWL IN DUBLIN

Now, this is not your average tipple trail. A night out is only as good as the people you’re with; fortunately there’s plenty to work with in this regard in Dublin.

Roaring fires, Guinness, trad music and most importantly, a series of tall tales which get taller and taller as the night wears on. We recommend the a literary pub crawl celebrating Ireland’s star-studded line up of writers, from Wilde to Rooney. It’s street theatre meets drinking meets learning.

Click to SAY SLÁINTE

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Grace Neill's has the oldest known pub deeds in Ireland.
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5. HAVE A PINT WITH A GHOST

Yeah, you read that right. Grace Neill’s is a 410-year-old pub in Donaghadee, County Down that’s home to a few ghostly inhabitants.

Apparently the supernatural presence is so strong here that the pub’s been visited by quite a few paranormal TV crews and ghost hunters. Which means it must be legit. These ghosts aren’t just your regular ghosts either—they’re smuggler and pirate and sailor ghosts who have all frequented this Northern Irish gem from time to time. Don’t expect eerie vibes though, this is still very much your cosy Irish pub with trad music and tasty grub. Find out about them over a yarn with some locals.

Click to WITNESS THE SPECTRE-CLE

No malarkey: Malachy hard at work.
6. MAKE A BOHRÁN DRUM WITH A MASTER CRAFTSMAN

Music is a big deal in Ireland, especially their traditional music. And Malachy Kearns (or Malachy Bodhrán as the locals call him) is a big deal in traditional drumming.

Malachy has been hand making all the bodhráin for Riverdance for nearly three decades, and if you fancy yourself a drummer (or a craftsperson) you can join him for a lesson in making one of Ireland’s oldest instruments. You can even paint your family crest/football team on if you’re feeling particularly patriotic.

Click to DRUM UP SOME FUN

Giant's Causeway's incredible rock formations.
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GOOD COASTLINES

Ireland is an island, remember. Which means it’s home to a shit-tonne of drivable/swimmable/Instagrammable coastline – over 1,450 kilometres of coast, in fact. Whether you’re a road tripper, ocean swimmer or Instagrammer, there’s a little something seaside to suit all travellers:

7. ROAD TRIP GIANT'S CAUSEWAY COASTAL ROUTER

Ireland has got UNESCO World Heritage sites coming out of its …  isle. Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is one of these. It’s home to otherworldly, hexagon-shaped rocks, thanks to a volcanic eruption back in the day. Very cool.

Local legend reckons a giant, named Finn MacCool, built the causeway when he wanted to cross the channel to battle another giant. Mucho MacCool. We recommend jumping in the car and driving the full 313 kilometres of pristine coastline, stopping by beaches, small seaside villages, local pubs and, of course, Game of Thrones locations.

Click and DO IT FOR A GOOD CAUSE

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Skellig Michael in all its mysterious glory.
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8. GO FULL STAR WARS ON SKELLIG MICHAEL

Yep, this super dramatic, isolated island off the coast of the Ring of Kerry was one of the epic locations in both Star Wars: A Force Awakens and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Not into pop culture? All good, you don’t need the force to appreciate the beauty of this extraordinary place. Go hiking, check out an ancient monastery or peep a nest of puffins (they’re birds, FYI). But you gotta book those boat tickets ahead of time, as only a handful of people are permitted to visit the island everyday. It’s a blessing (no crowds) and a curse (if you’re not an organised traveller).

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Two hikers take a break from trekking.
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9. TREK THE DINGLE WAY

More into trekking? We (and Ireland) have got your back. Our choice of ocean-side amble is the splendiforous Dingle Way, a trail that follows the entire 180 kilometre Dingle Peninsula Coast from Dingle Town to Tralee.

Honestly, the scenery is just epic—from swathes of sand to the Slieve Mish Mountains. The full trek will take you roughly a week to conquer. BYO boots and a little flask of whisky to really complement the Irish vistas.

Click to RING A DING DINGLE

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Hot 5 Surf Meccas

Epic spots discovered by surfers, loved by non-surfers. Board not required.

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Sometimes all it takes is the discovery of one fun/weird/unique thing to birth the next travel destination.

Take Laos’ Vang Vieng, for example. All Vang Vieng needed was one tube on the river and nek minute Lonely Planet was including the village in its latest guidebook.

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Surfing has had a similar effect on the world. It’s been surfers—historically willing to travel to far flung places in search of a good wave—who have discovered some of the best travel spots the globe has to offer (ahem, Bali). Travel spots that have grown to be so much more than just surfing meccas (cough, Bali, cough). These are our five favourite surf discoveries (that aren’t Bali):

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PUERTO ESCONDIDO
MEXICO

Could this be the chillest beach town in all of Mexico? Highly likely.

Puerto Escondido started drawing a travel crowd thanks to its excellent breaks in both Zicatela and La Punta, but PE is so much more than just its waves. You’ve got the delicious Oaxacan food, those insane sunsets, and more than a few beachfront dance parties. The coast is also very swim-friendly, so you don’t need any prowess on a surfboard to get the most out of these crystal waters. Best part? You’ll never encounter a Spring Breaker here. They’re all in Cancun, mixing their tequila with orange juice.

Click and LET’S ESCONDI-GO

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JEFFREYS BAY
SOUTH AFRICA

J-Bay (as us cool, very hip, pseudo-locals like to call it) was ‘discovered’ by pioneering South African surfer, John Whitmore, in 1959.

But Supertubes, as the break was later named, wasn’t actually ridden until 1964. Since then, the world famous surf spot, has grown to be one of South Africa’s favourite holiday destinations (even for non-surfers). J-Bay’s primo location means travellers can visit game parks, go sandboarding, do the world’s highest bungy, enjoy a bit of dolphin spotting or just relax by the seaside. Lekker.

Click and YOU’LL SOUTH A-FREAK-A OUT

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SIARGAO
PHILIPPINES

Betcha didn’t know Siargao, the teardrop-shaped island in the Philippines, is actually the country’s surfing capital, did ya? Now you do.

Let’s take a moment to thank the fine surfing men and women who brought Siargao to our travel attention… and then move the heck onto all the other things you can do here. Like, island hopping, cave exploring, jellyfish swimming, rock pool hunting, hammock lazing, sunset watching, waterfall chasing and motorbike riding. From epic resorts to pristine beaches, Siargao really is paradise central.

Click to GET YOUR PHIL

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ARUGAM BAY
SRI LANKA

Arugam Bay is the only place in Sri Lanka that hosts an international surf comp. Why? Because it’s got epic waves. Obviously.

But you know what else it has? The friendliest locals to ever welcome you into a game of cricket. The town of Arugam Bay offers everything from backpacker parties to beautiful resorts, blindingly white temples and some of Sri Lanka’s best street foods. Sure, the waves are worth the trip, but everything else is just as good here.

Click when AR-U-GA-NNA GO?

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EL ZONTE
EL SALVADOR

Both El Tunco and El Zonte in El Salvador’s La Libertad have long drawn a surfing crowd. With gorgeous black sand beaches and world-class breaks, it makes sense that this part of the world was heralded by the surf community.

But non-surfers don’t fear—you’ve got lush rainforest to explore, sea caves to discover and warm waters to swim. There’s also lakes and lagoons, volcanoes and Mayan ruins in the greater El Salvador expanse. Central American heaven (or cielo, as they’d say).

Click for ONE ‘EL OF A TRIP