Travel By Design: Off the Beaten Path
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Whether wandering off the tourist drags, or getting off the superhighways to find a surprising “gem” of a restaurant, attraction or activity not well known to the traveling public, going off the beaten path rewards event the most intrepid traveler. It may take a sense of adventure or courage—or both, but going where few travelers go can provide a fresh source of travel stories and memories, while helping to bring tourism to places often overlooked.
Rare Ice Eggs Found Along Finland Beach
Nature keeps people guessing all the time in every part of the world. So, when Risto Mattila went walking along Finland’s Hailuoto Island Marjaniemi Beach, he had to take some pictures of some interesting nature-related ice. Ice, as most people know, come in all kinds of sizes and shapes – … Read more Read more
Europe Off the Beaten Path
Prison Island Becomes A Paradise For Visitors
Not very many people can say they’ve seen the Fernando de Noronha archipelago and enjoyed its mountain jungles and white-sand beaches. In 1988, about 75 percent of Brazil’s 21 scenic islands had been declared protected – now a national marine park and sanctuary. Today, the area only lets 420 visitors … Read more Read more
Central and South America Off the Beaten Path
The Magnetism of the Polar Regions: Voyaging through the Arctic and Antarctic
By Alicia-Rae OlafssonMaybe it’s the cold bite of the wind on your cheeks as you trek across the Arctic tundra in the remote Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, discovering pristine landscapes of craggy mountains and glaciers surrounded by the glistening Arctic Ocean, making you feel alive. Possibly it’s the sound (and unmistakable smell) … Read more Read more
The World Off the Beaten Path Sustainability
Bringing a dark history to light in Bosnia
By Tara TadlockTwenty-seven years ago, Bosnia and Herzegovina was considered one of the most dangerous places in the world. The capital city, Sarajevo, was under constant siege by sniper fire and mortar shells. Today, however, Bosnia looks very different. Though still scarred by the remnants of war, the country has seemingly found … Read more Read more
Europe Off the Beaten Path History
Offbeat India: A Pilgrimage to the Source of the Ganges
By Trixie PacisIndia cradles an ancient and spiritual culture that draws visitors from around the globe. Spiritual experiences in the country range from temple visits and yoga retreats to 10-day silent Vipassana meditations. While India is best known by tourists for wonders like the Taj Mahal, our six-month sojourn brought us to … Read more Read more
India Off the Beaten Path Religious Travel History
Searching for Monsters and Magic in the Scottish Highlands
By Daniel BaldwinThe Scottish Highlands are a place of ancient history, stunning natural beauty, and magic. Among the older generations, some claim that high in its earthy hills you’ll find the homes of creatures only heard about in legend. Tales of heroes, monsters, and faeries color its villages, giving them an air … Read more Read more
United Kingdom Off the Beaten Path History
Ayahuasca Tourism: The Commercialization of Culture
By Jessica BarrettUsed by Indigenous tribes in the Amazon for medicinal purposes for centuries, it’s only in the last 50 years or so that Westerners have come to learn about ayahuasca. La medicina, as it’s often known, is part of a multimillion dollar industry taking hold in South and Central America: plant … Read more Read more
Central and South America Off the Beaten Path Events & Festivals Social Responsibility
Five Copenhagen Districts You Should Visit
By Ali JenningsAlthough Denmark has a not entirely unfounded reputation for being on the expensive side, this doesn’t stop many travelers from heading to the capital, Copenhagen, every year. The reasons for this are simple: Copenhagen is a charming city with a host of attractions. There is great culinary and entertainment options, … Read more Read more
Europe Off the Beaten Path
Outpost Camp To Send Chile Tourists To Remote, But Spectacular Areas
Outpost, a luxury pop-up camp, has been set up in Aysen, which is a remote area of northern Patagonia, to help people reach some of Chile’s less traveled tourist locations. Travel company Upscale is responsible for coming up with the camp. The goal is to change how visitors) experience the … Read more Read more
Central and South America Luxury Travel Off the Beaten Path Sustainability
A Walking Tour Highlighting a Mumbai Slum’s Innovative Industry
By Bianca CaruanaDharavi, in central Mumbai, is considered one of the largest slums in Asia, but deep within this neighborhood, below the shanty grey roofs, loosely comprised of scavenged, upcycled metal, lives a resourceful and innovative community that plays an imperative role in Mumbai’s city-wide waste management. I learned about this innovative … Read more Read more
India Off the Beaten Path Social Responsibility
Stone Circles in the UK: Beyond Stonehenge
By Ali JenningsPretty much everyone has heard of the massive stone ring known as Stonehenge; it’s one of the most visited places in England, both by domestic and international tourists. An ancient wonder of the world, Stonehenge is a classic example of Neolithic engineering and one of the best-preserved monuments of its … Read more Read more
United Kingdom Off the Beaten Path Religious Travel History
Escape from London: 6 Cities in the UK to Visit
By Ali JenningsLondon is the major port of call for most travelers coming to the United Kingdom, and there’s certainly lots in the capital to keep you entertained for weeks on end. When people do venture outside London, it’s usually to the hotspots of Oxford and Edinburgh. But they are not the … Read more Read more
United Kingdom Off the Beaten Path
Gangsters, Monkeys and Mines: Exploring the Diverse History of a Florida County
By Kathleen WallsWhat once was old is now new in Florida’s Marion County. One of the “newest” attractions in the city of Ocala, has roots going back nearly 100 years, commemorating an epic FBI shootout with a notorious gang that ended the era of gangsters in the United States. Other attractions in … Read more Read more
United States Adventure Off the Beaten Path History
Living in Mexico, Exploring North Korea, Malta and Barbados
Enjoy a transformative travel experience as we travel to North Korea, Malta, Mexico and Barbados. Wendy Simmons is an intrepid traveler whose solo adventures have taken her from Ethiopia to North Korea and beyond. She joins World Footprints radio to share her wealth of travel advice and gives us a … Read more Read more
The World Experiences Off the Beaten Path History The Arts Preservation
Rats and Astronauts: Street Art in Oaxaca
By Eliza AmonFamed for its artistic traditions in weaving, pottery and painted wooden animal carvings known as alebrijes, the Mexican city of Oaxaca is also brimming with contemporary art. Museums and galleries dot the central area, particularly north of the Zocalo, the central plaza, but Oaxaca also has a thriving street art … Read more Read more
Mexico Off the Beaten Path The Arts