Responsible Tourism: The Right Blend of Authenticity and Sensitivity

"Interacting with local people, being part of the real lives of the locals, participating in local traditions and customs... these are some aspects of ecotourism and responsible tourism that many travelers seek, in order to find unique and authentic experiences. But are we being intrusive when we seek more local and more personal experiences? What are responsible ways of conducting tourist activities in local communities, and what's the difference between responsible and irresponsible ways?"

So begins The International Ecotourism Society's recent article on the tension between finding authentic travel experiences and being culturally sensitive.

Being a respectful visitor should always be at the forefront of every world traveler's mind when they travel, but the challenge for many is finding a way to blend responsible travel and authentic experiences. As an outsider, it can be exceptionally difficult to identify whether the context you are stepping into (activities, guide services, political requirements for visitors, etc.) is sensitive to the prevailing social situation or not.

The key for travelers is to locate agencies that have consciously postured themselves as a positive force for change in the local community. One of the best ways we have found to navigate the murky waters of cross-cultural sensitivity is to sign on with a travel company that hires local guides, or even better, a locally owned firm. While "hiring local" is not a guaranteed way to avoid irresponsible practices, it is a good place to start.

Ziplining and other ecotourism activities
can bring a huge boost to local communities

As the Ecotourism Society's article points out, "In order for businesses and destinations to avoid exploitative forms of tourism and to be responsible and respectful, they must not only seek opportunities to engage travelers in an educational manner (for example through learning to cook local food, or participating in lessons to learn traditional craft-making), but also ensure that they are working with – and not for – the local communities."

We saw examples of this in our post on China's Yunnan province, with guiding and travel outfits using their platforms as mediums for conservation and community betterment efforts, not merely vehicles for gaining profits. Organizations such as The International Ecotourism Society and the Center for Responsible Travel can help shine light on which companies have a proven record of responsible travel practices.

Get out and travel responsibly.

Full article: How Can Travelers Find Authentic Experiences That Are Culturally Respectful and Socially Sensitive? (from The International Ecotourism Society)

Altitude Sickness: Lessons Learned At 12,000ft. (Part 1)

A couple of weeks ago, after two months of traveling in Europe and Southeast Asia, I finally returned home to my perch at 12,000ft. in the mountains, just as I have done many times before. And just like every time before, I jumped right back into life, not giving it a second thought.

Later that evening as I headed to bed for the night, 12 hours or so after getting back, I felt myself physically wither - I started to feel a dull-but-intense headache, my joints and muscles began to ache so that I just could not find a way to lie comfortably, and I oscillated between being too hot and too cold.

Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler were the first to
reach Everest's 29,029ft. summit without the aid of supplemental
oxygen. They took 3 months to acclimatize and summit.

At first I thought I was coming down with the flu, but soon realized that I was coming up against something I had never experienced in all of my time spent at high altitude: altitude sickness, or more correctly, altitude illness.

According the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Handbook, altitude illness "results from insufficient oxygen in the blood (hypoxia) secondary to decreased barometric pressure at altitude."

I know that altitude-related symptoms can affect anyone who does not take time to adequately acclimatize no matter their level of physical conditioning, but since I had never experienced symptoms before and had maintained an active lifestyle during my travels, even traveling as high as 10,000ft. while in Europe, I honestly did not expect it to affect me when I returned.

In light of my recent humbling experience, this post will look at some ways that the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute and the non-profit group The Mountaineers recommend preventing altitude illness, with a follow up post to discuss assessing and treating altitude illness in the field.

Air Travel Health Tips: Fact vs. Fiction - Video

Getting sick when you travel is a bummer, and nothing stings worse then picking up a bug on your way to your destination. Coincidentally, there are a lot of myths about the role air travel can play in disease transmission.

The key to healthy travel, especially when air travel will be involved, is identifying misinformation and making wise choices. In the video link below, the Chief of Medicine at MIT Medical walks through some basic misconceptions about air travel health and gives a few pointers on how to protect yourself from contracting diseases en route.

