There are plenty of items you’ve planned to get rid of over the winter months. Use Old Stuff Day as an excuse to try out these decluttering hacks.
Vases and Flower Pots
Vases and flower pots will accumulate with each growing season. Make sure you only keep what you need, otherwise you’ll start to get buried by them. You likely don’t even need another flower pot, you probably have the answer in front of you. Check out these awesome DIY planters made from kitchen castoffs.
What to Hold on to
You’ve kept certain items around the house as a reminder of an experience but you don’t need to have the object to trigger a memory. Your mind still holds onto the trip or special day you had that led you to keep a souvenir.
Take a look in kitchen cabinets and make a note of how many plates and glasses you keep. Chances are you don’t need them all.
Get Rid of Books
What is this obsession people have with books? What do you need it for after you’ve read it? Unless you want to keep a book for sentimental reasons or like to re-read one, moving a bunch of books is a pain. They’re heavy and cumbersome. Eliminate some of them by selling them at a Half Price Books or online. But if you’ve got enough books you can’t give up, check out some ideas on how to build a bookcase.
Digitize Whatever You Can
Photos are keepsakes but unless you’re regularly thumbing through books of them, there’s not much reason to keep a physical copy of them. Save yourself some additional moving items by digitizing those photos.
Do the same with any movies or CDs you’ve got sitting around collecting dust. For any remaining CDs or DVDs, make a wall cabinet to save on space and put those old CD bins to use as a twine dispenser.
Bras
The Bra Recyclers have started a recycling campaign where bras can be sent in for reuse. Bras must be wearable and washed prior to being sent. The Bar Recyclers donate surplus bras to nonprofits who need them. Bras that aren’t useable get sent to businesses that can repurpose them, like one that sells the wire. Other businesses can recycle the fabric for carpets or textiles.
Bet you didn’t know these 14 other items can be recycled as well.
Nylons
Nylons need to be cleaned before getting recycled because it melts at a lower temperature. That lower temperature means bacteria can survive.
Timbuk2 will send you a coupon if you choose to recycle your bag from them. Just send your bag to them and once they get a pallet full of bags, they send them to TerraCycle for recycling.
Bureo takes old nylon fishing nets and makes them into skateboards and sunglasses.
Use those nylons to clean around the house.
Crayons and Colored Pencils
Broken crayons can be recycled or turned into DIY picture frames for your favorite teacher. Don’t keep a broken crayon or colored pencil around—it’s broken.
Learn how to take school-based items and make them into gifts.
You can sharpen old knives or get rid of them at a donation center. But don’t keep multiple sets around the house. One good cutting knife should be enough.
Learn how to sharpen knives at home.
Broken Dishes
Just get rid of that chipped plate that makes you cringe every time you use it without realizing that you grabbed that dish. It’s just a pain to eat off of and you’ve got plenty of other plates to choose from. But some people keep them around. You won’t believe why Danes keep broken dishes.
Figure out how to organize a kitchen shelf.
Pantry Items and Spices
Pay attention to those best by dates on some of those pantry items. You might reach for some bay leaves one day and there might not be any aroma left with them.
See how to organize a pantry so everything is clearly visible.
Pet Supplies
Little Fido is spoiled rotten with toys and treats but don’t let it get out of hand. Don’t let him keep an old toy because you think it’s his favorite. He’ll likely find a new favorite given the opportunity.
Check out other tips for dealing with pets.
Exercise Equipment
Working out a gym might be a better fit for you than sitting on that exercise bike at home, so trade in that bike. There are plenty of other people thinking some exercise equipment is the perfect addition to jumpstart an effort to get in shape.
Find out how to downsize so you can make the most of the space in your house.
Broken Furniture
Those furniture rehab projects have sat dormant for a long time now. Are you really going to get started on them or is it becoming a pipedream?
With some hints, you can repair that furniture.
Plastic Storage Containers that no Longer have Lids that Fit
That container used to heat spaghetti has heated one too many noodles and the lid doesn’t fit anymore or even worse, you’ve lost it. Sure a little plastic wrap would make it so you could store food but you’ve likely got other containers you’ve been using.
