{"id":55,"date":"2026-01-15T02:13:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T02:13:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/?p=55"},"modified":"2026-01-15T02:13:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T02:13:08","slug":"2025-year-in-review-2026-travel-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/2025-year-in-review-2026-travel-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Year in Review &#038; 2026 Travel Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:default1=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-lazyloaded=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025YearinReview-1280x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" alt=\"2025YearinReview\" class=\"wp-image-99281\" title=\"2025 Year in Review &amp; 2026 Travel Preview 1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025YearinReview-1280x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1280w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025YearinReview-625x500.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 625w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025YearinReview-1536x1229.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1536w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025YearinReview-555x444.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 555w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025YearinReview-scaled.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1800w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025YearinReview.jpg?size=258x206&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 258w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025YearinReview.jpg?size=774x619&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 774w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025YearinReview.jpg?size=1032x826&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1032w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>2025 was a record-breaking year of travel in HoneyTrek Land. Traveling to 29 countries across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, North America, and South America, we took on the world with as much gusto and gumption as we did the day we left on our honeymoon. Why such a whirlwind tour? We\u2019ve been diligently researching our next book on the World\u2019s Best Glamping Destinations and trying our darndest to experience as many leading eco-resorts as possible. Seeking properties with creative accommodations, immersion in nature, sustainable practices, experiential dining, uncommon adventures, and inspiring proprietors (to name a few of our criteria)\u2026we are so thrilled with what we found! From Aurora Safaris, which made us realize the bliss of Scandinavian ice bath culture, to Wolwedans, whose commitment to the Namib Desert\u2019s environment and local community brought us to tears, this global glamping journey reminded us how proud we are to be part of the outdoor hospitality industry. As Sarah Dusek, one of the true glamping pioneers, said to us, \u201cWe desire not just to create access to extraordinary places in nature, but to move the needle on solving some big world problems.\u201d This idea of regenerative travel as a catalyst for positive change kept us motivated as we schlepped our backpack on to yet another overnight bus, waited for a hitchhike in the beating sun, and forked over another $800 for a long-haul flight, and happy to share a great camp\u2019s story.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has--font-size\">From a sustainable travel perspective, we are quite proud to say that of the 29 countries we explored in 2025, we entered 20 of them without a flight\u2026and clocked a grand total of 15,534 miles (two-thirds of the circumference of the earth) of overland travel! And we\u2019ve upheld our commitment to never buying single-use plastic water bottles (14 years strong) and a plant-based diet (68 countries and counting)!<\/p>\n<p>In addition to sharing our favorite places and a sampling of the world\u2019s best glamping destinations, this Year in Review blog includes a bunch of behind-the-scenes shenanigans, travel fails, and heart-warming moments that made 2025 one-of-a-kind!<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mexico_Baja_Road_Trip\"\/>Mexico: Baja Road Trip<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-lazyloaded=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"654\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/baja-road-trip-20250106_134309-5-654x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" alt=\"baja road trip 20250106 134309 5\" class=\"wp-image-99244\" title=\"2025 Year in Review &amp; 2026 Travel Preview 2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/baja-road-trip-20250106_134309-5-654x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 654w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/baja-road-trip-20250106_134309-5-319x500.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 319w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/baja-road-trip-20250106_134309-5-555x869.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 555w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/baja-road-trip-20250106_134309-5.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 958w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/baja-road-trip-20250106_134309-5.jpg?size=258x404&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 258w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 654px) 100vw, 654px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Baja Norte Road Trip\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sq5iSOGNe04?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Baja is our happy place, and road trips down the peninsula have become one of our favorite ways to kick off the new year. For our 4th annual journey, we leveled it up and caravanned with two of the most badass RVers we know. JP &amp; Elena have been proper nomads for nearly 20 years, and when you put all our travel experience and three vintage rigs together, we were a dream team on wheels. Pooling our favorite places in Baja, we created an epic itinerary through Mexico\u2019s premier wine country, a Pacific coastline that rivals Big Sur, cardon cacti labyrinths, and beach camping on a spit of paradise. Ssee video above.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ireland_Our_3-month_Euro_Trip_Begins\"\/>Ireland: Our 3-month Euro Trip Begins<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-lazyloaded=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"875\" src=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ireland-3-1400x875.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" alt=\"ireland 3\" class=\"wp-image-99245\" title=\"2025 Year in Review &amp; 2026 Travel Preview 3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ireland-3-1400x875.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1400w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ireland-3-800x500.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 800w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ireland-3-555x347.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 555w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ireland-3.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ireland-3.jpg?size=258x161&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 258w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ireland-3.jpg?size=1032x645&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1032w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/ireland-3.jpg?size=1290x806&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1290w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>Travel conferences are always a great way to line up our year\u2019s route and partnerships (aka, how we make a living), so we set out to Ireland for \u201cMeet the Media.\u201d Plus, we\u2019ll take any excuse to visit charming Dublin and hang out with our Irish friends Rose &amp; Conor. After meetings, we wandered the cobblestone streets with our buds and ducked into cozy pubs to have a good craic with some Guinness, dueling fiddles, and Irish hospitality.