Did we choose this video because of the vintage airline footage? Maybe. Did the cheesy role-playing cement our choice? Possibly. Is the amount of emphasis put on portable hand sanitizer pretty comical? Definitely.

All of that notwithstanding, when the Chief of Medicine at MIT talks, we usually listen.

Video Link: Howard M. Heller, MD on "Staying healthy during holiday travel"

On a related note, travel medical insurance might be a good idea if you are flying to an adventure somewhere off the beaten path. Oh, and don't forget your hand sanitizer.

Packing Tip: Osprey Airporter LZ - Save Your Straps!

A backpacker with her closest travel companion - her pack

Backpacks and rucksacks are hands-down the luggage of choice for many of today's budget world travelers, aptly named "backpackers."

More than anything, a backpacker needs his or her backpack to hold up to the beating it will receive being thrown into airplane baggage bays, on bus roofs, and over horse saddles day after day.

It is more than a backpack - it is a seat, a pillow, a coffee table, a closet. It is home.

Osprey, well known for their packs and uber-efficient travel equipment, has a practitioner's grasp of the demands that are placed on their packs by trekkers around the world every day.

The Osprey Airporter LZ was birthed out of Osprey's practical understanding of the backpacker's way of travel - a simple, durable, light and packable duffle bag who's one and only job is to protect zippers and straps from the careless hands of baggage handlers, security checkpoint personnel, bellhops, and bus drivers.

The old Airporter was one-size-fits-all.
Now, you can choose one to fit your pack.

The Osprey Airporter LZ's constuction is simple: a cavernous duffle with a single, top-loading zipper and a sling strap.

Now, this long-time favorite of trekkers and backpackers has gotten injection of Osprey's genius. The updated Airporter now comes:

• In three sizes to more suitably accommodate packs of different volumes;
• With improved handles;
• With a more comfortable shoulder strap. 

As much as I love my old-model Airporter which has served me and my pack faithfully for years, all three of these improvements are much appreciated. A great buy for US$30-$40, this is a no-brainer - you should definitely have the Osprey Airporter LZ in your luggage stash.

Frankfurt in Five: One-Day Travel Guide to Europe's Financial Center

Traveling Europe is an incredible experience, but there are so many countries with so much to offer that choosing an itinerary can be overwhelming - even just narrowing down a manageable list of countries, let alone cities, can be a monumental task! Germany has always been an important fixture in the European landscape, as much today as in the days of Charlemagne, and Germany should certainly be on any first-time visitor to Europe's short list.

Frankfurt's skyline - new and old meet

Here is the bare bones, brass tacks list of how to get the most out of a one-day visit to Frankfurt, Germany's financial and transportation hub on the Main River.

The Städel, overlooking the Main River

1. Museum District - Start your morning off by visiting some of Frankfurt's more than 30 museums, at least 20 of them located in close proximity to each other along the banks of the Main River, in an area known as the 'Museumsufer' (Museums Riverbank). Some of the museums include:

• Städelsches Kunstinstitut und Städtische Galerie, more commonly known as the Städel, one of Europe's most important art museums
• Museum of World Cultures
• Jewish Museum Frankfurt
• Bible House Experience Museum
• Historical Museum Frankfurt

Full list of Frankfurt's museums

Travel The World - Tips From An Expert

If you've ever thought about taking a year off and traveling the world, the logistics and the sheer quantity of unknowns have probably raised your pulse a little. Just getting an around-the-world ticket seems confusing enough, without even beginning to figure out how you fill 365 days in exciting, new places or how you get to those places without completely breaking the bank.

When it comes to hiking the Appalachian Trail and other "odyssey" type expeditions - first of all, our advice is definitely: go for it! Second, the best place to start -to help overcome doubts and fears- is to talk to someone who's done it, to see that it can be done by normal people like us.

In that vein, 18 Lessons from 5 Years Around the World is a great article for getting the creative juices flowing and whetting the appetite for world travel. Helping you take it one step further, "Nomadic Matt's" website Nomadic Matt's Travel Site is a wealth of practical knowledge gained from firsthand experience.

