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Bocas Del Toro

A bit harder to get to than the average person would prefer, perhaps, but it’s a journey that is well worth it. 

Paradise on earth, according to some, and an amazing vacation destination according to less hyperbolic but still enthusiastic folks. Bocas Del Toro is where the lush jungle meets pristine beaches, and it truly is breathtaking. 

It also has world-class snorkelling, superior to a place like the Maldives, and that is not an exaggeration

2021 was objectively rough. From covid-19 remaining a threat, to general global uncertainty and financial hardship, we can all pat ourselves on the back for making it through it. In speaking to the nomadic community, it’s evident that things have been difficult, for a vast variety of reasons. 

While a new year comes with new opportunities and a clean slate, we seem forced to bring some of the issues that we faced as a population with us into 2022. This can feel both frustrating and daunting, which is why we decided to also think about the good things that we would be taking with us, to better balance things out. 

This year we encourage you to reflect on the good things in your life, whether personal or professional, and bring those things with you into 2022. Perhaps you found a new relationship, dedicated more time to family, got new exciting challenges at work, adopted a pet, or developed a new hobby. Whatever those good things are, don’t leave them behind as we buckle up to tackle a fresh set of challenges now, in addition to a couple that are lingering from 2021. If we have to bring some of the issues that we faced in 2021 with us into the new year, it only makes sense to remind ourselves of the good things we carry with us as well. 

So, here’s to a new year, and the same you!

New Year, Same You

For as long as she can remember, Birgitta had dreamt about a life lived in ultimate freedom. To her, that meant minimizing her physical possessions, packing up two suitcases, and buying a one-way plane ticket. She had finally, after much contemplation, decided to follow her own intuition, without compromise or excuses. Birgitta decided to let her inner voice and energy guide her, and she embraced the unknown. 

A journey that began with a trip to Australia is still ongoing. On the never-ending road, she has made a name for herself in the coaching industry. With a background in the corporate and rigid world of sales communications and leadership training, Birgitta has built a successful business around the LifeSpider System, which is centered around dissolving common human struggles and increasing everyday passion for life.  

While Birgitta has been able to live the life of her wildest dreams, she’s careful to stress that a life on the road can be stressful, uncertain, and strenuous. 

-It’s tough to live out of your suitcase, transitioning from one place to the next, and without knowing people. You’re often living on a tight budget, depend on cheap flights and accommodations, and have to be open-minded about your situation and the ways in which you can make money to supplement your lifestyle. But once you embark on that journey, and fully dive in, you’ll quickly realize how little you need to be satisfied with life, and how much love and affection is in your immediate surroundings, even when dealing strangers. 

In the case of Birgitta, she was able to combine two things that many people dream of – a sustainable remote career that she is passionate about, and the exploration of life and land. As a result, she’s had magical metaphysical experiences on lush islands and found a “second home” that is far away from her upbringing in Stockholm, Sweden. 

Her journey has been a long and successful one, and maybe reading this marks the start of yours.

Taking The Plunge – Digital Nomad Edition

Whether you’re a fan or a foe, you’re likely to find some of the principles for exploring the values of a community, as put out by the Burning Man collective, intriguing and interesting.

The Five Best Burning Man Principles

Whether you’re a fan or a foe, you’re likely to find some of the principles for exploring the values of a community, as put out by the Burning Man collective, intriguing and interesting. 

Larry Harvey, the man who co-founded this interactive extravaganza, put pen to paper back in 2004 in an attempt to create some principles for the event and the ever-growing movement. They were crafted not as a dictate of how people should be and act, but as a reflection of the community’s ethos and culture, as it had organically developed since its inception. 

Below, we’re sharing five of our favorites. 

Anyone may be a part of Burning Man. We welcome and respect the stranger. No prerequisites exist for participation in our community. 

Our community values creative cooperation and collaboration. We strive to produce, promote and protect social networks, public spaces, works of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction.

Our community respects the environment. We are committed to leaving no physical trace of our activities wherever we gather. We clean up after ourselves and endeavor, whenever possible, to leave such places in a better state than when we found them.

