You’d assume on our thirteenth 12 months as full-time vacationers, we’d be bored with all of the transferring round. However we proceed to fulfill individuals who encourage us, discover locations that take our breath away, and be taught new issues day by day–about different cultures and ourselves. Generally we take into consideration planting a root, like this 12 months it was in historic Richmond and the uncrowded seashores of Baja, nevertheless it’s by no means as a result of we’re sick of touring, it’s as a result of these locations steal a bit of our coronary heart.
This 12 months we traveled to eight nations throughout North America, the Caribbean, Western Europe, Southeast Asia, and North Africa…with Tunisia being our eightieth nation! Buddy the Camper traversed the West and dipped into Mexico, however we spared him his 14th cross-country street journey for our two East Coast journeys. We spoke at three journey conferences and attended two extra, to proceed our schooling on regenerative journey and cross-cultural connections. We starred in an Outdoors TV present and made the daring try to shoot a pilot for a journey present of our personal!
Although, the most important information of our 12 months was round glamping….We received the American Glamping Affiliation’s “Trade Pioneer Award” and received the inexperienced mild for a second (international!) version of our ebook Comfortably Wild!
Learn on for HoneyTrek’s 2024 journey highlights and see what we now have cooking for 2025.
Baja Wellness
To start out our 12 months with a clear invoice of well being, we kicked off an annual custom of going to Baja California for physician appointments and a seashore detox. Los Algodones, Mexico is the dentistry capital of the world with 600+ dentists in a single sq. mile, providing amazingly reasonably priced and high quality care. After an incredible cleansing and crown (for $125!), it made us assume that possibly there are different forms of docs that flock right here too, so we discovered a incredible common practitioner and dermatologist so as to add to our medical-tourism journey. Good factor too, as a result of it seems I had basal cell carcinoma! After cryosurgery, we took the remainder of the week for R&R, tenting alongside the northern Gulf of California, taking coastal walks, and popping into San Felipe for our taco repair. With the reward of a fantastic seashore, we’re motivated to make one other journey for this 12 months’s annual checkups!
Starring in Outdoors TV’s Texas State of Thoughts
One of many best honors of the 12 months was Outdoors Journal selecting HoneyTrek for his or her “Texas State of Thoughts” TV episode and net sequence! To curate one of the best adventures within the Lone Star State, seasoned cyclists biked Hill Nation, skilled fly fishermen took on the Gulf Coast, wellness gurus blissed out in Dallas, and we used our international journey experience to spotlight the wealthy tradition of San Antonio.
Because the premier outside media firm within the nation, Outdoors introduced their top-notch manufacturing crew, ensuring the cinematography, images, sound, and lighting had been impeccable…and we did our greatest to seize the essence of town! At first, we had been a bit nervous about having 9 folks with digital camera tools comply with us round for 2 days, however the Outdoors workforce has such good vibes and San Antonio is an superior city, so the shoot was an incredible success…give it a watch, above!
Multi-cultural Malaysia
We love Southeast Asia and have at all times needed to discover the melting pot of Malaysia. Fabricated from distinct cultures…Malay, ethnic Chinese language, ethnic Indian, plus 95 indigenous teams, and British influences from their colonial days…Malaysia provides a strong style of the continent in a single nation. We began within the capital of Kuala Lumpur, a metropolis of unimaginable contrasts, from old-world avenue markets to trendy skyscrapers that rival Manhattan.
From there, we pressed on to Perak, a central Malaysian state with lush karst topography, cave temples, and wild west vibes from its tin growth days! (Watch this video for 9 causes so as to add Perak to your subsequent Southeast Asia journey!) Nevertheless, few locations exemplify the fantastic thing about multicultural Malaysia greater than Penang. As Nice Britain’s first colony and port in Southeast Asia, it introduced folks from all over the world to this little island, and collectively they created one in every of Asia’s most original locations. Immediately, the outdated city is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site, and that’s just the start of Penang’s UNESCO standing…25% of the island is a Biosphere Reserve with historical rainforest! See this gallery.
Biodiverse Borneo
The world’s third-largest island, fringed by coral reef, lined with a 130-million-year-old rainforest, and teeming with endemic species, it is a place of epic proportions. Whereas Borneo is shared with two different nations (Indonesia and Brunei), the Malaysian state of Sabah has essentially the most protected rainforest, the island’s tallest mountain, wealthy indigenous tradition (38 acknowledged teams making up 59% of the inhabitants), and stable tourism infrastructure to entry these wonders…making it the pure alternative for a Borneo journey!
We gave ourselves 12 days (we might have simply spent a month right here) to journey round Sabah and are so excited to share one of the best of Borneo with you. Learn this in-depth article, as we trek with orangutans, scuba dive the Celebes Sea, safari within the footsteps of David Attenborough, and hone in on one of the best issues to do in Sabah, Borneo.
