I. Two Sides of a Single-Edged Blade

Franklin Park, Illinois, December 25, 2021

The sword was suspended in the basement rafters with a message from 1945 still secured to its fittings. My grandfather and I were sitting one floor above it at his kitchen table when an email arrived. It was 9:17 A.M. on Christmas Day in 2021, the Chicago weather too mild, the ground too much of a defeated brown, and the gathering too small to suggest that anything festive was about to happen. A notification lit up my phone with the subject line 鈥淢erry Christmas and a letter from Umeki-san.鈥�

The timing was convenient. I was visiting for the holidays, staying at my mother鈥檚 childhood home in Franklin Park, ten miles west of Chicago. My parents were there, too. My grandfather, Joseph Kasser, who goes by Ben or Benny, built the home in 1957 for a family of four that eventually dwindled to one. My mom, Kathy, was the first to go, leaving for college in 1971; my grandma Alice died in 2008; my uncle Bob died in 2010. They left Benny alone on Louis Street with a lifetime of modest possessions. Among them was a Japanese sword he鈥檇 found on an Okinawa beach in the final days of World War II.

It was six months after I first asked Benny if he鈥檇 be interested in finding the sword鈥檚 owner. I don鈥檛 remember what I said to start the conversation. I do remember that I was nervous asking a man who doesn鈥檛 own much to part ways with a keepsake he鈥檇 found during perhaps the most consequential time of his life as an antiaircraft gunner in the U.S. Army. He didn鈥檛 hesitate. He said, 鈥淪ure.鈥�

It was one of those inspired 鈥渟ure鈥漵 that really mean 鈥渁bsolutely,鈥� a posture-correcting 鈥渟ure,鈥� an energy-intoned 鈥渟ure,鈥� not 鈥淚 suppose鈥� or 鈥渋f you want.鈥� A momentous syllable that set something off. It was apparently something he had considered.

Now, on Christmas Day, I didn鈥檛 know if the email that had arrived contained good news about our quest. I read it silently while sitting at the kitchen table, where I had heard one side of the story for more than three decades.

The post My Quest to Find the Owner of a Mysterious WWII Japanese Sword appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

I鈥檝e tackled sections of the Pacific Crest Trail鈥攂ackpacking, day hiking, and trail running鈥攂ut to think of taking months off to complete all 2,650 miles of this trail, which climbs mountain passes and traverses remote California, Oregon, and Washington, feels overwhelming. A long-distance walk, on the other hand, feels more manageable, like something any of us could pull off, given some time. They mostly involve days and weeks rather than many months, and are at more consistent elevations.

I鈥檓 not talking about a mountainous thru-hike where you plan out food caches and sleep on the ground. I鈥檓 talking about a meandering or purposeful walk that goes on for days, weeks, or maybe months. A big commitment, yes. A physical feat for sure. A mental and emotional pilgrimage of sorts. But not so strenuous that most people couldn鈥檛 do it, building up their mileage.

These long walks, on byways and moderate terrain, are more like scenic tours of spectacular landscapes, or adventurous journeys through cities and forests. They are not so much to be completed as experienced.

And I think they’re the most beautiful in the world.

1. Best Urban Trail

Empire State Trail, New York

It took four years to link up and complete the entire , one of the longest multi-sport pathways in the United States, officially finished in late 2020. The route runs 750 miles across the state of New York, from New York City north to the Canadian border and from Albany west to Buffalo. Three quarters of the trail is on off-road pathways. You can walk on converted rail trails through the Hudson River Valley, stroll beside the historic Erie Canal, or move through wetlands and fields along Adirondack Park and Lake Champlain. Eventually the trail will include a 200-mile greenway across Long Island; construction of the first 25 miles of that section begins this year.

Pick a section of this largely urban route, which is also popular with bicyclists, and walk it one direction, then hop on a train back to where you started鈥擜mtrak stations are located in 20 towns and cities along the way. Find community with others traveling the trail or seek tips on good trailside lodging or camping from .

Don鈥檛 Miss:听 听More than 200 craft breweries dot the Empire State Trail, in an aggregate known as the . Get a brewery passport and pick up stamps at the places along the way to earn rewards like a T-shirt or cooler bag. In the Hudson Valley, spend a night at (from $195), which has cabins, canvas tents, and a cedar sauna just a short walk from the trail.

听听

2. Best Pilgrimage

El Camino de Santiago, Spain

Each year, over 300,000 people embark upon sections of this legendary pilgrimage, on a network of trails dating back to pre-medieval times and roadways that vary from cobbled to paved. The most popular route is the Camino Frances, a 500-mile pathway that starts in St. Jean Pied de Port, France, and takes travelers about four to five weeks to walk, passing through the Pyrenees mountains and La Rioja wine region, La Meseta arid range, and through eucalyptus forests into Galicia and Santiago itself. The Camino Portugues, heading up the northern coast of Portugal is another top choice, stretching between 140 and 380 miles depending on your starting point, and crossing through fishing villages such as the UNESCO Heritage Listed cities of Lisbon and Porto. No matter which route you choose, all roads听on the Camino lead to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain, where the remains of the Apostle Saint James the Great are allegedly buried.

You can walk the Camino year-round鈥攖he most popular season is mid-summer鈥攂ut aim for spring or fall for mild temperatures and fewer crowds, and be aware that many lodges and albergues close in winter ). offers guided walks on the Camino through Portugal and Spain lasting from a week up to 22 days (from $1,436), or, if you鈥檇 rather go on your own, has self-guided options (from $718).

Don鈥檛 Miss: Once you reach Santiago de Compostela, head to the Pilgrim鈥檚 Office for your official stamp of completion, having received a pilgrim鈥檚 passport from your entry point to be stamped along the way. Bagpipes will be playing nearby as you enter the gates of the holy Santiago de Compostela.听The cathedral has a Pilgrim鈥檚 Mass at noon and 7:30 p.m. daily; go early if you want a seat. On , await the ancient ritual of the swinging brass Botafumeiro, or cauldron, which is filled with incense and coal and so heavy eight men are required to move it.

3. Best Waterfront Route

Stockholm Archipelago Trail, Sweden

Opening in October 2023, the 167-mile connects new and existing pathways across 20 islands in the Stockholm Archipelago, the largest archipelago in Sweden and home to over 30,000 islands. To walk the whole thing, you鈥檒l need to use a series of public ferries and private boat taxis. You can also pick a section and just walk a few islands at a time; each has an average of about nine miles of trails. You鈥檒l travel along gravel roads, forest paths, and beaches, and through remote fishing and farming communities.

Along the way, camp or stay in hotels or B&Bs. offers a seven-day, self-guided journey on the trail (from $1,095) in spring, summer, or fall that includes lodging in locally owned hotels, luggage transfer, and daily routes that max out at about nine miles.

Don鈥檛 Miss: On the island of Tranholmen, a celebrated chef named David Enmark opens up his home to diners every Friday night鈥�. Or visit the island of Furusund, which contains about five miles of trail and is site of a famed 19^th-century summer resort, now a 16-room boutique hotel: the (rooms from $121), which welcomes guests who arrive by boat or on foot.

4. Best for History Buffs

Lycian Way, Turkey

Traversing the rocky Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey, the 472-mile Lycian Way winds through the ancient maritime republic known as Lycia. Mountains rise from the turquoise sea as the route follows old roads, footpaths, and mule trails through long-gone civilizations. You鈥檒l pass by lighthouses, beaches, historic sites like Roman amphitheaters and rock tombs, and lagoons over underwater ruins of sunken cities that can be toured by boat.

Most people take on just a section of the Lycian Way. has five- to 14-day guided tours (from $1,187) that include lodging and luggage transfer, or leads seven-day treks (from $995) with an English-speaking guide. Best to do this historical walk in spring or fall, from February to May or from September to November to avoid the high heat of summer.

Don鈥檛 Miss: 罢耻谤办别测鈥檚 illuminates Lycia鈥檚 ancient capital city of Patara after dusk, making it a magical place to explore by night. Best lodging on the trail: the (from $240), built in 2005 on a hillside, has glass windows, viewing hammocks, and saunas overlooking the Aegean Sea.

5. Best for Conservationists

John Muir Way, Scotland

Not to be confused with California鈥檚 more demanding John Muir Trail, the is a relatively new route (established around 10 years ago) that stretches coast to coast across Muir鈥檚 home country of Scotland. This 134-mile walk begins in the western waterfront town of Helensburgh, where quotes from the famed Scottish-American environmentalist mark a commemorative stone bench. The trek ends around 10 days later in the eastern seaside town of Dunbar, where Muir was born in 1838.

On the way, you鈥檒l walk through the cobbled streets of the capital city of Edinburgh, along the shores of , and by the Falkirk Wheel, a rotating boat lift in central Scotland. has self-guided itineraries (from $1,827) for the entire route, including accommodations.

Don鈥檛 Miss: Stay in (from $417), a restored 16th-century castle听just off the trail 20 miles east of Edinburgh. The trail鈥檚 eastern terminus is at Muir鈥檚 birthplace, a humble three-story home in Dunbar that鈥檚 now a historic and free to visit.

6. Best for Self-Reflection

Shikoku Pilgrimage, Japan

This circular walk across the Japanese island of Shikoku visits 88 temples and sacred sites where the Buddhist saint known as K奴kai is thought to have trained in the 9^th century. The entire route is about 745 miles鈥攎ostly using roads, but also on select mountain trails鈥攁nd takes around six weeks to walk. Or you can choose just a section.

The traditional approach starts at the first temple, Ry艒zenji, in Tokushima prefecture and proceeds clockwise until you reach the last temple, 艑kuboji, in Kagawa prefecture. Many pilgrims dress in traditional attire, including a white cotton robe, scarf, and straw hat, and carrying a walking stick; they also carry pilgrims鈥� books, to be stamped after worshipping at each temple. leads an eight-day tour of the pilgrimage (from $2,303), where you鈥檒l walk up to eight miles daily with an English-speaking guide, staying at guesthouses and temple lodging.

Don鈥檛 Miss: One of the hardest temples to reach is number 21, Tairyuji, or Temple of the Great Dragon. You can ride the tram to reach this mountaintop temple or hike to the site on a steep three-mile trail through limestone rocks and an ancient cedar forest. There you鈥檒l climb a marble staircase leading into the temple gates and visit a bronze statue of K奴kai meditating.

7. Best for Wildlife Spotting

Yuraygir Coastal Walk, Australia

The 42-mile point-to-point leads through the beaches and bluffs of Yuraygir National Park in New South Wales. You鈥檒l start in the village of Angourie and follow the sign-posted track, as trails are called in Australia and New Zealand, south to the red-tinted cliffs of Red Rock. Most people take four to five days to do the whole route. Along the way, you鈥檒l spot turtles and whales, swim in the Pacific Ocean, and walk through coastal headlands and the biodiverse Solitary Islands Marine Park.

Spend your first night on the trail camping at the , which is only accessible on foot. Or if you鈥檇 prefer sleeping in a bed, book a guided walk that includes shuttles to trailside properties like (from $234) or (from $125). leads a guided five-day walk of the trail (prices vary according to group size and season) for private groups from November to April that includes luggage delivery, boat and bus transfers, national-park fees, and accommodations. If you鈥檇 rather go it on your own, you can base out of the family-owned in Wooli, and the owners will arrange for lifts to the trail each day (from $499, including lodging and hiker shuttles).

Don鈥檛 Miss: Stop into the beachfront , about halfway through your route, for a sausage roll or pizza. Spend some time at the and estuary, a breeding site for endangered shorebirds including the pied oystercatcher and beach stone-curlew. The trail along the Station Creek estuary is lined with scribbly gum and corkwood trees, and if you鈥檙e lucky, you鈥檒l spot an Australian crane or coastal emu.

8. Most Adventurous

Te Araroa, New Zealand

New Zealand is known for its stellar tracks, and , also called the Long Pathway, is the country鈥檚 most ambitious trail project yet. It鈥檚 a 1,900-mile journey crossing the length of New Zealand鈥檚 North and South Islands, from Cape Reinga at the north end to Bluff at the southern tip. The trail itself climbs mountain passes, crosses verdant plains, and travels through small cities and remote villages. Roughly 2,000 people walk the whole trail each year, taking between three and six months. Most hikers go north to south, starting around October, which is springtime in New Zealand. If you don鈥檛 have that kind of time, pick a section or a single island; the South Island is considered the more challenging of the two due to its more mountainous terrain.

