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Farfetched as it may seem, the tiny Malaysian mountain town of Kundasang is sometimes compared to the pastoral villages in the Alps. Situated in the northern part of the island of Borneo, Kundasang is nestled in a rugged landscape that has spectacular scenic vistas like in Switzerland, but it’s unlike anywhere I’ve been in Europe, or Southeast Asia for that matter

Picture this: You are in Aleppo, standing in front of what is left of your house. You are reeling with the loss of your mother, your father, your brother, or if the world is particularly cruel, more than one family member

I was on my way to Columbus, GA, when I decided to stop briefly to see the iconic Boll Weevil Monument in Enterprise and was captivated by its perfect small-town Main Street. In 2015, the city dedicated a mural by artist Wes Hardin on a two-story building depicting a huge boll weevil destroying local cotton crops, prompting farmers to turn to peanuts as their main crop. The Alabama Midlands Railroad came to Enterprise in 1898, which started a building boom in the town, which in turn created a need for a railroad depot for passengers. I browsed through Caleb Sasser and Company Antiques and saw many historical souvenirs like an Underwood typewriter, silver candlesticks, and lots of Victorian-era furniture Enterprise may have lost its cotton to the boll weevil, but it owes that tiny pest a big debt of gratitude for making the town what it is today.

Lesser known and far less populated than the long distance trail in British Columbia, the East Coast Trail stretches for more than 300 kilometers from Cappahayden in the south to Cape Spear next to the city of St Johns. Simply put, it was nothing short of terrifying to set foot on a remote trail with no previous hiking experience but the initial pain would soon translate to appreciation as I traveled further into enchanting landscapes on this immense landmass just off the east coast of Canada. In short, I would learn from experience that the East Coast Trail requires no level of fitness or experience while it still offers up a genuinely unique adventure which is certain to exceed the expectations of every traveler who sets foot on the trail. Affordable, immersive and entirely natural; if you yearning for an alternative adventure this year, the question should not be as to whether you should hike the East Coast Trail, but rather how far are you willing to go?