Read up, plan up (but not too much, according to Matt), and get out and travel!

Travel Fitness - Succeed In Your 2013 New Year's Resolutions

Every year, on almost everyone's list of New Year's Resolutions, working out and getting fit makes the list in some form or fashion - "join a gym" "lose X pounds by June" "GO to the gym that I'm member of" etc. And yet for many, by April that Resolution has fallen by the wayside, and often the reason is travel.

Whether business travel, early vacation, a chance at world travel, or the realization that Spring Break is another 365 days away, these interruptions to your routine of hitting the gym/pounding the pavement/logging miles on the bike can become an insurmountable obstacle that derails the best hopes of a regular fitness regimen until next January 1. But they don't have to be.

Minimizing Jet Lag: Tips for World Travel

Every day, millions of world travelers suffer from what the National Sleep Foundation calls "one of the most common sleep disorders" - jet lag.

An uncomfortable-but-temporary condition caused by traveling across 3 or more time zones, jet lag manifests itself in differing degrees in different people. Some of the most common symptoms include: fatigue early in the afternoon, irregular sleep during the night, loss of appetite, difficulty with concentration and critical decision making, and even headaches and irritability.

The Center for Disease Control notes of jet lag that "eastward travel is associated with difficulty falling asleep at the destination bedtime and rising in the morning; westward travel is associated with early evening sleepiness and predawn awakening at the travel destination." The Center for Disease Control also points out, "traveling eastward generally increases the time required for adaptation."

So how to minimize the discomfort so you can maximize the enjoyment of your trip?

Visiting Bangkok's Gilded Temples - Proper Attire and Customs

Bangkok's "Marble Temple"

One of the highlights of Southeast Asia are the numerous Buddhist temples, ranging from the rugged and earthy Angkor Wat (in Cambodia) to the polished architectural wonder of Wat Benchamabophit (in Thailand).

Thailand's population is roughly 95% Buddhist, and as a result, Thailand is dotted with Buddhist temples - Bangkok alone is home to hundreds of temples, or "wats," throughout the city. According to CNN Travel, the 7 Best Bangkok Temples are:

1. Wat Arun - the iconic temple on Thai currency
2. Wat Phra Kaew - located on the grounds of in Bangkok's Grand Palace
3. Wat Pho - adjacent to the Grand Palace and home to Thailand's largest reclining Buddha
4. Wat Benchamabophit - the magnificent "Marble Temple" from Thailand's 5-baht coin
5. Wat Mahathat Yuwaratrangsarit - one of Thailand's most religiously significant temples
6. Wat Saket - located on a prominence offering great views of the city
7. Wat Traimit - home to one of the world's largest gold Buddha statues

Wat Phra Kaew in Thailand's Grand Palace

As a world traveler, cultural sensitivity is always paramount, no more so than when visiting revered religious sites. Here are a few important items to keep in mind when visiting Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia:

• Keep your legs and shoulders covered (cover below the knees and past the elbows) - despite the heat, beach attire is inappropriate
• Take off your shoes in and around the temple complex
• Refrain from any public displays of affection
• Do not point/show the bottom of your feet toward monks/nuns
• Do not touch the head of any of the statues or monks/nuns

Add Thailand to your list of world travel destinations - jungle treks in Chiang Mai, scuba diving the islands, and of course, the impressive temple structures in bustling Bangkok.

Coverage For Your Travels? Thoughts On Travel Medical Insurance

Recently, Outside magazine's Adventure Advisor tackled the question of "Should I Buy Travel Medical Insurance?"

The Adventure Advisor offers advice on when to get insurance, why you should consider it, and where to shop for appropriate coverage.

In a related post, adventurers who enjoy "riskier activities" can learn more about the ins-and-outs of life insurance coverage that fits their lifestyle - If You Climb... Life Insurance For Climbers

Osprey Ozone 22" Gets Rave Reviews

Osprey's new ultra-light carry-on suitcase has turned a lot of heads and landed two significant awards already: National Geographic Adventure's 2012 Gear of the Year Award and 2012 Men's Journal Gear Lab Seal of Approval.