While this video shows a Te Araroa thru-hike, some choose a section or decide to hike either the North Island or South Island. The South Island is more remote and considered more difficult, the North Island route longer but with more road walking. (Video: 国产吃瓜黑料 TV) 听

Before you go, ($34) to receive the latest maps and a Te Araroa walker-information packet. Buy a (from $110) for access to over 70 Department of Conservation-managed backcountry huts and campsites along Te Araroa. The trail also has 听to help you plan and navigate, and the trail notes for each section give details on the route and where to stay and resupply. Or you can book a guided 12-day trip with (from $8,595) and let the outfit take care of the logistics, including hotel bookings.

Don鈥檛 Miss: On the North Island, you鈥檒l climb the extinct volcano of Mount Pirongia and descend to the valley below, where you鈥檒l walk by the glowworm-studded , which are worth a stop; you can see the illuminating glowworms in their grottos by boat. On the South Island, spend a night at the 12-bunk, first-come, first-served near Wanaka, which has stunning views from the porch overlooking the Motatapu Valley and a nice swimming hole in the adjacent creek.

9. Best Way to Explore Indigenous Cultures

Vancouver Island Trail, Canada

Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is a rugged and densely forested place, and the 500-mile is among the most challenging routes on this list. The trail goes from the capital city of Victoria on the southern end of the island to Cape Scott on the northern tip, crossing rocky beaches and through lush rainforests and territories sacred to First Nations tribes, including the Songhees in the south and the Tlatlasikwala to the north. The trail is broken up into seven distinct sections, from paved pathways through urban areas to logging roads, hiking trails, and rail trails. Each section takes around five to 10 days to walk鈥攐r you can spend two months doing a complete thru-hike. Some sections of the trail are still being completed and not well marked, so plan on some skilled route finding or that鈥檚 better delineated. If you鈥檙e walking the trail northbound, you鈥檒l end in , where the Cape Scott Lighthouse has been shining light for mariners since 1960.听听

Don鈥檛 Miss: Book a cabin or pitch a tent at the First Nations-owned , between the northern towns of Port McNeill and Port Hardy. At the center of Vancouver Island, you鈥檒l walk through Strathcona Provincial Park, British Columbia鈥檚 oldest park, dotted with high-alpine lakes and jagged snow-capped peaks. The , on the outskirts of the park, has eight seasonal campsites and a sauna.

10. Best New Trail

Camino de Costa Rica, Costa Rica

You鈥檒l walk from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the beaches of the Pacific Ocean on the 174-mile-long , or the Costa Rican Way, which was inspired by Spain鈥檚 El Camino de Santiago. This relatively new trail鈥攅stablished in 2018 by the nonprofit Asociaci贸n Mar a Mar鈥攖ravels through coffee plantations and rainforests, over the Continental Divide, and among tiny villages that rarely see tourists. Plan on around 16 days to hike the whole thing.

The trip starts on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, in the town of Barra de Parismina, at the base of Tortuguero National Park, known as a nesting ground for leatherback turtles. It ends in Quepos near Manuel Antonio National Park, filled with coral reefs and white-sand beaches. Stay in guesthouses, campsites, and hotels along the way. You will want to hire a guide, as much of the trail is sparsely marked. leads guided hikes ranging from eight to 16 days (from $1,675) that include meals and stays at local homes and guesthouses.

Don鈥檛 Miss: In the Orosi Valley, stay at the (from $59), which has private casitas and rooms close to the trail. In the town of Orosi, you can visit Iglesia de San Jos茅 Orosi, the oldest church in Costa Rica, dating back to 1743, and its Religious Art Museum, and the .

11. Best Paved Trail

Paul Bunyan State Trail, Minnesota

Most popular with cyclists, the Paul Bunyan State Trail is still a great long walk for those who want a paved, accessible pathway. The route begins at in Brainerd and ends 115 miles later at in Bemidji, home to a famous giant statue of Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox, Babe. This is the longest continuously paved rail-trail in the country, moderate in grade throughout as it follows the former Burlington Northern Railroad, abandoned in 1983. You can camp at and Lake , or stay in hotels in the various trail towns along the way.

Don鈥檛 Miss: You鈥檒l walk through the town of Hackensack, where every September chainsaw carvers turn hunks of wood into art in the annual Chainsaw Event. The (from $89) in the town of Nisswa has rooms and lakefront cottages steps from the trail on Lower Cullen Lake. In Pequot Lakes, stop into the trailside for a scoop of ice cream.

12. Best for Foodies

Cinque Terra, Italy

Cinque Terre or 鈥淔ive Lands鈥� refers to five coastal towns鈥擬onterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore鈥攐ver the the Ligurian Sea, all linked by about 75 miles of hiking trails. The most popular route is the Sentiero Azzurro, known as the Blue Trail, which is less than 10 miles and can be done in a day. You can start in Monterosso or Riomaggiore and work your way in either direction, passing through lemon groves and walking staircases directly down to the sea.

For a more expanded tour, consider five- or eight-day self-guided hiking trips in Cinque Terre, where you鈥檒l stay in curated hotels, dine on pizza and gelato from locals鈥� favorite spots, and ride trains to reach new trails each day. If you鈥檙e hiking on your own, be sure to check the for updates on closures (landslides have closed sections of the trail), and grab a (from $7 a day) for access to the two paid hiking trails鈥攆rom Monterosso to Vernazza and from Vernazza to Corniglia鈥攁nd for use of the bus lines within Cinque Terre National Park.

Don鈥檛 Miss: Climb the stairs to Doria Castle, a medieval fortress near the village of Vernazza, to see the remains of one of the oldest surviving towers on the Liguria coast. The five-room guesthouse (from $208) in the Unesco World Heritage Site of Vernazza makes for a good midway stop on your hike.

13. Most Accessible

Cotswold Way, England

The is a quintessentially English experience, where you鈥檒l walk from the historic market town of Chipping Campden, once a busy center for traders, to the steps of the Late Medieval church of Bath Abbey, crossing through farmlands, country parks, and beech woodlands. Stop and admire fields full of sculptures or study English Civil War sites. This well-marked 102-mile trail can be traveled in either direction, taking between seven and 10 days. has both guided and self-guided walks (from $1,154) ranging from between seven and 12 nights, where you鈥檒l sleep in limestone cottages and guesthouses.

Don鈥檛 Miss: Climb the hill to the Broadway Tower, an 18th century tower within a 200-acre estate of parkland offering expansive views across the valley; enjoy afternoon tea at the Tower Barn Caf茅 afterward. The trail also passes by , home to some 30 species of endangered butterflies, and , a historic garden filled with seasonal flowers and a lavish mix of Classical, Gothic, and other architecture.

Megan Michelson is an 国产吃瓜黑料 contributing editor and avid traveler who once lived in England for a year and went on a lot of long rambles through the countryside. She recently wrote about trips that may help you live longer and her favorite new backcountry hut in Colorado.

The post The 13 Most Magical Long Walks In the World appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I鈥檒l admit, I鈥檓 biased toward lush tropical landscapes, like Tahiti, and rugged stretches of coast, such as Vancouver Island, British Columbia. But there鈥檚 something magical about the endless expanse of badlands or a snowcapped mountain reflected in an azure alpine lake. So they made my list of the most beautiful places on earth.

I鈥檝e done a lot of globe-trotting in my decade as a travel journalist. When 国产吃瓜黑料 asked me to consider writing about the most beautiful wild places on earth, I immediately thought of Lagoa das Sete Cidades in the Azores, green-blue twin lakes within a crater, and the Na Pali Coast of Kauai, with emerald cliffs that tumble steeply to the sea.

But these places are already on most people鈥檚 radar, and the last thing I want is to contribute to overtourism. Instead, I came up with a list of stunning, lesser-known destinations that are also full of adventure potential. You鈥檙e going to be amazed.

I purposely highlighted more sites close to home to make this list accessible.听My biggest tip is to live in the moment when visiting these places鈥攐r any place that bowls you over. You can鈥檛 experience it fully if you鈥檙e glued behind your camera, shooting images to share. Here are my picks for the most beautiful places on earth.

1. Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah

Why It Wows: Utah has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to otherworldly rocky landscapes, but the geologic amphitheater that is steals the show (entrance fee from $15). Rich mineral deposits in the cliffs and hoodoos resemble a sweeping sunset of orange, yellow, red, and purple. During July and early August, some 250-plus species of wildflowers bloom, creating a Technicolor landscape.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel: Tucked in the mountains 20 miles east of Cedar City, this three-mile-long cirque gets a sliver of the foot and vehicle traffic seen at nearby Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks but offers just as many options for outdoor lovers. Because it鈥檚 located at an elevation of 10,000 feet, summer temperatures are comfortable, with highs hovering around 70 degrees.

Hikes range from the ADA-compliant, two-mile round-trip , which skirts part of the rim overlooking the amphitheater, to the 12.8-mile Rattlesnake Creek Trail, a two- to three-day hike in the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness that drops into the amphitheater.

Five miles north, is a mountain biker鈥檚 dream, with more than 100 miles of downhill singletrack and 100 miles of cross-country trails.

Stargazers know Cedar Breaks as a designated International Dark Sky Park. Every Sunday and Saturday from late May through early October, the monument offers free four-hour astronomy tours at the North View Overlook.

2. Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Alberta

Why It Wows: Often referred to as Banff National Park鈥檚 lesser-known sister, this 76,800-acre patch of wilderness in the Canadian Rockies is the epitome of postcard perfection, with its snow-crowned peaks, sparkling alpine lakes, glacial streams, and evergreen valleys. In autumn the park is most dazzling, when larches鈥� needles turn gold and the trees are reflected in the lakes.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel: , 85 miles southwest of Calgary, is one of Canada鈥檚 most accessible parks, with multiple barrier-free trails wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs (entrance fee from $12).

Stay at , fresh off a $6 million renovation (from $21 for a campsite; from $31 for a cabin). It overlooks Lower Kananaskis Lake, prioritizes people with disabilities and seniors, and features 22 accessible cottages, plus 13 campsites, and 11 miles of accessible trails on-site.

The park is full of hiking and mountain-biking trails, as well as seven miles of paved biking paths. In fall, check out Elephant Rocks and Chester Lake via when it鈥檚 positively ablaze with yellow larches. In winter, bring along your cross-country-ski gear and spend a day on the park鈥檚 more than 50 miles of groomed trails.

In the area without your outdoor essentials? rents everything from canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards to e-bikes and full-suspension mountain bikes.

3. Lefkada Island, Greece

Why It Wows: Sea and sky meld together in an ombr茅 of blues on this under-the-radar Ionian isle. Chalky cliffs and white-sand and pebble beaches also woo those in the know, but the interior is just as wondrous, filled with a dense forest of ancient oak, dramatic gorges, and tumbling waterfalls.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel: A five-hour drive west of Athens, Lefkada is one of the few Greek islands that doesn鈥檛 require a boat to reach鈥攊t鈥檚 connected to the mainland by a bridge. A playground for recreationists, you can spend days and biking its trails, or opt for guided or self-guided e-bike excursions with .

Windsurfers and kitesurfers head to Vasiliki, Ai Gianni, and Myli beaches. , in the village of Vasiliki, rents equipment and provides lessons. All of the beaches are stunners, but Egremni, on the southwest coast, is widely considered the prettiest in the country. Surrounded by limestone cliffs, you must hike a steep trail from the parking lot, then descend more than 300 stairs to reach the sand. Trust me, the effort is worth it.

4. Shariqiya Sands, Oman

Why It Wows: Stark and remote, this seemingly endless stretch of rippling, wind-sculpted dunes spans 5,000 square miles of Oman, a small sultunate on the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. The highest dunes鈥攕ome as tall as 330 feet鈥攁re found closest to the coast. But the big reason to see these ever-shifting sands is to witness the mesmerizing way they change color from pale gold in the afternoon to deep amber and copper as the blazing sun cuts across the sky.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel: A three-hour drive south from the capital city of Muscat, this desert was recently renamed the Sharqiya Sands to reflect its geographic location more accurately (sharqiya comes from the Arabic word for 鈥渆astern鈥�), but everybody still refers to the area by its former name, Wahiba Sands, a nod to the region鈥檚 Bani Wahiba tribe.

, an Oman adventure specialist with 17 years of experience in the country, sets up mobile camps deep within the desert and can arrange activities like sandboarding, camel safaris, dune driving, and visits with local Bedouin families (from $6,234 per couple for two nights, all-inclusive). Bonus: the lack of light pollution means campers are treated to incredibly clear, diamond-studded night skies.