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sweden_Winter_Glamping_Spectacular\"\/>Sweden: Winter Glamping Spectacular<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DG5z3C_Ntzp\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:1000px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"\/>\n<p>Now to get glamping! The Scandinavian leg of our global glamping journey kicked off with a bang in Sweden, one of the world\u2019s most sustainable countries and an absolute fairytale in wintertime. We lined up four incredible eco-retreats in the far north to experience the best of the northern lights, snowshoeing, dogsledding, and Lapland cuisine &amp; culture. From Grano Becksin, once a dwindling village and now a beacon of hope for rural tourism, to the world-famous Treehotel, an architectural retreat that has hosted the likes of Kate Moss and Sweden\u2019s Crown Princess, we struck glamping gold!<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@honeytrek\/video\/7475465251128134958\" data-video-id=\"7475465251128134958\" style=\"max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;\">\n<section> @honeytrek As glamping fanatics, we have long dreamt of staying at the Treehotel in Swedish Lapland. Commissioning Scandanvia\u2019s leading architects, this family-run inn reimagined the simple treehouse into accommodations that have swept the travel awards and attracted celeb guests, from Justin Beiber to the Crown Princess of Sweden.  Now it was our turn, but which room to choose? The disappearing Mirrorcube, the UFO flying saucer, woven twig Bird\u2019s Nest, or the new Biosphere made of 350 birdhouses\u2026see where we perched and what it\u2019s like to stay at one the world\u2019s most creative eco-retreats. @Treehotel #visitsweden #glamping #treehouse #lapland #swedishlapland #comfortablywild \u266c original sound \u2013 HoneyTrek<\/section>\n<\/blockquote><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Northeastern_Europe_by_Train_Sweden-%3EFinland-%3EEstonia-%3ELatvia-%3ELithuania-%3E_Poland-%3EGermany\"\/>Northeastern Europe by Train: Sweden-&gt;Finland-&gt;Estonia-&gt;Latvia-&gt;Lithuania-&gt; Poland-&gt;Germany<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-lazyloaded=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Eurorail-trip-576x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" alt=\"Eurorail trip\" class=\"wp-image-99248\" title=\"2025 Year in Review &amp; 2026 Travel Preview 4\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Eurorail-trip-576x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 576w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Eurorail-trip-281x500.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 281w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Eurorail-trip.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 844w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Eurorail-trip.jpg?size=516x917&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 516w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Northern Europe Train Trip: 7 countries, 1 Eurail Pass #traintravel #eurail\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4YgSucpMe7U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Sure, taking a plane from Swedish Lapland to Berlin would have been faster, but where\u2019s the fun in that? We got a Eurail pass, and it offered us a chance to see a new part of the world\u2026eastern Scandinavia, the Baltic States, plus our beloved Poland (in non-pandemic times), and arrive in Germany with more memories (and a much lower carbon footprint) than we\u2019d ever get from a flight. Staying a few nights in each country\u2019s capital, we got a taste of their national history, culture, architecture, cuisine, and cosmopolitan living before taking our next train trip through the countryside.<\/p>\n<p>While we always planned to visit Tallinn, Estonia (one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe), we might never have visited the fabulous cities of Riga, Latvia, or Vilnius, Lithuania if they weren\u2019t on our train route. Turns out Riga has the densest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture in the world, and Vilnius is home to an independent republic of artists and free thinkers with its own constitution, currency, and zest for life!<\/p>\n<p>Each leg of the journey led to a greater appreciation of train travel\u2026gazing out the window, walking the aisles, dining in a sit-down restaurant, working on free wifi, and even getting a full night\u2019s rest in a private sleeper cabin. Two weeks and 3,878km later, we arrived in Berlin, so grateful we took the rail less traveled. Watch the video above of our 7-country train adventure and highlights from Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Portugal_Spain_Iberian_Peninsula_Campervan_Trip\"\/>Portugal &amp; Spain: Iberian Peninsula Campervan Trip<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-lazyloaded=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iberian2-576x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" alt=\"iberian2\" class=\"wp-image-99249\" title=\"2025 Year in Review &amp; 2026 Travel Preview 5\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iberian2-576x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 576w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iberian2-281x500.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 281w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iberian2.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 844w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iberian2.jpg?size=516x917&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 516w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Iberian Peninsula Road Trip: Spain &amp; Portugal by Campervan #roadsurfer\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/lsJSOFlNBus?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Who doesn\u2019t love the Iberian Peninsula, with its UNESCO cities, stunning beaches, charming countryside, and vibrant culture?! Having lived in both Spain and Portugal, and traveled there extensively over the years, we can now say this region is even more incredible as a campervan trip!<\/p>\n<p>We rented a house on wheels from the Roadsurfer office in Madrid and headed south for Andalucia and the Algarve. With the freedom to take the backroads at our own pace, we discovered so many incredible places and met lovely locals along the way. When it came to finding campsites each night, we\u2019d open the handy Roadsurfer Spots app and find such unique places to stay\u2026like Alqueria de Los Lentos, a 16th-century grain mill at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains with friendly horses and a hot tub, or Monte Das Louzeiras in Alentejo, a winery bringing back the ancient tradition of amphora natural wine-making and sharing it with campers, and Global Tribe, an eco-living community and biodynamic farm in Huelva, who hosted a women\u2019s circle that got me to dance, cry, and laugh with ladies I now call friends.<\/p>\n<p>So much more immersive than renting a car and staying at city hotels, this camper trip helped us get off the beaten track, connect with locals, and fall deeper in love with one of our favorite parts of the world.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Reminder_of_the_Year\"\/>Best Reminder of the Year<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-lazyloaded=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"1001\" src=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iberian1-1400x1001.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" alt=\"iberian1\" class=\"wp-image-99242\" title=\"2025 Year in Review &amp; 2026 Travel Preview 6\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iberian1-1400x1001.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1400w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iberian1-700x500.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 700w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iberian1-555x397.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 555w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iberian1.