For those who like to pack light and efficiently, the Osprey Ozone 22" luggage piece is definitely worth checking out.

Read more about Osprey's proud new offering: Osprey's Ultra-Light Ozone 22 Earns Top Honors


While you're at it, watch this video on packing a small carry-on efficiently:

Travel Etiquette: Tipping around the World

Planning a trip to new countries comes hand-in-hand with anticipation and excitement. In the fervor of figuring out which excursions to book or what museums to see, which restaurants not to miss and what the weather will be like, one thing that is often overlooked is getting a bearing some of the more basic cultural norms, such as tipping.

In our home country, we know when tipping is appropriate and how much is usually expected, but the first time you reach for your wallet in a foreign country, you may feel a wave of anxiety if you are unprepared.

The following excerpts from Condé Nast Traveller's Tipping Guide [read the article for specific tipping recommendations for more than 25 countries] will get you thinking, but the best way to be prepared is to read in a guide book or respected travel forum about your specific destination to make sure you are on the same page as the locals.

Backcountry Safety: Avalanche Awareness

Winter is almost upon us, and that means getting out and enjoying the snow. 

Whether snowmobiling in the Rockies, skiing in the Alps, or enjoying winter hiking and camping somewhere in between, one thing that is important to keep in mind when out in the backcountry is the potential for an avalanche.

The first step to backcountry avalanche safety is to get informed. 

The following websites are great places to start:

• National Ski Patrol: Backcountry Avalanche Safety - What to know before you go, once you're there, and some general rules of the road.
• Avalanche Safety Tutorial - A brief tutorial from the American Avalanche Association.
• Forest Service National Avalanche Center: Avalanche Awareness Website - More in-depth information about avalanche safety for skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, and snowmobilers.

Once you are informed, make sure to get equipped. Having the right gear in an avalanche can mean the difference between life and death.

Ortovox - Specializing in avalanche safety gear, Ortovox has a long history and continues to be one of the best avalanche-safety outfitters around.

Mammut - One of the oldest outdoor outfitters around, Mammut manufactures essential avalanche safety items.

REI: Choose an Avalanche Transceiver - Use this guide to help choose the right transceiver for you.

Enjoy the wilderness this winter, but make sure to be educated and equipped when you do.

Alpine Lessons in the Canadian Rockies - Video

Enjoy the incredible scenery as Patagonia ambassador Josh Wharton ice climbs in the Canadian Rockies, plus hear some of the lessons Josh learned while tackling the Emperor Face on Mount Robson and the Wild Thing on Mount Chephren.

Planning for International Customs in Your Itinerary

Often when traveling, we enter our target country through a city other than our final destination. One thing we can easily forget is to leave time in our travel itinerary to retrieve our bags, pass through Customs and Immigration, and then recheck our bags before continuing on to our journey's end.

Especially if you are booking your own travel, a good rule of thumb is to allow 4 hours minimum between when your international flight lands and when your connecting domestic flight departs.

Packing Tip: Leave the Passport Lanyard at Home

In this day in age, with all the regulations and heightened security that go hand in hand with travel, keeping track of your passport, bank cards, hotel reservations, cash, and itinerary is usually at the forefront of everyone's mind.

However, one negative side effect of our preoccupation with keeping track of all these important documents is that we immediately mark ourselves as tourists, a sure-fire way to be hassled by vendors and given a "special tourist price" in many locales.