5. Las Coloradas Lagoon, Yucat谩n, Mexico

Why It Wows: These glimmering cotton-candy-colored lakes pop against a backdrop of powdery white-sand beaches and pastel blue skies within the protected reserve of the R铆a Lagartos Biosphere. The lagoons get their blush tint from the plankton, red algae, and brine shrimp that thrive in the super salty waters.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel: The biosphere is off the beaten path鈥攁round three and a half hours from major tourist hubs like M茅rida, Canc煤n, and Playa del Carmen鈥攁nd area accommodations are limited. Your best bets for an overnight stay are , a four-room, family-run eco-lodge in the reserve that also offers tours (from $95), or the in the sleepy nearby fishing town of R铆o Lagartos (from $66).

The biosphere is a birding paradise, home to 380 species, including 30,000 flamingoes that match the water. It鈥檚 also possible to spot spider monkeys, coatis, and jaguars, and from April and October, hawksbill and green turtles lay their eggs on the shores. Book a tour at the reserve鈥檚 visitor center for a better understanding of this ecosystem, but don鈥檛 plan on swimming here; as tempting as it might be to dive into the pink waters, the activity is prohibited, due to the high salinity and because the salt is harvested there for consumption.

6. Rio Sucuri, Brazil

Why It Wows: Eleven miles outside Bonito, the self-declared ecotourism capital of Brazil, you’ll find Rio Sucuri, whose Avatar-blue waters are considered some of the clearest on the planet. Set against the lush jungle, its spring-fed waters glow a surreal electric blue.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel: Bonito is located in the central-western state of Mato Grosso do Sul. It takes some effort to reach. After an approximate two-hour nonstop flight from S茫o Paulo to Campo Grande, it鈥檚 a three-and-a-half hour drive to Bonito; from there, the access point to Rio Sucuri is another 12 miles away.

and (from $160 and $160, respectively) are both great boutique stays around 50 minutes away, set on the banks of the Rio Formoso, another pristine, spring-fed waterway.

Rio Sucuri has been developed as an ecotourism project and can only be experienced with a guide. To reach the river鈥檚 headwaters, it鈥檚 a quarter-mile walk through the forest to a reception area at the S茫o Geraldo ranch, which outfits everyone with a wetsuit and snorkel gear. Then you鈥檒l board a boat for the quick ride upstream, where you鈥檒l jump in and allow the gentle current to drift you back, lazy-river style.

You鈥檒l no doubt spy pacu (a vegetarian piranha) and red-tailed pirapitanga darting between swaying emerald-green grasses. With exceptional visibility, you鈥檒l feel like you鈥檙e floating in an aquarium.

7. Pico Ruivo, Madeira, Portugal

Why It Wows: Topping out at nearly 6,110 feet, Pico Ruivo is the third-highest point in Portugal and the tallest peak in the archipelago of Madeira. From the top, you鈥檙e rewarded with panoramic vistas of the entire archipelago.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel: Two trails lead to the summit. (PR 1.2) is the more direct route; it climbs 1.7 miles to the viewpoint. The more scenic path, however, is the 3.3-mile (one-way) (PR 1.1). Many consider this the most spectacular hike in all of Madeira. It crosses the island鈥檚 central massif, tunnels through volcanic tufts that once sheltered shepherds, and heads up steep slopes home to colossal urzes trees.

That said, it鈥檚 a test-your-mettle trek. Rise early to score parking at the trailhead at Pico Areeiro, the archipelago鈥檚 third-highest peak, and catch the sunrise before heading out.

8. Tarkine Rainforest, Tasmania, Australia

Why It Wows: The second-greatest expanse of cool temperate rainforest in the world could easily have been the inspiration for Fern Gully. Filtered light dances through the canopy of massive eucalyptus and leatherwoods, and velvety moss seems to cover everything. Hugging the island鈥檚 rugged northwest coast, the 900-plus-square-mile area boasts wild, remote beaches and sand dunes, waterfalls, and numerous sinkholes.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel: The coastal village of Arthur River is a good jumping-off point for forest and beach adventures, or base yourself at , 67 miles south, for immediate access to river activities (from $176). The hotel has a fleet of 16 canoes and kayaks to rent, and from there it鈥檚 a three-hour paddle down Pieman River to 130-foot-tall Lover鈥檚 Falls.

Hikes through this 65-million-year-old rainforest are magical. Tackle the 5.5-mile, out-and-back Whyte River and Savage River Trail, keeping an eye out for wallabies, pademelons, and platypuses, which tend to be more active at dawn and dusk. Eco-outfitter runs four-, five-, and six-day hiking and camping expeditions to the region鈥檚 most incredible spots.

9. The Sermilik Fjord, Greenland

Why It Wows: This 50-mile-long fjord in eastern Greenland spans is a frozen wonderland of luminous blue crystal cliffs, calving glaciers, and a flotilla of colossal icebergs.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel: Most visitors explore eastern Greenland by ship, but I like 鈥� new, climate-friendly, human-powered itinerary ($6,750 for eight days). You鈥檒l explore the region on foot or by kayak, and sleep in tents and cabins. Inuit hunter and guide Jokum Heimer Mikaelsen, along with a guide from the Greenland mountaineering company , lead hikes up small mountains, into ice caves, and across glaciers and offer insight on how Native people forage on the tundra.

Powderhounds can discover the slopes on a ski-tour trip with (from $4,910 for eight days). Dogsleds and local boats are used to access different terrain each day.

10. Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico

Why It Wows: These sprawling badlands look like a high-desert fantasy world dreamt up by Salvador Dal铆. Shaped by wind and erosion, the hoodoos create a natural sculpture park, with rock formations resembling alien eggs and manta ray wings.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel: Two trailheads access the area鈥檚 43,420 acres, both located less than an hour鈥檚 drive south of Farmington, New Mexico, or 90-minute drive south of Durango, Colorado. The Bisti Trail on the west side is the main portal and most popular, thanks to its moonscape-like terrain.

The De-Na-Zin Trail on the southeast side features less of the classic badlands topography but is still wildly beautiful. It starts out in sagebrush, transitions to juniper and eventually badlands studded with huge petrified logs and eroded cliffs and mesas.

Most visitors head to Instagram-sensation attractions like the Bisti Wings. But Stan Allison, an outdoor-recreation planner at the BLM Farmington Field Office, recommends a more exploratory approach. 鈥淢any of the unnamed areas have features that are just as interesting as the named ones,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 navigate by following the normally dry arroyos and then veering off or up side drainages when I see interesting features.鈥�

Wheeled vehicles are not allowed on BLM land, and there are no designated hiking trails, so be sure to download a topographic map of your route to a well-charged phone ahead of your visit, because cell signals can be spotty. This is an area where packing a paper map and compass is also a smart idea.

Or considered a guided visit. The wilderness boundaries overlap parcels of private Navajo land, and offers five-hour trips that delve into the history of the area and its cultural significance to Indigenous people.

11. Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique

Why It Wows: I visited this archipelago of five dune islands almost a decade ago, and from the plane, they looked听like a white-and-aquamarine swirl-art painting. A designated national park, the marine life in its protected waters is as incredible as the powder-fine beaches. The archipelago lays claim to the second most diverse coral reefs in the world and supports over 2,000 species of fish, and on dive and snorkel excursions I听saweverything from vivid corals and manta rays to reef sharks and even the endangered dugong.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel: The large coastal town of Vilanculos is the gateway to this cluster of islands, which can be reached by air via or by boat (most hotels provide complimentary boat transfers).

Bazaruto and Benguerra islands offer next-level offshore snorkeling and diving opportunities, as well as hiking/biking to听 crocodile-filled inland lakes surrounded by towering sand dunes. It鈥檚 worth splurging on a stay at or , both barefoot-luxe eco-hotels on Benguerra Island (from $5,744 and $1,108, respectively). The resorts can organize sailing excursions on traditional dhow boats, kitesurfing lessons, kayak trips through mangroves, whale-watching excursions between July and October, and scuba-dive outings to famed sites like Two Mile Reef, accompanied by research scientists.

12. Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan

Why It Wows: Reminiscent of the wild beauty of Hawaii Island, this district in Japan鈥檚 southernmost island, Kyushu, has 250 miles of surf-blessed coast, active volcanic craters, and wild horses. More than 75 percent of the mountainous interior is covered with forests dotted with sacred shrines and cascading waterfalls.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel: Located on the east coast of Kyushu, Miyazaki is about a 90-minute flight from Tokyo鈥檚 Haneda Airport or a 60-minute flight from Osaka鈥檚 Itami Airport. Legendary waterman Kelly Slater has pilgrimaged here to ride waves, a testament to the area鈥檚 surf cred. The guide company offers surf trips led by local pros, and if you鈥檙e experienced, they鈥檒l lead you to a secret big-wave spot that breaks from August to October.

A visit to Cape Toi, Miyazaki鈥檚 southernmost point, is a must. The scenery is straight out of a fairytale, with a seemingly endless panorama of sapphire ocean, a forest of rare, native sago palms, and 100 wild horses called Misaki-uma, considered a national treasure. Even cooler: you can camp here, at the (from $20).

13. Lake Willoughby, Vermont

Why It Wows: Nicknamed America鈥檚 Lucerne, this five-mile-long, glacier-carved lake is sandwiched between the fjord-like peaks of Mounts Pisgah and Hor. The water is remarkably clear, and come fall, it takes on the autumnal hues of the surrounding foliage鈥攁 gorgeous sight.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel: Situated in the heart of Vermont鈥檚 rural Northeast Kingdom, Willoughby State Forest encircles the lake’s southern end and is webbed with 12 miles of hiking trails. is a 2.5-mile out-and-back route with fantastic lake views.

Summer is the most popular season for boating, paddleboarding, and kayaking, and public beaches on its north and south ends are popular with swimmers and sun seekers (note that the latter is clothing optional). Willoughby is also a haven for anglers who come to hook jumbo trout and salmon. (Willoughby Lake Store, near Westmore, sells bait.) Visibility is so good some people even scuba dive here.

On the south side of the lake, the family-run has tent sites, RV hookups, and waterfront cabins, plus an on-site caf茅 and country store, plus kayak, canoe, and SUP rentals (from $38).

Jen Murphy is 国产吃瓜黑料 Online鈥�s travel-advice columnist and a frequent contributor to the magazine. She dreams of returning to the Bazaruto Archipelago to dive its clear waters, and a camping trip in the desert of Oman is on her wish list.听

The post The 13 Most Beautiful Places on Earth You鈥檝e Never Heard Of appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

As a frugal college student, I stretched my dollar in budget-friendly backpacker hot spots like India, Mexico, and Bali, where the dollar has traditionally had strong buying power. While those destinations are still affordable for many American travelers, that list has grown. This year the dollar has surged against many foreign currencies, including the South African rand and Japanese yen.

The bottom line: 2024 is the best year in quite some time to consider international travel, especially as prices in the U.S. have been on a steady rise since the pandemic waned. Although domestic airfare and hotel prices are slightly lower than last year (according to 鈥檚 June 2024 travel-inflation report), restaurant meals in this country are up nearly 30 percent compared to May 2019, and movie, theater, and concert tickets have bumped up 3.4 percent year over year. The Telegraph even recently published a story titled 鈥�.鈥�

Airfares to Asia, Canada, and Africa are higher than last year, , but you can still find deals by booking three to five months ahead or flying with low-cost carriers. Once you鈥檙e on the ground, the dollar goes far. When I visited Cape Town, South Africa, in May, I never paid more than $8 for an Uber ride across the city, and a wood-fired pizza and glass of local Pinotage cost less than $10 at the cool enoteca .

When I traveled to Japan last fall, lunch never cost more than $5. My go-to order: cheap onigiri (Japanese rice balls filled with pickled plums or spicy cod roe) and a bottle of Kirin Ichiban beer.

Here are some of my favorite countries where a weaker currency against the dollar will give you serious bang for your buck.

Argentina

Exchange rate:
One year ago: $1 = 271 Argentine pesos

Soaring inflation in the country hasn’t helped citizens, but it has made Argentina one of the best bargains for American travelers in recent years. On a recent trip to the Patagonian hiking mecca of El Chalt茅n, a friend and I split a hearty steak dinner and bottle of Malbec at for less than $25. (from $130) is a homey wooden chalet in the center of town with friendly staff, views of the iconic Fitz Roy, and a delicious complimentary breakfast buffet. runs instructional climbing and mountaineering clinics and also leads one-to-six-day treks in Los Glaciares National Park (from $300).

If climbing isn鈥檛 your thing, head northeast to the wetlands of Iber谩 National Park. A partnership between Tompkins Conservation and the NGO Rewilding Argentina have brought back several species, including the jaguar, ocelot, giant otter, tapir, and giant anteater. hotel (from $368, including all meals) is located within the park and staff can help arrange adventures such as horseback rides and kayak excursions.