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iberian1.jpg?size=258x184&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 258w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iberian1.jpg?size=774x553&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 774w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iberian1.jpg?size=1032x738&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1032w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/iberian1.jpg?size=1290x922&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1290w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>On a whim, we went to the office of my first newspaper job on the odd chance that my same editor from 20 years ago might still be there. I pressed the buzzer: \u201cHola, \u00bfEditor Jos\u00e9 Luis est\u00e1 en la oficina?\u201d I waited anxiously, thinking it was slim-to-none that he\u2019d be there or even remember me. The door opened, and he gave me a huge hug. We spent an hour chatting, flipping through my article archives, and laughing about that experimental column we pulled off as a team. This day was such a great reminder, it\u2019s never too late or too risky to reach out to an old friend! To see this encounter and more memory-lane moments from Sevilla, see the full gallery.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Morocco_Africa_Begins\"\/><strong>Morocco: Africa Begins<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DJRVlU-oMRV\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:1000px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"\/>\n<p>Morocco has always fascinated and intimidated us in equal parts. We had no doubts it would be beautiful, with its towering sand dunes, ancient cities, and lavish riads\u2013but we had heard enough shady stories of medina mishaps that we weren\u2019t sure it was worth the hassle. Well, after two weeks in Morocco, we never encountered a single unsavory character. Even in the most touristy areas, hawkers would make a concerted effort to give travelers deference, going as far as to say \u201cI won\u2019t push you\u2026feel free to have a look,\u201d and another cheekily showed us his menu and said, \u201cDon\u2019t panic, I\u2019m organic.\u201d This heightened politeness and self-awareness almost seemed as if word had gotten back to Morocco that it wasn\u2019t cool to harass tourists, and it was time to make things right.<\/p>\n<p>From the artist in A\u00eft Benhaddou, who gifted us an extra painting after we supported his work, to a random plane passenger who bravely ferried our confiscated drone from Fes to the Marrakesh airport and wouldn\u2019t accept a dirham\u2026the spirit of the Moroccan people shines bright. Not to mention their legacy of artistic talents can make a typical house feel like a palace and turn a mud village into a UNESCO wonder.<\/p>\n<p>So, whether the bad stories we\u2019d heard about Morocco were blown out of proportion or not, this trip reminded us to never judge a place on hearsay. Just as important as traveling with your street smarts is bringing an open mind and heart. With that, you will find good in every place, especially in dazzling Morocco. See our favorite pics from Fes, the Sahara, A\u00eft Benhaddou (you\u2019ll recognize it from Game of Thrones), and Marrakesh in the gallery above.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Immigration_Mishap_of_the_Year\"\/>Immigration Mishap of the Year<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Customs Nightmare: Getting Our Drone Back from Moroccan Police\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mipnZaAdgxo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>We landed at the Fes airport, and the customs officer asked us, \u201cDo you have a drone?\u201d We had been carrying one in our bag for months and sauntered into Morocco not knowing that they were illegal! They subsequently confiscated our flying camera and said, \u201cYou can pick it up at the airport when you leave Fes.\u201d The only problem was that we were departing Morocco from an airport on the other side of the country. Getting our drone back became a two-week saga, between it getting muled to Marrakesh by a kind stranger (huge love to my boy Jad!), getting the customs paperwork (which included Mike literally scaling an 18-foot wall to get out of the locked medina at 2am), and then praying it would get released from the clutches of airport security. The whole experience was so ridiculous and miraculous that we turned it into its own YouTube video (above).<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Qatar_Making_the_Most_of_Layovers\"\/><strong>Qatar: Making the Most of Layovers<\/strong><br \/><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DJkagGbIb0T\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:1000px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"\/>\n<p>When given the option of a three-hour layover in the Doha airport or a day and a half to explore a new city with a local friend\u2026we chose the latter, of course! See our whirlwind tour of the capital of Qatar, with its ultramodern skyscrapers, dhow boats bobbing in the bay, Middle Eastern markets, World Cup stadiums, and gracious hospitality.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kenya_Sustainable_Safaris\"\/><strong>Kenya: Sustainable Safari<\/strong>s<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-lazyloaded=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1365\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/COPYRIGHT_HoneyTrek_20250419_0851301-1365x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" alt=\"COPYRIGHT HoneyTrek 20250419 0851301\" class=\"wp-image-99251\" title=\"2025 Year in Review &amp; 2026 Travel Preview 7\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/COPYRIGHT_HoneyTrek_20250419_0851301-1365x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1365w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/COPYRIGHT_HoneyTrek_20250419_0851301-667x500.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 667w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/COPYRIGHT_HoneyTrek_20250419_0851301-1536x1152.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1536w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/COPYRIGHT_HoneyTrek_20250419_0851301-2048x1536.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 2048w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/COPYRIGHT_HoneyTrek_20250419_0851301-555x416.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 555w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/COPYRIGHT_HoneyTrek_20250419_0851301-scaled.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1800w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/COPYRIGHT_HoneyTrek_20250419_0851301.jpg?size=258x194&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 258w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/COPYRIGHT_HoneyTrek_20250419_0851301.jpg?size=774x581&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 774w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/COPYRIGHT_HoneyTrek_20250419_0851301.jpg?size=1032x774&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1032w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/COPYRIGHT_HoneyTrek_20250419_0851301.jpg?size=1290x968&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1290w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1365px) 100vw, 1365px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>Kenya\u2019s Maasai Mara is arguably the world\u2019s greatest safari destination. The acacia-dotted savanna offers a daily wildlife special starring 2.5 million herbivores and apex predators, showcasing the circle of life in all its drama. A host of safari camps offer a front-row seat to this biodiverse ecosystem and ancestral homelands of the Maasai people, but the best ones are those actively conserving it, like Great Plains Conservation.<\/p>\n<p>We had the privilege of staying at two of their Kenya properties, the adventure-focused Mara Expedition Camp and the Relais &amp; Ch\u00e2teaux-accredited Mara Toto Tree Camp. While most safari companies are all about the animals, Great Plains believes the Maasai people are at the heart of the Mara and has a multitude of impact projects that benefit locals and guests. From joining the Naboisho Women Craft Centre for a jewelry-making lesson to spending an afternoon in Nkoilale village, visiting the local school, a soccer match, and the bridges GPC has built for the community, we got to know the people who make this place so special and the various projects Great Plains does to support them.