My #1 bucket list adventure (+ 6 others around the globe)
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Hello Reader,β Heya Fit Travel Tribe,β ποΈ What if your next trip wasn't just about Instagram pics? ποΈ β I was standing at the summit of a volcano in Guatemala, bundled up at sunrise, viewing an active volcano eruption, when I asked myself: β "When am I ever going to see something like this again?" (Reminds me of my favorite quote: The steeper the mountain, the harder the climb. The better the view from the finish line.) β Those breakthrough moments? They don't happen on poolside lounge chairs. They happen when you push yourself somewhere epic. β Zdravo! ππ (ZDRAH-voh) π Hello from Skopje, Macedonia! β Here are some quick highlights since last time:
β Lots more travel coming up these next three months (location and timing is super TBD). Thankfully, I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel to FINALLY settle down in Sofia! β π 7 Epic Adventures That'll Change Your LifeI sat down with Jason Moore on the Zero To Travel Podcast to talk about the 7 most jaw-dropping active adventures I've experienced (or am dying to experience). β From volcano summits to ancient trails, these destinations demand effortβbut that's exactly what makes them unforgettable. β In this 1-hour episode, I cover:
β π So what does this mean? Adventure travel isn't just for ultra-athletes. It's for anyone willing to show up and try. β (Plus, I couldn't stick to just 7... so I added 3 "honorable mentions" because I'm an oversharer like that) π Start planning your own epic adventure list and don't put it off until later π Acatenango Volcano, Guatemala β sunrise summit + volcanic eruptions Watching the sunrise at the summit was one of the most memorable travel experiences AND one of the most rewarding physical feats of my life. On the recent podcast episode where I created a list of 7 bucket list physical adventures around the world. β I DID however rank my #1.β This hike is physically demanding, however, I think it can be very accessible and therefore can provide numerous people with once-in-a-lifetime views of an active volcano eruption. β As for the difficulty? It's that exact challenge in combination with the views that makes this so much more rewarding. β π So what does this mean? You don't need to be an ultra-athlete, but you DO need to prepare. Altitude consideration, hiking conditioning, and the right mindset make all the difference. Yes, it IS steep and physically demanding....However, the challenge is partially what makes it unforgettable. π΄π My Secret Weapon For FREE Housing?Let's talk about the biggest travel expense: accommodation. Housing isn't optional. And when you're bouncing between cities (or managing visa logistics like me), those nightly costs add up FAST. β Solution? πππ Couchsurfing π Why I chose Skopje over returning to Pirot: Big cities = tons of hosts. More options = better chance of finding the perfect setup (spacious kitchen, good workspace, friendly vibes). π It works everywhere: I've Couchsurfed in the Balkans, across Europe, even in Chicago. If there's a city, there are hosts. β I also love how spontaneous I can be. Booked a hotel and want to leave early and travel elsewhere? If you don't put money down....you have FREEDOM! β π° The math is simple:
β But here's the thing: I've learned what to look for (and what red flags to avoid) over 50+ stays with different hosts.
β Always on my mind: More money for more travel! It's often worth a little homework for those savings πΈ If you've found this content helpful, please consider sharing this email with a friend & using these affiliate links in the future. Please note that I never make referrals unless I truly believe this product or service is actually helpful π If you use my affiliate links included in the email, it is at no additional cost to YOU, but it does benefit me. It's a small "thank you" and continuous motivation for me to keep sharing this helpful content. Feel free to always respond back to this email with any thoughts and questions you might have or content you'd love to see in the future. Happy travels and healthy living, Heidiβ Note: Some images and GIFs sourced from Unsplash and Giphy. |