You’d think on our 13th year as full-time travelers, we’d be sick of all the moving around. But we continue to meet people who inspire us, find places that take our breath away, and learn new things every day–about other cultures and ourselves. Sometimes we think about planting a root, like this year it was in historic Richmond and the uncrowded beaches of Baja, but it’s never because we’re sick of traveling, it’s because those places steal a piece of our heart.
This year we traveled to eight countries across North America, the Caribbean, Western Europe, Southeast Asia, and North Africa. Buddy the Camper traversed the West and dipped into Mexico, but we spared him his 17th cross-country road trip for our two East Coast trips. We spoke at three travel conferences and attended two more, to continue our education on regenerative travel and cross-cultural connections. We starred in an Outside TV show and made the bold attempt to shoot a pilot for a travel show of our own!
Though, the biggest news of the year just happened last week…we got the green light for a second edition of Comfortably Wild…and it is going global! Read on for our favorite adventures from 2024 and to see what’s cooking for 2025.
Baja Wellness
To start our year with a clean bill of health, we kicked off an annual tradition of going to Baja California for doctor appointments and a beach detox. Los Algodones, Mexico is the dentistry capital of the world with 600+ dentists in one square mile, offering amazingly affordable and quality care. After a great cleaning and crown (for $125!), it made us think that maybe there are other types of doctors that flock here too, so we found a fantastic general practitioner and dermatologist to add to our medical-tourism adventure. Good thing too, because it turns out I had basal cell carcinoma! After cryosurgery, we took the rest of the week for R&R, camping along the northern Gulf of California, taking coastal walks, and popping into San Felipe for our taco fix. With the reward of a beautiful beach, we are motivated to make another trip for this year’s annual checkups!
Starring in Outside TV’s Texas State of Mind
One of the greatest honors of the year was Outside Magazine choosing HoneyTrek for their “Texas State of Mind” TV episode and web series! To curate the best adventures in the Lone Star State, seasoned cyclists biked Hill Country, expert fly fishermen took on the Gulf Coast, wellness gurus blissed out in Dallas, and we used our global travel expertise to highlight the rich culture of San Antonio.
As the premier outdoor media company in the country, Outside brought their top-notch production crew, making sure the cinematography, photography, sound, and lighting were impeccable…and we did our best to capture the essence of the city! At first, we were a little nervous about having nine people with camera equipment follow us around for two days, but the Outside team has such good vibes and San Antonio is an awesome town, so the shoot was a great success…give it a watch, above!
Multi-cultural Malaysia
We adore Southeast Asia and have always wanted to explore the melting pot of Malaysia. Made of distinct cultures…Malay, ethnic Chinese, ethnic Indian, plus 95 indigenous groups, and British influences from their colonial days…Malaysia gives a robust taste of the continent in one country. We started in the capital of Kuala Lumpur, a city of incredible contrasts, from old-world street markets to modern skyscrapers that rival Manhattan.
From there, we pressed on to Perak, a central Malaysian state with lush karst topography, cave temples, and wild west vibes from its tin boom days! (Watch this video for nine reasons to add Perak to your next Southeast Asia trip!) Though, few places exemplify the beauty of multicultural Malaysia more than Penang. As Great Britain’s first colony and port in Southeast Asia, it brought people from around the world to this little island, and together they created one of Asia’s most unique destinations. Today, the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and that’s just the beginning of Penang’s UNESCO status…25% of the island is a Biosphere Reserve with ancient rainforest! See this gallery.
Biodiverse Borneo
The world’s third-largest island, fringed by coral reef, covered with a 130-million-year-old rainforest, and teeming with endemic species, this is a place of epic proportions. While Borneo is shared with two other countries (Indonesia and Brunei), the Malaysian state of Sabah has the most protected rainforest, the island’s tallest mountain, rich indigenous culture (38 recognized groups making up 59% of the population), and solid tourism infrastructure to access these wonders…making it the natural choice for a Borneo trip!
We gave ourselves 12 days (we could have easily spent a month here) to travel around Sabah and are so excited to share the best of Borneo with you. Read this in-depth article, as we trek with orangutans, scuba dive the Celebes Sea, safari in the footsteps of David Attenborough, and hone in on the best things to do in Sabah, Borneo.
