10 best trekking places in the world

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Break out the hiking boots and slap on the sunscreen, it’s time for an outdoors and adventure jaunt! One of the best ways to discover a foreign country is to walk the land, sleep under the stars, admire the natural beauty and swap smiles with locals in far-off villages. Here are 10 of our favorite hikes around the world.

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Annapurna Circuit

Nepal

This ancient trade route has been open to foreign trekkers since 1977 and is one of the most beautiful hikes on the planet. The total length of the route varies between 100 and145 miles, and takes anywhere from 15 to 25 days to complete depending on your speed. The highlights include reaching an altitude of almost 18,000 feet at Thorung La summit pass and watching the sun rise over towering peaks at Poon Hill. Leave your camping gear at home; there are cheap hotels all along the route.

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Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Peru

The section of the Inca Trail (there are thousands of miles of Inca Trail) that leads to Machu Picchu is one of the most traveled routes in the world, and for good reason -- it’s strikingly beautiful. There’s a mix of everything on this relatively short walk, ranging from the snow-capped Andes to luscious tropical jungle. On day 5 of your trek you pass through the majestic Sun Gate, and your eyes are bombarded by the most beautiful view you’ve ever seen -- the ancient city of Machu Picchu (hopefully not covered in clouds).

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Camino de Santiago

Spain

The Way of St. James was one of the most important Christian pilgrimages during medieval times and is now a super highway of hikers from all over the world. The trail stretches from the Pyrenees in France, across the top of Spain and finishes inSantiago de Compostela, a distance of about 500 miles. This is a very social trek and can be crowded during the summer months, so if you’re looking for solitude, try going in the off-season. Here’s some added incentive: There’s a fuente de vino, a fully functional fountain of wine along the route, cheers!

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The Snowman Trek

Bhutan

Trekking this route is not for the faint of heart, or lungs. This high-altitude ball-buster crosses 11 passes over 14,000 feet along the Tibet-Bhutan border. Along the way you’ll visit magical Buddhist monasteries clinging to the sides of cliffs and pass through secluded villages full of windblown smiles. It takes about 24 days to complete, and the window of perfect weather is very small, mainly in October.

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Kungsleden (The Kings Trail)

Sweden

Northern Sweden is absolute heaven during the summer months and this 275-mile trail will treat you to vast, untouched wilderness and endless sunshine (bring eye patches to sleep!). The trek starts in the village of Abisko in the north and ends in Hemavan farther south, with plenty of rustic huts along the way for shelter. Kungsleden runs through 4 national parks and a nature reserve, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see some of Santa’s reindeer.

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West Highland Way

Scotland

Walking through the Scottish Highlands on this 96-mile trail will make you feel like you’ve stepped into the movie Braveheart, minus the battle-axes. If you like the color green, you’ll be seeing lots of it here; this route passes through the incredibly picturesque and romantic Scottish landscape. The weather is always unpredictable, even in summer months, so make sure to pack plenty of warm-weather and rain gear.

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Sentiero Azzurro (The Blue Trail)

Italy

If you’re looking for mind-blowing beauty and a manageable trail for the whole family, this is the one. The Blue Trail connects the 5 villages of Cinque Terre and can be completed in a day. The route hugs the rocky coastline and passes through picture-perfect vineyards and the coziest little villages you’ve ever laid eyes on. At the end of the day, your neck, not legs, will be the most sore body part due to the constant distraction from beauty in every direction.

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Pays Dragon

Mali

Africa may not be on the top of most people’s list of places to hike, but this hidden gem is sure to please your inner Indiana Jones. This trail is set in the plains of West Africa and passes through the majestic Bandiagara Escarpment and abandoned cliff dwellings (very similar looking to Mesa Verde). The exotic natural beauty of the area will surely please your eyes, but the warm people will make the most lasting impression.

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The Routeburn Track

New Zealand

This relatively short walk (3 days) is big on scenery and natural beauty. The nearly 20-mile trek passes through 2 national parks,Fiordland and Mount Aspiring, and you’ll be treated to the sight of wild birds, as well as breathtaking views of mountain peaks, lakes, waterfalls and rivers.

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Haute Route

France and Switzerland

This stunner is the Mercedes of the trekking world; you’ll get to gaze upon some of the world’s most famous peaks, Mont Blancand the Matterhorn. The trail’s name means "high route," and it takes about 12 days to hike the 111 miles from the Chamonix valley in France to Zermatt, Switzerland. Brush up on your French; it’ll help to communicate in the small villages along the way.

The essential beach packing

Headed to the seashore? Use our essential beach packing list to help you pack everything you'll need for a relaxed beach getaway. Best of all, it can save you money, since packing the right things now will keep you from having to repurchase items once you arrive.

What are your must-pack beach essentials? 
We have shared some for your sake click on the link below.
http://i.slimg.com/sc/sl/graphic/b/be/beach_packlist.pdf

Top 10 beaches of the world

Seychelles

One of the most photographed beaches in the world, the pale pink sands of Anse Source d’Argent unfurls across the island of La Digue, one of the 115 components of this archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The sands sparkle against a backdrop of towering granite boulders, worn by time and weather. The turquoise water is relatively shallow and protected from the ocean’s waves by a reef.

