They include several options, you can either browse pre-planned tour or customize your own by filling out a simple form, easily helping you add a music or culinary lesson from local individuals or organizations.

Although they have many tours from which to choose, two destinations that are worth looking into more is their exploration into the arts and culture of India. The majority of the tour takes place in Spiti Valley, India (a region that only receives about 3,000 visitors annually). This Himalayan region borders Tibet and people will get to stay in villages, and learn about sustainability and the arts. Highlights include solar power in villages, traditional arts lessons, and witness and support the endangered dance-form of The Bhuchens. The tour concludes with a visit to Taj Mahal and a Gandhi Legacy tour led by Mohatma Gandhi’s great-grandson, Tushar Arun Gandhi. Be sure to set aside these dates in order to be apart of the tour: May 23rd to June 8th 2011.

Another destination worth mentioning is Cuba (which has recently been in the press as of late due to rumors of a lift in the travel ban) which provides two different tours open to professionals in their respective areas, one explores the traditional forms of music, dance, and art while the other includes culinary lessons, visits to organic farms as well as education forums providing professionals the chance to learn about food security and conservation from cooperatives in the area. The culinary tour takes place June 27 – July 7, 2001 and the Cuba Arts Tour will be June 13-26, 2011.

To learn more about their trips and vision for travel and the arts visit http://ecoartstours.org/

Be sure to follow them on Twitter for interesting posts and links to keep up to date on stories and movements within the art and travel world.

By Laurel Angrist

Held annually from July 11-13, Naadam is a traditional festival in Mongolia, a widely celebrated national holiday for all Mongols. Three sports activities take centre stage: Mongol wrestling, horse racing and archery. The horse race is often run by kids, some seen above attending Naddam.

Mongolia’s long history owes much to a certain gentle beast of burden – the horse. Under the auspices of the Great Emperor – Genghis Khan – it was on horseback that 12th century Mongol forces captured much of Eurasia and built the most expansive empire in the history of the world. At the time, an efficient mail relay system, called the Yam, also relied on equine power; postmen regularly covered 200-300 kilometres per day – faster than any record set by the United States’ Pony Express. Well into the empire’s 13th- and 14th-century heyday, mounted Mongol warlords were revered as master riders, striking fear into their enemies’ hearts.

Today, horses and horsemanship remain an important part of Mongolia’s traditions and culture. The country is home to approximately 20 million steeds, while the number of Mongolians is barely 2.8 million.

Contemporary tourism has not been blind to the appeal of horses in Mongolia. Cultural activities such as overnight stays with nomadic herdsman are popular among travellers, while horse races capture the imagination of locals and foreigners alike. Of course, the pristine landscape of the Land of the Blue Sky is heaven on horseback – and the country’s vast steppes, dunes and mountains combine to make an unparalleled destination for those looking to get away from it all.

Ride the Wild Steppes

Located just 75 kilometres west of the capital city of Ulaanbaatar is Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, an easily accessible escape for nature lovers. Spanning nearly 300,000 hectares, it is ideal territory for horseback riding.

The riding is moderately challenging and terrain unfamiliar, so hiring a guide is highly recommended, whether on day trips or lengthier adventures. Common routes take riders through open valleys and low hills, and take in scenery that features interesting rock formations, glacial lakes and natural hot springs. The park’s main attractions include the Aryabal Buddhist Monastery and, of course, the wildlife of bear, ibex, wolves and over 250 species of bird.

A look at the singular terrain of Mongolia

Overnight stays in tourist camps are also possible within the park. Continental meals can be served, but some excellent traditional Mongolian dishes include buuz (steamed dumplings), huushuur (fried meat dumplings), tsuivan (stir fried noodles and mutton), bantan (flour and mutton cream soup), banshtai shol (lamb broth with dumplings) and tsai (salted tea).

Experience Nomadic Life

For several thousand years, Mongolian nomads usually live in a 'ger' or felt tent (yurt). Although the shape and traditional components have hardly changed, some of the modern accessories have.

