Not long ago, I discovered a sympathic globetrotter and blogger. But digging a bit more, I found a big Internet professional and a man who dared to take “The” decision of his life to overpass depression and start traveling around the world. Let’s talk about Danny Dover decision to focus his life on his adventure bucket list.

I just love this kind of persons who dare to switch life considering this will bring more hapiness and purpose in their life. Each of us have our personal story, but one day, a lot of us face the need / hope to fulfill something more. Let’s see how it happened for Danny Dover.

Danny Dover game’s rules

This guy set his own rules: He wrote down a 150+ “life list” and must achieve all of it before May 25th 2017. 5 more years to go!

A life list is a list of goals you are fully committed to accomplishing before a specific date while you are living. This is different from a bucket list which is a list of things you would like to do before dying. Who wants to wait until they are dying to start living? Not me!

For my list, I have two rules:

1. The entire list must be completed by May 25th, 2017
2. I can not add or remove any item from the list

It is as simple as that!

This can sound simple, but this guy set up high expectations on his list and succeeded in getting momentum around it!  Read more about his life list goals here (source http://www.lifelisted.com). You will see how he moved to Spain, ran a marathon, started a company (www.makingitclick.com), climed Mt Rainier, learnt to fly a plane, visited easter Island, the Giza pyramids and much more…

The Question Is…

Danny Dover gave a lecture on a  TedEx show on december 2012. He came to spread the message that waiting until the end of your life to start your bucket list is waiting too long.

To know what The “question” is and take action, watch this 6 min video:

Join the adventure!

As this guy is full of different skills (Internet marketing was his 1st job, he also is a writter), he’s doing a really great job with his blog, which makes fun, pleasant and interesting to follow his adventures. Lately he started to post on video format, this guy is really cool…Just go and check it out!

One of my favorite post is called “Dear Unhappy Former Self”, a letter to his former mind:

You wake up every morning with a smile and optimism for tomorrow. I wake up every morning with a smile and optimism for today.

I make change happen now.

Enjoy the full article here (source http://www.lifelisted.com)

He achieved 80% of his list at the end of December 2012 which let us think he’s going to make it…but you’ll know it following his Facebook page.

What about you: Danny Dover’s advices

If you’re inspired by seeking new horizons, traveling around the world, create your Life list or become a globetrotter, start reading more advices from Danny Dover:

Here are Danny’s ideas to inspire you into action if you want to follow his lead and some ideas on what you may encounter if you decide to do something similar.

3 Things to get your started

3 Step Process

3 things you may encounter

Check out the full article here (www.fireitupwithcj.com)

Did you ever took a big decision that changed your life? Do you have a bucket list you would like to turn into “life list”? How much would you dare to decide to leave for more traveling around the world? Share your thoughts and feel free to leave a comment bellow !

The post Would You Dare To Jumpstart A New Life Traveling Around The World ? appeared first on RootsTraveler.

Need to escape for a while? Time to explore outdoors now? Spring is the perfect time for getting back on the road and backpacking – Sicily just offers one of the best playground for hiking lovers and “ends of the earth” seekers: This italian island is a special destination where you have a real sense of getting away from it all!

Discover breath-taking landscapes, turquoise sea, tiny villages, antique temples…From mountains to coastline, through vineyards or volcanos, Sicily is a destination that must definitely fit in your bucket list. And here are 5 reasons I love it!

1- Climb the summit of a volcano and look inside smoking craters

Mt Etna, Stromboli, Vulcano…Don’t miss this backpacking adventure. You can find various trails and level difficulties. If you already climbed a volcano, you know how magic this is. These are unique experiences  and unforgettable moments!

Departure is best around 17h to reach the summit [Stromboli] at sunset and see the spectacle of the volcano at night. The climb is steep but the guide sets the pace and goes up slowly, while making small stops and giving explanations about flora

More on hiking the Stromboli here (from www.unspecial.org)

Mount Etna on Sicily’s east coast rises gracefully from a sapphire sea. The peaceful scene contradicts the power of the most active volcano in Europe. [...] We are drawn to climb the mount because it’s there, because the lunar landscape is so foreign to our every day lives, and because it humbles us in our every day existence.