Japan

Exchange rate:
One year ago: $1 = 141 Japanese yen

The 国产吃瓜黑料 Travel Trade Association chose Japan to host its 2023 World Summit, a testament to the country鈥檚 outdoor cred. After the conference, I explored Yakushima, a Unesco-listed subtropical island off the southern coast of Japan鈥檚 southernmost main island, Kyushu. Multiple daily ferry services connect from the seaside city of Kagoshima. I paid $138 for a round-trip ticket on the high-speed , which took two and a half hours.

Over a long weekend, I paddled the jade-hued Anbo River with SUP tour operator (half day from $54) and hiked the well-marked trails of the Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine, a mystical nature park filled with moss forests, ancient cedars, and macaque monkeys. Another local outfitter, , leads guided treks to places like Kuromidake, an alpine part of the island that delivers 360-degree views (from $80). The owner also operates a (from $174) just 12 miles east of Hirauchi Kaichu Onsen, a sulfur-rich hot spring carved into the rock on the southern shore ($1, paid on an honor system). Note that the baths are only accessible during low tide, so time your visit accordingly.

Canada

Exchange rate: One year ago: $1 = 1.31 Canadian dollars

When it comes to wilderness bragging rights, Canada is hard to beat. America鈥檚 northern neighbor has it all, from temperate coastal rainforest to 14,000-foot peaks to gorgeous national parks. One word of advice: even with the stronger U.S. dollar, Canadian gas prices range from 25 to 50 percent higher than the American average, so perhaps skip the road trip and consider a trip to the , an eco-retreat in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia.

Owned by the Heiltsuk Nation, this 63-acre Denny Island property can be reached by from Port Hardy ($84 round trip) or Bella Coola ($53 round trip) and offers accommodations suited to all budgets, from campsites ($15) to cozy lodge rooms with oceanfront balconies ($335). The draw: incredible salmon fishing, intimate cultural tours, extraordinary wildlife viewing鈥攏otably grizzly and black bears, as well as the rare white spirit bear and humpback whales and orcas鈥攑lus kayak and SUP activities.

In the eastern province of Quebec, Montreal is an urban playground worth your time and money. From downtown it鈥檚 an hour bus ride ($2.30) or 20-minute taxi ($22) to Boucherville Islands National Park ($7), a series of five small islands laced with more than 20 miles of trails. Rent kayaks or paddleboards (from $25 for four hours) to explore the bird-filled wetlands. The park also offers 50 riverside tent campsites (from $25).

South Africa

Exchange rate:
One year ago: $1 = 17.74 South听African rand

South Africa offers much more than safaris. Cape Town, on the southwest coast, is the ultimate urban adventure base鈥攊t reminds me of an affordable San Francisco, with a combination of gorgeous beaches, awesome hiking trails, and wine lands less than 30 minutes away.

In 2019, United Airlines launched North America鈥檚 only nonstop flight to Cape Town via Newark, New Jersey. A recent search showed round-trip flights in September for $1,320, which is less than I paid to fly to any city in Europe this summer from the U.S.

The strong dollar goes a long way here. I love staying at the ten-room , located close to the trails of unforgettable Table Mountain and the buzzy bars and restaurants of Kloof Street. Rooms go for around $165 and include a lovely breakfast. A slightly more affordable sister property, 脗m茅, will debut nearby in October. Outfitter can arrange adventures like snorkeling in a kelp forest or surfing at Muizenberg Beach.

The Garden Route, a 124-mile ocean-hugging highway on the Western Cape, boasts some of the best land-based whale-watching on the planet, a season that generally runs from June to December. Accommodations within (from $94) offer easy access to hiking and biking trails along the shore and opportunities to spot ostrich and Cape Mountain zebra from your doorstep.

Romania

Exchange rate:
One year ago: $1 = 4.43 Romanian lei

While many European countries have been battling overtourism, Romania remains largely off the radar of travelers. When I visited in June, I was warmly welcomed by locals, trekked empty trails, and easily booked reservations at popular restaurants with wildly affordable prices. At , one of the top tables in the capital city of Bucharest, a glass of great wine cost just $6, and the most expensive entr茅e on the menu was $16.

Ringed by the Carpathian Mountains, the forested region of Transylvania is a hiking and biking gem, with 64 miles of linking eight Saxon villages. Base yourself in Viscri at the seven-room (from $65). The owner was involved in building the trail network and rents bikes (from $20) and e-bikes (from $32) and also offers guided bike trips. , in the central-Romanian village of Mesendorf, is also conveniently located near the bike trail as well as fantastic hiking trails rich with birds like goshawks and hawfinches. (from $86). Take advantage now. Romania鈥檚 government is looking to adopt the euro by 2026.

Australia

Exchange rate:
One year ago: $1 = 1.47 Australian dollars

New flight routes are often promoted with deals, so look to score savings when American Airlines introduces new service听 from Dallas to Brisbane on October 27 and Delta launches a seasonal route from L.A. to Brisbane on December 4.

The capital city of Queensland, in the country’s northeast, is the perfect jumping-off point to explore the wave-blessed beaches of the Gold Coast, just 40 miles south. Or head to Byron Bay, one of my all-time favorite beach towns, located around 100 miles south. In Byron, check in at the , a revamped motel on the edge of town with 12 rooms, lo-fi vibes, and a kitschy tiki bar (from $180), or hunker down at , a regenerative farm set on 55 acres in the hinterland, with trails for horseback riding, a pool and badminton club, and a wellness area equipped with a wood-fired sauna and a cold plunge (from $370).

国产吃瓜黑料 options range from over the Cape Byron Nature Reserve (from $107 for 30 minutes) to paddling to famed surf breaks like Tallow Beach and the Pass. rents boards (from $18 for two hours) and runs half-day group lessons ($53). Head inland to explore the waterfalls and glow-worm caves within World Heritage鈥搇isted Nightcap National Park.

In town, caffeinate with a perfectly poured flat white from and carbo-load at , known for its addictive sourdough pizza, doughnuts, and creative croissant flavors, like peanut butter chocolate.

Portugal

Exchange rate:
One year ago: $1 = 0.89 Euro

True, the euro has a slight edge on the dollar, but if you鈥檙e like me and can鈥檛 resist the pull of Western Europe, consider Portugal as a less expensive option to the rest of the Continent. Surf-swept beaches, scenic trail networks like the 听(Fishermen鈥檚 Trail)鈥攃heck out the video and Gaia GPS map, below鈥� and cycling routes that meander along the dramatic coast and through wine country have put this country on the radar of active travelers who don鈥檛 want to spend a fortune.

Portugal feels like a bargain in comparison to Spain, France, or Italy. Its rail system, , conveniently connects the northern and southern regions (a round-trip ticket from Lisbon to Porto cost me $47 last fall), and when I rented a car for ten days last June, it cost half of what I paid to rent a car for a long weekend in Maine this summer.

My recent trip was a surf mission on Portugal鈥檚 Silver Coast, and was a dream stay. Perched above the beach in the sleepy town of Santa Cruz, the family-friendly, sustainable hotel has an in-house surf school, a skate park, trampolines, a gym, sea-to-table food, and a variety of accommodations ranging from sea-view bungalows (from $200) to eight-person bunkhouses (from $60 per person).

After a long morning of surfing, I鈥檇 retreat to , just below the hotel, where the catch of the day, paired with potatoes and fresh vegetables, cost around $15 and was enough to share with a friend. The surf picks up in autumn, right when the price of flights to Europe typically start to fall, so go for it.

Jen Murphy makes her friends ski across the border from Switzerland to Italy to score a more affordable (and equally delicious) lunch on her annual European ski trip.听

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The sound of shaving ice is unmistakable. The rasp, first pressed into the ice block, tense as a spring, suddenly surfs across the berg, scraping up a spume of glittering white snow as stray flecks flutter into the air. For some it may ring harsh, but under a blistering sun it signals imminent relief.

Shikashika鈥攖hat鈥檚 how Quechua communities near the Andes describe it. It鈥檚 a sound so recognizable that street vendors use it as an onomatopoeic term for their shaved-ice desserts. Elsewhere, similar treats go by other monikers. In the Hawaiian Islands, descendents of Japanese plantation workers have sold their version鈥攕have ice鈥攄rizzled with neon syrups and condensed milk, since the 1940s. Turkish bici bici, Italian grattachecca, Filipino halo halo鈥攖he list goes on.

Long before modern refrigeration, shaved-ice desserts emerged in various places around the world, especially in warm climes with access to ice from nearby mountains. On the U.S. mainland, however, they鈥檝e never been more popular than they are now. As T: The New York Times Style Magazine recently put it: shaved ice has taken over the dessert menu.

So what counts as shaved ice? Take the snow cone. With small shards of ice doused in colorful syrup, it鈥檚 not that different from shikashika or bici bici, but snow-cone ice is more crushed (i.e., crunchy) than shaved. In contrast, Hawaiian shave ice is made with fine, snowlike flakes, placing it squarely in its namesake territory. And unlike granitas and Italian ices, it鈥檚 made from pure, unflavored water.

One of the first documented forms of shaved ice is kakigori, which can be traced back to Japan鈥檚 Heian period, from 794 to 1185 AD. An early mention of kakigori occurs in , a book of musings written by Sei Shonagon in the 990s, which describes it as ice 鈥渕ixed with liana syrup and put in a new silver bowl.鈥� It earned a spot on Shonagon鈥檚 list of 鈥渆legant things.鈥�

Nowadays you don鈥檛 need to be in Japan to enjoy kakigori. In Orlando, Florida, couple Hiep Nguyen and Tammy Truong run , a year-old pop-up business that since October has resided in a 150-square-foot shop next to the Filipino restaurant . While Kaya made recent headlines as a James Beard Award finalist for best new restaurant, Koko Kakigori鈥檚 diminutive space has kept it a humbler affair. But make no mistake, Nguyen and Truong are masters of their craft.

Before becoming culinarians, the two co-owners made art. 鈥淎ll the skills we鈥檝e been using as artists we transferred to the shop,鈥� Nguyen says. Truong, for instance, makes many of the colorful ceramic bowls in the business鈥檚 mismatched collection of dishware. The menu, usually a handful of regular and seasonal flavors and a small selection of drinks, is written out by hand and adorned in watercolor.

The kakigori itself is also a work of art. Nguyen and Truong are both of Vietnamese descent, and they grew up in Orlando eating 肠丑猫, a sort of dessert soup often served with ice. But the two were drawn to the aesthetic qualities of kakigori鈥攗sually a mountain of shaved ice, where the nearly toppling-over pile is delicately dressed with syrups, milks, mochi, and fruit. Koko combines Vietnamese ingredients with the texture and look of kakigori. 鈥淚t鈥檚 technically 肠丑猫,鈥� Nguyen says, 鈥渂ut we鈥檙e repackaging it. We get to share Southeast Asian flavors with people who wouldn鈥檛 have tried it otherwise.鈥�

The couple鈥檚 wide-ranging inspiration is perhaps most evident in the ube coconut kakigori, partly an homage to the shop鈥檚 Filipino neighbor. The treat incorporates, among many house-made components, a cream made from the ube, or purple yam; pandan-infused Vietnamese jelly noodles called banh lot; and black sesame corn flakes, a Japanese-tinged nod to the cereal鈥檚 frequent appearance in halo halo.

Nguyen and Truong鈥檚 eclectic approach mimics 办补办颈驳辞谤颈鈥�s impact beyond its native country. In fact, both Hawaiian shave ice and Filipino halo halo originated as renditions of kakigori made by Japanese immigrants. Over time the three desserts evolved to look and taste completely different.

Shaved ice has and always will be an experiment. At first it was designed for cooling off; for Nguyen and Truong, the pursuit is as much about form and flavor. And while modern conveniences have made the dessert less rarified, with the sound of every scrape by hand or machine, the ice maintains its magic.

Shave Your Own

1. Source your shaver. The key to great shaved ice is texture. The achieves a fluffy, snowlike consistency with ease, although snow-cone makers or high-powered blenders work, too.
2. Pick a liquid. Homemade syrups are how you customize your dessert. Cook sugar and water in a one-to-one ratio with your favorite fruit or herb until the sugar dissolves, then strain and let cool before use. Or go the Filipino route with evaporated milk or coconut milk.
3. Experiment with toppings. Fresh fruit brings a pop of sweetness and color to your shaved ice, while toppings such as breakfast cereal or toasted coconut provide texture and crunch. Add a scoop of ice cream or drizzle with sweetened condensed milk for a more luxurious experience.
4. Assemble with gusto. Fill a glass or bowl with the ice, then apply your syrup. How much? 鈥淵ou kind of go on feeling, but I鈥檇 say safely about three ounces,鈥� Nguyen says. Then arrange your toppings to taste. If you鈥檝e got a crowd, set out bowls and squeeze bottles for a shaved-ice bar.