For a real taste of nomadic culture, there’s little like a few nights actually living with a family of nomadic herdsman. The whl.travel local connection in Mongolia, Felt Nation, routinely helps travellers arrange stays with nomadic families. At the ger – a felt-covered Mongolian yurt – travellers gain firsthand knowledge about the importance of horses to the nomadic way of life. During their stay, visitors are encouraged to participate in activities like the herding and grazing of sheep, goat and cows, all while riding horses. At the end of a busy day, a taste of airag, a traditional alcoholic beverage made of fermented mare’s milk, is always in order.

The award-winning Ger to Ger project also arranges rural and responsible cultural homestays, as well as trekking and horseback riding expeditions involving local people. Programmes allow travellers to support nomadic heritage through the practice of traditional skills such as horse training, archery, embroidery or playing the morin khuur (Mongolian horse-head fiddle). Staying with a family also provides an invaluable source of additional income to nomadic herders, nearly 65% of whom live at or below the poverty line.

Encounter Endangered Horses

Approximately 100 km from Ulaanbaatar City, this ranger is on patrol in Mongolia's Khustai National Park, now home to the reintroduced Przewalski wild horse or Takhi.

Filling the western edge of the Mongolian steppe, the world-famous Khustai National Park is just 95 kilometres west of Ulaanbaatar. Established as a protected area by the Mongolian government in 1993, the park is a primary base for a successful wildlife conservation effort to reintroduce the wild and endangered Przewalski horse to its native habitat.

The project, initiated by a Dutch couple – Jan and Inge Bouman – has achieved international acclaim for its success. Today, more than 300 of these rare and beautiful animals roam free across the park’s wild forests and steppes.

The Przewalski horse – or Takhi – is a national symbol of Mongolia. Shorter and stockier than their domesticated cousins, the Takhi have a primitive look with erect manes that resemble Mohawk haircuts. Day-tour travellers interested in seeing the Takhi will have the best luck in the company of a knowledgeable local guide.

Get Hyped About Horse Racing

Mongols worship horses and at no time of the year is this more evident than during the annual Naadam festival. Held each year from July 11-13, the ancient celebration features fierce competitions in sports such as archery and wrestling. The main event – of course – is horse racing, but it bears little resemblance to the western spectator sport.

Instead of being on a track, races are held on the vast open steppe of Khui Doloon Khudag Valley (Valley of the Seven Wells of Khui), approximately 40 kilometres west of Ulaanbaatar. At each race, 200 to 300 horses can be seen riding in a straight line, covering immense distances of 30 kilometres and kicking up a great deal of dust. The event is raced entirely by young riders, some as young as six years old!

Visitors interested in witnessing the races can choose from a variety of viewing locations. Watching from a platform in the middle of the racing lane affords exceptional photo ops, while at the starting line, spectators are treated to the spectacle of hundreds of horses! For some real excitement, stadium-like seating is also available near the finish line, where the cost of admission is free and the thousands of cheering local fans are!

For more about the unique travel opportunities in Mongolia, including accommodation, tours and activities and lots of travel tips, contact Felt Nation, the whl.travel local connection in Mongolia.

Also be sure to check out our latest story on a documentary about nomadic hip hop in Mongolia, Dance to the Beat of Mongolian Bling. Also check out a series we featured about Mongolia, Modern Herder Life in Mongolia, Traveling in Mongolia, New Year Weather, and A Guide to Eating in Mongolia

By Lieke van Leeuwen

The village of Thethi is found in an incomparably beautiful setting

Laura paid her first visit to Albania six years ago and immediately fell in love with the country’s spectacular scenery. She visited beautiful deserted beaches in the south of the nation, where she got to know the passionate people, and rugged mountain ranges in the north, where she connected with hospitable locals. Travelling through the country she saw the enormous potential for tourism that Albania had and was particularly drawn to the Albanian Alps. Realising that most residents would not have the means to promote Albania’s outdoor opportunities to travellers from abroad, she decided that she wanted to do something for the locals.