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>And when it comes to wildlife sightings, our trip was action-packed, including a family of 25 elephants surrounding our car and a pride of lions leading us on a giraffe hunt! Moving from the riverine forest to the open grasslands over the course of our stay, we spotted 27 species of mammals (cheetah, zebra, leopard, hyena, elephant, topi, hippo, and Cape buffalo, to name a few), and thousands of animals in total! But the best part about staying with Great Plains? The proceeds of their luxe camps help protect 1.1 million acres of wilderness across three African countries. If safari is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, make it count for you, the locals, and the planet!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">See our top 20 photos in this gallery\u00a0and the videos below for Mara Expedition Camp in action and the craziest wildlife encounter as a mama giraf<\/span>fe takes on nine lions in this battle royale!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Namibia_Glamping_in_The_Oldest_Desert_in_the_World\"\/>Namibia: Glamping in The Oldest Desert in the World<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><center><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DKpAeEtxP50\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:1000px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"\/><p> <\/center><\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve always believed that tourism has the power to strengthen the environment and local communities, but we have <em>never<\/em> seen an example as awe-inspiring as Wolwedans. In the 1980s, when few recognized the beauty and biodiversity of the Namib Desert, wildland philanthropist Albi Br\u00fcckner &amp; his son Stephan risked everything to protect it. Working with landowners to tear down their cattle fences and take a pledge of conservation, they created Namib Rand, one of Africa\u2019s largest private nature reserves, and the Wolwedans Collection of lodges to support their efforts.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>What started as a simple camp in the dunes has evolved into four eco-lodges offering the ultimate luxury: 2,500 acres of pristine wilderness per guest! We had the joy of staying at both Dune Camp and Desert Lodge, each with sweeping views of the mountains, a sea of red sand, and their twinkling International Dark Sky Reserve (1 of just 3 in all of Africa). Days were packed with adventures, from fat biking to nature walks with San Bushmen. Along the way, we found zebra, oryx, and the majestic beauty of the oldest desert on Earth.<\/p>\n<p>For more on their revolutionary conservation and community impact projects (protecting 518,000 acres of wilderness and raising $1.7 million for charity) and one of the coolest places you can stay in Africa, see this behind-the-scenes video and Instagram Gallery above for our Namib Rand Adventures.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Craziest_Hitchhike_of_the_Year\"\/>Craziest Hitchhike of the Year<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-lazyloaded=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1365\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hitchiking-namibia-1365x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" alt=\"hitchiking namibia\" class=\"wp-image-99255\" title=\"2025 Year in Review &amp; 2026 Travel Preview 8\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hitchiking-namibia-1365x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1365w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hitchiking-namibia-667x500.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 667w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hitchiking-namibia-555x416.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 555w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hitchiking-namibia.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hitchiking-namibia.jpg?size=258x194&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 258w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hitchiking-namibia.jpg?size=774x581&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 774w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hitchiking-namibia.jpg?size=1032x774&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1032w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/hitchiking-namibia.jpg?size=1290x968&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1290w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1365px) 100vw, 1365px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>We couldn\u2019t leave the Namib Desert without seeing the famed Soussleivei, a 900-year-old petrified forest nestled between massive red dunes. The only problem was that there was no public transportation to get there! It took a grand total of seven hitchhikes (including one spooning with two locals in the truckbed of a jalopy), 10+ hours standing on the side of two desolate desert roads, and one nervous breakdown to get where we needed to go, but we made it! With patience, optimism, and a bit of masochism, there is always a way!<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Angola_Uncharted_Tourist_Territory\"\/><strong>Angola: Uncharted Tourist Territory<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DLQlA_7B5mq\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:1000px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"\/>\n<p>Overlanding from Namibia to Angola was a total wild card. All we really knew was that this southern African country was a Portuguese colony for ~400 years and was embroiled in a decades-long civil war until 2002. To plan this trip, we figured we\u2019d get to the border town of Rundu, Namibia and gather some local intel on going to the neighboring town of Calai, Angola\u2026but we couldn\u2019t find anyone who had been! Google Maps made it seem like you had to drive eight hours out of the way to cross the river, and Booking.com pulled up zero results for hotels\u2026but this only made us more curious and eager to explore Southern Angola!<\/p>\n<p>We walked across a floating bridge over the Okavango River into the great unknown, got our passports stamped, and hopped on a mototaxi until we found a guesthouse\u2013and a fantastic one at that! We took a canoe trip that even the maritime police were skeptical about, but it turned into an incredible adventure for us and the fisherman who had never taken passengers in his dugout.<\/p>\n<p>The rugged Calai village was an adventure enough, but we didn\u2019t want to leave Angola without exploring the countryside. We knew the sandy roads hadn\u2019t been touched since the colonial days, and the prospects of hitching a ride were slim, but if we\u2019ve learned anything in travel\u2026it\u2019s to be bold and lead with a smile. We found an Angolan guy at our guest house with a 4\u00d74 pickup truck (a total rarity in town) and asked if he wanted to go on a road trip, and he said he was planning one for the following day and we could join. It turned into a 12-hour scenic tour, with a special stop to meet the regional queen, sunset beers over the river confluence, and an invaluable cultural exchange.<\/p>\n<p>We came to Angola with zero expectations (even a few jitters) but were met with pure kindness and unbridled adventure\u2026exactly what we dream of in travel! Read our blog all about it.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Botswana_Desert_Delta\"\/><strong>Botswana: Desert &amp; Delta<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DLiX0onyFjU\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:1000px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"\/>\n<p>Botswana has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but there wasn\u2019t a great way to combine the best of the country\u2019s wilderness and ancient culture\u2026until this epic new Desert &amp; Delta trip.