But if you like think you can repurpose those things, you’ll like creative storage options. You’ll never guess why you should keep an empty egg carton in the bathroom.
Instruments
You were determined to learn how to play piano once—for about a month. Now that keyboard has sat in the corner of the basement for years and you can barely find middle C. Donate that piece of musical equipment to someone who will learn to use it.
Learn how to store difficult items if you really have to keep them around.
Old Potpourri
Potpourri is great for clearing out some smells but it’s not as great when it comes part of your décor. If that potpourri isn’t smelling as sweet as it once did, chuck it. Get something new in there.
If you’ve got some odors you need to get rid of, learn how to eliminate odor.
Games with Missing Pieces
Part of the fun with some board games is if you lost a game piece you made your own but after a while, as more and more pieces disappear it’s best to cut your losses. Monopoly is no fun without the car, dog, top hat and the cannon gone. No one wants to be the thimble. No one.
Learn how to build your own board games and other game room ideas.
Appliances You Don’t Use
Some thoughtful in-law gave you the latest technological advance in drink mixology a couple of years ago. They live three states away and have never stepped foot in your place. You can get rid of that appliance that seems so handy yet has no place in your life.
Or if you like that stuff, find some ideas with smart appliances on the market now.
License Plate
Unless you feel crafty or your garage walls are looking pretty bare, there’s no sense in keeping a set of old license plates around. Sure, you’re a bit nostalgic but take a picture of your plates if you want to remember them.
Prevent theft of your license plates with security screws.
Discarding business cards ought to be part of a digitizing process. Maybe the first time you get a business card is cool but keeping a box of them around isn’t something to brag about.
Get that home office organized with some DIY tips.
Formal Wear
Those bridesmaids dresses have to go after the wedding. You don’t need a 27 Dresses thing going on in your closet. Check out consignment shops to recoup some cash or get a tax write-off by donating it. Either way don’t waste closet space on things you’ve worn once.
Find easy ways to grow your closet space.
Keys
If you’ve got a key that you don’t remember what it goes to, then that’s probably a sign to get rid of it. Try recycling that key instead of throwing it in the trash.
Got a twisted key, learn how to fix a bent key.
Old Freezer Items
There’s likely a bag of frozen vegetables buried somewhere in your freezer and has been for a long time. Go through and check to see what you want to keep. Or come up with a clever device to make things more visible in your freezer.
Check out other cleaning ideas you should check on every once in a while.
Calendars
Some people save calendars to transfer dates and then forget to throw the old one out. If you use a calendar to keep track of things you did during the past year, try saving it in a different format and let time fly by throwing the old calendar in the trash.
Find other tips for organizing a home office.
Word searches and crossword puzzles are fun but they’re not items you frame and throw on a wall. If you’ve got a half-completed book from a vacation, you’re going to forget you still have it by the time you take your next one.
Try recycling those books and discover once and for all what’s really recyclable and what’s not.
Old Halloween Costumes
That Care Bear costume you rocked 10 years ago looked a lot better then and probably fit better, too. As much as you love dressing up for Halloween, what are the chances you want to be the same thing again? That’s the fun of Halloween, you get to dress up as something new every year.
Get some ideas for your next costume with these duct tape creations.
Photo: Courtesy of Destination Imagination
Kids Clothes
Kids grow and those clothes you hoped would make for hand-me-downs don’t fit baby brother or baby sister. Don’t forget to get rid of them if that’s the case. Donate them to a local Salvation Army or donation center.
Keep your kids’ closets neat so you know what they’ve got for clothing.
Furnace Filter
Late fall is probably a good time to check your furnace filter. It’s best to keep the filter clean during the winter in order to keep your furnace running efficiently. A dirty filter can make the furnace work harder to heat a home.
Find which furnace filters are the best before you buy.
Periodicals but not The Family Handyman
If you subscribe to magazines make sure you clear them out after you’re done with them. Don’t hang on to an entire magazine for one story, clip it out and put it somewhere you know to look for it. Except keep every issue of The Family Handyman around. In fact you might want to keep two copies in case one gets spilled on.