Opening up the North

Together with her Albanian partner, Gent, Laura started Outdoor Albania, a tour operator specialising in sustainable travel. From the beginning, their aim has been to give their clients a life-seeing experience rather than a sightseeing excursion. For the past five years, they have focused mainly on promoting theAlbanian Alps and the North. This

A typical Albanian village house in the village of Vermosh in the Albanian Alps

pristine area has hardly changed over the last 50 years due to its rugged landscape, which kept much of it isolated throughout the 500-year occupation by the Ottoman Empire, the Italian invasion of 1939 and many years of communist rule. Thanks to a network of local families who run village homes and guesthouses, Outdoor Albania now leads travellers to the heart of this amazing and untouched region.

One of Laura’s favourite places in northern Albania is Thethi, a village surrounded by mountains, rough limestone formations, dense forests, canyons and waterfalls. The harsh natural environment has always made living here hard for the locals, but you wouldn’t know this from their warmth and hospitality.

A Real Local Connection

One of the families in Outdoor Albania’s Thethi network is the Carku family. A woman by the name of None Age – also known as Mother Carku – operates a village house along with her son Mehill and his wife Valbona. For an experience of Albanian culture and rural life, there is nothing like an overnight stay at their Carku Guesthouse or other village homes, like the Terthorja Guesthouse, as it helps locals earn an income through community-based tourism. To Laura, a stay in a village home ensures a unique cultural experience and guarantees that the money spent goes directly to those who need it.

Mother Carku oversees life at the Carku Guesthouse of Thethi, Albania

When entering the traditional stone house of the Carku or another family, all guests are welcomed warmly. At the Carku Guesthouse, while guests appreciate the fragrance of thick pinewood planks and sip homemade raki in the garden, Mother Carku prepares a delicious meal with fresh home-grown vegetables and home-baked bread.

Unique to the Carku village house is that it was the first to open its doors to visitors during the late 1990s, when the community tourism projects were initiated. The guesthouse became a regular meeting place for locals to share their experiences and visions for the future. Serving as an example, the Carku family has been able to demonstrate to the community the immense potential it has to offer.

An Eye for Nature Preservation

Next to meeting local people and experiencing their culture, Laura believes that preserving nature is a fundamentally important aspect of local travel. Consequently, Outdoor Albania endeavours to make tours nature-friendly, always striving to promote protection of landscapes, bio-habitats, traditions and monuments. Furthermore, they provide environmental education for local inhabitants, committing them to the protection of their natural and cultural heritage.

Laura (centre) and others from the Outdoor Albania team pay a visit to the family of Nacaj Guesthouse in Vermosh in the Albanian Alpsheritage.

Laura and Gent try to involve as many local residents as possible in their business, using local guides, winemakers, drivers and porters on all of Outdoor Albania’s tours. They have also started the Outdoor Albania Association to implement a wide range of sustainable tourism projects.

Laura enjoys collaborating with the locals she meets and seeing the small benefits brought to them through community tourism initiatives. She loves hearing the enthusiastic, colourful, and amusing stories of her guests after a tour or a stay in one of the village houses. For her, local travel became the way to show visitors the ‘real’ Albania, a country with a stunning natural environment, ancient culture and rich national heritage.

Outdoor Albania is the whl.travel local connection in Albania. Please contact them for more information about local travel in Albania, including hotels, tours, activities and a lot of insider tips.

For more Albanian adventure, check out a trip we featured a while back, Hiking the Northern Albanian Alps as well as an accompanying visual blog.

View from Mt. Elbert, Photo by Jack B.

Today is your lucky day. Nope, we didn’t read that off of a fortune cookie. Adventure Running Co. has a few last minute openings on their Colorado Trail Adventure Run scheduled August 9th -13th in Frisco, CO.