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For the past two decades, Dan Buettner听has traveled the world gathering the wisdom of the world鈥檚 longest-living centenarians. The result is seven books for National Geographic on longevity and happiness, the most recent, The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer, published in 2023; the Netflix documentary Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, which claimed the number three spot shortly after its debut in August; and the Blue Zones diet, whose guidelines have inspired millions of people to eat more beans.

Before he became an oracle, Buettner, who is 63, rode his bike from Alaska to Argentina, around the planet, and across Africa, setting three Guinness World Records. Then he became my boss. In September 2000, Buettner convinced eight of us, including archaeologists, biologists, photographers, videographers, and writers, to cross the Australian outback on bicycles while on a mission to solve the mystery behind the听, which Australia鈥檚 Indigenous people believe are routes, or land markers, to their ancestors. We interviewed knowledgeable experts and tasted staple foods like witchetty grubs, and beamed our discoveries via satellite to schoolkids following our adventure in real time.

During that six-week quest, however, our lifestyle was the antithesis of one that would ensure a long life. We ate gas station junk food, stayed up until dawn squinting at computer screens, and downed shots of tequila to soothe frayed nerves and celebrate milestones. Months later our team drove through Mexico and Guatemala for another six weeks, this time trying to solve the mystery behind the collapse of the Maya civilization. Had Buettner not shifted his focus to finding the world鈥檚 longest-living people, our hard-charging life might have killed us all. But it sure was fun.

In 2009, I wrote a story for 国产吃瓜黑料 as his Blue Zones project started gathering steam worldwide. Buettner is on an ever-evolving quest, but today his lifestyle habits are comparatively monk-like, aligning more closely with his Blue Zones findings. 鈥淲hen you marinate in this stuff, you start to taste like it,鈥� he joked when I spoke with him recently, adding that he abides by 90 percent of what he鈥檚 learned (although the Blue Zones diet frowns upon over-imbibing, he did confess to ringing in the New Year with one shot of very fine tequila).

As the result of the Blue Zones and books like , by Peter Attia with Bill Gifford, and , by David Sinclair, more and more travelers are seeking the fountain of youth. Wellness tourism reached $651 billion in 2022, according to the , and international wellness tourists spent $1,746 per trip that same year鈥�41 percent more than a typical international tourist.

For those who want to travel to the original Blue Zones instead of couching it through the Netflix series, we tapped Buettner鈥檚 experience on how to soak up the centuries of health and wellness wisdom found in these five places. Then听we added our own adventurous 国产吃瓜黑料 twist for each destination.

Why Are the Blue Zones So Healthy?

In the early 2000s, the awarded Buettner a grant to identify the world鈥檚 longest-living populations and learn their lessons. Independent from Buettner鈥檚 work, demographer Michel Poulain and medical statistician Gianni Pes identified Sardinia, Italy, as the region with the highest concentrations of male centenarians. In 2004,听they published in the Journal of Experimental Gerontology听identifying the region as a 鈥渂lue zone.鈥� (Pes used blue ink to denote villages of exceptional longevity, hence the name.)听 Buettner eventually partnered with Poulain and Pes, and extended the Blue Zones attribution to four additional longevity epicenters around the globe, eventually identifying nine common lifestyle habits found in every one.听 He calls these lessons the (outlined below).

鈥淧eople in the Blue Zones don鈥檛 do any of the stuff that is relentlessly marketed to Americans,鈥� such as eating junk food and going to a gym or a spa, says Buettner. It鈥檚 not that people in Blue Zones have better genes, he adds, 鈥渋t鈥檚 that their day-to-day unconscious decisions are appreciably better.鈥� And that adds up over decades to more than eight years of additional life expectancy. 鈥淏lue Zones has become a movement to change our environment, so we mindlessly make better decisions about our health, and that鈥檚 what works,鈥� says Buettner.

Blue Zones Map: Where in the World Are They?

As you can see from the Blue Zones on this map, all five fall in middle latitudes with temperate climates. Additionally, says Buettner, 鈥淏lue Zones are always hill people. They are not coastal. These cultures 鈥済rew beans and grains and garden greens and tubers, and brilliant women over the course of 100 generations got really good at making this food taste gorgeously delicious.鈥�

The Five Blue Zones are:

The Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica: The residents of some of the mountainous villages of this Pacific coastal peninsula are twice as likely as Americans to reach a healthy age of 90.
Okinawa, Japan: Located 400 miles south of the Kyushu (the country鈥檚 southwesternmost main island), this 463-sqare-mile destination is home to the oldest women in the world.
Ikaria, Greece: Less than 100 square miles, residents of this tiny north Aegean island live eight years longer than Americans, have half the rate of heart disease of Americans, and almost no dementia.
Loma Linda, California: This bedroom community of Los Angeles is a bedrock for many Seventh Day Adventists who view their health as an integral part of their faith.
Sardinia, Italy: The island鈥檚 eastern Ogliastra and Nuoro provinces have the greatest concentration of male centenarians in the world.

The 9 Healthy-Living Principles of the Blue Zones

鈥淥nly 25 percent of how long you live is dictated by genes. The other 75 percent is something else,鈥� says Buettner. Given that information, Buettner reasoned that if he could isolate the places where people lived the longest without disease, and then find common denominators between each place, that 鈥渙ught to be something to pay attention to.鈥� The following are the commonalities he鈥檚 coined the Power 9.

• Move Naturally: The world鈥檚 longest-living people don鈥檛 pump iron or go to a gym. They live in environments that constantly nudge them to move naturally, as in working in a garden or walking uphill to visit a neighbor.
• Purpose: Whether it鈥檚 called ikigai in Okinawa or plan de vida in Nicoya, Blue Zones residents have a reason to wake up every morning.
• Downshift: Each Blue Zone has a daily routine that diminishes stress; in Sardinia, one such option is happy hour, and in Ikaria that may mean an afternoon nap.
• 80 Percent Rule: Okinawans recite a 2,500-year-old Confucian mantra before mealtimes, 鈥淗ara hachi bu,鈥� reminding them to stop eating when their stomach feels 80 percent full. Also, in the Blue Zones, people eat their smallest meal in the early evening and then stop eating until the next day.
• Plant Slant: Beans are the foundation of most centenarian diets. Meat鈥攎ostly pork in the Blue Zones鈥攊s eaten only five times per month on average, and one portion is three to four ounces, about the size of a deck of cards.
• Wine at Five: People in every Blue Zone except Loma Linda drink alcohol moderately and regularly, which means one to two glasses per day, consumed with friends and food. Sardinian Cannonnau (known elsewhere as grenache), a robust regional red varietal, has three to four times the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoids of other wines.
• Belong: All but five of the 263 centenarians Buettner and his team interviewed belonged to a faith-based community. Denomination doesn鈥檛 seem to matter.
• Loved Ones First: Successful centenarians in Blue Zones put their families first. They keep their aging parents or grandparents nearby or at home, commit to a life partner, and invest in their children with time and love.
• Right Tribe: Blue Zones centenarians were born into or choose social circles that support healthy behaviors. In Okinawa, they create moais, a group of five friends committed to each other for life.

国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 Ultimate Travel听Guide to the Blue Zones

Some Blue Zones are more amenable to mainstream travelers than others, says Buettner. In the two decades since he began to research these five destinations, some have changed dramatically. In Okinawa, for example, U.S. military bases have brought increasing numbers of fast-food restaurants to the island, and many of the original centenarians Buettner interviewed have died. But there are still idyllic pockets in each place where travelers can glean the wisdom and lifestyle of its residents.

Before you book plane tickets, heed Buettner鈥檚 advice: 鈥淚f you鈥檙e the type of traveler who likes to meet the locals, are not in a hurry, are intellectually curious, and don鈥檛 mind staying in a rustic place to really absorb the culture, the Blue Zones are nice places to go. But if you鈥檇 rather party, get a massage, and order room service, go elsewhere.鈥�

Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

鈥淭he gateway destination for the Blue Zones is the Nicoya Peninsula,鈥� says Buettner. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an easy place to start, because you can book a nice hotel, do a yoga class, eat good food, and meet health-minded people.鈥�

Although it鈥檚 an hour away from the nearest official Blue Zone, Buettner recommends staying in Nosara.听 The resort town is lined with five idyllic beaches and outdoor activities听that spiral out in every direction. The real Blue Zones, where the centenarians live, however, are the small villages in the mountains above the ocean, like Hojancha and Nicoya, less than 40 miles northeast by road.

Where to 国产吃瓜黑料: Nosara is the perfect oasis for beginner and intermediate surfers, thanks to consistent year-round waves with clean breaks. You can also enjoy mountain biking and hiking in the tropical forest, Pacific fishing charters, and yoga everywhere.

Where to Stay: Buettner recommends the brand-new , which opened January 25 steps from four-mile-long Playa Guiones, one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. Each of its nine plush private residences has a fully equipped kitchen and other amenities like private barrel saunas. Above is a rooftop bar lining an infinity pool. Buettner will be speaking at the hotel on February 2, but if you miss him, there are plenty of other distractions. Silvestre also offers a studio with a range of wellness classes including yoga, boxing, breath work, tai chi, and movement options for kids and teens.听 Three-night minimum stay, from $960 per night

The has been a family-run community hub for the past 40 years. More recently it added a surf school, guided hiking and mountain-biking outings. Additionally, the hotel can arrange a custom tour of the nearby Blue Zones with local Spanish-speaking guides鈥攂ecause the centenarians don鈥檛 speak English. Airy rooms accommodate two to six people. From $276 per night in the low season (May, and September through October) and from $480 per night in the high season (November 1 to December 19, and January 6 to March 31)

Where to Eat: Buettner recommends heading to one of the original Blue Zone villages to eat a casado breakfast, a word that translates to a 鈥渕arriage,鈥� in this case between fresh corn tortillas and beans. 鈥淯ntil the year 2000 or so, that was 80 percent of these villages鈥� caloric intake,鈥� says Buettner. He also recommends stopping at a roadside fruit stand to stock up on mangoes, papayas, guavas, 鈥渁nd all these wonderful fruits that grow in their gardens like weeds.鈥� In Nosara, Soda Rosie鈥檚 also serves casados. Expats hang out at the Destiny Caf茅, known for its smoothie bowls, avocado toast, and organic roasted 鈥渃loud鈥� coffee with fresh coconut milk.

Ikaria, Greece

鈥淚karia is my personal favorite, because I know and love the people,鈥� Buettner told me, adding that rooms in the guest house where he always stays are still affordable, there鈥檚 great hiking on the island, and you鈥檙e still likely to meet a longevity all-star. 鈥淲hen I started coming here, it wasn鈥檛 known, but today you will sit down with people from Israel, Australia, Italy鈥攁ll over the world.鈥�

Where to 国产吃瓜黑料: This听 island in the Aegean Sea has been off the beaten path since it was first inhabited in the sixth century B.C. There are rugged mountain paths for hiking鈥攜ou鈥檒l be sharing them with goat and sheep herders鈥攁 growing sport-climbing and bouldering scene, and incredible beaches that require not insignificant descents. On Messakti Beach, which beckons with a sandy-bottom break and gentle waves, is a one-stop shop offering daily surf and SUP lessons, as well as听 rentals and yoga on the beach. For an insiders鈥� view of the interior, sign up for a trek with , whose local guides who know the inland paths like the back of their hand.

Where to Stay: Buettner always boards at , in the northwestern village of Nas. The owners, Thea and Ilias Parikos, are dear friends of his. The inn 鈥渉as a gorgeous deck overlooking the Aegean, and the family gets most of their food from an enormous garden right next door.鈥� Plus, notes Buettner, 鈥淭hea herself will always sit down and talk to you.鈥� Beyond the familial vibe and incredible food (some of her recipes can be found in the Blue Zone Solution cookbook), the property is directly above one of the island鈥檚 best beaches. Choose from one of five rustic rooms, each with personal bathrooms and French doors that open to a private balcony overlooking the sea, plus a small refrigerator for storing fresh herbs foraged on a hike. Time your visit for Thea鈥檚 cultural-immersion retreat, designed to teach guests how to incorporate the Blue Zones鈥� Power 9 habits into their daily lives. From $33

Where to Eat: It will be difficult to find better meals and views than the restaurant terrace of Thea鈥檚 Inn. She and her staff serve Ikarian specialties like soufiko and bean stew, a version of ratatouille, the vegetables of which 鈥渨ill likely have been in the garden five hours earlier,鈥� says Buettner. Another beautiful spot Buettner recommends is , run by George and Eleni Karimalis, who work with grapes from a revived 500-year-old vineyard. 鈥淭hey have great cooking classes and make a very satisfactory wine,鈥� says Buettner.

Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia鈥檚 Ogliastra and Nuoro provinces are worth the travel time. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a road trip to get there,鈥� says Buettner, but the cluster of five villages鈥擜rzana, Talana, Baunei, Urzulei, and Triei are the most picturesque. Seulo, farther south, is home to the highest concentration of centenarians.

Where to 国产吃瓜黑料: Test yourself on the 33-mile Selvaggio Blu route, seen in the video below. It starts near the coastal town of Santa Maria Navaresse, involves sketchy scrambling and via ferratas, has jaw-dropping views of the cliffs and Tyrrhenian Sea, and is dubbed the toughest trek in Italy. offers a less extreme option with its seven-day Wild Blue Zone Trek (not affiliated with Buettner鈥檚 Blue Zones), where you鈥檒l explore the 25-mile-long Orosei coastline, hiking to unexplored beaches, on narrow rocky trails along white sea cliffs, and spending two nights on a private boat anchored in cerulean waters. The tough limestone in Nuoro also makes it one of the premier sport-climbing destinations in Italy, with slabs, steep walls, and wicked overhangs.

Where to Stay: Santa Maria Navaresse, while not in the official Blue Zone, is a 鈥渘ice seaside town with decent restaurants,鈥� says Buettner. Base yourself there and you鈥檙e less than 20 miles from the nearest Blue Zone of Arzana. , a family-run, 12-room hotel, sits 150 feet from the beach and near an 11th-century church next to a thousand-year-old grove of olive trees. With free beach towels and umbrellas and sunbeds available, the beach of Santa Maria Navarrese is an extension of the hotel. From $178

Where to Eat: According to Buettner, to experience a true Blue Zones meal, you鈥檒l need to be invited into the home of a local, because restaurants in these villages cater to special events like birthday parties and, as a result, 鈥渢he menu looks like a roasted petting zoo, with goat and piglet鈥濃�攎ore celebratory foods than staples. The Nascar hotel鈥檚 restaurant menu is more seafood heavy than a traditional Blue Zones diet, but the red prawns are freshly caught.

Okinawa, Japan

鈥淥kinawa as a Blue Zone is gone. The only vestiges of it are the oldest people. You have to be a committed traveler to find them and also need to hire a guide, because nobody speaks English,鈥� says Buettner. Sadly, the island now has the highest rate of obesity in Japan, largely due to the fast food introduced with the creation of the U.S. military bases. It may be lost as a Blue Zone, but Okinawa still has pockets of beauty, with stunning waterfalls, white-sand beaches, and dreamy resorts on the outer islands.

Where to 国产吃瓜黑料: The Yanbaru region, which includes on the main island of Okinawa, was designated a Unesco World Natural Heritage site in 2021. Its name translates to 鈥渄ensely forested mountains,鈥� and听 its lush forests and limestone peaks make for incredible sightseeing. Hike to 75-foot-high Hiji waterfall, the highest on the island, paddle the Gesashi Bay Mango Forest, and camp near off-the-beaten-path beaches. There鈥檚 also an incredible undersea world off some of Okinawa鈥檚 satellite islands, like Ishigaki, where you can snorkel among healthy coral reefs, dive with manta rays, and soak up some vitamin D.

Where to Stay: In Yanbaru, the whimsical accommodations at the boast 360-degree views of the sub-tropical evergreens, and offer a symphony of bird sounds along with a sauna for increased relaxation. (From $826 per night for up to six people.) On Ishigaki, the lines a half-mile long, sugar-sand beach. With 17 room and villa types surrounded by subtropical gardens, and activities on offer from resort diving courses to swimming off remote islands, there鈥檚 plenty of space to find privacy. From $147听

Where to Eat: Buettner recommends in the seaside village of Ogimi, which relies on the same seasonal vegetables that have been harvested from nearby fields for centuries. Because of its popularity and authenticity, reservations are required.

Loma Linda, California

鈥淟oma Linda is a very hard Blue Zone to see, because it鈥檚 about residents鈥� Adventist lifestyle鈥攏o drinking, no smoking, a 24-hour Sabbath, and church on Saturday morning,鈥� says Buettner of the 9,000 Seventh Day Adventists who live here. But it鈥檚 possible to live the Loma Linda lifestyle for at least a day, then retire to nearby Palm Springs, 50 miles southeast on I-10, for further adventure.

Where to 国产吃瓜黑料: Do as the Loma Lindans do and spend a day at the University of Loma Linda鈥檚 , a one-stop shop for fitness classes, aquatics, nutrition classes, and, of course, a wicked game of pickleball.

Where to Stay: , in Palm Springs, offers a respite from the world. Set on 1.5 acres, two historic villas were combined to create a lush Mediterranean-and-Moroccan-themed oasis of bungalows, guesthouses, gardens and pools. Wake up with a yoga class, head to the Tahquitz Canyon for a short, rigorous, sweaty hike to a 60-foot waterfall, then return to lounge poolsidethe rest of the day. From $220

Where to Eat: Being in one of the world鈥檚 five Blue Zones, claims to have the largest vegan and vegetarian meat selections in Southern California. It also has treats like gluten-free, vegan, chocolate peanut butter cupcakes.

国产吃瓜黑料 contributing editor and 2023 National Geographic Explorer Stephanie Pearson lives in northern Minnesota and gives herself a solid B average when it comes to maintaining the Power 9.

The post Why Your Next Trip Should Be to a Blue Zone appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Would you marry somebody the first day you met? Or get to know them for a while before committing?

Probably the latter. The same principle applies when committing to outdoor gear. Under the shiny lights of REI, amid all the new and eagerly marketed merchandise, everything looks ideal. But making a purchase under those conditions is like proposing based on somebody’s Tinder profile: impetuous, likely irrational, and overly optimistic, given your needs and expectations. You can鈥檛 know if something is a true fit until you鈥檝e covered tough terrain together.

And outdoor gear is a big commitment, considering that skis can retail for hundreds of dollars and bikes thousands. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the cost of outdoor equipment and supplies before cooling slightly to 9 percent again this year.

Fortunately, brands are cognizant of this. And to better help consumers determine which equipment is worth a long-term relationship, several have designed travel experiences that encourage you to try their equipment over a period of days (or weeks) days before you buy. What鈥檚 new is the specialized nature of the programs, which are looking to meet the needs of niche outdoors people鈥攚omen cyclists, for example, or novice campers, or avid recreationists from specific metro areas. What they are finding is a receptive, captive audience.

You, too, can get down and dirty with gear you鈥檙e considering before making a commitment. Here are our recommendations for some of the best brands offering travel-and-test adventures worth your time and money.

EvoTrip

This fall, recreational mountain biker Annika Delfs, who lives in San Diego and works in the mountain-bike department of an REI there, took part in a travel-and-test getaway to Utah with EvoTrip, a 15-year-old arm of the established retailer. Delfs got into mountain biking during the pandemic, and while she鈥檚 clocked quite a few hours on local trails over the past few years, she was reluctant to spring for a pricey off-road bike without hands-on experience and time to decide which model was right for her style of riding.

鈥淒emoing bikes in a store setting typically isn’t ideal for mountain bikes and mountain-bike gear,鈥� Delfs says. 鈥淚t’s definitely more beneficial to get a true sense of how the bike responds to different rocky or gravel trains, and see how the suspension performs.鈥�

So in September, she flew to Salt Lake City for a ($995), hosted in conjunction with Juliana bicycles and Momentum Mountain Biking, and for two days in nearby Park City she rode two Juliana bikes鈥攖he Furtado and Roubion (another two bikes, the Joplin and Wilder, were also available to participants).

Delfs said that testing the bikes 鈥渁t a bike park specifically, where we had access to jumps, drops, really any type of terrain you can think of for mountain biking,鈥� gave her time to learn about each and understand how they perform. She left with a much clearer idea of what she鈥檚 seeking in her next ride: 鈥淕ood rear suspension and low-hanging suspension.鈥�

The trip price included two nights鈥� accommodation at the year-old Evo Hotel, instruction by pro coaches, two lunches and daily snacks, and of course the demo models. The sold-out event was offered once last year, with available for two offerings in 2024.

At the moment, the Utah bike weekend Delfs attended is the only EvoTrip in which gear demos are included in the package price (though more are in the works). However, its trips aren鈥檛 limited to domestic locales; travel-and-test experiences in Japan, Chile, and the Alps include access to beautiful outdoor areas and iteneraries ideal for demoing skis, snowboards, and mountain bikes, says EvoTrip senior manager Michelle Linton.

For four of its Japanese destinations (Hakuba, Niseko, Furano, and Myoko), a 10 percent discount is offered on equipment rentals, which include skis and snowboards that retail for upward of $450 and as much as $1,000. Clients can choose to test Armada鈥檚 ARV JJ and Armada VJJ, K2鈥檚 Mindbender 106C and Mindbender 99Ti, and V枚lkl鈥檚 Deacon 84 and Revolt 121, as well as Burton鈥檚 Deep Thinker, Capita鈥檚 Birds of a Feather, Gnu鈥檚 B-Nice, Lib Tech鈥檚 Orca and Cold Brew, and Yes鈥檚 420.

Other trips include gear gifts that travelers can take home with them. On its eight-day adventure to the ($3,050, next scheduled for March 3 to 10), participants visit the Capita Snowboards factory, and everyone receives a free custom snowboard, says Linton.

贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍

In 1979, 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍 founder 脜ke Nordin began lending trekking gear to beginners and guiding them through the Swedish wilderness. Thus began the first-ever 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍 Week, which has evolved into a multi-country program called . These backpacking trips are offered in six countries: its home country, Denmark, South Korea, Germany, the UK, and the U.S. (Colorado). Chile is slated to join the lineup in 2024.

On Classics trips, backpackers carry their own gear and pitch their own camp, but they follow a clearly marked trail where 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍 representatives are stationed along the way to lend a hand and replenish supplies.

The reasonable prices are one of the big appeals: they range from about $200 (Germany) to about $260 (Sweden). Costs cover everything from bus transportation to the nearest town before and after the event to freeze-dried food and snacks, gas for campstoves, toilet paper, and wag bags.

The cost of gear rental is additional but encouraged. For the Sweden trip, for example, you can test its Abisko tents鈥攖he Endurance 2, View 2, Dome 3, and Endurance 4, the least-expensive of which retails for $800鈥攁s well as 65-to-75-liter packs and Primus Lite+ or Primus Lite XL stoves. In 2023, trip-goers paid 100 Euros (about $107) to rent a two-person tent, 50 Euros ($54) for a backpack, and 50 Euros for a campstove and kitchen set.

Incorporating gear rentals into 贵箩盲濒濒谤盲惫别苍 Classics fosters inclusion and sustainability, says Claire Sisun, a global communications specialist for the Swedish brand.

鈥淲e have this gear, and we want you to be able to come out and not have to spend $600 on a tent to do the event,鈥� says Sisun. It鈥檚 more of a philosophy of 鈥淟et’s get you out there鈥� and less of a hard sell to consumers to buy the latest and greatest gear, she continues. 鈥淲e’d rather have somebody borrow a tent, and have multiple people use it hundreds of times, than have someone purchase a tent that they use once and then it sits in their garage.”

TrekTravel

To better cater to the huge world of cycling鈥檚 various fitness and interest levels, TrekTravel created biking trips to cater to four levels of riders: leisure, recreational, active, avid. One of its most popular is a new six-day leisure-level route from ($4,699), though active cyclists may prefer its six-day adventure in the ($4,199). The use of Trek鈥檚 or bikes are included in all packages, or you can upgrade to its Domane+ e-bike (from $399).

Most cyclists on a TrekTravel trip use a Trek bike, says Jake Fergus, the company鈥檚 director of marketing. It saves participants the hassle of shipping their own to and from the destination. Plus, he says, 鈥淚t’s a great way to experience a bike if you don’t want to spend $7,000 on a new ride before you鈥檝e tried it out pretty extensively.鈥�

If the trip proves that the brand鈥檚 bikes are a good fit for you, TrekTravel offers guests a $500 coupon to put toward a future Trek bike purchase.

Orvis 国产吃瓜黑料s

Orvis was founded in 1866 in Vermont as a fly-fishing-equipment company. And today use of fly-fishing gear is included in the cost of 鈥攁 network of schools, outfitters, and lodges鈥攁round the world. Colorado, Vermont, and Alaska are popular domestic getaways, says Scott McEnaney, its director, and is a hot international destination.

