The desert sky was awash with color as 25 hot air balloons inflated and rose into the sky. Spectators had traveled from across the country to witness this sight, and were thrilled to walk right onto the field and watch as each balloon would inflate and lift off.
These are our photos from the 2015 Arizona Balloon Classic – if you find yourself in Phoenix in 2016, be sure not to miss the festival and all it’s events!
Read MoreWe were hiking through the Arizona desert when we heard the unmistakable rattle of a highly venomous snake. A warning that we were too close for either party’s comfort.
Though while many would have turned on their heel immediately, the photo opportunity was worth risking our lives for.
Read MoreMyanmar is a country of contrasts. The traveller’s eye sees glittering temples, women in brightly coloured headscarves, and fishermen rowing with one leg while standing on the other. But dig deeper and you’ll find that Myanmar is a country with a dark past and her people have endured the worst.
While travelling through Myanmar we learned that the country and her people had a lot to teach us.
Truth be told, we didn’t know much about Myanmar’s recent history before deciding to travel there. But upon reading Emma Larkin’s Finding George Orwell in Burma before our departure, we were suddenly aware that the Burmese people had been through hell.
Read More“That’s a NICE backpack” she said as I swung out a concealed belt-pack to reach for my camera.
“I want one. Where did you get it?”
If you haven’t yet heard of the Rotation180º Travel Away Backpack your mind is about to be blown. An innovative new rotation backpack from MindShift Gear, this is a brilliant new day pack which travelers and outdoor explorers are going to love.
Read MoreThere’s no doubt about it – Bryony Holland is inspiring. Inspiring beyond all belief. Like so many others out there she was once terrified of traveling, and her fear controlled her life.
Suffering from a severe panic disorder from an early age, and susceptible to extreme anxiety attacks, at one stage, she become completely housebound. Her anxiety, and the depression that came alongside it, had become too overwhelming and controlled her life.
When it got to the stage where she didn’t want to be around anymore, she knew she had to do something drastic, so faced her fear head on and booked an impulsive ticket around the world.
Read MoreCosta Rica is an incredible country, offering long stretches of deserted white sand beaches, dense jungles filled with a rich diversity of exotic wildlife, lush rain-forests, raging rivers, towering volcanoes, and smiling communities.
The beaches really are second to none, the scenery is phenomenal, the country boasts wildlife you have never before encountered, and all inclusive Costa Rica luxury resorts are world-class. On top of all of this though, Costa Rica has an adventurous activities scene which rivals that of New Zealand!
Read MoreThe capital of New Zealand, while Wellington is a small city, it is an incredibly cool little capital, and exudes a large amount of character.
From the world’s best coffee, to scenic views which will blow your mind, a unique and cozy bar scene, and accessibility to both the North and South Islands, Wellington is one of those city’s you really shouldn’t miss.
There are many, many reasons why you should travel to Wellington, New Zealand, and here are just a few reasons why.
Read MoreCombining volunteerism with travel is one of our favorite ways to explore the globe, though it’s absolutely vital to choose a project which makes a genuine difference to the community and society as a whole.
Realizing that this is now an industry which can turn a profit, some companies and organizations are ignoring the long-term effects of volunteering on host communities, and as such there is now a lot of cynicism about those who want to become an international volunteer to “do good”.
We speak to Stephen Knight today about volunteering in Latin America, and the importance of ethical volunteerism.
Read MoreMy pulse was beating like a sledgehammer as I stepped over the ledge ready to conquer the highest abseil in the world.
I was hanging suspended 140m (450ft) from a concrete dam with views of Tasmania’s magnificent southwest wilderness stretching out in front of me. I was about to complete one of the top 10 adrenalin activities in the world.
Read MoreJanuary 26 is Australia Day – a day when Australian’s take to the streets all around the globe to celebrate their national pride. And with more than 6.8 million Australians traveling internationally every year, January 26 really is a day which is celebrated all around the globe.
In celebration of Australia Day, here are 50 of our favorite photos from the most amazing country in the world.
Read MoreI was standing at 13,642 feet above sea level, and staring out at the panorama of an alpine wonderland of ice, snow and rock. The peaks of Swiss alps rose through the sea of clouds in front of me, and glacial valleys covered in the purest white snow lay out ahead.
I was standing at the top of Europe atop the summit of Jungfrau; easily my favorite Ice Cold Adventure to date!
Read MoreWhether they’re your own or someone else’s, traveling with kids can be overwhelming and intimidating for the best of us, and it can often feel like traveling with a herd of wild goats! Though traveling with children can also lead to the most rewarding travel experiences, and it often teaches them more about the world than they will learn from a formal education.
And while you may think it’s a daunting concept, the reality is that parents are out there traveling with their kids on a daily basis – some even opting to travel with their kids full time, homeschooling them on the road. In fact, one family featured in this post travels full time with nine!
So as global explorers are becoming younger and younger in age, it’s time to highlight the cutest traveling kids of 2014!
Read MoreThe epic journey to Machu Picchu is the expedition of a lifetime, and 1 million hikers, tourists and explorers all make the journey here annually to see the majestic city for themselves.
The mysterious ruins of an ancient civilization, Machu Picchu (Peru) is a 15th century Inca site which is 7,000 feet above sea level, nestled on a small hilltop between the Andean Mountain Range. The city soars above the Urabamba Valley, and was unknown to the outside world until its discovery in 1911.
How do you get there? Many opt for the train – a short 2-3 hour journey which takes you right into the heart of Aguas Calientes, your base for access to the ruins. Though those more adventurous take the Inca Trail, a 4 day journey which follows the same route the Inca’s and early explorers had to take to reach the city.