Brunei: The Friendly Sultanate
With an absolute monarchy that recently implemented Sharia law, Brunei doesn’t present itself as a fabulous travel destination. Much less, to reach it from Sabah was going to take us over 10 hours by bus with 7 border checkpoints (each one reminding us that smuggling drugs was punishable by death!) But you know us, we love a good overland challenge and believe there is good to be found in every destination, so off we went! See the gallery from our Brunei journey, including the largest stilted settlement in the world, the fascinating museum of the Sultan of Brunei (one of the richest humans), and the friendly locals who made our trip!
Singapore Beyond the Bay
In the early days of HoneyTrek we slept on a bench in the Singapore Changi airport, and while some globetrotters might count that as a country visited, we knew Singapore deserved more than that. Only a nation since 1965, Singapore has certainly come into its own as world-class destination for finance, technology, and hospitality. But to be honest, we were worried this glittering republic, known for its skyscrapers, luxury shopping, and mega hotels like Marina Bay Sands, would be a little too perfect for our liking. After taking the prerequisite visit to the beautiful Gardens by the Bay and historic Lau Pat Sat market, we sought out the more local side of Singapore. We ate at hawker stalls at the Old Airport Road Food Centre, watched a Hindu ceremony preparations at Sri Mariamman Temple, explored the endentured-coolie houses-turned-shops of Chinatown, and partook in Ramadan festivities in the Muslim Quarter of Kampong Glam. We realized the beauty of this city is in its international enclaves and how harmoniously people can live in one of the world’s smallest countries.
Timor-Leste: Coolest Country You’ve Never Heard Of
By April 2024, we had been to every country in Southeast Asia…except Timor-Leste. Under Portuguese rule for 400 years and occupied by the Indonesian military from 1975-1999, this island nation has never hit the tourist radar, but was calling our name. This trip was going to be pricey and logsitcally complicated, but we had a feeling it would be a worthwhile adventure…and it turned out to be the gem of our Asia trip!
With a rugged coastline, colonial architecture, abundant marine life, and charming villages, Timor-Leste is absolutely gorgeous and was all the more special with our new friends from Aero Dili. We befriended the flight crew and wound up going on an off-roading trip to their favorite places from Dili to Baucau. Watch this video above to discover Timor’s raw beauty, see our shenanigans, and why this might be the coolest country you’ve never heard of.
Shooting a Travel TV Pilot in Indonesia
Did you catch that we are working on a pilot for a travel show?! We want to get off the beaten track and highlight the beauty, diversity, and human side of regenerative travel. We want to celebrate people who’ve followed their dreams and taken risks to create a destination that offers unforgettable experiences while being stewards of the local environment and community.
When looking for the perfect place for the shoot, we found Ngalung Kalla Retreat on the island of Sumba, Indonesia. See the gallery and stay tuned for the sizzle reel (it’s almost done!)
NJ Memory Lane
Where did we live before we went nomadic? The charming Hoboken, New Jersey! Right on the Hudson River, less than a mile from New York City, The ‘Boken’s outdoor volleyball league is what first brought me here. Mike and I met playing doubles in Sinatra Park, we fell in love, and he wooed me to The Mile Square. We bought a slice of a brownstone and spent three amazing years in our first and last home together. Twelve years later, we returned to our old hometown and state for a proper vacation, and we can’t tell you how nostalgic it made us. Watch this stroll down Hoboken memory lane (complete with throwback photos of us as volleyball teammates and our old apartment) and some great road trip ideas from 18th-century Lambertville to Exit Zero in Cape May in this gallery.
Richmond…Who Knew?
With a bold accolade like CNN Travel’s number one pick for “America’s Best Towns to Visit,” Richmond was a place we had to experience for ourselves. So while we were in Virginia for a family wedding, we extended our trip to check out this trending city. Set on the gorgeous James River, the capital of Virginia has over 400 years of history to dive into, with impressive museums, gorgeous architecture, and local characters from Thomas Jefferson to Edgar Allan Poe. In recent years, Richmond has really hit its stride, embracing street art, African-American culture, culinary talent, and local pride. We spent five fantastic days here and can say, from their hundreds of murals to the class IV rapids running right through downtown, it’s a city that earns its stripes!
