5 Adventure-FULL Destinations Around The Globe

As an avid traveler, recapping my favorite destinations around the globe is more than a little difficult; the challenge being narrowing them down not in sharing the experience in story form. Admittedly, adventure travel is my addiction of choice and I relish the unforgettable memories, friendships and life-lessons that accompany the journeys therein.

Before I was presented with the opportunity to travel to the edges of the globe, to witness the places and experiences I’ve only dreamed of or seen on television, I’d traveled to a decent handful of locations across two continents. Fast forwarding to the present day, I’ve had the privilege to travel to over 55 countries (writing stories along the way) now spanning across six continents.

Unforgettable adventures didn’t apply to every country I stepped foot in, but, lucky for us, there are a select few that kept me reeling for months after my departure. Follow me around the globe as I share with you the destinations around the globe those unforgettable adventures took place.

Peru

As one of over ten G-Adventures tours that I have participated in around the globe, the small group tour through Peru was pretty epic. It was my first time to South America and I had high hopes for the cuisine, terrain, and learning more about Inca traditions. Choosing Peru as my introductory destination to the continent, in hindsight, was brilliant.

Adjusting to the altitude while trekking the trail of the Incas to witness Machu Picchu at sunrise, sampling local favorites like cuy (guinea pig) and adventuring through the Peruvian Amazon, the prearranged adventure tour had it all.

Egypt

Egypt had been a distant thought in my travel journal before joining the U.S. Peace Corps. There I met fellow travel enthusiasts who breathed life into the destination forcing me to reconsider it. At the close of my service, my exit from the European continent was rapidly approaching so I decided to travel strategically to Northern Africa ahead of my return West. I’m grateful that I did because Egypt is without a doubt one of the most memorable destinations around the globe I’ve been.

It was a decision I’ll never forget that took me down the Nile, through ancient Egyptian history and back again. In between that there were visits to world renowned museums, snorkeling in the Red Sea, ATV rides in the Bedouin desert and, of course, camel rides.

The Philippines

While one a six-month travel hiatus in Thailand, my wanderlust began to itch too badly for any topical cream. Considering my proximity to the island nation, I decided to spend a handful of weeks exploring one of the most traveled destinations around the globe. No small group tours, just hostel stays where I met and befriended three other travelers on the same wavelength and collectively, we synced our travel paths for the remainder of the trip.

The Philippines wasn’t shy, delivering incredulous beaches, fresh seafood, natural world wonders, and adventure waiting around every waterfall.

Belize

Good things come in small packages, but adventurous things await you in this tiny destination in Central America. The Caribbean Ocean has one of the last surviving, thriving coral reefs and with water sports of all sorts available, travelers have plenty of opportunity to get acquainted with the biodiversity housed there. Cave canoeing or tubing, ancient Mayan ruins and the lush jungle are all available inland. Outdoor adventure enthusiasts beware, you’re in for the time of your life. 

I spent close to two weeks in this unBELIZEABLE tropical heaven taking full advantage of both the coast by staying on the peninsula for a week at a peaceful resort and then doubled down on sustainable travel and spent a week living the jungle life in San Ignacio.

Cambodia

When I made it to Cambodia, I was knee-deep in the beginning stages of my digital nomadic existence and had a month to explore this region of Southeast Asia. There was no tour company, no prearranged meetups, simply my passion for solo travel and adventure. I negotiated an apartment on Airbnb for a month (discounts are typically applied/fees waived for longer stays) and set out to explore the museums, the majority of Angkor Wat, and surrounding towns on my own. 

As a U.S. citizen, Cambodia was an extremely eye opening experience for me. Not from a culture shock perspective but from the perspective of war. Learning about the travesties the Nixon administration committed in the name of peace and the runoff the after effects of war have had on the country sickened me. So too did the atrocities of Pol Pot and the Siamese-Cambodian war stories of old. Visiting this country taught me the significance of history as told from the perspective of the natives it impacted, the necessity of empathy and kindness on a global scale and how as humans, we never seem to learn well enough from past mistakes. 

Did you enjoy the tour?

Ladies and gentlemen I hope you enjoyed the journey to these destinations around the globe. The virtual tour has concluded and we have successfully docked at the exit gate. You are now free to move about the cabin of your imagination. As always, it has been my pleasure to accompany you.

The tours in Peru and Egypt as featured above were purchased via Tourradar.com. An amazing online utility allowing you to search for your preferred type. Search by price, tour company, even length of travel.