Find a place for those magazines with a storage container.
Coupons
Unless you’re waiting for a call to be on Extreme Couponing get rid of all those inserts that come in the paper you don’t need. The grocery store keeps books of coupons by the front door. The nice thing is those coupons have expiration dates so pick a day each month to clean out your coupon folder.
Ditch those coupons and find the 15 things you should buy at Costco.
Cards
Grandma always gets the best birthday cards for you but you’re not obligated to hang on to it for eternity. Establish a rule, George Costanza said the rule is a minimum of two days.
Try keeping a card organizer around during the holidays if you really need to display cards.
Crafting Supplies
The scraps from your craft project five years ago aren’t coming back like a fashion cycle so don’t hang on to them. Use what you can but don’t get set on keeping a bunch of supplies around.
Try organizing those craft items with a pegboard.
Phone Books
A phone book is sort of turning into a historical artifact these days. They’re pretty handy when you have a wobbly table but when you can look up a number on the web from your phone and dial in one touch, it’s hard to justify having a phone book around.
If you really do have a wobbly table or chair, found out how to fix a broken chair.
Takeout Menus
Everything is on the internet today, even the menu for your favorite takeout place, so put all those old menus in the recycle bin. Besides you always get the same thing from that place anyway.
Make sure your recycling bin stays out of the way in the garage with these great recycling bin hangers.
Those old prescription bottles can pile up if you forget to throw them out after you are done with them. Additionally, keeping old pills around can be a safety issue if you have young children. Fortunately there are takeback programs like Take it to the Box where expired medications can be dropped off in a box at a local law enforcement center.
Old prescriptions should never get flushed down the toilet and neither should these items.
Old Makeup
Makeup will dry up if it goes unused and when it does, make sure to toss it. If you keep it around to keep track of what it is, write it down somewhere. Purging your bathroom drawers will open things up for your home. Items such as shampoo and conditioner caps, hair gel tubes, hair spray triggers, lip balm tubes, soap dispensers, mascara tubes, powder cases and eyeliner pencils can be recycled.
Learn other ways to open up your bathroom.
Old Towels or Bedding
Having a few old towels around is helpful for cleaning but they can build up in a hurry if you’re not careful. Go ahead and get rid of them after they’ve outlived their usefulness.
Find out how to keep your linens fresh without chemicals.
Old Glasses
Your prescription changes over time so keeping those old glasses around isn’t helping anybody. The frames might be nice but you don’t really need more than two pairs of glasses. You can donate old glasses to the Lions Club, which has set up Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers.
Take care of your eyes by preventing injuries with safety glasses.
Old Clothes
It’s pretty easy to get rid of old clothes, you just have to bring yourself to admit you’re probably not going to wear that campaign T-shirt from the 1980s again. You can donate them to a local charity or find a donation bin like Disabled American Veterans place near grocery stores.
Still can’t part with that tube top? Find out how to triple your closet storage.
Old Computers
Before getting rid of an old computer, make sure all your personal information has been deleted to prevent identity theft. If you have a laptop check out what kind of battery it has so you can find out what to do with it. Some laptop batteries have special requirements for recycling. Find out some other interesting items you can recycle that you didn’t think you could.
Old Cellphones
According the Environmental Protection Agency, back in 2007 only 10 percent of cellphones got recycled. Drop boxes have sprouted up across the country but you can still contact the cellphone company to send an old phone back. Or you can donate it to one of several charities that have set up recycling programs.
Find out how to boost your cellphone signal at home.
Old Shoes
You found the perfect shoes for that outfit a long time ago and you don’t even wear that outfit anymore, so why not lose the shoes? Or you’ve replaced your lawn mowing shoes three times but still have the previous two pair sitting around. Ditch those shoes, you might even be able to recycle them. Make sure your shoes aren’t stomping all over your mudroom with some shoe storage hacks.
Office Supplies
If you’re swimming in staplers or can’t find your way through the maze of paper clips, highlighters and sticky notes, get rid of it. Don’t make your home office unbearable as well. Check out these home office tips to make your life easier.