<\/p>\n<p>Starting in the Okavango Delta, one of the world\u2019s most pristine and unique wetlands, we cruised through the river of grass and lilies to Nxamaseri Island Lodge. With rooms connected by boardwalks over the water and through the forest canopy, this historic lodge is in total harmony with nature. Waking up to a chorus of hippos, we\u2019d go on safari each day by flat-bottom boat or mokoro canoe through the flooded land. Our guide and river bushman, Nine, taught us the ways of the delta\u2014from the many uses of waterlilies to spotting the elusive sitatunga antelope.<\/p>\n<p>While there is plenty of wildlife in the Okavango Panhandle, its real beauty lies in its access to age-old cultures. This brings us to our second UNESCO World Heritage Site\u2026Tsodilo Hills, one of the highest concentrations of rock art in the world by Africa\u2019s oldest living culture! \u201cThe Louvre of the Desert,\u201d \u201cThe Land of the Gods,\u201d Tsodilo Hills is where 4,500 ancient paintings can be found in just 10 square kilometers. Going back 20,000 years, the San Bushmen are the primary artists, illustrating scenes of their lives as hunters and gatherers and the shamanic visions that guided their way. It is remarkable that the color and detail of the art haven\u2019t faded away, and neither have the artists.<\/p>\n<p>In collaboration with the local San tribe, Desert &amp; Delta created the Tsodilo Hills Sleep-Out experience as a launchpad for cultural exchange. Inspired by the Bushmen\u2019s traditional dwellings, conical twig huts were simple yet elegant accommodations. Dinner was cooked over the fire with ingredients that the San would hunt and gather. Time around the fire was storytelling through song and dance, against the backdrop of Botswana\u2019s most sacred mountain. We watched in awe, thinking about the tens of thousands of years of tradition that went into each step and what a privilege it was to share even a grain in the sands of time with the oldest living culture in Africa. Watch this video for our unforgettable Tsodilo Hills experience.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Deal_of_the_Year\"\/>Best Deal of the Year<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-lazyloaded=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/safari-under-100-bucks-1024x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" alt=\"chobe safari under 100 dollars\" class=\"wp-image-99291\" title=\"2025 Year in Review &amp; 2026 Travel Preview 9\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/safari-under-100-bucks-1024x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1024w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/safari-under-100-bucks-500x500.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 500w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/safari-under-100-bucks-300x300.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 300w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/safari-under-100-bucks-262x262.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 262w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/safari-under-100-bucks-555x555.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 555w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/safari-under-100-bucks-100x100.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 100w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/safari-under-100-bucks.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1080w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/safari-under-100-bucks.jpg?size=774x774&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 774w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>The tourism industry wants you to believe that an African safari should run you $1,000 a night. But we booked one on the fly through our guesthouse in Botswana\u2019s legendary Chobe National Park for under $100! That price included a riverboat safari, game drive, national park fees, teatime, dinner, and lodging\u2026and we had the same wildlife sightings as a luxury outfitter. Now, this is not to discredit the value of luxury lodges which have exceptional hospitality, exquisite accommodations, highly trained staff, and many that admirably put their profits towards conservation and community development; they are certainly worth the splurge! We just want ALL wildlife lovers and travelers to know\u2026If you dream of going on an epic African safari, it\u2019s within your reach! Watch this video to see for yourself.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_43fb41-5b wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_43fb41-5b\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Zimbabwe_Train_from_Victoria_Falls_to_Pretoria\"\/>Zimbabwe: Train from Victoria Falls to Pretoria<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p>Africa by train? Yes! It\u2019s called Rovos Rail, and it\u2019s one of the most luxurious in the world. For the past 36 years, the Vos family has been restoring historic trains to their most glamorous days and adventurous routes. Starting our four-day trip in Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, our locomotive and its 36 well-appointed suites rolled from Zimbabwe to the capital of South Africa.<\/p>\n<p>During our 1,400 kilometers of travel, we took in incredible scenery, from the spray of Vic Falls to the rugged cliffs of the Soutpansberg Mountains\u2026whether we were enjoying a four-course meal in the dining car or lounging in our suite. While there was ample time to relax, there was just as much opportunity for adventure, with a safari in Hwanage National Park and a cultural excursion to Motobo: a rhino sanctuary, rock art haven, and burial place of Rhodesia\u2019s founder, Cecil John Rhodes. At the end of each day\u2019s excursions, we were always met with champagne and nights spent reminiscing with new friends.<\/p>\n<p>While most people think getting around Africa requires bush planes or rugged overland vehicles, Rovos Rail was just the connection we were looking for.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_3369b4-db wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_3369b4-db\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"South_Africa_The_Rainbow_Nations_Hottest_New_Eco_Resort\"\/>South Africa: The Rainbow Nation\u2019s Hottest New Eco Resort<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DMvvpD5TWUW\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:1000px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"\/>\n<p>Not just an eco-resort, Few &amp; Far Luvhondo, in South Africa\u2019s \u201cForgotten Mountains,\u201d is a 100,000-hectare conservation and carbon-sequestration project. Open for less than a year, this ground-breaking getaway has already become an international media darling and earned a spot on Time Magazine\u2019s \u201cWorld\u2019s Greatest Places.\u201d We\u2019re not sure how many of those travel writers have had the privilege of staying at this six-suite resort in the Soutpansberg Range, but after hiking into the 2-billion-year-old mountains, tracking leopards, swimming in secret waterfalls, volunteering with ecologists, and sleeping in a plush bed under the stars, we can confirm that Few &amp; Far Luvhondo is a transformative experience. See the gallery from our stay and read our full account in our article in <em>Glamping Business Americas Magazine<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_3ee7ca-fd wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_3ee7ca-fd\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eswatini_Road_Tripping_The_Kingdom\"\/>Eswatini: Road Tripping The Kingdom<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DM8aK4yyOH8\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:1000px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"\/>\n<p>The Kingdom of Eswatini, the last absolute monarchy in Africa and one of the continent\u2019s smallest nations, is often overlooked. We\u2019ll admit we also skipped it on our first trip to Southern Africa (back when it was called \u201cSwaziland\u201d)\u2026but now we know it deserves a lot more attention!