Travel By Design: Backpacking & Camping
“There is pleasure in the pathless woods. There is rapture on the lonely shore. There is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea and music in its roar. I love not man the less, but Nature more.”
–Lord Byron
An immersion in nature is a gift to the soul. Enjoy the outdoors with a backpacking or camping trip and allow nature to be your teacher. But embark on your journey a prepared adventurer.Whether a first time or seasoned backpacker or camper, it is important to know about the best destinations, gear, hiking trails and travel tips. What should you pack? What are the best weigh limits for your gear? What equipment has received the best reviews? What do you need for mountain trails vs beach trails vs forest trails?Find some of the best practices, equipment reviews and tips here for backpacking and camping.
Ellijay, Georgia: Extraordinarily out of the Ordinary
By Kathleen WallsSet in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Ellijay, a city in Gilmer County Georgia, is very different from the urbanized America that most visitors picture. Read more
United States Backpacking & Camping History
Don’t Let a Socially-Distanced Winter Keep You Inside: Camping at Dee Lake Wilderness Resort
By Nikki GillinghamWinter camping, even in relatively mild temperatures, isn’t something to take lightly. It requires planning, preparation, and a bit of spirit to get you through the evening! Read more
Canada Backpacking & Camping Nature & Outdoors
Go With the Flow: Life Lessons From Backpacking to the Pandemic
By Natasha TuckerSome of you may ask why I chose Guatemala — especially if you’re like my parents whose idea of adventure is an all-inclusive trip to Cuba. Read more
Central and South America Backpacking & Camping Experiences
Top Tips for Campervan Travel (AKA #Vanlife)
By Tara TadlockAs country borders remain closed and travel restrictions show very few signs of lifting, many people are turning to domestic travel alternatives. Instead of flying to far-flung places, tourists are taking to campervan travel. While campervanning is nothing new to tourists in destinations like New Zealand or Australia, there has … Read more Read more
The World Backpacking & Camping Budget Travel
Canoe Camping: Tips to Survive The Ultimate Physically-Distanced Adventure
By Nikki GillinghamIf you haven’t tried canoe camping yet and are on the hunt for new physically-distanced activities, you may want to find a spot for it on your list of things to try before winter officially arrives. Read more
The World Backpacking & Camping Insights
Backpacking Through India
By Brita PenfoldA few years back, I had the opportunity to travel to India to go to my good friend’s wedding. It was a chance to get a glimpse of the culture that I just couldn’t pass up. Read more
India Backpacking & Camping
Discovering My Home State Treasures
By Terri MarshallHaving lived in New York City for the past 13 years, I’ve fallen in love with my new city. The bright lights of Broadway, innumerable restaurants, museums of every variety, my favorite Irish pub, and the gym where I work off my indulgences are all just a subway ride away. … Read more Read more
United States Backpacking & Camping
Path through Patagonia without a tent
By Devon OlderPatagonia is the southern region of South America, covering a large part of the continent’s tip, straddling both Argentina and Chile. Like the rest of the continent, Patagonia is filled with breathtaking views, delicious food, and abundant wildlife. However, due to its growing popularity, it is the most expensive part … Read more Read more
Central and South America Adventure Backpacking & Camping
What to do about Racism and Bigotry as Travelers of Conscience and Culture
By Ian FitzpatrickWith everything taking place in the world from the coronavirus pandemic, global recession, and America’s racial reckoning, even a brief escape from these problems can be an elixir for the body, mind, spirit, and soul. Read more
United States Backpacking & Camping Insights Social Responsibility
Adopt a Backpacker: Seeking Refuge During the COVID-19 Crisis
By Ann-Marie CahillFor many long-term backpackers, it has been a new adventure in survival and endurance as their usual fallback job opportunities have also been affected by the shut-down. Read more
Oceania Backpacking & Camping
Silence in Big Sur, silence in between
By Torrance McCartneyAs I write this, the majority of the world is in isolation; the pandemic of COVID-19 has forced us indoors and away from each other. Read more
United States Backpacking & Camping
How Spending Time Alone on the Pacific Crest Trail Changed My Life
By Derek CullenI recently spent five months hiking from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail. It was an incredible backpacking trip through stunning deserts, mountains, and forests but also a journey of self-discovery. At the same time, my trips were now motivated by self-growth rather than deficiency. That is to … Read more Read more
North America Backpacking & Camping Off the Beaten Path
Russian Begpackers Caught in Cambodia
A Russian family was recently cautioned by police in Cambodia after being caught begging in the town of Battambang, raising the issue of the growing trend of begpacking and the effect it has on the countries where people practice it. Traveling can be expensive and it’s not unusual for people … Read more Read more
Asia Backpacking & Camping Social Responsibility
The East Coast Trail: How far are you willing to go?
By Derek CullenNorth America is home to some of the most intriguing cities and travel destinations in the world. Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and Vancouver, there is something mystical about the Albertan wilderness while the busy cities offer a vibrant and comfortable refuge in between. Lesser known and far less populated than … Read more Read more
North America Backpacking & Camping Off the Beaten Path
Hello Kitty Could Be Your New Glamping Partner
In the past four decades of its existence, Hello Kitty has grown in popularity emerging as a global marketing phenomenon that ranks close to $7bn a year. The product was coined and brought into existence by the Japanese company Sanrio, the white bobtail kitty has been etched onto almost every … Read more Read more
Asia Backpacking & Camping Luxury Travel