鈥淓ach location has gear there and ready to go for guests when they arrive,鈥� McEnaney says. 鈥淭hey’ll have waders, they’ll have boots your size, they’ll have the rods and reels for the type of fishing you’ll be doing that day鈥攚hich could mean multiple rods and reels.鈥�

Any gear that鈥檚 a keeper can be purchased directly at the Orvis 国产吃瓜黑料 Lodge where you鈥檙e staying, or from a retailer once you鈥檙e home.

L.L.Bean

This decades-old Maine company encourages novice campers to embrace the outdoors via its package, designed to let complete beginners get going with no gear investment.

A sustainable campsite for up to six people is set up at the oceanfront Wolfe鈥檚 Neck Center Campground in Freeport, Maine, and kitted out with the some of brand鈥檚 best gear, including its Northern Guide six-person tent, Adults鈥� Mountain Classic Camp sleeping bag, Ridge Runner sleeping pad, Flannel camp pillow, Eureka Ignite Plus campstove, ENO Double Nest hammock, Woodlands screen house, Waterproof Outdoor blanket, Acadia Camp chair, and Trailblazer Snap 300 Combo headlamp. Purchasing this entire setup would run you more than $1,600; instead, you can spend $149 per night and test all of that gear (two-night minimum required), with tips and tricks offered to make it a positive experience.

REI

Guided local outdoor experiences that include gear are offered at in San Francisco, Seattle, and Scottsdale, Arizona. For example, you can try your hand at in San Francisco or explore the deserts via a or ) in Scottsdale.

Want to experiment with gear on a DIY adventure? Each has a unique selection of rentals that include brands like REI Co-op as well as Black Diamond, Coleman, Jetboil MSR, NRS, and Rossignol. You can try everything from camping and rock-climbing equipment to essentials for cycling, paddling, and cross-country skiing.

During warm-weather months, REI sees the biggest interest from customers seeking camping necessities, namely sleeping bags and stoves; in the winter, the most popular rental item is snowshoes, says Ryan Holte, a stores-program specialist. Rental prices vary. Accessories like lanterns or trekking poles typically run for less than $15 per day; larger items, tandem kayaks, can go for $100 a day.

There鈥檚 no limit on how long an item can be rented. And while day-of rentals are offered, it鈥檚 a good idea to reserve gear ahead of time, especially on big outdoor weekends like Labor Day.

knows firsthand that packing scuba equipment in a carry-on is a great way to earn a TSA bag search. The former digital editor of Scuba Diving magazine, she now covers travel and water-related topics as a freelance journalist.

The post Gear-Testing Trips That Let You Try Before You Buy appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

国产吃瓜黑料 travel is a way to experience a new place on a deeper level, going beyond the usual tourist sights to the local culture and nature through memorable, exciting activities. No destination is more equipped to offer a diverse adventure travel experience than Japan. With four distinct seasons and diverse natural landscapes that lend themselves to a broad range of outdoor sports, each region of Japan offers something unique to adventure seekers. We chatted with the experts at the Japan National Tourism Organization to learn how Japan checks all the boxes when it comes to an adventure travel destination.听

国产吃瓜黑料: Where are the best places to experience ?

Japan National Tourism Organization: The , which encompasses Japan鈥檚 northernmost main island, is known for its rugged volcanic mountains and geothermal activity. Biratori, a town in this region, is one of the ancestral homes of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido. The town is still inhabited by many Ainu people today. The Ainu people have always respected nature, animals, plants, and the tools they make with their own hands, considering everything around them to be kamui (gods). In the 19th century, English explorer Isabella L. Bird visited this region, a trip that inspired her travelogue Unbeaten Tracks. Following in Bird鈥檚 footsteps, visitors can experience the lifestyle, culture, and spirituality of the Ainu people as they explore Biratori and the surrounding area.

In the southern part of Japan, is one of 34 national parks in the country and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The island receives the most rainfall of any region in Japan, and its abundant water supply nurtures forests of Yakushima cedar trees鈥攕ome more than 1,000 years old鈥攁nd beautiful evergreen forests. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities on this mysterious island, including mountaineering, nature walks, and kayaking. These activities allow visitors to convene with nature and experience the blessings of water and the life it brings.

What outdoor adventures can visitors experience in Japan?

Japan spans three climate zones, from subarctic Hokkaido to subtropical . This diversity in climates allows visitors to experience multiple seasons in one visit. For example, in April, visitors can enjoy in the fine powder snow in Hokkaido. Then, in Okinawa, the southernmost island, the warm tropical climate lends itself to .

Japan鈥檚 four distinct seasons make it a wonderful destination year-round. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking and cycling, throughout the year. In , spend time among the cherry blossoms, or enjoy autumn leaves in the . Both of these stunning seasonal changes are symbolic landscapes of Japan.

What makes adventure destinations in Japan unique compared to those in the United States?

Japan is a unique destination for adventure travel because each region you visit throughout the country has its own . For example, , which used to be an important pass connecting Kyoto and Edo (ancient Tokyo), is still preserved in its original form, and visitors can enjoy trekking while feeling the natural surroundings. , located just beyond the pass, was once a prosperous post town and has been registered as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, where houses from the past remain standing. Travelers can feel like they鈥檙e stepping back in time to explore Japan鈥檚 history while enjoying the country鈥檚 natural beauty.

How can visitors experience Japan鈥檚 culture outside of major cities?

Cuisine is another important element in Japanese culture. Not only can you taste dishes made from local ingredients throughout Japan, but you can also have a variety of . At , located in the middle of the 637-mile Michinoku Coastal Trail in the Tohoku region, visitors can experience salt-making, once an important tradition along the Sanriku coastline. At Fujii Wasabi-en in Shizuoka, visitors can experience harvesting wasabi that鈥檚 cultivated using spring water from Mount Amagi. Curious about how sake is made? Head to in Shikoku, where visitors can observe the sake-making process using locally grown rice, yeast, and underflow water from the Niyodo River, known as the purest river in the country鈥攁nd, of course, enjoy sake tasting.

Is it easy to reach Japan鈥檚 adventure destinations?

is very advanced, making it relatively easy to access more remote adventure destinations. For example, a traveler arriving in Tokyo to Hokkaido in just 90 minutes or to Okinawa in three hours. are also a very convenient mode of transportation. A 90-minute train ride transports you to Sendai, the gateway to the Tohoku region, with easy access to the Michinoku Coastal Trail, and Nagano, one of Japan’s most mountainous areas and a reminder of the Edo period. Finally, expressways and are well-developed for local and regional transport.

JNTO is involved in a broad range of activities, both domestically and worldwide, to encourage international tourists from all over the world to visit Japan and to showcase Japan鈥檚 vast nature, rich culture, and the ways in which adventure travel can promote Japan鈥檚 wild natural beauty and unique local cultures. For further information, please visit the .

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Put off by summer鈥檚 heat, crowds, and high prices, many of our editors pushed their big travel plans to fall this year. They鈥檙e also not explicitly headed to do any leaf-peeping but rather are intent on bagging a peak or two in the Berkshires, surfing the swell in Maine, forest-bathing in Japan, and giving van life a go in New Zealand (where it will soon be spring), among other active pursuits.听One editor was so excited about her upcoming trip, she guiltily confessed she’d been 鈥渢rying not to wish away the summer.鈥� Here’s what’s in the works.

Keeping the Love Alive in Savannah and Surrounds

My husband and I will听head to Savannah, Georgia, to celebrate our first anniversary. I was skeptical when he suggested it鈥擲avannah is flat, and I imagined climbing a massive mountain near our home in Taos, New Mexico鈥攂ut after Google revealed a shocking amount of wilderness nearby, I got on board. Here鈥檚 why I鈥檓 stoked: We鈥檒l post up at the downtown Kimpton Brice Hotel (a sweet splurge for us, as we’re听chronic campers), where we can walk to several city parks and the Savannah River. The hotel offers free bikes, so we plan to cruise the cobblestone streets and then hit Truman Linear Park Trail and Lake Mayer Park, stopping for fresh seafood听(a luxury we don鈥檛 have in the high desert). On the day of our anniversary, we鈥檒l ferry to Tybee Island, a paddling mecca just 18 miles east. We鈥檒l rent kayaks from , scope out sheltered waters between the 1,200 or so surrounding barrier islands, and picnic from the boats before renewing our vows at the Tybee Island Lighthouse. Then it鈥檚 back to town and the bar to wrap up the trip. One of the many reasons I married this wonderful man is because he plans unexpected adventures that wouldn鈥檛 otherwise be on my radar. 鈥擯atty Hodapp, 国产吃瓜黑料 Online interim digital director

Freewheeling on New Zealand鈥檚 South Island

My son is studying in New Zealand, so I鈥檓 inspired to do something I’ve always dreamed of: live the van life, if only for a while. I’m headed to the South Island in mid-October and have reserved a sweet rig from for about a month. Other than that, my plans are loosey-goosey. I鈥檒l road-trip around in search of the best 鈥渇reedom-camping鈥� spots: some 500 locations that are free but offer basic amenities.听My friend Patrice La Vigne wrote a book about her exploration of the country, 听and听I鈥檝e already cherry-picked some of her favorite spots, including the Queen Charlotte Track and the Nelson Lakes and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Parks, to name a few. I’ll hang in Wanaka for a few days鈥攁 supercool mountain town, kind of like the Chamonix of New Zealand鈥攁nd I鈥檒l check out Queenstown and probably indulge in a or two (according to Patrice, the city鈥檚听iconic fast-food joint is not to be missed). When my son finishes up his semester in mid-November, I’ll pick him up in Christchurch and we’ll hit the Kepler Track, one of the country鈥檚 ten Great Walks. 鈥擪ristin Hostetter, 国产吃瓜黑料 Inc. head of sustainability and contributing editor

Getting Off the Tourist Track in Japan

Japan has long been on my bucket list, but I didn鈥檛 want to take a group tour and was afraid the language barrier would prevent me from adequately planning a trip myself. How wrong I was鈥攜ou don鈥檛, in fact, need a travel agent or tour operator to build your own trip to this country, but you will need time for research. In mid-October, my brother and I are flying into Osaka and will stay two nights at a ryokan in Kyoto, then fly south to the island of Yakushima, a Unesco World Heritage site whose ancient cedar forests set the scene for Studio Ghibli鈥檚 film Princess Mononoke. (I highly recommend the outfitter , whose staff promptly emailed responses and booked our accommodations, a guided hike and stand-up-paddleboard river tour, and a rental car). After roaming around there, we鈥檒l hop an hourlong flight to the city of Fukuoka to pick up another rental car,听and then off we’ll drive to the onsen community of Kurokawa, two hours southeast, for forest bathing while we soak听in various hot springs. I鈥檓 looking forward to wearing the yukata (a casual kimono) as we walk from bathhouse to bathhouse. We鈥檒l return to Fukuoka, board the bullet train to Osaka (a limited-service that runs this route is just the cutest), and spend our last days hiking two sections of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail. Props to the tourism bureau that maintains this for English speakers: it answered all of our questions, on baggage transfer, nightly stays, bus service, altitude gain and loss, and estimated hiking duration. Aside from feeling anxious about driving on the opposite side of the road, and possibly getting lost, I鈥檓 fully confident that this is going to be a bucket-list adventure for the books. 鈥擳asha Zemke, 国产吃瓜黑料听magazine associate managing editor

Running the Desert in Perfect Weather in Joshua Tree

I’m heading to Joshua Tree National Park to race a half marathon with my mom in November. Fall is a great time to visit this national park in California, as the weather cools down from the scorching summer heat, so you can enjoy exploring without feeling like you’re melting. And while the nights can get a little chilly, it鈥檚 nothing a cozy jacket can’t handle. We鈥檝e chosen to stay at , a chic and modern cluster of spacious Airstream campers and cabins. A hike around the park is a must! You’ll come across crazy Joshua trees that look like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, cool rock formations, and even hidden oases that you won’t believe exist in the desert. (I like the , a three-mile out-and-back.) Oh, and the sunsets here are mind-blowing. Joshua Tree is also a hub for bouldering, with loads of granite formations to climb, no matter your skill level. In town, don’t miss the Joshua Tree Coffee Company, just a block from the park鈥檚 visitor center. Its espresso con panna will wake you right up. 鈥擲ierra Shafer, Ski magazine editor in chief