Old Cords
You’ve got the power cord for the original Nintendo still but the rest of it has disappeared. Get rid of the cord and any other homeless cords you’ve got laying around. And for those ones that you still need, try organizing them with toilet paper rolls.
Kitchen Items
What’s the point of keeping around plastic silverware at home? How will your guests feel when you hand them the plastic silverware? Do yourself a favor and get rid of that plastic silverware, along with those tiny condiment packets. That relish is about to hit puberty in your fridge.
Learn more about recycling and a six-pack hack worth trying.
Dry Out Your Old Paint
If you have a bunch of almost empty cans of latex paint and don’t want to take them to the recycling center, here’s a tip. Spread a sheet of plastic—painter’s plastic is cheap and readily available at home centers and hardware stores—in an out-of-the way spot and dump a thin layer of paint on it to dry. When the liquid has evaporated, bundle it up and throw it in the trash.
Make sure your paint lasts by doing the right preparation. See what you’re forgetting to do before painting.
We rounded up ten contributors and editors to dish the secrets on their all-time favorite destinations. Here’s the list of places around the world that they came up with.
#1. Colombia
Getting to Los Llanos Orientales, a patchwork of forest, grassy savanna, and wetlands in eastern Colombia, takes effort. From Bogotá, it’s a one-hour flight east to the regional capital of Yopal, followed by a 2.5-hour drive into the bush. But when you arrive, you’ll be rewarded with a stay at Corocora Camp, a new four-tent safari lodge in the heart of a private 22,000-plus-acre nature reserve that’s reminiscent of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Keep an eye out for giant anteaters, pumas, chubby capybaras, and over 200 species of birds as you enjoy aged Colombian rums on your tent’s private terrace. Or search for wildlife on foot, by 4×4, or on horseback with your own private guide. Guests can also partake in the camp’s conservation efforts by setting up camera traps to track jaguars, or visit a nearby ranch to observe how the local llaneros (cowboys) use chants to herd cattle. From $490 —Jen Murphy
Book Now
Taos Ski Valley
(Jimmy Chin)
Taos Ski Valley
(The Blake at Taos Ski Valley)
#2. New Mexico
Taos Ski Valley has seen a renaissance since it was bought by philanthropist Louis Bacon in 2013. In addition to becoming the first B Corp–certified ski resort—it meets the nonprofit’s high standards for environmental and social responsibility—the mountain has seen massive improvements including a new high-speed quad chair and the LEED-certified, 80-room Blake Hotel (from $259). It’s beefing up its summer offerings as well, particularly lift-accessed mountain biking. Two flow trails with 6.5 miles of berms, rollers, and bridges will open this summer, with plans for a total of 15 miles in the future. Off the slope, hit Black Rock Hot Springs, summit 13,161-foot Wheeler Peak, or fish for native cutthroat trout. Big groups: snag room 433 at the Blake, a two-bedroom suite overlooking the base village. —Nicholas Hunt
Book Now
Secret Bay Resort
(Secret Bay)
Secret Bay Resort
(Secret Bay)
#3. Dominica
The 115-mile Waitukubuli National Trail on mountainous Dominica is the Caribbean’s only through-hike. Spanning from the village of Scott’s Head in the south to Cabrits National Park up north, the trail opened in 2013 but was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017. Today all but three of the route’s 14 sections have been entirely rehabbed and are open to the public. Along the way, you’ll pass an 18th-century French settlement, view dormant volcanic peaks, and swim in Emerald Pool beneath a cascading waterfall in 17,000-acre Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Stay at campsites or inns just off the route, or set up base camp at Secret Bay Resort’s brand-new Ti-Fey Villa, a luxurious two-story structure with a kitchen, wraparound deck, and plunge pool (from $705). Day passes $12, 15-day passes $40 —Stephanie Pearson
Book Now
The Lodge at Blue Sky
(The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection)
The Lodge at Blue Sky
(The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection)
The Lodge at Blue Sky
(The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection)
#4. Utah
The Lodge at Blue Sky, which will have its grand opening in May, offers a fresh take on the ranch escape. Forget rustic cabins—accommodations range from 600-square-foot rooms to two-story, two-bedroom suites, each with panoramic views of the 3,500-acre property. And while there’s a 7,400-square-foot spa and classic dude-ranch staples like horseback riding and sport shooting, it’s the year-round mountain adventures—including heli-biking, resort and nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fly-fishing—and the lodge’s exclusive ski-in, ski-out lounge in the Park City Mountain Resort village that steal the show. Blue Sky also takes brag-worthy hotel bars to a new level with an on-site distillery from award-winning Utah whiskey maker High West. Before you sip grain-to-glass cocktails, you can learn about the mashing, milling, and aging process. From $850 —J.M.