Experience the Rockies like none other as you deeply breathe in the alpine wilderness and up to ninety-eight miles of bliss that most don’t have the chance to experience in five days. Starting at Kenosha Pass (3,048m) burn some serious trail as you begin to make your way towards Mt. Elbert (4,401m), which is about 10 miles southwest of Leadville. Leadville has made its mark in the running community for hosting the Leadville Trail 100, which takes place August 21st this year. If you’re one of the many that has been motivated by the national bestseller,  Born To Run, this Colorado Trail run will definitely get you ready for the Leadville 100, any other race you might be preparing for, and provide plenty of exhilaration.

Adventure Running Co. will be offering a 25% discount off their regular tour price until August 2nd so get a move on and sign up before they run out of space.

Paddling to the Locals in Laos

Laos is landlocked in a raucous neighborhood; surrounded as it is by Vietnam, Burma, China, Thailand, and Cambodia.  Two-thirds of the population live in rural areas and rely on farming, and it’s with these families that you will sometimes stay after a long day of paddling.  Check out the Lanten village of Ban Nam Khoy for an idea of what to expect.

Soaking in the Culture of Bhutan

After spending six days exploring Laos and a short respite in Bangkok, you arrive in Bhutan. A country that measures success by Gross National Happiness, a term coined by their former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck to preserve Buddhist spiritual values as they began develop and modernize aspects of their nation. In Bhutan, the expedition will take you up steep climbs to reach monasteries and fortresses built in the 15^th century but with practices dating back further. Some such monasteries include Cheri Monastery, or Goemba and Tango Goemba. After a few days of hiking, enjoy whitewater rafting in class III/IV rapids in the Mo Chhu valley.

Trip dates are set for Nov 20-Dec 5. Be sure to call 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) and reserve your spot. You can also book a reservation online at their website (www.mtsobek.com). If you prefer to use a travel agent, he or she can book your trip at no extra cost and provide other helpful assistance.

Be sure to check out other stories Off the Radar has featured about Laos: Tubing the Nam Song River, flat tires, and a trip from Vietnam to Laos

By Leslie Nevison, Director, Mama Tembo Tours

Kingo, a 300 pound (140 kilogram) Western lowland gorilla silverback, and his six wives and children, live in the protected rainforest of Nouabale-Ndoki National Park in the northern Republic of Congo near its border with the Central African Republic. Scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) began habituating Kingo fifteen years ago. At the time, gorilla research had been restricted to Rwanda’s and Uganda’s mountain gorillas, and very little was known about lowland gorilla behavior in the wild.

Compared to their mountain kin, lowland gorillas occupy remote and swampy forests and are hard to find. Wary by nature, they disappear in an instant at the first hint of danger. As unhindered observation is crucial to any wildlife study, habituation is a necessary scientific tool. With Kingo, habituation took ten years. Yet, creating this bond of trust with Kingo leaves him vulnerable to a human encroacher with violent intentions.

Kingo

Just outside of Kingo’s Kingdom, a mere 16 square kilometer forested triangle, the surrounding forests are crisscrossed with logging roads. Logging, unless practiced responsibly, results in habitat loss. Logging roads also allow access to commercial poachers. Gorilla meat is highly prized in Central Africa in the misguided belief that it brings status and power. On a less critical note, any forest bush meat – gorilla, chimpanzee, mangabey, and antelope – is the means for growing human populations living on the shrinking boundaries of Central Africa’s forests to subsist.

Diseases such as ebola, habitat loss, and the bush meat trade are the leading threats to the remaining numbers of lowland gorillas in Central Africa. The good news is that the WCS released new findings in 2009 that put the number of lowland gorillas in Central Africa as higher than was thought. Gorillas make simple sleeping nests in the crowns of trees every night. Working from a morning count of these nests, scientists believe (and hope) that over 100,000 gorillas are holding on in the forests of Northern Congo. Even if this number is optimistic, it supports the need to push forward with conservation plans.