More on hiking Mt Etna here (from www.eviactive.com)

For walking both Etna and Stromboli + visit the aeolian Island, check out macsadventure tour guide.

2- Walk through Sicilian ancestral cultural heritage

 Sicily’s list of invaders features all the usual suspects: Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Byzantines, Spaniards and, more surprisingly, the Normans with their delightful Monty Python–style names (King Roger, William the Bad, Walter the Archbishop…).

Read Sicily history with the Lonely Planet here

Many archeoligal sites, medieval towns, modern cities are to be visited. And sometimes even simple ruins will create stunning views with sunlights. Check out this top 12 list of the main places that you shouldn’t miss (from www.bestofsicily.com)

3- Walk the magnificent natural heritage of Sicily

9 nature reserves protect wildlife and offer wonderful landscapes – both historical and natural.

• Alcantara – The Park of the Alcantara River
• Cavagrande – Sicily’s Canyons
• Pantalica – The “holes” of the Hyblaean Mountains
• The Nebrodi Mountains – The Dolomites of the South
• The Madonie Mountains – A park that is relatively unknown but full of treasures
• Mount Etna – The tallest active volcano in Europe
• The Salt Pans – Sicily’s ancient salt reserves
• Vendicari – Sea, beaches, archeology and nature
• Lo Zingaro – The most fascinating nature reserve in north-east Sicily

Lo Zingaro was the 1st protected area and is know as the most stunning reserve with 10 km of coastline trails, turquoise sea and beautiful creeks.

The Zingaro terrestrial reserve is yet tightly linked to the sea which is not only the geographic limit but also the constant setting of the landscape and the necessary complement of the naturalistic aspects. [...] The itineraries suggested are vary and many. Following the system of signs and being careful in reading the map, everyone can choose the most suitable itinerary.

Read more here on the official Zingaro Reserve website (www.riservazingaro.it)

4- Enjoy the mediterranean food voyage and wine heritage of Sicily

Marzipan, wilde asparagus, salami, gelatina, skordalia, … Slow food, local production are big deals and many recipies are a result of a mix between historical cultures. Food is part of the journey!

Check out this great blog (you’ll also find some great recipies):

The food that I’ll be talking about and cooking for the class reflects the ways Sicilian cuisine has been influenced by the dominant cultures of the Mediterranean from ancient times to the modern day, which includes Greek, Roman, Arabic, French and Spanish cultures.

Read more about it here – (www.allthingssicilianandmore.blogspot.fr)

With more vineyards than any of the other Italian regions, Sicily is a wine country by itself. The most famous is the Marsala, but many others are great to taste…

One of Europe’s oldest viticultural regions still offers some pleasant surprises. Sicily’s oenological history is an ancient one, dating from the time when the island was part of Magna Graecia. One usually associates fine wines with western Sicily or the areas near Mount Etna, but many new wineries have sprung up across the island.

 

Read full article here (from www.bestofsicily.com)

5- Appreciate this easygoing destination all year long

Nice people: We might say Sicilians have a strong local culture, but they still remain italians. Great people, nice language, even with a dynamic tourist activity, they still welcome foreigners and keep authentic.

Cool climate: Hot summer, mild winter, Sicily is ideal to hike from April to november. Summer can be very hot (34-38°C). Only the Sirocco, this African wind affects the weather and brings fresh air or precipitation mainly during spring and fall. Anyway, spring sounds to be the best season to enjoy a great hiking trip.

Easy access: Flights, accommodations, currency (euro), banks, local transportation…Sicily is part of Europe and offers all you need.

Have you ever been to Sicily? Where and how was your trip? If not, do you plan to get there? Please, share your thoughts in the comments bellow and don’t forget to vote on top of this post.

The post 5 Great Reasons To Go Backpacking Sicily appeared first on RootsTraveler.