Book Now
The Dolomites
(Stefano Politi Markovina/Alamy)
The Dolomites
(Giuseppe Ghedina/Dolomite Mounta)
The Dolomites
(IDM/Alex Filz)
The Dolomites
(Daniel Töchterle)
#5. Italy
Whether you prefer haute or hut cuisine, the Dolomites in Italy’s South Tyrol have the best of both. The region is a culinary melting pot of Italian and Austrian traditions mixed with rustic influences from the local Ladins culture. On weeklong guided or self-guided gourmet ski safaris with adventure outfitter Dolomite Mountains, you’ll earn your turns and meals. Owner Agustina Marmol has spent over a decade finding the area’s top restaurants to customize trips for every palate. You’ll ski between remote rifugios (backcountry huts) that serve hearty dishes like venison polenta and offer lodging, and dine in Michelin-starred restaurants like San Cassiano’s St. Hubertus. In the summer, the outfitter offers a food crawl, where you’ll hike, bike, and climb to reach picnics and restaurants housed in alpine farmhouses. From $2,200 for seven days —J.M.
Book Now
#6-9. Explore the Last Frontier
Why you should go now to Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Creative Commons)
In fall 2017, after nearly four decades of protection, Congress opened part of the 19.6-million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge—one of America’s largest, wildest, and most remote tracts of public land—to oil exploration, which could devastate its ecosystem. For first-time visitors, it’s best to go with a guide. Outfitters like Alaska Alpine Adventures and Wilderness Alaska can build you custom trips, or choose from one of the latter’s eight preset itineraries. Here are our favorite expeditions. —Nick Davidson
Rafting the Kongakut River
For ten days and 42 miles, you’ll float Class II–III rapids from the river’s headwaters at Drain Creek through mountain vales and lupine-studded tundra to Caribou Pass.
Camping for Caribou
Work with your guide to set up base camp on the state’s North Slope in late June to early July and ogle the migrating, 200,000-strong Porcupine herd at its calving grounds on the coastal plain.
Pack-Rafting the Continental Divide
The weeklong 60-mile trek and paddle adventure from the Jago River to the Hulahula takes you along trackless tundra and past 8,000-plus-foot peaks. Bring a pack raft for the smaller waters.
Photographing Polar Bears
Local Inupiat guides from Kaktovik will ferry you on the Beaufort Sea to Barter Island, where dozens of polar bears gather in autumn to scavenge whale carcasses.
Noah Surf House
(Noah Surf House)
Noah Surf House
(Noah Surf House)
Noah Surf House
(Noah Surf House)
#10. Portugal
Noah Surf House looks even better in person. Located an hour north of Lisbon in the small village of Santa Cruz, the resort’s 13 podlike eco-friendly bungalows and a main lodge are just across the street from one of the best breaks in the region, along with the bunk room’s fitness studio, infinity pool, skate park, hot tub, and fire pit. If it isn’t going off, the coast has endless other options, which the in-house guides will drive you to. Don’t miss Noah’s Restaurant and Beach House, just down the hill on the sand of Praia da Fisica, for drippingly fresh seafood and comfy chaises—the perfect place to lounge beachside between surf sessions. Then head up the road to the hotel’s higher-end sister property, Areias do Seixo, for a massage. Pro tip: eat as many pastéis de nata, small Portuguese custard tarts, as you can get your hands on. Bungalows from $181, bunks from $57 —Mary Turner
Book Now
Big Bend National Park (Trevor Paulhus)
#11. Texas
It takes some savvy navigating skills to tackle the newly mapped Big Bend 100, a ten-day self-supported cross-country trek that links existing paths, dirt roads, and sandy arroyos, often with ten or more miles between water sources. In other words, this undertaking requires research, expert backpacking and camping skills, and DIY grit, but the rewards are total solitude, stark desert beauty, and the increasingly rare satisfaction that you’ve completed a through-hike few have even heard of. The route starts at Big Bend Ranch State Park and rambles for 100 miles across creek b and past ancient rock art to the 7,000-foot Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park, where you’ll need backcountry permits to camp each night. The view from the top is sublime, with the Rio Grande and Mexico falling away as far as the eye can see. —S.P.