Kingo’s ultimate survival is pinned on sustainable tourism. When science is complete, visitors, only two at a time, will be (and must be) Kingo’s primary means of support. Kingo was first introduced to the world, fully habituated, in 2007, and since then he has become famous in writing, news reporting, photography, and nature film making circles. A great many of his guests have come from among these professions. But 2010 brings change. Although science will continue for years to come, WCS has established formal tourism guidelines and improved infrastructure and Congo Wildlife Adventures was launched by MTT Inc as the first ever ground operation in Brazzaville to facilitate visits for everyone to Nouabale-Ndoki National Park, and beyond to Dzanga-Ndoki National Park in the neighboring Central African Republic.le viewing platform

Undeniably, Kingo is Nouabale’s showcase.

David Attenborough has said “There is more meaning in exchanging glances with a gorilla than with any other animal I know.”

But there is much more to this travel experience too. The forests of the Congo Basin comprise the world’s largest rainforests after those of the Amazon Basin. They are therefore among the last of their kind on the planet, and of remarkable biodiversity. Kingo shares his kingdom with elephants, buffaloes, leopards, chimpanzees, birds, and ten species of monkey. And while it remains adventurous travel to get to the forests, they are now accessible.

Travel here means to walk in pristine forest of towering hardwoods amid whining cicadas; to pole a pirogue along tributaries and streams of the Congo River; to observe wild gorillas at forest clearings; and to spend time with the Ba’Aka, the indigenous pygmies who have been the foundation of Central Africa’s conservation programs from the beginning, for without their preternatural relationship with and their knowledge of the forest and its wildlife, habituating the timid Western lowland gorillas would never have happened. There is a poignancy to the traveler’s encounter with the Ba’Aka because these men once hunted gorillas or tracked gorillas for others to hunt. Now they work as trackers for scientists and forest guides for tourists. It is easier to keep wildlife alive if men who hunted in the past for their livelihood earn a salary guiding you through the forest.

Beyond Nouabale’s forests, construction of a new road under a Chinese contractor is in progress which will link the north of the country and Nouabale’s once isolated forests to its capital Brazzaville. There is the worry that the road will serve as a conduit for the movement of contraband forest products. WCS worries how little time they have to establish a viable sustainable tourism program (perhaps no more than five years) in light of the enormous pressures from outside business interests. With so few roads in the Republic of Congo, and where internal air travel is costly and unreliable, improved infrastructure is a positive development. This road can certainly ease the way for Nouabale’s tourism, becoming another way that travelers can more easily travel back and forth to Kingo.

You can be a part of Nouabale’s new beginnings in sustainable tourism. You can be among the first to arrive.

New Crew Members

Ask any youth from the Western hemisphere to name their favorite hip hop artists and they will probably rattle off a few names that come to mind. Ask their parents and grandparents and you would likely be met with a blank stare. Younger generations have come to assume that this culture gulf is wide and incapable of being bridged.  Nasanbat, a 52 year old Mongolian woman, however, can name the first hip hop song that became popular in Mongolia, a few of the bands and artists around town, and is probably more tuned into the industry than any Western youth. She is not the exception. In fact, in Mongolia, older generations know all about hip hop.

Hip Hop in Mongolia is largely of Western influence. As Mongolia struggled to gain independence from the Qing Dynasty, it began to be heavily influenced by its neighbor to the north, Russia which at the time was a socialist state (USSR). With the end of socialism and the start of a democratic revolution in the early 90s, the people of Mongolia began to explore their freedoms of expression and long for identity. Traditionally rooted as a strong music culture – it should be no surprise that they turned to music. Enter hip hop.  Enter Mongolian Bling.