Brunei: The Pleasant Sultanate
With an absolute monarchy that just lately carried out Sharia legislation, Brunei doesn’t current itself as a superb journey vacation spot. A lot much less, to achieve it from Sabah was going to take us over 10 hours by bus with 7 border checkpoints (each reminding us that smuggling medicine was punishable by demise!) However you realize us, we love overland problem and consider there may be good to be present in each vacation spot, so off we went! See the gallery from our Brunei journey, together with the largest stilted settlement on this planet, the fascinating museum of the Sultan of Brunei (one of many richest people), and the pleasant locals who made our journey!
Singapore Past the Bay
Within the early days of HoneyTrek, we slept on a bench within the Singapore Changi airport, and whereas some globetrotters would possibly rely that as a rustic visited, we knew Singapore deserved greater than that. Solely a nation since 1965, Singapore has actually come into its personal as a world-class vacation spot for finance, know-how, and hospitality. However to be sincere, we had been apprehensive this glittering republic, recognized for its skyscrapers, luxurious purchasing, and mega inns like Marina Bay Sands, can be a bit too good for our liking. After taking the prerequisite go to to the attractive Gardens by the Bay and historic Lau Pat Sat market, we sought out the extra native facet of Singapore. We ate at hawker stalls on the Outdated Airport Street Meals Centre, watched a Hindu ceremony preparations at Sri Mariamman Temple, explored the endentured-coolie houses-turned-shops of Chinatown, and partook in Ramadan festivities within the Muslim Quarter of Kampong Glam. We realized the fantastic thing about this metropolis is in its worldwide enclaves and the way harmoniously folks can reside in one of many world’s smallest nations.
Timor-Leste: Coolest Nation You’ve By no means Heard Of
By April 2024, we had been to each nation in Southeast Asia…besides Timor-Leste. Beneath Portuguese rule for 400 years and occupied by the Indonesian navy from 1975-1999, this island nation has by no means hit the vacationer radar, however was calling our identify. This journey was going to be dear and logsitcally sophisticated, however we had a sense it will be a worthwhile journey…and it turned out to be the gem of our Asia journey!
With a rugged shoreline, colonial structure, plentiful marine life, and charming villages, Timor-Leste is completely attractive and was all of the extra particular with our new mates from Aero Dili. We befriended the flight crew and wound up happening an off-roading journey to their favourite locations from Dili to Baucau. Watch this video above to find Timor’s uncooked magnificence, see our shenanigans, and why this may be the best nation you’ve by no means heard of.
Taking pictures a Journey TV Pilot in Indonesia
Did you catch that we’re engaged on a pilot for a journey present?! We need to get off the overwhelmed monitor and spotlight the sweetness, variety, and human facet of regenerative journey. We need to have fun individuals who’ve adopted their desires and brought dangers to create a vacation spot that gives unforgettable experiences whereas being stewards of the native atmosphere and neighborhood.
When in search of the right place for the shoot, we discovered Ngalung Kalla Retreat on the island of Sumba, Indonesia. See the gallery and keep tuned for the sizzle reel (it’s virtually achieved!)
NJ Reminiscence Lane
The place did we reside earlier than we went nomadic? The charming Hoboken, New Jersey! Proper on the Hudson River, lower than a mile from New York Metropolis, The ‘Boken’s outside volleyball league is what first introduced me right here. Mike and I met taking part in doubles in Sinatra Park, we fell in love, and he wooed me to The Mile Sq.. We purchased a slice of a brownstone and spent three wonderful years in our first and final house collectively. Twelve years later, we returned to our outdated hometown and state for a correct trip, and we will’t let you know how nostalgic it made us. Watch this stroll down Hoboken reminiscence lane (full with throwback photographs of us as volleyball teammates and our outdated residence) and a few nice street journey concepts from 18th-century Lambertville to Exit Zero in Cape Might in this gallery.
Richmond…Who Knew?
With a daring accolade like CNN Journey’s primary decide for “America’s Finest Cities to Go to,” Richmond was a spot we needed to expertise for ourselves. So whereas we had been in Virginia for a household wedding ceremony, we prolonged our journey to take a look at this trending metropolis. Set on the attractive James River, the capital of Virginia has over 400 years of historical past to dive into, with spectacular museums, attractive structure, and native characters from Thomas Jefferson to Edgar Allan Poe. Richmond has hit its stride lately, embracing avenue artwork, African-American tradition, culinary expertise, and native delight. We spent 5 incredible days right here and might say, from their a whole bunch of murals to the category IV rapids working proper by means of downtown, it’s a metropolis that earns its stripes!