Our community is committed to a radically participatory ethic. We believe that transformative change, whether in the individual or in society, can occur only through the medium of deeply personal participation. We achieve being through doing. Everyone is invited to work. Everyone is invited to play. We make the world real through actions that open the heart.

Immediate experience is, in many ways, the most important touchstone of value in our culture. We seek to overcome barriers that stand between us and a recognition of our inner selves, the reality of those around us, participation in society, and contact with a natural world exceeding human powers. No idea can substitute for this experience.

Do you have a favorite principle from Burning Man, or maybe one of your own? We’d love to hear about it. 

Where the world-renowned Highway 1 ends, the lost coast unofficially begins. The area, which got its name after it experienced depopulation in the 1930s, is California’s only coastal wilderness, where no development or major roads come near the ocean. As such, it’s best (but not exclusively) explored on foot.

The Lost Coast of California

Where the world-renowned Highway 1 ends, the lost coast unofficially begins. The area, which got its name after it experienced depopulation in the 1930s, is California’s only coastal wilderness, where no development or major roads come near the ocean. As such, it’s best (but not exclusively) explored on foot. 

Stretching between Shelter Cove to the south and the Mattole River to the north, in both Mendocino and Humboldt counties, the lost coast is a wild land of forests and fog.  The area is filled with high alpine forests, Roosevelt elk grazing in bluff-top prairies, and majestic redwoods. With sweeping grasslands and coastal forest, the incredible ocean vistas humbly remind you of how insignificant us humans are. From the unforgettable views of King Range, its peak soaring 4,000 feet above the Pacific, to the water’s edge and its shell mounds, the area is quickly becoming a dream destination for backpackers and eco-tourists. 

With its tiny rural towns, high tide treasures, and breathtaking hiking trails, it’s an escape that is well worth the trekking. Just don’t forget to stop by the abandoned lighthouse at Punta Gorda.

Solo travel is having a moment, and we’re not the only ones who think it’s here to stay. You get to do your own thing, forge your own path, look after yourself, explore areas and people all on your own… The list can be made endless.

Ice Breakers for Solo Travelers

Solo travel is having a moment, and we’re not the only ones who think it’s here to stay. You get to do your own thing, forge your own path, look after yourself, explore areas and people all on your own… The list can be made endless. 

But, while you may really cherish your me-time and pride yourself on your independence, it doesn’t mean that you’re not going to want to socialize at different parts of your trip. Making new friends can be an absolutely life-changing part of solo travel, and striking up a conversation with a stranger doesn’t have to be a daunting task. 

Here are some perfectly simple but proven icebreaker tips for making new friends when travelling solo. 

Not everything can be off the beaten path, and popular destinations and attractions are popular for a reason, with very few yet important exceptions. Taking a walking tour or joining a group experience is a great way to meet new people. You’ll already have a shared interest, as evident by signing up for the same tour, and talking points will be all around you as you experience new sights and sounds together. 

While the solo traveler may have perfected the selfie by now, we all know that a helping hand goes a long way, and can give you a much different perspective. The quick interaction is a great way to strike up a conversation, and because you’re doing the stranger a favor, they’ll likely be friendly and talkative. If you hit it off, you can build on it from there. If you don’t, then no harm done. You helped take a photo, and finishing the task gives you a non-awkward but perfectly viable exit strategy. 

A ton of restaurants have communal dining, and finding those places isn’t difficult. Everyone knows that those tables are for sharing, which in turn lowers the barriers when it comes to striking up a conversation with a stranger. You may be seated next to a smaller group, or a fellow solo traveler, but either way you’re likely to socialize. 

Whether you love to try new food in foreign countries, or you’re just learning how to surf, participating in activities that you’re passionate about is a great way to find likeminded people. Along the same lines, a little research and some simple googling will usually give you a pretty good idea of where likeminded people will be. Connecting with fellow travelers, whether it’s at a popular hostel or at a beach that you found on a subreddit, will usually enrich your experience but also give you a better idea of what there is to see and do in said city. By simply engaging fellow travelers in travel-related conversations, you’re bound to get a ton of useful tips. 