<\/p>\n<p>Crossing the border at the edge of the 3.6-billion-year-old mountains of the Barberton UNESCO World Heritage Site, we were instantly impressed. Just outside the capital, they have a monolith, only second in size to Australia\u2019s Uluru! As for safari in Eswatini, we went to Hlane Royal National Park and saw more rhinos in the wild than the other 14 African countries we\u2019ve visited\u2013combined! Making this safari experience (filled with giraffes, zebras, nyalas, hippos, and elephants) all the more special\u2026we were able to do it as a self-drive, and did not see a <em>single<\/em> other car on our 6-hour adventure.<\/p>\n<p>Eswatini tries to court tourists, particularly South Africans, with a nightlife district, casinos, and craft markets, but that was our least favorite part. Instead of going to these staged cultural villages, we ate at local markets and stayed at Swazi Dreams, a community-based project bringing back the traditional beehive dwellings and inviting travelers to break bread with an overnight stay.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Eswatini was an unexpected grand finale to our 2.5-month journey through Africa, and a continued reminder to take the road less traveled.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_8f1068-15 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_8f1068-15\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Camper_Mishap_of_the_Year\"\/>Camper Mishap of the Year<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><center><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Locked out of the camper? Squeeze through the trunk! #toyotamotorhome #camperlife  #rvlife\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/K6NCrZZKqZs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/center><\/p>\n<p>Upon reuniting with Buddy the Camper after five months in storage, we realized our car keys had fallen out of our backpack somewhere in Africa. Good news is that we had a hidden spare to the front door, bad news we didn\u2019t have one for the padlock, so Anne had to squeeze through a 1.5-foot-wide gap in the trunk to get into the house. Watch the epitome of a struggle bus in this hysterical video.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_ae0b76-cf wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_ae0b76-cf\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"USA_Bay_Area_Work_Play\"\/>USA: Bay Area Work &amp; Play<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-lazyloaded=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1365\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Bay-Area-1365x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" alt=\"Bay Area\" class=\"wp-image-99284\" title=\"2025 Year in Review &amp; 2026 Travel Preview 10\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Bay-Area-1365x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1365w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Bay-Area-667x500.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 667w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Bay-Area-555x416.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 555w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Bay-Area.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Bay-Area.jpg?size=258x194&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 258w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Bay-Area.jpg?size=774x581&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 774w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Bay-Area.jpg?size=1032x774&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1032w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Bay-Area.jpg?size=1290x968&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1290w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1365px) 100vw, 1365px\"\/><\/figure>\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code has--font-size\"><code>After five months of hardcore travel through Europe and Africa, we needed a moment to recharge our batteries. We went to Anne\u2019s home state of California to catch up with her family in LA, then dear friends in the Bay Area, all while doing two housesits to give ourselves some time and space to ourselves. We also needed to refill our travel coffers, so we landed storytelling gigs with Visit Berkeley and Visit the SF Peninsula! For our best tips and stories on the Bay Area, watch the videos below and read Things to Do in Berkeley and our SF Peninsula Road Trip Guide.<\/code><\/pre>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_61f37d-31 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_61f37d-31\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Burning_Man_Revisited\"\/>Burning Man Revisited<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Burning Man: A Protopia\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yKFzBM2pvJU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>We first experienced Burning Man in 2018 and never forgot the extreme joy and inspiration we felt from this protopian gathering. Now, feeling the weight of 2025\u2019s political climate, it was time to return to The Playa. The only problem was that Burning Man started in two days, we didn\u2019t have tickets or bikes, and Buddy the Camper was far from ready for his maiden voyage into the dust. But with that Burner can-do spirit, we drove towards Nevada with a \u201cNeed Tickets\u201d sign on our back window. Eventually, we scored a pair, got Buddy dialed in, and made it through the gates to a big welcome-home hug.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has--font-size\">It was an incredible nine days, partaking in as many of the 3500+ events as we could, from live-music yoga to jewelry making with playa dust, and reveling in the 400 larger-than-life artworks on display. On the closing night, standing with 70,000 new friends around the Temple Burn, watching our handwritten prayers and woes waft into the universe, we left with a new hope for humanity and a goal to make it last until next year. If you\u2019ve ever wondered about Burning Man, don\u2019t miss our video, above.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_91a39e-81 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_91a39e-81\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5000th_Day_on_Honeymoon\"\/>5000th Day on Honeymoon<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"5000-Day Honeymoon\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/E0x5YGUtLJM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"has--font-size\">This September, we crossed 5,000 days on our HoneyTrek! Continuously traveling for over 13 years without a homebase, we find ourselves at home wherever we go and among family in every culture we meet. Seven continents and 91 countries later, the beauty, knowledge, and kindness in the world inspire us to keep exploring. And there couldn\u2019t be a better way to celebrate our 5,000-day milestone than with our family, friends, and NBC! Watch this fun segment, where 9News anchors Sam &amp; Alexandra interview us about our journey and the things we\u2019ve learned along the way.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_7fba78-aa wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_7fba78-aa\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Chile_Our_South_America_Journey_Begins_at_The_Adventure_World_Summit\"\/>Chile: Our South America Journey Begins at The Adventure World Summit<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DQrrm_BkfNu\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:1000px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"\/>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_a16b3e-31 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_a16b3e-31\">For the fourth continent on our glamping quest, we planned a 3-month, 8-country tour of South America, perfectly kicking it off with the Adventure Travel World Summit in Patagonia! Hosted by the Adventure Travel Trade Association. The largest global network of adventure travel leaders, this is much more than a conference; it\u2019s a week-long event to learn, play, connect, and mobilize for a better travel industry.