Keynoting Camp Indie
If you’ve ever dreamt of ditching your desk job for a location-independent lifestyle, you would love Camp Indie! Three fun days were had in the Berkshire Mountains, partaking in life-changing workshops + summer-camp-style fun with like-minded people thinking outside the corporate box. From breathwork exercises to 90s pajama parties, it filled us up and taught us even more ways to find success and happiness. It was an honor to keynote this inspiring event and we can’t wait for next year. Hope to see you the weekend of June 20th, 2025!
Feel the Rush! Gold Country Road Trip
To get back to California’s Wild West roots and many of my favorite places as a Cali kid, we took a three-week Gold Country road trip. Highway 49 winds through the Sierra Nevadas, connecting dozens of 19th-century Gold Rush towns, from Yosemite National Park to Lake Tahoe. In addition to historic sites, this route serves up gorgeous mountains, raging rivers, alpine lakes, and wine country for a road trip that’s got it all! Read this blog for an in-depth guide and see these videos for some highlights:
@honeytrek One of California’s greatest river rafting adventures is undoubtedly The Middle Fork of the American. Set 2,000 feet deep in a canyon of the Tahoe National Forest, this river is stunning and bursting with Class IV rapids. There’s even a Class VI rapid so gnarly the boat gets hurled over the 30-foot waterfall and the guides have to catch it at the bottom! Full of thrills, beauty, and good times, this @All-OutdoorsCA Rafting is a must-do Gold Country adventure! #AmericanRiver #RiverRafting #PlacerCounty #VisitGoldCountry #partner @VisitCalifornia ♬ original sound – HoneyTrek
Puerto Rico Glamping Consulting
HoneyTrek Glamping Consulting, where we help camp owners improve their guest experience and business overall, is in its fourth year. We usually conduct this as a five-hour Zoom workshop, but when the stars align we love to meet the owners on their land for a deep dive.
Jay, a budding glamping camp operator in Puerto Rico, had been saving our business card for over a year and phoned us as soon as the deed to his 36 acres was signed. He was so excited about working with HoneyTrek and could not have been nicer, inviting us to stay at his beach house and tour us around PR, so we followed our gut to the airport and serendpity followed suit. The potential of this land was limitless, tucked in the lush mountains with views to a pristine beach at the edge of a colonial town, with a great community vibe. This living context gave us so many ideas, and it’s been a joy to see them implemented!
Bonus: The ISA World Surf Championships happened to be in Puerto Rico that week and in the hometown of our sports reporter friend Jaimie! He scored us press passes and we got front-row seats to this Olympic-qualifying event!
Miami’s Wild Side
We regularly work with tourism boards on storytelling campaigns, though playing in the big leagues with Visit Miami had us a bit nervous. From celebrity influencers to creators in our circle we respect, the content bar was set high for this glamorous city of six million people…but we gave it our all!
While known for its long sandy beaches, Art Deco hotels, Latin culture, modern art, and posh nightlife, we wanted to show that Miami’s clubbing scene is not its only wild side. Within its county lines, there are two national parks, one of the world’s largest wetlands, the third-longest coral reef, more tropical fruit farms than anywhere in the USA, and the world’s first mindful pocket park to appreciate the beauty of nature. It’s the contrasts of Miami that make it so special.
See our gallery with tips to make the most of Miami–from live music in Little Havana to volunteering for sea turtles in Biscayne Bay.
Tunisia, Hidden Gem of North Africa
Tunisia totally blew us away. Roman ruins, Mediterranean beaches, rolling olive groves, and Andalusian villages…it had so many European qualities, but also the best of North Africa with bustling medinas, glittering mosques, rich Berber culture, delicious cuisine, and the vast Sahara Desert.
Traveling as a group of five seasoned traveler friends, we almost didn’t use a tour company, but we’re so glad we decided to go with Tunisia Ecotourism. They helped us get deeper into the heart of this dynamic country and better understand its rich cultures. Traveling from the 3,000-year-old city of Carthage to the untouched dunes of the Sahara, Tunisia’s breadth of wonders never ceased to amaze. Embraced by Tunisian hospitality, we were welcomed into 18th-century guesthouses, bedouin desert camps, and troglodyte dwellings. We learned to dress like Berber beauties, cook rougag bread, make wool, and weave rugs. Getting off the beaten path and connecting with local communities, we fell in love with a country we barely knew…and hope you will too!
Check out this gallery and videos below for highlights from our 10-day trip across Tunisia, the hidden gem of the Mediterranean and jewel of North Africa.