Keynoting Camp Indie
For those who’ve ever dreamt of ditching your desk job for a location-independent way of life, you’d love Camp Indie! Three enjoyable days had been had within the Berkshire Mountains, partaking in life-changing workshops + summer-camp-style enjoyable with like-minded folks considering exterior the company field. From breathwork workouts to 90s pajama events, it stuffed us up and taught us much more methods to seek out success and happiness. It was an honor to keynote this inspiring occasion and we will’t anticipate subsequent 12 months. Hope to see you the weekend of June twentieth, 2025!
Really feel the Rush! Gold Nation Street Journey
To get again to California’s Wild West roots and lots of of my favourite locations as a Cali child, we took a three-week Gold Nation street journey. Freeway 49 winds by means of the Sierra Nevadas, connecting dozens of Nineteenth-century Gold Rush cities, from Yosemite Nationwide Park to Lake Tahoe. Along with historic websites, this route serves up attractive mountains, raging rivers, alpine lakes, and wine nation for a street journey that’s received all of it! Learn this weblog for an in-depth information and see these movies for some highlights:
@honeytrek One in every of California’s best river rafting adventures is undoubtedly The Center Fork of the American. Set 2,000 ft deep in a canyon of the Tahoe Nationwide Forest, this river is beautiful and bursting with Class IV rapids. There’s even a Class VI speedy so gnarly the boat will get hurled over the 30-foot waterfall and the guides need to catch it on the backside! Stuffed with thrills, magnificence, and good instances, this @All-OutdoorsCA Rafting is a must-do Gold Nation journey! #AmericanRiver #RiverRafting #PlacerCounty #VisitGoldCountry #companion @VisitCalifornia ♬ unique sound – HoneyTrek
Puerto Rico Glamping Consulting
HoneyTrek Glamping Consulting, the place we assist camp house owners enhance their visitor expertise and enterprise total, is in its fourth 12 months. We often conduct this as a five-hour Zoom workshop, however when the celebrities align we love to fulfill the house owners on their land for a deep dive.
Jay, a budding glamping camp operator in Puerto Rico, had been saving our enterprise card for over a 12 months and phoned us as quickly because the deed to his 36 acres was signed. He was so enthusiastic about working with HoneyTrek and couldn’t have been nicer, inviting us to remain at his seashore home and tour us round PR, so we adopted our intestine to the airport and serendipity adopted swimsuit. The potential of this land was limitless, tucked within the lush mountains with views to a pristine seashore on the fringe of a colonial city, with an incredible neighborhood vibe. This dwelling context gave us so many concepts, and it’s been a pleasure to see them carried out!
Bonus: The ISA World Surf Championships occurred to be in Puerto Rico that week and within the hometown of our sports activities reporter buddy Jaimie! He scored us press passes and we received front-row seats to this Olympic-qualifying occasion!
Miami’s Wild Aspect
We repeatedly work with tourism boards on storytelling campaigns, although taking part in within the large leagues with Go to Miami had us a bit nervous. From superstar influencers to creators in our circle we respect, the content material bar was set excessive for this glamorous metropolis of six million folks…however we gave it our all!
Whereas recognized for its lengthy sandy seashores, Artwork Deco inns, Latin tradition, trendy artwork, and posh nightlife, we needed to indicate that Miami’s clubbing scene will not be its solely wild facet. Inside its county strains, there are two nationwide parks, one of many world’s largest wetlands, the third-longest coral reef, extra tropical fruit farms than anyplace within the USA, and the world’s first aware pocket park to understand the fantastic thing about nature. It’s the contrasts of Miami that make it so particular.
See our gallery with tricks to take advantage of Miami–from reside music in Little Havana to volunteering for sea turtles in Biscayne Bay.
Tunisia, Hidden Gem of North Africa
Tunisia completely blew us away. Roman ruins, Mediterranean seashores, rolling olive groves, and Andalusian villages…it had so many European qualities, but in addition one of the best of North Africa with bustling medinas, glittering mosques, wealthy Berber tradition, scrumptious delicacies, and the huge Sahara Desert.
Touring as a gaggle of 5 seasoned traveler mates, we virtually didn’t use a tour firm, however we’re so glad we determined to go together with Tunisia Ecotourism. They helped us get deeper into the center of this dynamic nation and higher perceive its wealthy cultures. Touring from the three,000-year-old metropolis of Carthage to the untouched dunes of the Sahara, Tunisia’s breadth of wonders by no means ceased to amaze. Embraced by Tunisian hospitality, we had been welcomed into 18th-century guesthouses, bedouin desert camps, and troglodyte dwellings. We realized to decorate like Berber beauties, cook dinner rougag bread, make wool, and weave rugs. Getting off the overwhelmed path and connecting with native communities, we fell in love with a rustic we barely knew…and hope you’ll too!
Try this gallery and movies under for highlights from our 10-day journey throughout Tunisia, the hidden gem of the Mediterranean and the jewel of North Africa.