I never traveled or really thought about Indonesia… But this week, I found a video I really enjoyed [see my post on Facebook April 23]. Everything looks inspiring: Scenic landcapes, people with big smiles, fauna, stunning lights…Indonesia has become one of my top travel destination list !

“Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world comprising 17,504 tropical islands fringed with white sandy beaches, many still uninhabited and a number even still unnamed”.  When we say Indonesia, one shall first think about Bali, but so many other places are worthwile to explore in this area!  I just wanted to share 2 great places that look like a Must destination when backpacking to Java.

Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park

David O’Connor, one of the RootsTraveler Facebook fan, shared his favorite spot: Mount Bromo, an active volcanic area East of Java, located in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. You can hike the Sand Sea desert walking or horse riding ponies, and get on top of the mount Bromo at early morning to witness the natural beauty of a fascinating sunrise.

The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park covers a massive area of 800 square kilometres in the centre of East Java. For anyone with an interest in volcanoes, a visit to the park is a must. This is the largest volcanic region in the province. Visit the park and see the plumes of smoke coming from Mt. Semeru, an active volcano which rises 3676 meters above sea level.

Read full article with great tips here (www.indonesia.travel)

If you can plan your trip in November, make sure you go to Bromo during the annual Kasada festival, when the local Tenggerese come to throw offerings of vegetables, chickens and money into the crater of the volcano. Read this testimonial from this great travelers blog aroundthisworld.com:

4:00AM – The jarring alarm wakes us from our slumber. We force ourselves to get dressed and eat breakfast, despite the darkness. Our 4WD tour departs at 4:30am and we’re on our way thought the hazy fog towards the Bromo volcano. Out of sheer luck, we happened to be visiting on the biggest day of the year for the local Tenggerese people, when they come to the volcano to make their yearly sacrifices as part of the festival of Yadnya Kasada.

Read full article here (www.aroundthisworld.com)

For travelers who are seeking hiking adventure, you can climb Mount Semeru, the highest peak in Java (3 days).

This mountain, also known as the Great Mountain, is regarded by Hindus as the most sacred mountain of all. Getting to the peak is a tough three day trek. Mt Semeru is one of the most active volcanoes on Java and regularly explodes. These gases and belching lava make Semeru dangerous, so stay well away from the vent.

More information here (www.indonesia.travel)

Ujung Kulon National Park

This park is a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1991, located in the extreme soutwestern tip of Java, and encompasses the natural reserve of Krakatoa. Imagine deep blue water and fascinating white sand beaches…

Today, Ujung Kulon National Park is a must-see among backpackers and a refuge for dwindling populations of the Javan rhino and tiger. And while a lack of funding preserves the park’s wilderness, the tangled jungles, climactic electrical storms and a lurking fear of the volcano’s wrath keep many locals away from the exquisite scenery.

Read full article here (from www.nationalgeographic.com)

I like the following blog of Kirsten Bos, Start Backpacking.com. She went to Ujung Kulon National Park and gives some feedback:

You can enjoy the rapid rivers, white beaches and relax in the thermal springs. If you’re done of all the animal spotting at land you can snorkel in the blue see along the coast and check out the coral riff below. You can also go deeper into the water and dive. Or just throw out your fishing rod and catch a nice fish.

Because there are no civilians here, nature just goes its way. You’ll see trees like you’ve never seen them before and animals which can’t be found anywhere in the world.

Full testimonial here (from startbackpacking.wordpress.com)

Indonesia and Java have so many national parks / beautiful islands… it is hard to pretend where you should travel to. Anyway, it is definitely another destination I have on my backpacking bucketlist!!

What about you? Have you been to Indonesia? Did you enjoyed? Is it a country you wish/plan to visit one day?

Please vote at the top of this post and then share your own experience in the comments at the bottom!

The post Backpacking Indonesia – Where Would You Go In Java? appeared first on RootsTraveler.

If you see this page featuring the below video, it means that someone from the RootsTraveler community wanted to share this video with you.