<\/p>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_cea332-f7 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_cea332-f7\">This year, 700 adventure outfitters, eco-lodges, tourism boards, travel advisors, conservationists, and 30 hand-selected media were in attendance. It was not only an honor to be on the short-list of journalists, but also to be a speaker on the mainstage panel: \u201cContent Creation &amp; Storytelling: The Great Debate in Adventure Travel.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"has--font-size\">ATTA knows you can\u2019t confine adventurers to a conference hall, so half of the event was spent in the fjords, glaciers, subpolar forests, high desert, and volcanic mountains of Chile. Mid-conference, all 700 of us embarked on a \u201cDay of Adventure.\u201d For Mike, this meant sailing to the southern end of the Patagonic Icefield to watch Grey Glacier calve cannonballs of blue ice. While Anne plied a fjord to reach Bernardo O\u2019Higgins National Park to explore two more awe-inspiring glaciers, followed by a farm-fresh feast at a third-generation estancia. Plus, we extended our ATTA adventures with a trip to Chile\u2019s corner of the Polynesian Triangle, the mysterious Rapa Nui, and a four-day trek in Torres del Paine National Park\u2013both epic (see galleries below).<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_b4c277-89 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_b4c277-89\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Argentina_Scouting_Sentio_Camps\"\/>Argentina: Scouting Sentio Camps<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DRpok-SkbjG\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:1000px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"\/>\n<p>In pinpointing the \u201cbest glamping, we have to balance the tried and true five-star eco-resorts with the next hot thing. With our finger on the pulse of the outdoor hospitality industry, we heard about a glamping camp-meets-conservation project in the depths of Salta, Argentina. Where the Juramento River cuts through the Andes, a 19th-century estancia has been quietly protecting 65,000 acres of wilderness. Few have set foot on this pristine landscape, beyond their 6 species of cats, 264 bird species, and a handful of families who\u2019ve been caretaking the land for generations.<\/p>\n<p>To continue as a private conservation area, the owner, Hank, had to find a partner who appreciated Condor Valley\u2019s beauty, history, and potential for adventure\u2026enter Sentio Camps. This fabulous new glamping destination is set to open in the winter 2026, but we got a sneak peek of their outdoor hospitality offerings\u2013from river rafting through a 60-million-year-old canyon to wine tasting at South America\u2019s first solar-powered vineyard. See the gallery above for Northern Argentina\u2019s next great getaway\u2026<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_96d04a-29 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_96d04a-29\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Paraguay_South_Americas_Overlooked_Nation\"\/>Paraguay: South America\u2019s Overlooked Nation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DR3Yxo8jQ5E\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:1000px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"\/>\n<p>Not many travelers go to Paraguay or know much about this landlocked South American country, but we were fascinated by it! Did you know 90% of Paraguayans speak an indigenous language (more than any other South American country)? That 40% are of Italian descent? Or that it\u2019s a digital nomad mecca with zero percent tax on foreign income? Find out more surprising and fun facts about Paraguay in this gallery from our recent trip.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_265be4-ab wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_265be4-ab\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Brazil_Ecotourism_Mecca_of_Mato_Grosso_do_Sul\"\/>Brazil: Ecotourism Mecca of Mato Grosso do Sul<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-lazyloaded=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1226\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mato-grosso-do-sul-1226x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" alt=\"Bonito grottoes\" class=\"wp-image-99270\" title=\"2025 Year in Review &amp; 2026 Travel Preview 11\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mato-grosso-do-sul-1226x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1226w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mato-grosso-do-sul-599x500.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 599w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mato-grosso-do-sul-555x464.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 555w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mato-grosso-do-sul.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mato-grosso-do-sul.jpg?size=258x215&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 258w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mato-grosso-do-sul.jpg?size=774x646&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 774w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mato-grosso-do-sul.jpg?size=1032x862&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1032w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1226px) 100vw, 1226px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>As the first country on our HoneyTrek, Brazil will always hold a special spot in our hearts. Back in 2012, we traveled here for six weeks and overlanded 6,000 kilometers, but we were always bummed that we never made it to the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and the Pantanal, the world\u2019s largest tropical wetland! Flash forward 14 years, and the region has only gotten better\u2026with Bonito becoming the adventure capital of Brazil and the world\u2019s first certified carbon-neutral ecotourism destination!<\/p>\n<p class=\"has--font-size\">We just spent ten days in Mato Groso do Sul, and it was even more beautiful and adventurous than we imagined. From abseiling into blue grottos to river safaris in jaguar habitat, not to mention reconnecting with Brazilians\u2026some of the most vibrant and fun-loving people we\u2019ve met in our on HoneyTrek\u2026we love this place and know you will too. See our Instagram Highlights for all our adventures and our posts on Bonito and The Pantanal, below.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_c04dc9-47 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_c04dc9-47\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Guianas_A_Three-Country_Overland_Adventure\"\/>The Guianas: A Three-Country Overland Adventure <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-lazyloaded=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Guianas-2-1400x933.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" alt=\"Guianas 2\" class=\"wp-image-99276\" title=\"2025 Year in Review &amp; 2026 Travel Preview 12\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Guianas-2-1400x933.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1400w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Guianas-2-750x500.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 750w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Guianas-2-1536x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1536w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Guianas-2-555x370.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 555w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Guianas-2.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1800w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Guianas-2.jpg?size=258x172&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 258w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Guianas-2.jpg?size=1032x688&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1032w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Guianas-2.jpg?size=1290x860&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1290w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>The Guianas? You know, that pack of three countries in the top right corner of South America that\u2019s covered in over 80% rainforest, don\u2019t speak Spanish (or Portuguese), and are basically land-locked Caribbean islands? Barely anyone has heard them. So on a whim, we decided to overland French Guiana, Suriname, and Guyana by hitchhike and local bus (on their one connecting road) to see what they were all about!