To better blend in with the scenery and give some other sucker a chance to be "taken for a ride," consider some of the following tips:

1. Leave the passport lanyard and waist bag/fanny pack at home. Instead, carry a handbag, shoulder bag, or small backpack (~5 to 20L volume).
2. Try to avoid wearing your camera on a lanyard around your neck, it screams, "I don't have any idea what's going on, but if something camera-worthy should appear, I'll be ready."
3. Business casual, rather than "vacation chic" will help you blend in more. You may be visiting a place where blending in is almost an impossibility, but at least your choice of clothing can give the appearance of someone who is there for a reason, rather than someone who is there to be taken advantage of.
4. Move with purpose in busy places such as train depots and airport parking lots. Even if you don't have plan of what to do, sitting around discussing it within earshot of eager vendors will make you an easy target for a scam or unreasonably high prices. It is very likely in most places around the world that locals offering services at such gathering places will be multi-lingual and will understand your whole conversation, taking away your bargaining edge.

Camelbak and Black Diamond Equipment both make a line of small backpacks with convenient pockets, which allow for safe stowage of important documents, as well as room for a few other small items.

All of Mountain Khakis' men's pants come equipped with a hidden 2nd pocket on the right hand side, which lies close to the hip and is perfect for passports and a money clip. For gentlemen who prefer more active travel or who are headed somewhere tropical, the Mountain Khaki Granite Creek pants have a zippered 2nd right hip pocket for added security and a zippered pocket on the left thigh as well, and have proven very convenient and reliable for me when I travel.

Pacsafe has a full line of travel-related bags and accessories which are incredibly well thought out. Particularly noteworthy are their women's hand bags and purses, which feature slash-proof straps and integrated RFID blocking technology, among other security features, while giving consideration to aesthetics rather than strictly utilitarian design.


Victorinox carries a line of travel products to help organize your documents easily, and none is better designed than the aptly-named Travel Organizer. This slim folder has enough pockets to carry all of your necessary travel, hotel, and banking information, yet can slip easily into a handbag or backpack.


Set yourself up for success by traveling wisely.

Safety and Situational Awareness - Video

Travel can take us to exciting, new places - places we're compelled to explore, places we can't wait to experience. Ninety-nine times out of 100, the trip turns out just as we hoped it would, from beginning to end. We come away refreshed, invigorated, and enthusiastic about the next time we'll be able to steal away for another excursion.

However, it only takes the slightest unforeseen event to quickly remind you that you are in an unfamiliar environment, which, if unprepared, can lead to panic. 

All three of the following resources provide valuable insight to help you make your travels as safe as possible, no matter what might arise:

Planning Your Escape Route - This is a good article to consider when planning hiking trips and outdoor expeditions.

A Practical Guide to Situational Awareness - A bit more in-depth and probably overkill for most travelers, this Stratfor article gives a comprehensive overview of situational awareness, which is particularly valuable for international travelers.

See China By Rail

For the budget or adventure-minded traveler, seeing China by train is a great choice. China's rail system is extensive and almost any destination can be achieved, at a fraction of the price of airfare.

Both of the following websites offer expedient search capabilities for all of the train routes in China:

CNVOL - Search by cities or by train number; also, a convenient drop-down menu aids in locating train ticketing offices in 32 of China's most commonly traveled cities.

Travel China Guide - This travel agency website also provides reliable searching by city or train number, as well as a ticket availability search.

In addition:

12306 - This is China Railway Ministry's online ticketing site, but it is only in Chinese at this point. If you choose to reserve tickets through this site, tickets must still be picked up at a ticketing office and a valid passport be provided.


Finally, once you do procure your tickets, you may still have trouble reading them. See the image below for a helpful guide to what your ticket actually says:

Packing Tip: Grab a Jacket

When packing your bag for your next outing, don't forget to throw in a light jacket, even if you are going somewhere tropical. Especially if you are going somewhere tropical.

One common oversight, especially when going somewhere warm, is to neglect any sort of a long-sleeved layer. Even if the forecast looks great and the weather is sweltering when the sun is up, there might be a breeze when you take your dog out for his morning walk or a nip in the air on your evening ferry boat ride to the next island over.

A light piece like a soft shell or windbreaker should be sufficient to fend off a mid-afternoon shower or the nip in the air that creeps in after sunset, and you'll definitely appreciate having made space in your bag!