Hiking the Hills over a Wedding Weekend in Williamstown

Over Labor Day, my husband, Mike, and I will travel to Williamstown, in northwestern Massachusetts, for the wedding of a dear former coworker. It will be a reunion, with others from the old crew at Big Stone Publishing coming in from London, Las Vegas, and Asheville, North Carolina. Mike and I will fly into Albany, New York, 40 miles west, on Friday. I always figure that you can hike鈥攐r walk, in a city or a park鈥攊n most places, even if a trip is not recreational. Of course, it helps that we鈥檙e headed to a hiking haven like the Berkshires. For Saturday I鈥檝e pegged , a three-to-four-mile out-and-back up 1,893-foot Pine Cobble Mountain, where we can look out over historic Williamstown (once Mohican hunting grounds, and settled by others in 1749) and the Hoosic River valley. I hope to rally friends! Before the ceremony, we have a window where we could walk around the Clark Art Institute, with its marble gallery, backdrop of rolling green hills, and 140 acres of wooded trails. Mike also wants to head up 3,491-foot Mount Greylock, the highest peak in the state, boasting a 90-mile view; for Greylock, we could fit in the 2.6-mile before flying home late Monday afternoon (the 5.5-mile also looks great but would necessitate way too early a start). And we might as well pack climbing shoes in case of available bouldering. (I wonder if we could pass as students at the Williams College wall?) The town has a good farm-to-table scene, and my friend recommends Mezze, though pricey. Another option, the Barn looks casual, just right. 鈥擜lison Osius, 国产吃瓜黑料听magazine senior editor

Celebrating the End of a National 国产吃瓜黑料 in Hawaii

This fall I鈥檓 completing a challenge a quarter-century in the making. I grew up going on a bunch of road trips (the most notable being a 19-day, 5,000-mile adventure with my parents and brother in the family Prius), and before I was even able to drive, I鈥檇 already visited 30 states. So I turned my penchant for road trips into a project to visit all 50 states before my 25th birthday. The only criteria: I had to do something fun or memorable in each state, and layovers didn鈥檛 count. Everyone always asks what my least favorite states have been; I don鈥檛 have a least favorite, because there鈥檚 something in every state for everyone. That said, I do have two favorites: Utah and Vermont. I love hiking through red rocks and dense hardwood forests, and I鈥檝e gone back many times just to hit my favorite trails in both locales. As the clock ticks closer to my birthday in mid-November, there鈥檚 only one state left to check off: Hawaii. I thought it fitting to visit the 50th state as my 50th and final one. I have big plans to fly to Kauai and hike the in Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park. Because it won’t be听peak season, wasn鈥檛 too hard. My dream is to cap off that day with a hefty scoop of Hanalei Sunrise ice cream at Pink鈥檚 Creamery. Or maybe two scoops. It is my birthday, after all. 鈥擡mma Veidt, Backpacker assistant editor

Anticipating a Homecoming听in Asheville

My mom grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, and has always wanted to show my brothers and me around her hometown. My boyfriend has ties there, too鈥攈is sister moved there from New Mexico several years ago. So I鈥檓 headed to this popular outdoor destination in October with both my parents, my siblings, and my partner for four days. We鈥檝e rented a home on a nice plot of land just outside of town, where we’ll be able to have campfires and soak in a hot tub under the stars. Hopefully our trip will happen right as the leaves are firing in all their fall colors. It’s an active bunch, so we’ll hike, maybe ride some singletrack, or fly-fish for trout in the streams of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Beyond that, we’re excited to sample the highly touted food and drink scene. My boyfriend’s sister runs The Garden, a food truck that often posts up at one of three Wedge brewery locations around town, so we’ll definitely check that out. 国产吃瓜黑料 has also run some great stories about Asheville recently, with recommendations from singer Angel Olsen on her favorite hangouts and tips from other locals, so we’ll consult those when planning our day-to-day. 鈥揂bigail Barronian, 国产吃瓜黑料听magazine senior editor

Larch-Peeping Beneath the Peaks of the Dolomites

For part of a longer trip to Europe this fall, I鈥檝e carved out a weekend in the Italian Dolomites when the larches change color. As deciduous conifers (which feels like an oxymoron but surprisingly isn鈥檛), larches听have needles that turn yellow before dropping听off each autumn. I鈥檝e been obsessed with these weird and wonderful trees since I first saw a photo of them in Washington鈥檚 Cascades, and was delighted to learn that they grow thickly near the Italian ski town of Cortina d鈥橝mpezzo. My husband and I听booked a bed-and-breakfast in town鈥攖he options are many, and quite affordable in the autumn off-season鈥攁nd plan to spend a few days in late October hiking through the forests under the towering peaks. While I have more trails on my list than I know we鈥檒l be able to accomplish, I鈥檓 most excited for the 7.8-mile Croda da Lago circuit. The highlight of this moderate day hike is Lago Federa, a larch-ringed lake beneath the face of one of this area鈥檚 most distinct peaks.听Lunch at Rifugio Palmieri, one of the only mountain huts in the region that stays open through October, is a no-brainer. 鈥擬ikaela Ruland, National Park Trips associate content director

Surfing and Kayaking in Maine

I grew up visiting Maine almost every summer, but next month I鈥檒l be traveling to Portland for the first time, for my older brother鈥檚 wedding. Both my brother and his fianc茅e also went to school in Maine (she鈥檚 a many-generation Mainer), so听it feels bizarre that I haven鈥檛 been to the state’s largest city听yet. We鈥檙e staying in an Airbnb close to the wedding-party venue鈥�, an old church turned restaurant鈥攊n between the West End and Old Port districts. The neighborhood is a ten-minute walk from the harbor, where we plan to rent some sea kayaks and explore the plethora of islands that dot Casco Bay. So far my summer has mostly consisted of outings on rivers and lakes, so I can鈥檛 wait to get some ocean time in. And if I can swing it, I鈥檒l go surfing at Higgins Beach, nine miles south of Portland. Fall is the best time to surf in New England, and by mid-September there should be some good swells. I also can鈥檛 wait to check out Portland鈥檚 burgeoning food scene. My friends tell me the is a special low-key place to get a lobster roll overlooking the ocean. 鈥擪elly Klein, 国产吃瓜黑料听magazine associate editor

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This is The Offerman Files, where actor, humorist, , and Nick Offerman shares tales of wild creatures, gassy adventures, and hitting his brother in the face with a fish.

This required use of a log suspended from a pair of ropes hanging next to the bell. After winning a wordless session of You first; no, you first, I insist with Mike, I grabbed a third rope dangling from the center of the log and prepared to execute a full-body, two-handed swing to make the bell go bong. The elderly Shinto priest, correctly assessing the amount of adolescence still coursing through my 19-year-old body, gave me a grim smile and said, 鈥淥ne time,鈥� lest I turn this reverential ceremony into a cacophony that would shatter every Sapporo bottle within a mile. But believe me when I tell you that your corn-fed correspondent rang that goddamn bell with enough gusto to vibrate your innards.

This wasn鈥檛 the first ritual bell ringing of my life, given that I鈥檇 been an altar boy at St. Mary鈥檚 in Minooka, Illinois. If only we鈥檇 had the wherewithal to hold church in the woods, like these Japanese folks did! Our Catholic masses were so sleep inducing that the only highlight was the multi-tinkle clanging of a behandled cluster of four altar bells, which sounded like Santa鈥檚 sleigh advancing for a few seconds in stop-and-go traffic. We desperate young lads scrambled to become altar boys just so we鈥檇 have the chance to bestow that one remotely interesting moment on the congregation.

Slamming a log into a giant, patinated bell on a mountainside was a whole different order of experience and part of a life-altering opportunity for me, though not the kind you might expect. I wasn鈥檛 on a retreat to learn about Shinto and Buddhism. Mike and I were traveling as performers in a Kabuki-theater show that had been created by our sensei Shozo Sato at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The year was 1991, and about 20 of us prancing Illini theater students were putting on an adaptation of The Iliad called Achilles: A Kabuki Play. Our tour included a handful of venues, from the bright lights of Tokyo to the tiny mountain village of Damine, where we were housed with local families for the few days we were there to participate in the town鈥檚 300-year-old Kabuki festival. Mike and I got bunked at the priest鈥檚 house, most likely because he asked for a couple donkey-like actors who could carry 30 pounds of rice cake up a mountain.

Once the massive bell tone had faded from the countryside, we were directed by Kumagai-san to the head of a well-worn trail leading into the forest. He gestured right this way, as if to say, 鈥淵ou ring the bell, then you take the walk.鈥� Like any other American kids from the 1980s would have, we saw in him the mysteriously charming sensibility of Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid. Without waiting for further instructions, we pressed our right fists to our open left palms, nodded respectfully, and said, 鈥淗补颈.鈥� Then we set off into the trees.

The light transitioned instantly from bright day to shadow, and the sounds of the world were cut off by the lush insulation of Japanese oak, beech, birch, and maple, along with healthy stands of conifers. Mike wandered ahead to afford us both some solitude. The air was so clean and sweet, and the birds and flora were just foreign enough, that I felt like I had ducked through a magic wardrobe into an enchanted landscape. Every so often, I would notice a small white cloth ribbon tied in a conspicuous spot鈥攐n the twiggy branch of a gnarled old tree, around a sapling in a small copse of pines, on a moss-kissed rock, or near a particularly pastoral viewpoint along a stream the trail ran beside. Our sensei would later explain that the ribbons signified special features of nature identified as part of a god.

Winding my way uphill, I came to a rocky outcrop with a stream gushing and burbling down it. I don鈥檛 know why we humans love to see water succumb to gravity, but damn if we don鈥檛 go apeshit about it. I stood there and stared, rapt, for several minutes鈥攁t the innumerable points of light and ever morphing, dancing cataracts and pooling rivulets鈥攁s the tumbling waters sang the sweetest of songs. My eyes darted here and there as I attempted to catch every tiny delight on offer, but of course I had no chance of succeeding. Instead I let out a deep breath and allowed the sights, sounds, and scents of this holy place to wash over me. Ahhhh.

The benevolent massage to my senses lulled me into solace, the moment steeped in reverence for the realization that I could never fully comprehend all the information in just this one small part of nature. Letting go of the need to know everything felt right to me in a pretty deep way, like a first tiny step toward the adult knowledge we all aspire to. I was stone-cold epiphanized. I would later come to learn that this feeling of dumping the concerns from my head is exactly what Japanese tea gardens are designed to accomplish: to prepare the initiate to receive the wisdom of the ceremony with an open, unfettered mind.

Which meant I was perfectly set up for what was to come when we got to Damine.

According to legend, this high-altitude village ran into trouble hundreds of years ago when a woodsman accidentally chopped down one of the shogun鈥檚 trees. Word spread that the shogun, a powerful and deadly feudal warlord, was coming to investigate, and the villagers began to pray that they might be spared his wrath. A solemn promise was made that they would perform Kabuki every year to honor and thank Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, if she would only intervene.

Lo, the village was struck by an impossibly rare June blizzard, canceling the shogun鈥檚 flights (I assume?). The village was saved from punishment, and the people kept their promise, holding an annual festival celebrating Kabuki ever since. Our Illinois company was the first group of outsiders to perform in it.

This was an incredible joy and honor, not to mention a mind-blowing treat for a bunch of midwestern college students, most of whom had never left the U.S. (The flight to Japan was my first time on a commercial plane.) Our sensei had taught us a Japanese custom to follow when drinking sake, in which the guest fills the host鈥檚 cup, then the host refills the guest鈥檚, then the guest the host鈥檚, and so on. This way everyone enjoys an equal portion of good cheer. But he had forgotten to tell us that you flip your cup when you鈥檝e had enough, so we were all pretty well cheered up for the main night of the festival.

Kumagai-san, who spent most of his time farming green tea with his family, led a number of priests dressed in masks and kimonos in performing a ritual harvest dance known as dengaku (鈥減leasure at the rice field鈥�) around a large bonfire. I was enraptured by this communal observance of fertility, my fervor bolstered by the booming drums, the gyrating priests, and various celebrants circulating through the crowd of revelers and refilling our sake cups. The mood was raucous and primal, with the priests every so often sweep-kicking at the edges of the bonfire so that the crowd opposite would be showered in sparks, ensuring good health in the year ahead (so they said).

My friends and I came away from our time in Damine with a profound gratitude for the many gifts that had been bestowed upon us. We were mostly spared hangovers, thanks to the cleanliness of the sake we drank. (Life hack!) For me, celebrating with this community of farmers and giving thanks for the yearly bounty that nature provided was the beginning of a lifelong understanding that the mysteries of creation are much more apparent and accessible when standing outdoors in creation itself. Now that was a religious experience.

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