Benj Binks

Planning a year long journey throughout Asia, Benj Binks decided to document it. After taking a short film course, he was equipped to begin the voyage. Plans changed however as he remembered the hip hop music he had heard while working on the Trans-Siberian Railway. It was good, it was different. So Benj began to seek out the story, he began to understand the people behind these hip hop songs and he was there as hip hop went through a transformation, “There have been some interesting changes since I spent time there three years ago, you still see a lot of Western influence but there has been a ‘Mongoliazation’ of American music. They have adapted it to suit their culture. Yeah you still seem some pretty commercial music, but there is a lot with social and political commentary. It doesn’t hurt that their language suits hip hop extremely well.” So instead of documenting a year long journey, Mongolian Bling became Benj’s main focus. To provide expertise in their respective fields, cameraman Nacho and sound recordist, Steve came along.

Shaman

Some artists like to think that hip hop actually originated in Mongolia. Throat singing has been a strong part of Mongolian culture since the Chinggis Khaan period (known more commonly in the West as Genghis Khan). Throat singing also known as overtone chanting allowed the Mongolian shamans who practiced it to create multiple pitches simultaneously when chanting producing similar beats to hip hop.

Much of the film focuses on Mongolian identity which begins to raise questions among viewers and their own personal identity. Benj, a native Australian, commented, “In Australia, white people have only been there for a couple hundred years, before aboriginal people occupied the land, but there is little evidence of their influence. Now compare this to Mongolia, their culture has been in existence for over 800 years. It makes you question your own background, I almost feel homeless. Westerners fantasize about the East, but complain about mobile phones being in these secluded areas. So how exactly do you maintain a culture but continue progressing? I think the Mongolians have found an answer and they are doing it very well.”

Gennie and her Grandma

Be sure to check out Benj’s documentary later this year and also visit his website for up-to-date release information and previews: http://www.mongolianbling.com/

Or join the Facebook group here

Check out Benj’s other projects at http://www.benjbinks.com/

If you’re visiting Mongolia and would like to soak in a bit of their music scene, a few recommended bars and venues in Ulaanbaatar include UB Palace, Ikh Mongol (meaning Great Mongolia), and a pub called Grand Khaan.

If you would like a taste of Mongolian hip hop, check out some of the artists featured in Mongolian Bling: Gee, Gennie, and Quiza

This article was first published by our friends at whl.travel, who have agreed to its republication here. View the original article on their blog.

By Laurel Angrist

Made out of ebony or Kigelia tree trunks, traditional mokoro canoes are used by the local people of the Bavei tribe in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/lawmurray

Where will you head when the wild calls? We want to go where the best outdoors escapes and adventures offer phenomenal access to well-preserved wilderness areas and parks. We recognise, though, that wilderness integrity depends in large part on the level of responsibility and commitment of local tourism personnel. Given that, where should we look for tour operators eager to join forces to make a positive impact on their surroundings through community development and environmental conservation projects?

For inspiration, we turned to the Adventure Tourism Development Index (ATDI), a ranking system designed to spotlight and encourage adventure travel markets that are sensitive to the needs of communities and the environment. The admirable result of the combined efforts of our friends at the Adventure Travel Trade Association and Xola Consulting, as well as The George Washington University’s International Institute of Tourism Studies, the ATDI emphasises what most mainstream ranking systems overlook; it awards high marks for community and environmental development as much as hard infrastructure, all in keeping with 10 pillars of adventure tourism market competitiveness based on principles of sustainable adventure tourism.

Given the WHL Group’s commitment to working in off-the-beaten-path destinations, we were most interested in the 10 developing countries ranked highest for adventure travel competitiveness. The ATDI recommendations may surprise you, but we believe you should keep the winners on your radar.

