Tag Archives: Adventure

New Travel/Photography Books: “Remote Places To Stay” By Debbie Pappyn

From a Yatzer.com online review:

Remote Places To Stay by Debbie Pappyn 2019The visuals make up most of the book’s volume, with David De Vleeschauwer’s photography magically working on various levels: on the one hand, artfully conveying the splendour and beauty of all the featured remote landscapes, and on the other, focusing on minute details that we usually pay no attention to: such details are isolated and enlarged as if to make us stop and look for a while. Each location is also paired with a hotel or guesthouse review, together with snippets of information about the area and how to actually get there. Remote Places To Stay by Debbie Pappyn 2019Above all, ‘Remote Places to Stay’ is all about humans and the sheer variety of lifestyles that are possible, as through its evocative photography and well-written texts, we are able to uncover small, hidden corners of the world where life flows in a different tempo altogether.

“In an age of acceleration, nothing is so cherished as slowness,” writes essayist and novelist Pico Iyer in his reflective preface for the book Remote Places to Stay — an exceptional hardcover featuring 22 of the world’s remotest travel destinations. The book is the brainchild of Debbie Pappyn and David De Vleeschauwer, a pair of devoted travellers that is also behind the popular travel blog Classe Touriste.

To read more: https://www.yatzer.com/remote-places-stay

Adventure Bicycle Trips: Touring In America On 1,357,430 Miles Of “Quieter, Unpaved Roads”

From a Wall Street Journal online article:

Patricia McNeal, a 58-year-old brain-aneurysm survivor from Panama City, Fla., is currently riding home from Seattle on her 2017 Trek Émonda SL 6 road bike. She’s improvising a route, but confessed she’d one day love to ride the Great American Rail Trail, a transcontinental route from Washington, D.C. to Washington state that’s now in piecemeal development.

A self-described “credit-card camper,” Ms. McNeal doesn’t rough it. She carries a single bag and sleeps at hotels and homestays arranged via warmshowers.org, a peer-to-peer cyclist’s site, as well as supporters who learn about her travels via the Black Girls Do Bike organization. Her necessities are padded shorts, a gel seat, chamois cream to help with chafing and some music. 

ACA Bicycle routes in U.S. Illustration by John S. Dykes Wall Street Journal

Bicycle touring in America is shifting gears away from that old school derring-do on skinny tires, when cyclists scraped by 18-wheelers on highways. Instead, the sort of protected cycling paths common in urban centers are now stretching tendrils over abandoned railroad lines to link cities coast-to-coast. Meanwhile, riders are joining mass multiday fundraising rides for safety in numbers, or taking to America’s 1,357,430 miles of quieter unpaved roads. For that, they ride increasingly popular “gravel bikes,” a toughened road bike designed for speed on off-road with added mounts for gear.

To read more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-right-bicycles-for-an-epic-ride-across-america-11573235337

Top New Travel Videos: “Through Our Lens – Mongolia” Directed By Kay Van Huisseling

Director, CreGator, Editor: Kay Van Huisseling 

Through Our Lens Mongolia by Kay Van Huisseling 2019

Hero Traveler’s favorite places to visit and things to do in Mongolia include:

UlaanBatar, Gobi Desert,  Ugly City Eagle Hunters

“Through Our Lens'” celebrates the beauty of a destination through the point of view of one of our spirited creators. Come along with filmmaker and Hero Traveler Contributor Kay Van Huisseling as he takes us on a breathtaking cinematic journey through Mongolia.

Through Our Lens Mongolia by Kay Van Huisseling 2019

Website:  https://www.instagram.com/kayvanhuiss…

Travel Destinations: Bonefishing In Bermuda Combines Luxury Leisure With Island Adventure

From a Wall Street Journal online review:

Bonefishing in Bermuda Wall Street JouranlWe headed west and hugged the shallow shoreline, casting at shadows of fish as the sun mixed with clouds making it more difficult to sight fish. We curled around a point of land I instantly recognized as Cambridge Beaches, where I stayed with my parents on my first visit to the island and where my sister celebrated her honeymoon.

Mr. Linnell used a push pole to move the skiff quietly along shore as he chatted up guests snorkeling nearby, expertly keeping them away from our bonefish spots by urging the snorkelers to take in sights a safe distance away.

I HAD NEVER considered fly fishing for bonefish in Bermuda. Chasing the elusive, silver-green creatures, prized for their fight, was something you did at remote outposts and rustic camps, where showering was optional and accommodations primitive. Such a trip could be fun for a few days, but you’d never dare drag your wife or kids along.

To read more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/for-a-luxe-fly-fishing-trip-try-bermuda-11572455090

Adventure Films: “Lhotse”, First Ski Descent Of 4th Highest Mountain In The World (The North Face)

Directed by: Dutch Simpson
Director of Photography: Nick Kalisz

Lhotse The North Face Ski Descent Short Film Directed by Dutch Simpson 2019

Edited by: Pat Focke
Executive Producers: The North Face, Rob Wassmer and
Kaki Orr

Lhotse The North Face Ski Descent Short Film Directed by Dutch Simpson 2019

It’s not always what we achieve that defines us, rather it is why we achieve such things that creates clarity in our existence.

In 2018, Hilaree Nelson and Jim Morrison completed the first ski descent of the 27,940-foot Lhotse, the fourth-highest mountain in the world. This is their story.

Lhotse The North Face Ski Descent Short Film Directed by Dutch Simpson 2019

Website: http://www.dutchsimpson.com/

Top Scenic Bike Rides: The Hilly Scenery Of Bologna’s Back Country

From an Italy Magazine online article:

Bologna Italy BikingThe awesome sight of the expansive Reno river greets you as you enter Casalecchio di Reno. A fairly non-descript satellite town, Casalecchio’s best asset is Parco Della Chiusa (also known as Parco Talon), a vast forest and nature reserve full of crumbling old mansions, hiking trails and great views of the river and undulating hills. The park is a popular spot for picnics and makes a worthwhile destination on its own.