This video is only one of “The Unstoppable World Traveler Spirit” serie initiated to inspire people to – at least:

“Once A Year, Once In A Lifetime, Travel Around The World Or Explore The Ends Of The Earth”

Be sure you “share to unstop this video” before you watch it (we appreciate you help spreading the word with this world traveler spirit) and let’s make it even more unstoppable!

By the way, if you want to suggest a video for “The Unstoppable World Traveler Spirit” serie, feel free to contact us.

[Please be patient while the video is uploading]

Be sure you comment below after watching! Did it inspire you?

The post [video #1] The Unstoppable World Traveler Spirit appeared first on RootsTraveler.

Being welcomed abroad by a new community or a family and experiencing life from the “inside” is – as far as I am concerned -  the best thing to look for, almost if you’re a solo traveler looking for a deep cultural experience. Have you ever joined a wedding day in a foreign culture? Experienced a homestay in other cities or villages, uproot and taste pure exotism?

I just discovered this great blog: 90 Second Travel.com, from a young Californian solo traveler who left home after studies, for what he thought was holidays. He started backpacking and hiking around Asia, South and Est Africa. He had this good idea to create video vignettes in 90 seconds format, storytelling his backpacking and hiking adventures.

I really enjoyed this video, as he embraced an impromptu homestay in Nepal and where he shares feelings every traveler discover in foreign countries, when going beyond travel guides.

[Enjoy this video, please be patient while uploading - and don't forget to share if you like it!]

What about you? Have you ever experienced homestays abroad? How did you manage etiquette? Did you felt as a voyeur?

Please vote at the top of this post and then share your own experience in the comments at the bottom!

The post Are You A Voyeur When Backpacking Around The World? appeared first on RootsTraveler.

Reaching end of the earth places, hiking wilde earth has always inspired people: Many artists were and are still looking for this Vertigo. John Muir was one of them. If he was still alive, I wonder how the “Father of the National Parks” would have used video for serving his cause?

Maybe the Muir Project was 1st created with the ambition to answer this question? A collective of artists, music composers, photographers, writers, producers…all adventure seekers completed the John Muir Trail in 2011.

At a glance

They made beautiful hiking films that I really wanted to share with you in case you don’t already know them.

Also enjoy these beautiful landscapes and music. Inspiring!

All these exciting movies had an amazing success and inspired other artists who went hiking Yosemite.

You may be one of the millions of people who viewed the beautiful Yosemite HD timelapse filmed by the Project Yosemite, another group of artists.

This year, The Muir Project and Project Yosemite collaborate on a new thrilling movie. They just released the trailer.

I bet this movie is gonna be Hudge ! Just watch the trailer they released in March:

Yosemite HD II Teaser from Project Yosemite on Vimeo.

I would have loved to see how a big man like Muir would have communicated with videos and how he would have captured the way he was looking at Nature. But I admit I feel great emotions with these movies, thus these guys are giving me part of the answer…

What about you? Are these videos creating emotions you feel when hiking or exploring wilde earth?

 Please vote at the top of this post and then share your own experience in the comments at the bottom!

The post What If John Muir Had a Go Pro? – Get Inspiration Hiking Wild Earth appeared first on RootsTraveler.

For those traveling around the world, who wish to hike in England, the South West Coast Path is one of the most stunning walking holidays in this country. Covering over 600 miles it can be split into several beautiful sections.

Cornwall has always been a favourite holiday destination and its dramatic coastline, picturesque villages, vibrant culture and sumptuous cuisine. For those visitors who have travelled to the region, the benefits of a Cornish holiday need no explaining, but for international travelers, who have yet to explore outside of London, a visit to Cornwall will give you a very different taste of English life.

Enjoy this great video to have a taste of it:

I have walked frequently on the paths between St Agnes and the JerichoValley and my boots also practically know each and every curve and turns of the foot-path. This is one of my hot favorite walking destinations and the must-picks of vacationers who want to travel around the world with kids for various reasons.