Read MoreHe has rocked out in over 25 countries, and writes chart topping hits in cities all around the world. He was named “One To Watch” in 2012 & 2013 by the Nashville Songwriters Association International, and is frequently hosted as a featured songwriter at Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Cafe.
He is a singer, songwriter and traveler who’s lyrics are shaped by the always-changing world around him. From living in Paris playing guitar on the banks of the Seine in between crepe breaks to two years of international touring through the Caribbean, Baltic, and all over Western Europe, Mike Mentz has gotten a good jump on globetrotting.
He’s a traveling rockstar who is always on the road – this is an interview with Mike Mentz about life as a traveling musician.
Read MoreThe puffin is one of Iceland’s biggest wildlife draws. They arrive by the million for the breeding season between April and August, and nest on coastal cliffs all around the country in massive colonies.
To say that they arrive in the million is no understatement – we literally spent days shooting puffin photography, though we did occasionally allow them to break for lunch!
Head to Tjörnes for the best site to spot puffins in Iceland.
Read MoreOver the last year we’ve scrambled through sand dunes in Peru, trekked deep into the Amazon, and hiked through some of the most remote island destinations on earth. We’ve wandered through the desert, rappelled down buildings, and trodden on the ruins of ancient Incan civilizations. So it should come as no surprise that we’ve sacrificed many soles.
My feet have been pierced by needles from cactus plants, we lost one pair of shoes to a vicious cotton-mouth snake attack, and others have succumbed to water damage after crashing a quad bike into the sea. So it was about high time, we thought, to invest in some long lasting, high quality hiking shoes.
Read MoreMy mouth started watering to the point where I was literally drooling as he placed a plate of street tacos in the middle of our table. My mind started racing. “How long do I have to wait before I can grab one without looking rude?” “Can I stuff the whole thing in my mouth in one go?” “Do you think the group would notice if I stole more than one?”.
The tender, succulent meat had been smoked & slow braised for 12 hours, and was sitting in plated of me with pineapple and habanero glaze on a hand-made corn tortilla. Nothing this sensational had touched my lips in well, forever…don’t tell my husband!
Read MoreOn long international flights I try and avoid the window seat like the plague, however unfortunately on my most recent trip from Sydney to L.A. there was nothing I could do.
Making the most of my situation, I pulled out my camera in case of any window seat views, and was pleasantly surprised by the birds eye view.
Read MoreThis past year seems to have disappeared in the flash of an eye – it feels like it was only yesterday we were sitting in Florida stressing about whether our house would sell before our trip overseas, whether my US residency would come through allowing me back into the country after said mega trip, and whether or not we would survive in a life of long-term travel.
Though as with everything in life (which we have quickly realized), everything fell into place, and while this year has been stressful at times, as usual, it was absolutely jam packed full of international adventure!
Read MoreAutumn, or “Harud”, as they say in local language, denotes the foggy season with different hues in air. It is harvest time, and one of the most expensive spices, “saffron”, gets harvested during this season.
The brown mountains adore the beauty of Kashmir and glorify its scenic gardens. This season of mist brings countless joys to the tourists as they see thick foliage everywhere carpeting the paths and gardens.
Read MoreWe’ve named the Sexiest Male Travelers Alive for 2014, and have likewise recently crowned the Sexiest Female Travelers Alive, however after publishing these lists, travelers started submitting photos of…their pets!
The prospect of bringing your pet aboard a commercial flight may sound like a nightmare, however the idea of leaving your most vulnerable family member at home is often unthinkable, and it is estimated that 2 million pets take to the skies each year – and that’s just in the US & Canada alone!
Read MoreAustralia is most people’s dream destination, a “must-visit” on their ultimate bucket list, though with some of the most extreme and varied climates in the world, packing can be one of the most challenging parts of the trip!
For instance are you hitting the tropical rainforests of far North Queensland, the harsh landscape of the Outback, or the colder climates of Southern Tasmania? Are you planning a dive in the Great Barrier Reef, a climb of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, or some skiing in the Snowy Mountains?
When planning a trip to Australia you need to consider the weather and climate of the destinations you will be visiting, and the outdoor activities you plan on undertaking during your trip. You need to know if you plan on exploring only urban areas, or also plan on hitting up some more natural settings. After you know your itinerary, this will determine your packing list for Australia.
Read MoreAs part of this year’s celebrations of German reunification, we previously introduced you to Hamburg. But there is another city you shouldn’t miss when travelling to Germany, especially not in the pre-Christmas season: Dresden.
Dresden is the capital of Saxony and a masterpiece of its own. Its biggest attraction, the Church of our Lady, was destroyed during World War 2, and as part of former Eastern Germany, it wasn’t openly accessible to tourists for many years.
Read MoreLooking for a last minute dog sitter this holiday season? Or maybe you’re looking for a holiday companion in the form of an adorable pup? You’re in the right place – we’re about to solve all of your holiday woes!
The prospect of bringing your pet aboard a commercial flight may sound like a nightmare, though the idea of leaving your most vulnerable family member at home, however, is often unthinkable.
Sadly, much of the time pet owners choose to forgo vacation because of the stress involved in finding a suitable pet sitter, but now with a brilliant new service called DogVacay, pet owners can forget about the kennel, and send their dog on an awesome local vacation while heading off to traipse the world!
Read MoreAfter Sydney was thrown into absolute chaos earlier today with the seige of a cafe in one of the busiest parts of the city, anti-islamic sentiment flooded social media after reports the incident may be politically motivated.
Though in a move which will completely restore your faith in humanity, Australians have quickly banded together on social media under the now viral #illridewithyou hashtag, offering to ride on buses and trains with Muslims, or give them a lift to work tomorrow, in order to keep them safe.
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I am Megan Jerrard, professional travel blogger/journalist with a focus on adventure, discovery, immersion and inspiring you to explore!
