In 2018, we were privileged to glimpse into a handful of different cultures around the world, and we will be forever grateful for this. We feel that getting to experience different cultures is one of the most powerful things about travel, and it is this aspect that leaves the biggest mark on us.
When people ask us what it is about travel we love so much, we have so many answers… trying new foods, adventure activities, hiking, making new friends, and just the utter excitement that comes with exploring a new place.īut the thing that comes close to the top of our list is learning about cultures different from our own. This 5-hour hike is grueling, but totally worth the effort because you can spend the night beneath the stars, watching Volcan Fuego erupt every 30 minutes (see #11 for more info). Indian Nose at Lake AtitlanĪ short hike with an epic view over Lake Atitlan that is dotted with villages and surrounded by volcanoes.
#MINUTE OF ISLANDS MEMORIES HOW TO#
If you want a super authentic and off-the-beaten-path experience in Mexico, read about our time hiking in the Sierra Norte Mountains to learn more about how to do it yourself. I even spent my 30th birthday up in one of those towns. It was unlike anything we’ve ever experienced and learning about the way of life in these self-governed towns was beyond interesting. We spent the night in a small village that is part of a network of autonomous communities high in the mountains. One of our most memorable and authentic experiences in Mexico was hiking through the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Oaxaca. It is a much less-crowded alternative to the nearby and ultra famous Roy’s Peak. Isthmus Peak in New ZealandĮvery bit of this hike was breathtaking, and it culminated with a view over two lakes - one on either side of the peak. We hiked to Brewster Hut and Pinnacles Hut and spent a night at each, which were highlights of our time in New Zealand. But here are some of our favorites: Mountain Huts in New Zealand Truthfully, I can’t even tally the number of hikes we’ve done this year (it’s been a lot!). Sure, there are moments where we’re sweaty and panting and we curse ourselves for choosing to hike, but the moment when you reach your goal - an epic viewpoint, a mountain hut, a village - all those negative thoughts go away and are replaced with gratitude for bodies that can bring us to special places. Over the last few years, we’ve realized how much we love hiking.