The long stretches of never ending coastal line are feast for the eyes. The gorgeous beach at Penhale with its turquoise blue water with traces of salt sprinkled in the air. The awesome cliffs bordered by golden-yellow colored gorse, heather, pinkish-white colored thrifts. The easy accessibility and convenient links to all near by pubs and restaurants.

Formerly, St. Agnes was a hub for miners and the ruins of its ancient past can still be seen all along the trails. As per today, this little village is still un spoilt by modern humdrum and is still the hot and loved destination as a family trip or for student travel. The warm villagers, fascinating coastline and golden beaches are always attracting people who want to travel around the world in budget. The village is the right place for walkers as it has all the amenities like furnished cottages, best accommodations, superb cuisine where you can relish on mouth-watering dishes.

As you walk on this path towards South, you will come across a steep climb which is just away from the beautiful Trevaunance Cove. If the tide is low, you can see from above the remnants of former harbor walls, which were washed away by storms in 1915-1916. You may get a chance to see one or two seals which may appear during high tide.

As you walk along the coastal path, you can view some stunning sceneries, but do be careful as part of the pathways are just worn out by time and tide. Just sit and relax on the benches on your path and savor the beauty of Bawden Rocks also called Man and His Man.

As you continue walking towards the inland you will come across:
Beacon which 192-metre high-hill.
Can Brea which is six-miles away.
Padstow – where you can trek and see the surpassing natural beauty.

The Beacon is famous for its amazing legend of a giant named Bolster. The legend goes that Bolster could stand with one foot on Beacon and the other on Can Brea. Stroll along the paths of St. Agnes village which is bustling with locals doing business with people traveling around the world. Stop her and visit some amazing craft shops and art galleries or sip a cup of coffee. If this place has mesmerized you, stay overnight at some good Hotel which provides the best accommodation and services.

Walk ahead and you will see:
Stippy-Stappy – Rows of cottages of sea captains
Trevellas Combe
Jericho Cottage – As the history goes this was once upon a time owned by a well-known Cornish artist John Opie.
Blue Hills Tin Streams – Here you can actually see the traditional way of tin melting.
Trevellas beach – Stop and enjoy paddling on the waters.

From Trevellas beach you walk up hill where the ride is tough steeply ride, but do not worry there are benches for visitors who travel around the world with family. Otherwise peaceful, this area comes to life at Easter where all kinds of cars race on this track.

You can complete your walk in two and half hours, but if you really want to enjoy the century old mystifying beauty of Cornwall, you should tread slowly and complete in four hours. Having done this you can at last behold memories of one of your life’s best holidays traveling around the world.

Have you ever hiked South West England? Where was it? Would you recommend it?

Please vote at the top of this post and then share your own experience in the comments at the bottom!

The post England South West Coast Path: Awesome Hiking Route When Traveling Around The World appeared first on RootsTraveler.

From 2007 till March 12 of 2013, Jeremy Marie, a young Frenchy, made a “free” world tour hitchhiking. He was 25 years old when he left friends and family to see the world!

Jeremy came back in Caen, his native city mid March of 2013 and since, keep sharing its experience and feelings about globetrotting using this uncommon way: hitchhiking.

At a glance:

In all of the 1,752 vehicles that gave him rides, he never once paid a single cent. Jeremy traveled 180,700 kilometers (112,282 miles) in over 100 countries and used many forms of transportation including boats, tractors, historic cars and camels.

He has completed an amazing adventure, in which he spoke to tens of thousands of students and millions through his media interviews. His mission was to promote global understanding and let the world know of the trust that exists between humans.

Read the full interview here (source: www.visualnews.com)

or learn more with this CTV Montreal interview he had when going through Canada after 2 years of traveling.

Enjoy some thrilling moments of Jeremy in this video:

For more information on his world tour, you can see his website here or follow the latest news in his Facebook page.

 What about you? Have you already traveled hitchhiking? Would you dare to do so? Did you experienced any unusual ways of traveling?

