Category: Outdoor Adventures
Ideas and tips for outdoor adventures in North America, Europe, and beyond. Hiking, biking, off-roading, scuba, snorkeling, scenic drives, and more! From activities for nature lovers to adrenaline junkies.
Coronet Peak Picnic Date with the BEST Views of Queenstown
The Queenstown area is known for its epic views and adventurous activities. It is definitely a can't-miss stop for anyone touring New Zealand. Want 360-degree views of Queenstown and the surrounding mountains without all the work of hiking all the way up? Coronet Peak... Read more
Private New Zealand Glow Worms Tour with Unique Eco-Sanctuary Stay
Sometimes being extra spontaneous on a trip can really come back to bite you. Other times, it leads to unexpected places you would have never discovered had you not been forced to make a detour. That's how we discovered Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary outside Rotorua and... Read more
Detouring to See Hokitika Gorge with Grey Water?!?
After a great time in Arthur's Pass, we were headed to explore the Franz Josef Glacier area for a few days. It was going to be a 3+-hour driving day, so we didn't plan much – as we didn't know what the weather would be like. However, it was a beautiful day, so... Read more
Remote Coast Sea Kayak Tour of Abel Tasman National Park
Some places are just meant to be viewed from the water and Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand's south island is definitely one of them – especially to enjoy the beauty and wildlife of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve. Since this area is protected, only a... Read more
Cathedral Cove Beach Walk in the Coromandel, NZ
One of the most gorgeous coastal areas of New Zealand, the Coromandel Peninsula is a must for beach lovers – especially the multi-hour walk to Cathedral Cove beach (or water taxi). It's a (sometimes overly) popular track, but we loved spending a sunny summer day... Read more
Northland New Zealand Road Trip: One Week of Beaches, Backpackers & Beautiful Views!
Trying to decide on a first destination in a place with hundreds of amazing options is a challenge. Luckily, we were celebrating my birthday a few days after landing in Auckland and I only wanted one thing: sunshine. GLORIOUS SUNSHINE! After six weeks of winter in... Read more
The Rock Overnight Cruise in Bay of Islands
We don't always plan to splurge for birthdays and other special occasions … but when we do, we tend to really go all out (like learning to cook in Rome or hot air ballooning over Colorado Springs). So, when we decided to go to New Zealand for my big 3-0, I... Read more
22 Tips for Minimalist Packing with Carry-On Bags: Multi-Season Trip
Although we've managed to make carry-on bags work, we are far from pros at this minimalist packing thing. For our most recent five-month trip to Europe, I packed a thermometer “just in case we need to check if one of us has a fever.” We also brought a... Read more