Italy MagazineIn this half-day cycle starting from central Bologna and ending at the small town of Sasso Marconi, you can take in hilly scenery of Bologna’s back country, see where history was made at the villa of radio pioneer Guglielmo Marconi and sample some local delicacies in one of the province’s best osterias. The route is entirely flat, mostly along cycle paths and can be done by even the most beginner cyclist. With no tourists around, it offers a chance to see Italian life in all of its ordinariness, away from the sometimes twee environs of the centro storico.

In total, the ride from Bologna to Sasso Marconi should take you one hour at a leisurely pace, not counting stops along the way. Rent a bicycle from Dynamo, a bike co-op on Via dell’Indipendenza near the bus station – a half day rental will cost you 13 euros.

To read more: https://www.italymagazine.com/featured-story/get-out-town-half-day-cycle-trip-bologna

Boomer Profiles: 60-Year Old Midwestern Lake Surfer Erik Wilkie In “A Surfer’s Search” (2019)

Director: KEVIN STEEN
Producer: ALEXANDRA BYER
Cast: ERIK WILKIE, YVONNE WILKIE, JAKE BOYCE, JAMIE LEDUC, AND CHRISTIAN DALBEC
Cinematographer: SHABIER KIRCHNER

A Surfer's Search Short Film on Lake Surfer Erik Wilkie Directed by KEVIN STEEN 2019

An intimate portrait of midwestern lake surfer Erik Wilkie. Presented by CARHARTT AND HURLEY.

A Surfer's Search Short Film on Lake Surfer Erik Wilkie Directed by KEVIN STEEN 2019

Website: https://rathausfilms.com

Top New Wildlife Films: “Chungungo – A Mentor’s Tale” Directed By Ben Goertzen (2019)

https://vimeo.com/338880115

Written and Directed By: BEN GOERTZEN

Producers: RENE ARANEDA CONTRERAS, MAURICIO HANDLER-RUIZ

Chungungo A Mentor’s Tale Directed by BEN GOERTZEN 2019

Executive Producers: DENY STAGGS, RENE ARANEDA CONTRERAS, MAURICIO HANDLER-RUIZ

Director of Photography: BEN GOERTZEN

Chungungo A Mentor’s Tale Directed by BEN GOERTZEN 2019

Underwater Director of Photography:MAURICIO HANDLER-RUIZ

Chungungo A Mentor’s Tale Directed by BEN GOERTZEN 2019An endangered, South American Marine Otter mother and her two pups act as a vehicle into a poetic exploration of the threshold between comfort and action. Through blending traditional blue-chip cinematography with a philosophical narration the smallest marine mammal in the world is used as a mentor to teach humans about trusting their internal compass and confronting difficult questions. From showing a caring mother, to a playful sibling bond, to the kelp forests that nourish their entire ecosystem, this film aims to build empathy for animals as complex beings with more depth than we give them credit for.

Website: http://www.aquaterrafilms.com/

Future Of Camper Vans: The “Hymer VisionVenture” Looks, Designed Like A “High-End Apartment”

From a Curbed.com online review:

Erwin Hymer Group debuted the VisionVenture concept interior stairsThis year at Düsseldorf, the Erwin Hymer Group debuted the VisionVenture concept. Built on a Mercedes chassis, the VisionVenture is a forward-thinking camper that looks more like a high-end apartment than a striped-down adventure rig.

To accomplish this, the camper’s interior uses warm bamboo, gray felt, and leather, mixing woods with other materials to add interest. The living area is located in the rear with two white sofas and a center dining table that folds down below the passenger-side bench. The stand-out feature of the living room is the panoramic rear window and large side windows. Fold out the rear door, drop a lower gate and the van boasts its own rear deck—complete with slide-out electric grill.

Erwin Hymer Group debuted the VisionVenture concept interior

It’s an impressive lounge area, and the kitchen goes even further with a flush cooktop, sink, refrigerator, and ample storage. The styling is fresh too, with modular, deck-like wall paneling that works to hang plants or cooking equipment as needed. Integrated next to the kitchen is a compact slate-colored staircase—reminiscent of tiny house design—that boasts storage, motion-activated lighting, and access to an inflatable pop-up sleeping area. The upstairs bed sleeps two and takes advantage of big views through the rear roll-up window.

https://www.hymer.com/de/de/modelle/technologie-innovation/vision-venture

To read more: https://www.curbed.com/2019/9/5/20851580/rv-camper-van-hymer-concept-visionventure

Adventure Travel: Dettifoss Waterfall In Iceland Is “Most Powerful Waterfall In Europe”

From an AtlasObscura.com online article:

Dettifoss Waterfall Iceland MapHaving earned the superlative of “most powerful waterfall in Europe” because of its massive flow rate (3,059,112 U.S. gallons per minute), standing near this unfettered display of power will give you a healthy respect for the fury of nature. 

Iceland is famous for its spectacular waterfalls, many of which are beautiful and serene places for contemplation. Dettifoss is not one of them.

The 330-foot-wide falls are fed by the river Jökulsá, which means “glacier river” in Icelandic, a reference to the Vatnajökull glacier (recipient of another superlative: one of Europe’s largest). Be careful as you approach and stick to designated pathways since even they can be rendered slippery in the mist.

To read more: https://www.atlasobscura.com/itineraries/northern-iceland-untamed-coasts?utm_source=Atlas+Obscura+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=093ef32c96-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_08_21_USA_24&utm_medium=email&mc_cid=99514583bf&mc_eid=9baf474570