TBEX Alaska
Once we received invited to talk on the Anchorage version of TBEX, the premier journey running a blog convention, we jumped on the probability to attend this week-long occasion in one of the lovely states with a few of our favourite peeps! Every time we go to TBEX, our friendships develop deeper with our content material creator neighborhood–whether or not we’re sharing concepts at a roundtable dialogue or mountaineering into the wilderness.
After the classes, there was loads of playtime, from turning the Alaska Railroad right into a transferring dance celebration to a three-day journey with Revel Treks & Excursions + BlueWater BaseCamp into the Chugach Mountains, full with kayaking, mountain biking, glamping, moose-spotting, and new mates! Try this gallery for our Alaska highlights.
Colorado Residency
We preserve coming again to Colorado for therefore many causes…it’s attractive, there’s at all times a lot happening, and our household lives right here! Regardless of the thinner air at a mile excessive, we discover Denver to be an incredible place to catch our breath between initiatives and reconnect with our neighborhood, so we did two housesits right here this 12 months! First, was a Civic Middle residence that we scored throughout the first-ever Outdoors Competition of all issues superior outdoor, and the second was a bungalow within the lovely LoHi neighborhood, with a superbly lazy cat.
We had been so comfortable to be round our household for the vacations, from trick or treating with our 1-year-old nephew to Thanksgiving with our cousins (full with vegan dishes and CU Boulder Soccer). Plus, native blogger mates Jules & Sherry at all times know the VIP haps, so we had some splashy moments too, like sitting entrance row at Denver Trend Week and the Mile Excessive Tree Lighting with the mayor!
See a few of our favourite moments from dwelling like a Denver native and our epic facet journey to Leadville…the two-mile-high metropolis!
HoneyTrek Cares
For every of the tourism board initiatives we do all year long, we give again 5% of the finances to native nonprofits and volunteer with them every time doable. We do that as a result of we need to assist the atmosphere and under-served communities, but in addition expertise vacationer locations in a optimistic manner whereas exhibiting extra vacationers how enjoyable volunteering may be. From undeniably cool experiences like releasing child sea turtles to the less-sexy invasive species elimination, every volunteer day connects us with superior locals and offers us a deeper appreciation of the place.
Listed here are a number of the volunteer orgs we supported in 2024 and we hope you’ll be able to too! Wetlands Institute, James River Affiliation, MORAES marine science, Particles Free Oceans, Mending Partitions therapeutic arts, American River Conservancy, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Comply with the Footsteps adaptive sports activities, and Belief for Public Lands.
We Gained The Glamping Pioneer Award!
We’ve been glamping all over the world and writing about this type of eco-travel since 2012, however we nonetheless can’t consider we received the American Glamping Affiliation’s Trade Pioneer Award! Of their phrases, “The 2024 award goes to HoneyTrek, a trailblazing duo whose imaginative and prescient, ardour, and dedication have impressed the glamping neighborhood and past. Their groundbreaking work and relentless advocacy for sustainable journey proceed to pave the best way for a brighter, extra adventurous future in glamping. HoneyTrek exemplifies innovation and serves as a shining mild for your complete business….With a give attention to eco-friendly lodging and immersive outside experiences, HoneyTrek conjures up others to discover distinctive, significant journey. Their dedication to innovation in glamping makes them true pioneers, frequently elevating the bar for journey vacationers worldwide.” What an absolute honor!
Comfortably Wild Will get a Second Version!
BIG NEWS! We simply received the inexperienced mild from Falcon Guides for a second version of our glamping ebook, Comfortably Wild! Whereas the primary version featured one of the best outside lodging in North America, this spherical we’re embarking on a seven-continent quest for essentially the most aware and galvanizing getaways on this planet! Not simply taking a look at High 10 Lists and AI-generated outcomes, we need to meet these small enterprise house owners, attempt the actions, share meals, and sleep of their wonderland…whether or not that’s in Monaco or Mongolia.
We’re so obsessed with glamping, as a result of when achieved proper, it honors the atmosphere, native communities, and friends for holidays with a optimistic influence for all. With passionate folks on the helm, it’s regenerative journey in its most lovely type, and we’re so excited to honor them and encourage extra folks with this new (hardcover!) ebook. See extra data right here.
2025 Preview
This international version of Comfortably Wild goes to majorly form our 2025. Our plan is to begin within the Southern Hemisphere (both Oceania or South America) then head to Europe by late Spring, Africa in summer time, and Asia by fall. We’ve got an extended checklist of locations we’re culling down, however if in case you have stayed at an awe-inspiring eco-lodge, safari camp, glampground, or boutique lodging immersed in nature ANYWHERE on this planet, we’d love to listen to your options.
Cheers to an incredible 2024 and an thrilling 12 months forward,
Anne & Mike