Maldives

Whether your dream beach trip consists of spending a few pampered nights in a four-star resort or swimming among tropical fish some 80 feet (24 meters) underwater, the Maldives are the sort of islands where either—or both—can come true. Straddling the Equator southwest of Sri Lanka, the 1,102 islands that make up the Maldives form 26 atolls. The soft air enveloping the archipelago blends into a beautiful palm-fringed haze.

Bora Bora, Tahiti

This is one of the magical islands that make up French Polynesia in the South Pacific. Just 18 miles (29 kilometers) long, this lush little slip of land lies in a protected lagoon edged by white sandy shores, the best being at Matira Point. Bora Bora boasts the nickname the “Romantic Island,” a moniker easy to appreciate with its isolated beaches, intimate hotels, and quiet atmosphere.

The Hamptons, New York

One of the hip spots for the air-kissing, well-heeled set, the Hamptons boast some of the prettiest beaches on Long Island. The unspoiled shoreline begins around Southampton and runs east to the end of the island at Montauk. Windswept dunes and waving grasses border the Atlantic Ocean.

Lanikai Beach, Hawaii

Half a mile of sparkling sand, palm trees swaying over a white beach, lush tropical plants, and endless sunshine make Lanikai one of Hawaii’s most scenic beaches. The shore is protected by a nearby coral reef, which keeps the surf relatively calm. The water is always deep green and postcard-perfect.

Nantucket Island, Massachusetts

The most popular beaches on this island in the North Atlantic are Surfside and Children’s. The waters here are relatively calm, and there’s plenty of sand to use for sunbathing or castle-building. Madaket Beach is known for its rougher surf and not-to-be-missed sunsets. Quidnet Beach provides great views of Sankaty Head lighthouse.

Fraser Island, Australia

Perched on the sunny Queensland coast 161 miles (259 kilometers) northeast of Brisbane, Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island and home to a wonderful beach. This World Heritage Site is an ecologist’s dream, with 640 square miles (1,664 square kilometers) of unspoiled natural paradise. Rain forests with 1,000-year-old trees sprout from the sand. Lodgings here accommodate a wide range of tourists, from the backpacking ecology lover to pampered resort fans.

St. Bart's

One of many islands in the Caribbean Sea, St. Bart’s stands out with its blend of French chic and island relaxation. With beautiful secluded beaches, fine French cuisine, and gracious hotels, this tropical playground is popular with the Jet Set. The 8-mile-long (13-kilometer-long) island is edged by 20 beaches and small coves for swimmers and sunbathers, with sparkling water and white sand.

Langkawi, Malaysia

The name “Langkawi” translates into “the land of one’s wishes,” a welcoming concept that somewhat belies the island’s historic origins as a reputed refuge for pirates. Langkawi has since become a modern hideaway for the traveler seeking an escape. If your vacation wishes extend from uncrowded white sands and clear waters to lush green forests, you will find yourself content here. Datai Bay, located on Pulau Langkawi, is a heavenly retreat on the Andaman Sea.

Kauna'oa Bay, Hawaii
Located on the Kohala Coast of the Aloha State’s Big Island, Kauna’oa Bay is the quintessential Hawaiian spot. The 0.25-mile-long (0.4-kilometer-long), crescent-shaped beach has plenty of white sand, palm trees, and calm, clear, blue water. In addition to swimming and sunbathing, beachgoers here can snorkel or ride boogie boards. (Be careful swimming, however, because there are no lifeguards on this public beach.) At night, nestle into the sands and peer out into the water to see if you can catch a glimpse of manta rays swimming.

Note: Content has been taken from site http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/top-10/beaches/

What's your travel philosophy?

“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” – Martin


What’s your travel philosophy? It’s a question that many seasoned travelers get asked. Your travel philosophy encompasses your beliefs on travel and the process of leaving home. It is like your mission statement for your trips. There are many to choose from, and depending on your travel style and what you want to get out of your trips, yours could be worlds away from the next person’s. Having a travel philosophy is not something you need to have, but more something you intrinsically have without even trying.

Most people travel without much thinking. Not that a certain amount of planning doesn’t go into the trip – booking a flight, researching hotels and looking at reviews; however, many people don’t stop to think about why they are actually traveling.When I travel, I’m usually carrying nothing more than a 20-pound backpack and a pair of sunglasses. I enjoy traveling solo to international destinations and places that give me a bit of culture shock. To me, traveling is about being taken out of your comfort zone and growing from the experience. However, if you asked my best friend what travel meant to her, she would be more likely to answer relaxing on a beach with close friends and a strong daiquiri. Additionally, I know other people who travel to learn about history, fashion, food, and medicine or to volunteer, escape, have an adventure, for inspiration, to become healed, to relax or to become closer with their partner. None of these ways of looking at travel is right or wrong, just different.