Whether it’s the staff at the local hostel or hotel, your AirBnB host, or the barista of the nearby coffee shop, it shouldn’t be difficult to get some tips on where to go and what to do from them. If you hit it off with anyone during your initial interaction, you can build on it. If you don’t, you’re hopefully left with helpful tips and tricks for where you can find likeminded people next. 

Before you hit the road, make sure that you have the right gear. From backpacks that are optimized for international travel (hidden pockets, passport storage), to the popular transformer toiletry bag, we’ve got you covered. 

Eat Your way Through Europe

Since we’re not here to divide, we want to clarify that this by no means is a list of the certifiably ranked best places for eating your way through Europe. We’ve seen a lot of hot takes, and will not be going down that tricky road. Instead, take this for what it is, a list of European cities with great food.

Yeah, you’ve heard of Noma, considered by many to be the best restaurant in the world, but there is more to this Scandinavian capital than Chef Rene Redzepi’s ultra-modern menu. The popular restaurant has offspring all over the city, with former Noma chefs now in charge of eateries like 108, Sanchez, and Amass. 

Check out Michelin-rated Relae for an all-organic flavor experience that you won’t soon forget, or the two Michelin starred AOC. 

For a more laid back dining experience, you can’t go wrong with Reffen. Head out to this industrial part of Copenhagen, and enjoy food trucks and stalls with a wide variety of international dishes that are to die for. 

With so many reasons to visit Budapest, including the thermal baths, some people tend to forget about Hungarian cuisine. But with such a rich, varied, and delicious kitchen, it’s not a country in which you should go hung(a)ry.

Start with the goulash and learn what a perfect version of the popular dish should really taste like. Move on to the chicken paprikash, one of the most popular dishes in the entire city, and finish with palacsinta, which is Hungarian pancakes. The crepe-like cakes can be served either sweet or savory, and they’re delicious either way. Lastly, in between all of your meals, try to leave room for some world-renowned Kolbász sausage. With too many fantastic restaurants to mention by name, do your research before picking places to dine at. 

From the Mediterranean Sea to historical sites, Turkey has a lot to offer, including welcoming people, a rich culture, amazing museums, and unforgettable food. There’s a reason that it is one of the most visited countries in the world, and the spotlight is often rightfully on Turkish dishes. While you may have initially come for the cultural experience, please don’t leave without having feasted on special treats like meze, pide, baklava, and kebab. 

If you’re looking for great wines that pairs well with gorgeous views, look no further than Bordeaux. As a smart traveler, you split most of your time between the left bank and the right bank, only to realize that the six days you spent there wasn’t nearly enough. Whether you’re taking a winery biking tour or enjoying the centrally located wine museum, you can take comfort in the fact that you’re never more than a couple of minutes away from world-class bites and wineries. Don’t forget to use any extra time you have to explore the area around the quaint Saint-Émilion, a small commune in the Gironde department, and home to less than 2,000 people. 

It might not be a major cosmopolitan city like Paris or London, but San Sebastian is perhaps the greatest food destination in the world, with more Michelin stars per capita than any other city and a thriving pintxos scene that you won’t believe until you see it.

It makes the list not only because of the overabundance of haute cuisine, but because it is literally paradise, with its incredible view over the crescent bay and the beautiful La Concha Beach. There are three 3-star restaurants, among a handful of 1- and 2-starred places, plus a plethora of pintxos bars serving gourmet-style bites that are just as good as any fancy meal you’ve ever had.

Just an hour or so from San Sebastian is the Rioja wine region of Spain, where you’ll also find some really incredible food from Michelin star chefs and formidable home-style restaurants. One of the funnest foodie things we’ve ever done was a pinchos crawl down the tiny streets of Logrono, Spain. It’s a foodie’s dream!

Imagine foie gras, duck confit, and black truffles paired with bold and complex Bordeaux wines. You’ll be having gourmet lunches and dinners paired with world-class wine every day. It doesn’t get any better than this.

A little bit of Lille

At one point or another, as you researched your potential travel destinations in France, you came across the city of Lille. You read that it was cold, people told you it was grey, and you heard one too many jokes about potatoes. You quickly came to the conclusion that it was not a place worth visiting, and we’re here to tell you that you were wrong. We don’t blame you, though, as the world has yet to appreciate just how beautiful and special the city is. Thankfully, we’re here to explain why it’s well worth a visit.