Patagonia (Upscape)
#12. Chile
The austere mountains, turquoise rivers, and wind-whipped steppe of northern Patagonia feels a lot farther off the grid than famed Torres del Paine National Park in Chile’s southern tip. Get even deeper into the steppe with South American outfitter Upscape, which offers fly-fishing, photography, and trekking trips March through April (the end of austral summer) at a pop-up camp on the Jeinimeni River. Just yards from the Argentinean border, Upscape’s remote camp has 300-square-foot tents with sleeping quarters and a living room, and a communal dining tent for meals of perfectly grilled carne asada. Not that you’ll spend much time there with the monster brown and rainbow trout to be stalked, sunsets behind craggy peaks to be captured, and glacial valleys and alpine lakes to be explored. From $3,950 for five days —S.P.
Book Now
Green River (Josh Miller Photography)
#13. Colorado and Utah
When explorer John Wesley Powell made the historic first descent of the uncharted Green and Colorado Rivers in 1869, which was considered impossible at the time, one boat sank and nearly half the crew abandoned the cause. Things will definitely go more smoothly on OARS’s 150th anniversary re-creation of a portion of the expedition. The 28-day, 466-mile, fully outfitted trip through Colorado and Utah encompasses some of the most iconic landscapes in the Southwest—many of them named by Powell himself—while hitting an overload of Class II–IV whitewater. OARS will run expeditions by raft and dory from Flaming Gorge to Lake Powell in June and September, but if you can’t make the whole enchilada, sign up for the 13-day upper-river or 16-day lower-river section of the trip. $8,899 for the full expedition —Graham Averill
Book Now
Niehku Mountain Villa
(Erik Nissen Johansen)
Niehku Mountain Villa
(David Carlier)
#14. Sweden
In their youth, the owners of Niehku Mountain Villa, a 14-room adventure base 124 miles north of the Arctic Circle, were ski-bum fixtures at Riksgränsen, a nearby resort on the Norwegian border. Today, Johan Lindblom, a ski patroller turned international mountain guide, and Patrik Strömsten, a ski racer turned award-winning sommelier, run what’s arguably the Arctic’s most luxe lodge, complete with a 500-bottle wine cellar and tundra-to-table restaurant. From its doorstep, helicopters can access 60 skiable mountain peaks. And unlike the Alps, where heli-skiing is limited to a handful of prescribed landing spots, the Arctic is a rule-free playground where you can do as many as 15 lines a day. Grabbing first chair at your local hill no longer sounds that impressive, huh? From $4,658 for three-day heli-ski packages, meals and accommodations included —J.M.
Book Now
#13-19. Our Favorite New Cycling Trips
Along for the ride
Croatia
(Duvine Cycling and Adventure)
Arkansas
(Hansi Johnson)
Farm to Fork Fondo
(Farm to Fork Fondo)
Bourbon Trail, Kentucky
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association recently launched three new cycling routes, including a three-day, 188-mile pilgrimage to ten distilleries, notably Woodford Reserve and Maker’s Mark.
