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Whether you don’t like to hike or travel solo, can’t convince anyone from your friends or family group to join you on an exploratory hiking trip, or you simply like the camaraderie and all-inclusive pre-planned schedule group trips offer, a fully guided group trip may be for you. And if you love the outdoors, chances are you’ve heard about REI Adventures trips, which are packed with hiking, camping, lodges, and plenty of other outdoorsy fun. But are REI Adventures worth it (or any group hiking trip, for that matter)? I recently joined REI on their Sedona, Arizona luxury hiking trip to see what these sorts of experiences are all about and who is sure to enjoy them (and who probably won’t).

We recently spent some time in Switzerland! In the Alps, to be specific. In the Engadin region, to be even more specific: In Celerina, a quiet little hamlet tucked in a valley between mountains. And frankly, I can’t imagine staying anywhere else to explore this stunning mountainous region. It’s quiet, cozy, super freakin’ chill, and adventure is literally everywhere. Here are 5 adventures in the Swiss Alps we found totally rad and think you may just, too.

Three days, 32 miles (well, 25 if you do it right), 5 towns, 3 hotels, and a whole lotta mountains. Also ups and downs. LOTS of ups and downs. THIS is hiking in Austria: The Arlberg Trail.
We completed the shiny new trail this September (it opened in 2022) and it. Was. Magical. We’re talking wildlife, majestic landscapes as far as the eye can see, alpine lakes, mountain huts, colorful villages each night, and three days of non-stop, jaw-dropping, holy-cow-these-photos-are-gonna-be-unbelievable vistas.
We’re talking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, here (for most people anyway…we’d totally go back and do it again). Think you’re up for it? Here’s everything you need to know about hiking in Austria on the Arlberg Trail, from the route, to mileage, to booking, to where to eat, and more.

Ticks are the worst. Give me mosquitos any day over ticks. Sure, both can carry disease, but in the U.S. ticks are more likely to give you something gnarly (like Lyme disease or Alpha Gal) that mosquitos. And there’s just something about an insect that sticks its head into your skin to feed off of you and that’s difficult to remove that’s totally unsettling (we feel similarly about leeches). But as much as we hate ticks, we’ll admit that they’re a bit misunderstood. And they definitely shouldn’t keep you from going outside this summer. So we chatted with Dr. Thomas Mather, an expert on all things ticks, to dispel some myths about ticks, explain how to protect yourself, what insect repellents actually work, and what to do if you do get snacked on.

Neck gaiters, neck tubes, multifunctional headwear, balaclavas…whatever you call them, their super duper popular in the great outdoors. And for good reason: they’re a fantastic multi-talker whether you’re hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, camping, kayaking, you name it. You can wear them to protect your neck from the sun in the summer or keep it warm in the winter. Wear it as a sweat band during high-output activities or to keep your hair out of your face. Knot the top and wear it as a hat or pull it over your face and head like a balaclava. It’s a face mask, a hair tie, a sweat mop when wrapped around your wrist, water filter, the possibilities are almost as endless as those offered by a towel (where my HGTTG fans at?). But not all neck gaiters are created equal. Especially where sustainability is concerned. So if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly neck tube, we’ve got you covered. Read on for 5 of the best neck gaiters that are also sustainable.

Houston is a big place. With lots of traffic. And very little parking. It can feel overwhelming. But that’s because it’s got a lot going on in the culture and food departments, not to mention history and business. So it’s definitely worth a visit. The only way to experience the city in our humble opinion? Bike Houston. E-bike Houston, to be precise. So you can go farther faster. That’s why we mounted a pair of electric steeds with Houstonian, cyclist, and micro mobility expert Doogie Roux: so we could zip around the city and feel the breeze in our hair and the sun on our faces, all while not having to worry about parallel parking. Here’s where we went, what we saw, ate, and experienced as we explored Houston by E-bike so you can replicate it on your own ride.

We’re not gonna lie. When Tulsa, Oklahoma was suggested to us as a rad, up-and-coming new destination, we thought someone was yanking our chain. I mean, Oklahoma? Really? But as it turns out, Tulsa’s got a lot going on, from cool places to play outside to good food to history. So don’t snub Tulsa for what you think it is; go explore and find out what the city’s really all about. Here’s our list of outdoor activities and historical attractions in Tulsa.

Ditch heavy hiking boots and narrow toe boxes for a much comfier ride for your feet. The Altra Lone Peak 5 is here, the latest addition to the Lone Peak family, and it’s just as impressive as its predecessors. Maybe better. And yes, they might just be my favorite pair of hiking and backpacking shoes ever. Read on to find out why.

Beaumont, Texas isn’t on most people’s radar. Most Texans aren’t even aware of all the outdoorsy goodness this city in Southeast Texas has to offer. But allow us to remedy that! Because besides being the largest city between Houston and New Orleans, there’s plenty to entice outdoor enthusiasts to make Beaumont more than a pit stop on their way to someplace else (Big Thicket National Preserve, for starters). So grab your day pack and a dry bag or two and get moving! Because there are plenty of things to do outdoors in Beaumont.

If you’re like us, you read the title of this article and abruptly proclaimed, possibly out loud to an entirely vacant room, Where the heck is Door County, Wisconsin?! I get it. We didn’t know either until about two weeks ago. But that’s the whole dang point of these Surprising Destination features, isn’t it? To open your world to new, under-the-radar, totally legit destinations that nobody else is talking about but are still totally baller. So buckle up, because we’re about to introduce you to you new favorite place to lace up those boots and get hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, leaf peeping, apple sampling, lighthouse touring…we could go on, but we’ll just let you keep reading and find out for yourself what a delightfully surprising and outdoorsy destination Door County truly is.