Please vote at the top of this post and then share your own experience in the comments at the bottom!

The post He Also Did It! 5 Years World Tour By Hitchhiking appeared first on RootsTraveler.

You said Easter?! Let’s go to a warm and unusual place, one of the top rated wanderlust of so many people: Easter Island !

 “This is the farthest we have come” said Captain Cook in his journal, when he reached the island in 1774.

This island is one of the world’s most isolated place and it’s history remains mysterious and fascinating for us.  Today this carribean inhabited land belongs to Chile and is referred as Rapa Nui. What brings people to this epic isolation? Where is Easter Island? What secrets attract Easter Island travelers more than 2,000 miles (3,700 km) from the nearest population of Chile and Tahiti? Why, RootsTravelers should plan a trip to this “Ends of the earth” destination?

Why You Should Also Consider Making And Easter Island Travel?

1- Introduction: UNESCO World Heritage Site

This fascinating island is also considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995 and much of the island’s land belongs to the Rapa Nui National Park. As an introduction, you should watch this great Unesco video here:

2- Discover Easter Island’s Moai silent stone figures

At a glance:

“Rapa Nui’s mysterious moai statues stand in silence but speak volumes about the achievements of their creators. The stone blocks, carved into head-and-torso figures, average 13 feet (4 meters) tall and 14 tons. The effort to construct these monuments and move them around the island must have been considerable—but no one knows exactly why the Rapa Nui people undertook such a task. Most scholars suspect that the moai were created to honor ancestors, chiefs, or other important personages, However, no written and little oral history exists on the island, so it’s impossible to be certain.”

Read the full article by clicking here (source: www.travel.nationalgeographic.com)

3- Explore the sacred site and face the mysterious spirit of the ancients…and the remaining controversies

“The people of Easter Island called themselves the Rapa Nui. Where did they come from and why did they disappear? Science has learned much about the enigma of Easter Island and has put to rest some of the more bizarre theories, but questions and controversies remain.”

Read the full article by clicking here (source: www.mysteriousplaces.com)

The following video is a fresh investigation of one of the ancient world’s most intriguing enigmas…

“How and why did the ancient islanders build and move nearly 900 giant statues weighing up to 86 tons? And how did they transform a presumed paradise into a treeless wasteland, bringing ruin upon their island and themselves?”

4- Face wilderness and enjoy outdoor activities

There is much to see and to make than visiting the stone heads in Rapa Nui: It’s a wonderful place for outdoor activities like hiking, riding (more horses than people on the island), spelunking, scuba diving in crystal clear water or simply relaxing. Beautiful volcanoes, wild Pacific beaches, rolling hills, mysterious craters and lakes… many hiking paths offer a great way to discover and feel the island spirit. One says we have a superb panoramic views of the island’s solitude from the summit of the Rano Kau, one of the 3 volcanoes. Enjoy this great video above the Island and underwater to enjoy stunning sceneries.

5- A lesson of Life

Despite controversies, people agree  that the Rapa Nui’s demise resulted from an environmental catastrophe of their own making.

“Easter Island’s inhabitants used up all their resources and eventually died out — a lesson for us all.”

Easter island should definitely be on list to live once in a lifetime experience, 1 of the best places to truly get away from it all. What about you? Would you like to get there or have you already been there? Please vote at the top of this post and then share your own experience in the comments at the bottom!

The post The Secret Of Easter appeared first on RootsTraveler.

Hi! I carefully selected a collection of 10 Best Hiking Trails & Routes for travelers who look for wanderlust and want experience rich and authentic adventure with their journeys. I hope you’ll find some inspiration here to set aside time to travel this way and live a truly memorable experience !

Please vote at the top of this post and then give me a feedback : What do you think of this selection? Have you ever hiked one of these ? Where? How long? Did you enjoyed it? …

Let’s share our experiences of travelling and exploring the world !

The post 10 Hiking Trails You Should Walk Once In A Lifetime [infographics] appeared first on RootsTraveler.