Dalmatian Islands, Croatia
For eight days, guests on DuVine Cycling’s Yacht and Bike Tour island-hop around the Adriatic to cycle some of the region’s best routes, from the olive groves of Brac to the ancient fishing villages on the isle of Vis. $7,695
The Ozarks, Arkansas
The International Mountain Bicycling Association’s Epic-designated Upper Buffalo Headwaters Trail is like pizza, says Slaughter Trail Guides founder Dustin Slaughter: “Even when it’s bad, it’s good.” Guided day trips tackle big hills and creek crossings, with opportunities to cool off in blue lagoons. From $95
North Highlands, Scotland
Wilderness Scotland has launched a seven-day road-cycling trip along the North Coast 500, Scotland’s Route 66, which winds past rugged mountains, sweeping beaches, and charming fishing villages. May 11 and June 29; $2,250
Lake Champlain, Vermont
On this edition of the foodie-friendly Farm to Fork Fondo series, routes of 7 to 93 miles around the Champlain Islands include pit stops stocked with local cider slushies and wood-fired pizzas. Finishers are rewarded with a BBQ feast and a pint of regional craft beer. July 21; from $40 —J.M.
Yellowstone safari glamping
(Collective Retreats and Natural Habitat Adventures)
Yellowstone
(Lee Prince/Shutterstock)
#20. Wyoming
Scraping leftovers into a compost pile might not sound like a vacation activity, but on Natural Habitat Adventures’ new seven-day Yellowstone safari, composting is as essential to the experience as camping or hiking. While expert naturalists guide you in search of bison and wolf pups, you’ll also be on an industry-first zero-waste expedition. You’ll drink from reusable water bottles and dine on locally sourced food sans single-use plastics like straws, plates, and cups. Everything that can’t be composted or recycled locally is hauled back to the company’s headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, to be recycled, upcycled, or handed off to TerraCycle, an innovative company that specializes in the reuse of otherwise unprocessable waste. The hope is that the trip will inspire you with the landscape and wildlife while fostering habits you can take home. From $5,695 —S.P.
Book Now
Unleashed Dog Bar (Katlyn Larrieu)
#21. South Carolina
Greenville’s Unleashed Dog Bar is the perfect place for you and your pooch to relax after a long day exploring this burgeoning Southern adventure hub. The 3,500-square-foot on-site dog park features misters and galvanized water troughs to keep your canine cool while you enjoy locals brews, like Catawba Brewing’s White Zombie ale, on the covered patio. In town, bike beside the Reedy River on the 22-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail and refuel along the way at the route’s many breweries and restaurants. Or head into the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains to hike, bike, or paddle. The Class II–V rapids of the Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River, made infamous by their role in the thriller Deliverance, are located just an hour and a half away. —Johanna Flashman
Form Arcosanti
(Saam Gabbay)
Form Arcosanti
(Jon Brandon Cruz)
Form Arcosanti
(Jasmine Safaeian)
#22. Arizona
Every May in the high desert an hour north of Phoenix, the 1970s experimental community Arcosanti plays host to Form, the best house party in the Southwest. For three days, the festival’s 2,000 attendees start the morning with rooftop yoga, then hike the Verde River basin, mingle during discussions of art and climate change, and groove to an eclectic lineup of world-class musicians and DJs playing sets on three stages. The event removes the commercialism, angst, and druggy vibe from the music-fest template and replaces it with inspirational talks, views of the Sonoran Desert, and daily cliffside pool parties. Campsites are included with admission, and a platoon of food trucks are on hand throughout. Or snag one of the glamping tents or an RV. Bookend your trip with a mountain-bike ride on the red-rock trails of Sedona, just an hour’s drive north. This year, festivities run May 10–12. $364 —Will Palmer
Book Now
Kuro Tarangire Lodge
(Kuro Tarangire)
Serengeti Safari Camp
(Serengeti Safari Camp)
Ngorongoro Crater
(Entamanu Ngorongoro)
Ngorongoro Crater
(Entamanu Ngorongoro)
#23. Tanzania
Need to check Africa off your bucket list? There’s no more iconic destination than Tanzania, and for 25 years, Sandy and Chip Cunningham at Outside GO have been refining the perfect itinerary. On their nine-day safari, you’ll travel with a private guide from the foothills of Mount Meru in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro to Serengeti National Park, stopping along the way to view elephants, lion prides, buffalo, and alien-looking baobab trees at Tarangire National Park, as well as one-of-a-kind sunrises over Ngorongoro Crater, at 100 square miles the world’s largest intact caldera. Your housing? A tented camp right on the rim. From $8,295 —N.H.