Lille, which is located in northern France, is actually one of the most charming places in the country. It has a brimming joie de vivre and a booming arts scene, for starters, and was recently crowned the 2020 World Capital of Design, in case you have room for dessert.

Whether you’re looking for a place to stay or you’re hungry for brunch, Mama Shelter Lille is a good bet. For a world-class museum you go to La Piscine, and for dinner, you definitely hit up Big Mama. If you’re still not full, just remember that you’re in a city filled with brilliant shows, interesting workshops, mind-blowing performances, and unique art installations.

Oh man, Oman

Let’s get this straight right away; this is not a party destination. What it does have, in abundance, is incredible hiking, camping, dune bashing, miles and miles of untouched coastline, hidden oasis’, and even lush rain forest. 

The people are some of the nicest in the world and the food is great. 

Still, need a reason to go? No, you don’t.

Let’s Talk Tasmania

When people travel to Australia, they think of beaches, kangaroos and that one world-famous reef. 

Tasmania has massive rain forests, scenic islands, and one of the largest Antarctic parts on the planet in Hobart. It’s the Australia you had no idea existed, but will definitely appreciate it. 

Hobart is also situated between lavender fields, a Cadbury’s factory, and the ocean, so it may very well be the single best-smelling city in the entire world.

Wandering Around Wernigerode

This is the heart of the Harz, a city full of classic medieval German architecture, and an absolutely unforgettable experience. 

A gem in its true sense, this place is filled with street after street of half-timbered houses and a special atmosphere.

From its Gothic Town Hall (Rathaus) to the pedestrian-only Breite Strasse, this town is straight out of a fairytale. 

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, you realize that The Brocken is in close vicinity. Enjoy!

The Natural Beauty of Namibia

Have you ever seen a photo of those amazing desert sand dunes and assumed it was somewhere up in the Sahara? Well, it’s actually in Namibia. It may be the most isolated country in the world after Mongolia in terms of people, but that frankly only makes the experience so much more special. 

Stars burn a little bit brighter here, and its one of the only places in the world where a desert meets the ocean. 

That ocean also happens to be one of the most densely populated areas for Great White Sharks in the world, or one of the sharkiest areas on the planet, as we like to say. 

If sharks aren’t your thing, know that Etosha National Park will give you the opportunity to see animals like wildebeest, hyenas, cheetahs, and elephants. 

If being bored is a hobby of yours, don’t go to Namibia.

Lembongan Island

Yes, Bali in general, of course, but Lembongan Island in particular. 

A short boat rides away from familiar grounds and you find yourself on a little island with amazing diving, great surf, and tons to explore! Rent a scooter and get the good-kind-of-lost for a day, experience an outdoor shower, or live like a king in a beach-front bungalow for only $40 per night. 

The Tibet Alternative

People flock to Tibet every year, using everything from special Tibet Visas to Tour Groups to make it happen. The worst part? This money goes towards funding the Government or its supported tourism industry.

The Sichuan province of China borders Tibet, is culturally Tibetan and comes with thousands of years of history, and sits in the Himalayan Foothills. The best part? No permits, freedom to roam, and your money will support the local people. It’s truthfully more genuinely Tibetan than actual Tibet, and we hope that’s all the convincing you need. 

If not, please know that they have pandas in Sichuan.

The Land of a Thousand Hills

If you’re an animal lover you are likely familiar with Rwanda, as it’s home to the endangered mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park. 

There are currently 10 habituated gorilla families open to tourist visits, so trekking permits are limited to a mere 80 per day. But it is, needless to say, an unforgettable experience if you have the opportunity to do it. If not, remember that you are in a wildlife-rich country with lots of national parks and animals. 

From the chimpanzees of Nyungwe Forest National Park to the more traditional Big 5 wildlife safari in Akagera National Park, Rwanda has numerous must-see attractions. 

And, since the country is still emerging as an ecotourism hotspot, you’re almost certain to have some of these pristine attractions all to yourself!