<\/p>\n<p>First off, French Guiana; it\u2019s not a former colony of France, it is a literal part of the European Union with Euro currency, 220-volt outlets, and good wine. While being France\u2019s second largest region, it feels like a forgotten outpost of wooden 17th-century maisons, boulangeries, and palm-lined promenades. Then, as a total counter to its lost-in-time vibes, French Guiana is home to Europe\u2019s beacon of technology and innovation: The Guiana Space Center and Europe\u2019s Spaceport, the continent\u2019s primary rocket launch site. Its other claim to fame? Devil\u2019s Island, the Alcatraz of South America, and the subject of the movie <em>Papillon<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>We can\u2019t wait to share more about our time in French Guiana, celebrating Suriname\u2019s 50th anniversary of independence from the Netherlands, and our Amerindian cultural immersion in the rainforest of Guyana. Be sure to follow along here.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_e5b295-ce wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_e5b295-ce\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Colombia_Andes_Mountains_to_the_Caribbean_Coast\"\/>Colombia: Andes Mountains to the Caribbean Coast<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-lazyloaded=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1400\" height=\"999\" src=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a25592b4-101a-4f4d-aa40-16f386473d16-1400x999.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" alt=\"a25592b4 101a 4f4d aa40 16f386473d16\" class=\"wp-image-99294\" title=\"2025 Year in Review &amp; 2026 Travel Preview 13\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a25592b4-101a-4f4d-aa40-16f386473d16-1400x999.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1400w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a25592b4-101a-4f4d-aa40-16f386473d16-700x500.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 700w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a25592b4-101a-4f4d-aa40-16f386473d16-1536x1097.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1536w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a25592b4-101a-4f4d-aa40-16f386473d16-555x396.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 555w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a25592b4-101a-4f4d-aa40-16f386473d16.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1800w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a25592b4-101a-4f4d-aa40-16f386473d16.jpg?size=258x184&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 258w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a25592b4-101a-4f4d-aa40-16f386473d16.jpg?size=774x552&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 774w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a25592b4-101a-4f4d-aa40-16f386473d16.jpg?size=1032x736&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1032w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/a25592b4-101a-4f4d-aa40-16f386473d16.jpg?size=1290x921&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1290w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>And last but not least, Colombia! From Bogota to Cundinamarca, Cartagena, Medellin, and Guatape, we took our first bite out of this dynamic country and loved it! We found a divine coffee-plantation farmstay for our \u201cCultivate\u201d chapter, we did a mind-blowing Impulse Travel tour led by gang members in one of Bogota\u2019s most dangerous neighborhoods, we lived like locals with our Colombian buddies in Medellin, went gaga for colonial architecture and caribbean vibes in Cartagena, and blissed out at one of the most unique glamping camps in the world on the shores of Pe\u00f1ol-Guatap\u00e9 Lake. As you can imagine, being our 29th country of the year, we haven\u2019t quite gotten to this one yet on Instagram, but keep an eye out for our posts in mid-January\u2026so we have many incredible moments and travel tips to share!<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading99239_db013e-e9 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading99239_db013e-e9\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2026_HoneyTrek_Travel_Preview\"\/>2026 HoneyTrek Travel Preview<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"\/><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image99239_699709-f4 size-full kb-filter-saturation\"><img data-lazyloaded=\"1\" width=\"1365\" height=\"1024\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Torres-del-Paine-National-Park-1365x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1\" alt=\"HoneyTrek in Torres del Paine\" class=\"kb-img smush-dimensions\" title=\"2025 Year in Review &amp; 2026 Travel Preview 14\" style=\"--smush-image-width: 1365px; --smush-image-aspect-ratio: 1365\/1024;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Torres-del-Paine-National-Park-1365x1024.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1365w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Torres-del-Paine-National-Park-667x500.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 667w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Torres-del-Paine-National-Park-555x416.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 555w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Torres-del-Paine-National-Park.jpg?lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1500w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Torres-del-Paine-National-Park.jpg?size=258x194&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 258w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Torres-del-Paine-National-Park.jpg?size=774x581&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 774w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Torres-del-Paine-National-Park.jpg?size=1032x774&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1032w, https:\/\/b510894.smushcdn.com\/510894\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Torres-del-Paine-National-Park.jpg?size=1290x968&amp;lossy=2&amp;strip=1&amp;webp=1 1290w\" data-sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1365px) 100vw, 1365px\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/figure>\n<p>Diving into the last leg of our glamping book research, we\u2019re heading to Asia and Oceania! We have awe-inspiring properties lined up in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mongolia, and New Zealand, but we are still culling our list, so if you have any eco-resort suggestions, please send them our way! Come May, we\u2019ll likely tuck away somewhere in Southeast Asia to catch our breath and get writing! By June, Buddy the Camper will be very lonely, having lived in a storage unit most of the year, so we\u2019ll take him for a spin around the American West and move our writer\u2019s den between the woods and a couple of housesits (we write better with a cat on our lap). That said, the year can\u2019t be all about <em>Comfortably Wild<\/em>, so we\u2019re scheming a family trip to Alaska and are always looking for travel storytelling gigs to help pay the bills for all this world exploration!\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Thank you to everyone who made it to the end of this monster blog and to everyone who\u2019s followed our HoneyTrek over the years. The journey continues!!!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async defer src=\"https:\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2025 was a record-breaking year of travel in HoneyTrek Land. Traveling to 29 countries across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, North America, and South America, we took on the world with as much gusto and gumption as we did the day we left on our honeymoon. Why such a whirlwind tour? We\u2019ve been diligently researching [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_daextam_enable_autolinks":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-55","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2025YearinReview-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}