
Escape the Mega Cities in Japan
Japan is famous for its hyper-modern cities. But beyond this unique urban environment, it offers a wonderland of outdoor playgrounds.
Israel knows how to party, and nowhere is this more evident than at MidBurn. MidBurn is the world’s second-largest Burning Man regional event, after AfrikaBurn in South Africa. It’s also the only one of its kind in the Middle East. Over the 6-day event, participants co-create a transformational experience that ends with the burning of wooden sculptures. Throughout the year, participants in Tel Aviv tend to gather for mini-reunions to keep the spirit of the community alive.
The Negev Desert covers half of Israel with striking geologic features, like sandstone cliffs and odd rock formations. In some parts, large sand dunes form the perfect slopes for sandboarding. You can access these dusty peaks via off-road trails that are almost as much fun as cruising down the dunes.
The Red Sea is a paradise for divers. It’s known for having vividly colorful coral, great visibility, and an abundance of fascinating wreck dives. In Eliat, you can access all of this right from the shore, making the sites almost too accessible. Popular reefs and wreck can be busy, and accidents can happen more easily when divers rent gear and head out without a dive master. But a local dive shop can help you avoid the crowds and accidents at the same time, allowing you to make the most of your time in Eliat’s beautiful turquoise waters.
Almost 10 times more salty than the ocean, the Dead Sea is a ‘hypersaline’ lake, known for its ability to keep swimmers afloat without the slightest effort on their part. It also sits at the lowest point in the world – it’s surface is 1,412 feet below sea level, while its lowest point is almost 1,000 feet deeper. This makes swimming in the Dead Sea a ‘must do’ bucket list activity when visiting Israel, even if it seems touristy. You won’t regret it.
Did you know you can wakeboard in Tel Aviv? Lake TLV is a cable park that caters to everyone, no matter their skill level, from beginners to world champions. Advanced wakeboarders will find a range of obstacles to choose from, while beginners can get coaching to advance their skills more quickly.
The Jerusalem Beer Festival is an annual summertime event that features over 100 varieties of beer, including both mainstream and local brands. In addition to tasting the brews, you’ll enjoy open-air music performances with a fun-loving crowd.
The Jacob’s Ladder Folk Festival is an bi-annual music festival featuring all types of folk music, from Bluegrass to Irish jigs. Expect sing-alongs, jam sessions, workshops, and lots of dancing. It’s held on the Sea of Galilee, so you can do some tourism alongside the event.
Japan is famous for its hyper-modern cities. But beyond this unique urban environment, it offers a wonderland of outdoor playgrounds.
Tajikistan is the pinnacle of undiscovered mountain regions in the world. Even among intrepid skiers and mountaineers, few have even considered visiting.
Guatemala is a fascinating country, where you can explore Mayan temples, colonial cities, rugged mountains, and dense jungles. It’s a backpacker’s paradise.
Travelers who only visit Budapest will miss out on a world of adventure in Hungary, including rugged hikes, skydiving, and even cave diving.
With long Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, Costa Rica has endless beaches to explore, while mountain lovers can climb on Arenal and other volcanoes.
Mongolia is a land of extraordinary beauty, where vast deserts and open plains put humanity’s scale into perspective.
Without leaving Ecuador, you can scale Andean peaks, venture into the Amazon rainforest, and cruise the Galapagos Islands. It has something for everyone!
Beyond the historic religious sites of Jerusalem and Bethlehem in Israel, you can find dazzling beaches, sprawling deserts, and world-class dive sites.