#10 – Lithuania

From the popular resort town of Nida, Lithuania, hikers can access some of Europe's tallest moving sand dunes – some reaching up to 60 metres in height – on the Curonian Spit, a UNESCO-ranked Heritage Site. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/Lee Fenner

Numerous conservation areas and abundant hiking trails make Lithuania an excellent choice for nature lovers. One particularly unique site is the Curonian Spit, a long thin peninsula stretching south from Klaipeda in western Lithuania to Russia and separating the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Curonian Spit is renowned for its white-sand beaches, picturesque dunes and secluded pine forests. Near the Russian border, the quaint settlement of Nida has attracted artists and creative types for centuries. With onshore and offshore sports opportunities made possible by The Beautiful Land of Nevermind, the whl.travel local connection, the area makes a great retreat from hectic city life.

#9 – Botswana

The vast sands of the Kalahari cover roughly 85 percent of Botswana, and the country’s wildlife reserves are some of the world’s premier safari destinations. To the north, at the Okavango Delta, the Moremi Game Reserve is best toured during dry season, with game watching at its peak from July through October. Nearby Chobe National Park has superb birding in the Savuti Marsh. In the east, the Tuli Game Reserve promises abundant wildlife, plus ruins of ancient Rhodesian settlements. Cube Safaris, the whl.travel local connection in Botswana, offers a range of tours to wilderness areas, including mokoro boat rides through the flood plains of the Okavango, elephant-back safaris and more.

The white storks of Latvia are also known as Svetelis, which signifies the thought of stork as the saints. Locals believe that farmsteads or meadows frequented by storks are blessed.

#8 – Latvia

Dynamic Latvia is rich in natural wonders, with forests covering more than 40 percent of the country. Just north of the capital, Riga, hikers can explore the caves, rivers and dense woodlands within Gauja National Park. Elsewhere, the sprawling Kemeri National Park contains 427 square kilometres of preserved forests, bogs and lakes, in addition to a well-maintained network of nature trails. The whl.travel local connection in Riga, Blueberry Travel, offers guided excursions to historic towns and medieval castles and other longer trips exploring the scenic beauty of the countryside, the local culture and many other extraordinary architectural gems and palaces.

#7 – Bulgaria

Beyond the stunning landmarks and red army monuments of Sofia, the wide open terrain of mountainous Bulgaria will give even the most avid hikers a serious run for their money. In the heart of the country, Central Balkan National Park has excellent hiking trails and native residents that include bears, wild goats, wolves and over 200 species of birds. The popular ski area of Bankso makes a great base for outdoor pursuits in summer as well for hiking, cycling, horseback riding and even fishing in Pirin National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At night, head out to the local mehanas (traditional taverns) for live folk music and good local wine.

#6 – Chile

Located in southern Chilean Patagonia, the spectacular 181,000-hectare Torres del Paine National Park is a UNESCO-rated Biosphere Reserve and an unequalled destination for nature lovers, backpackers and mountaineers. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/ground.zero

Chile has long been regarded as a must-see destination for adventure travellers. It’s no wonder why. From pristine Patagonia to the unearthly Valley of the Moon and harsh environment of the Atacama, this 4,300-kilometre-long country covers an extraordinary variety of climates and ecosystems. Torres del Paine is a solid choice for hikers and trekkers, while Pucón in the scenic Lakes District has both great winter skiing on Volcán Villarrica and an endless range of warm-weather activities like hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing and white-water rafting. Meanwhile, Chiloé Island is renowned for its birding, paddling and wildlife like Magellanic penguins, Chilote fox and rare pudú miniature deer.

#5 – Slovenia

From lush vineyards to remote forests and alpine peaks, the landscape of Slovenia is tailor-made for nature lovers and outdoor entusiasts of all abilities. For a serious trek, the 30-day Slovenian Mountain Trail is the oldest traverse in the country, crossing directly over the Julian Alps and ascending Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak (2,864 metres). You can also catch a glimpse of the traditional herdsman’s life on a two-day countryside trek to the Alpine dairy settlement of Velika Planina or an Alpine Melody tour to the Pokljuka plateau, both with Spin Travel, the whl.travel local connection. After a long hike, unwind while sampling local vintages on a wine-tasting tour in cosmopolitan Ljubljana.