TBEX Alaska
When we got invited to speak at the Anchorage edition of TBEX, the premier travel blogging conference, we jumped at the chance to attend this week-long event in one of the most beautiful states with some of our favorite peeps! Each time we go to TBEX, our friendships grow deeper with our content creator community–whether we are sharing ideas at a roundtable discussion or hiking into the wilderness.
After the sessions, there was plenty of playtime, from turning the Alaska Railroad into a moving dance party to a three-day trip with Revel Treks & Tours + BlueWater BaseCamp into the Chugach Mountains, complete with kayaking, mountain biking, glamping, moose-spotting, and new friends! Check out this gallery for our Alaska highlights.
Colorado Residency
We keep coming back to Colorado for so many reasons…it’s gorgeous, there’s always so much going on, and our family lives here! Despite the thinner air at a mile high, we find Denver to be a great place to catch our breath between projects and reconnect with our community, so we did two housesits here this year! First, was a Civic Center apartment that we scored during the first-ever Outside Festival of all things awesome outdoors, and the second was a bungalow in the adorable LoHi neighborhood, with a perfectly lazy cat.
We were so happy to be around our family for the holidays, from trick or treating with our 1-year-old nephew to Thanksgiving with our cousins (complete with vegan dishes and CU Boulder Football). Plus, local blogger friends Jules & Sherry always know the VIP haps, so we had some splashy moments too, like sitting front row at Denver Fashion Week and the Mile High Tree Lighting with the mayor!
See some of our favorite moments from living like a Denver local and our epic side trip to Leadville…the two-mile-high city!
HoneyTrek Cares
For each of the tourism board projects we do throughout the year, we give back 5% of the budget to local nonprofits and volunteer with them whenever possible. We do this because we want to help the environment and under-served communities, but also experience tourist destinations in a positive way while showing more travelers how fun volunteering can be. From undeniably cool experiences like releasing baby sea turtles to the less-sexy invasive species removal, each volunteer day connects us with awesome locals and gives us a deeper appreciation of the place.
Here are some of the volunteer orgs we supported in 2024 and hope you can too! Wetlands Institute, James River Association, MORAES marine science, Debris Free Oceans, Mending Walls healing arts, American River Conservancy, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Follow the Footsteps adaptive sports, and Trust for Public Lands.
We Won The Glamping Pioneer Award!
We’ve been glamping around the world and writing about this form of eco-travel since 2012, but we still can’t believe we won the American Glamping Association’s Industry Pioneer Award! In their words, “The 2024 award goes to HoneyTrek, a trailblazing duo whose vision, passion, and dedication have inspired the glamping community and beyond. Their groundbreaking work and relentless advocacy for sustainable travel continue to pave the way for a brighter, more adventurous future in glamping. HoneyTrek exemplifies innovation and serves as a shining light for the entire industry….With a focus on eco-friendly accommodations and immersive outdoor experiences, HoneyTrek inspires others to explore unique, meaningful travel. Their commitment to innovation in glamping makes them true pioneers, continually raising the bar for adventure travelers worldwide.” What an absolute honor!
Comfortably Wild Gets a Second Edition!
BIG NEWS! We just got the green light from Falcon Guides for a second edition of our glamping book, Comfortably Wild! While the first edition featured the best outdoor accommodations in North America, this round we are embarking on a seven-continent quest for the most mindful and inspiring getaways in the world! Not just looking at Top 10 Lists and AI-generated results, we want to meet these small business owners, try the activities, share meals, and sleep in their wonderland…whether that’s in Monaco or Mongolia.
We are so passionate about glamping, because when done right, it honors the environment, local communities, and guests for vacations with a positive impact for all. With passionate people at the helm, it is regenerative travel in its most beautiful form, and we are so excited to honor them and inspire more people with this new (hardcover!) book. See more info here.
2025 Preview
This global edition of Comfortably Wild is going to majorly shape our 2025. Our plan is to start in the Southern Hemisphere (either Oceania or South America) then head to Europe by late Spring, Africa in summer, and Asia by fall;. We have a long list of destinations we’re culling down, but if you have stayed at an awe-inspiring eco-lodge, safari camp, glampground, or boutique accommodation immersed in nature ANYWHERE in the world, we’d love to hear your suggestions.
Cheers to a great 2024 and an exciting year ahead,
Anne & Mike