In Estonia's Soomaa National Park, when there are no raised paths, special bogshoes aid with trekking through a watery fairytale landscapes. Here, travellers study plant species.

#4 – Estonia

It’s easy to escape the crowds in Estonia, with just 1.3 million people one of the least populous countries in the European Union. Natural wetlands cover more than one fifth of the country – and the parks are prime territory for canoeing, kayaking and bog-shoeing. For glorious outdoor indulgence, head to Soomaa National Park – its name translates literally to “land of the bogs.” From a base nearby, on the banks of the River Navesti, at Ritsu Talu Farm (cosy camping huts, saunas and rental canoes), explore the park on your own or venture off on a nighttime beaver safari, guided by Karuskose Ltd., the whl.travel local connection, for close encounters with the area’s infamous flat-tailed inhabitants.

#3 – Czech Republic

The culture-filled capital of Prague is reason alone to travel to the Czech Republic, but we strongly suggest veering off into the wilds of Bohemia’s natural forests, historic villages and scenic national parks. From the medieval town of Český Krumlov opportunities abound for kayaking along the Vltava – the upper reaches of the river near the Lipno Dam are best suited to white-water rafting. For heart-pounding downhill winter action, head to the snowcapped peaks of Rokytnice nad Jizerou, an ancient mining town in the western part of the Krkonoše – also known as the “Giant Mountains.” In summer, gorgeous waterfalls, caves, and forests make the area heaven for hikers.

Dominated by a castle built during the 13th Century, the medieval town of Český Krumlov in the Czech Republic has maintained its historic character and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/Midweekpost

#2 – Israel

Despite its small size, Israel boasts a spectacularly varied landscape that includes arid desert, towering cliffs and stunning coastline – terrain perfect for all sorts of outdoor pursuits. Underwater enthusiasts should head straight to Eilat on the Red Sea, where dives feature shallow coral gardens, wrecks and abundant fish life. By the Dead Sea, the 2,500-hectare Ein Gedi Nature Reserve has posted hiking trails and animals like ibex, hyrax and Egyptian vultures. Further north, Metzoke Dragot makes a great base for rock climbing, hiking and mountain biking. The village has guides for desert excursions – canyon hikes, abseiling courses, camel rides and more – just one hour’s drive east of Jerusalem.

#1 – Slovak Republic

Long viewed as a junior partner to the Czech Republic, Slovakia has emerged as a leading destination for adventure travellers, complete with plenty of well-marked mountain trails, challenging cycling routes, and numerous glacial lakes and rivers well suited to canoeing, rafting and fishing. Although prices have gone up slightly since the euro was adopted, the Tatras Mountains along the border with Poland still boast plenty of affordable hotels and quaint mountain huts. One popular trek is the Tatranska Magistrala, a red-blazed trail crossing the Tatras from east to west between Velke Biele pleso to the town of Podbanske. The hike takes about 16 hours, although trailside huts are available for multi-day undertakings.

Greenlandic dogs are not allowed below the Arctic Circle, in order to preserve the breed. But north of 66, you can dog-sled anywhere. The smell might be memorable, but the experience of bundling up in fur clothing as you glide across the snow is well worth it.

Instead of going North from Kangerlussuaq, you can go South to Narsarsuaq – one of four cities that you can easily helicopter or sail between. There are endless hiking trails and boat rides, and fishing is especially good here; Jacky at Blue Ice can help coordinate any tour. Be sure to get a tour of The Great Greenland fur factory in Qaqortoq to get an in-depth understanding of how important seal hunting is to the subsistence hunters.

Wherever you go in Greenland, we guarantee you will meet people passionate about their country and eager to explain their view on the changes and delicate balance that they walk between old traditions and modern progress.

Nuuk also has a vibrant music scene, check out Katuaq, the cultural center for upcoming concerts and events.