Tourists
(Peter Crosby)
Tourists
(Peter Crosby)
Tourists
(Nicole Franzen)
#24. Massachusetts
Tourists, a remodeled motor lodge in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, is your home base for exploring the highland region’s mountain peaks, river valleys, and famed cultural institutions like the Tanglewood Music Center and Clark Art Institute. Set on 55 acres in the town of North Adams along the Hoosic River, the 48-room retreat is the brainchild of a group of creatives that include John Stirratt, whose band Wilco puts on the Solid Sound music and arts festival every other summer at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. A network of boardwalks and suspension bridges leads guests to a saltwater pool, art installations, and the Airport Rooms, a craft-cocktail lounge with hearty fare from chef Greg Thomas. The Appalachian Trail runs right through the property, and 3,491-foot Mount Greylock, the state’s highest point, is just half a mile away. From $199 —J.M.
Book Now
Karakter
(Daniel Mysliwiec)
The Jura Uplands
(AB Studio/Alamy)
#25. Poland
Need proof that Eastern Europe is the continent’s new premier destination? Look no further than Krakow. Sitting on the banks of the Vistula River below the 8,000-foot Carpathian Mountains, the city beat out culinary hot spots like Lisbon, Portugal, to become the 2019 European Capital of Gastronomic Culture. And for good reason. Krakow has 26 Michelin-recommended restaurants, such as Karakter, whose chef specializes in making exotic animal parts like bull testicles taste delicious. Burn off those calories pedaling nearly 60 miles of mountain-bike trails in the surrounding hills or by sending some of the thousands of limestone climbing routes in the nearby Jura uplands. Two hours to the south are the majestic, craggy Tatra Mountains, a playground with more than 600 miles of trails known as the Little Alps. —S.P.
Everest Base Camp (MT Sobek)
#26. Nepal
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the outfitter MT Sobek, a California-based adventure travel pioneer and one of the first American companies to offer small-group Himalayan expeditions. Join the celebration on one of its five 20-day pilgrimages to Everest Base Camp this year. Three veteran guides will lead you on a route that hasn’t changed much in the decades since MT Sobek led its first trip in 1969, but that’s a good thing. The dicey flight into the clifftop town of Lukla is an extreme adventure in itself, and staying in Sherpa villages, visiting the iconic Tengboche monastery, and passing rhododendrons in bloom and prayer flags disintegrating in the breeze as you hike more than 8,000 feet up to 17,600-foot Base Camp is one of the world’s most iconic journeys. From $6,695 —S.P.
Book Now
Beaver Island (Frank Solle)
#27. Michigan
Lake Michigan’s 56-square-mile Beaver Island is only accessible by a two-hour ferry ride or puddle-jumper flights from a few nearby cities and towns. But that remoteness has preserved this adventure haven’s rugged character. The island has five inland lakes filled with pike, perch, and bass, lazy dirt roads that are easily navigated by cruiser bike, and Mount Pisgah, a 150-foot sand dune that, with an elevation of 730 feet, is a surprisingly strenuous hike. For a little more adrenaline, expert paddlers can test their skills against the Great Lake along a new 42-mile water trail that passes remote dunes, wetlands, and beaches as it circumnavigates the isle. The St. James Township Campground ($10) overlooking Garden, Squaw, and Whisky Islands is a great spot to observe the northern lights flicker across the sky. —S.P.
Harbor House Inn
(Brendan McGuigan)
Harbor House Inn
(John Storey)
Harbor House Inn
(Harbor House Inn)
#28. California
Perched dramatically atop a 150-foot cliff overlooking the crashing Pacific, the 103-year-old, ten-room Harbor House Inn in tiny Elk, California, completed an eight-year renovation last spring. Book the property’s Shorepine cottage for private-terrace views of 75-foot-high Wharf Rock, a historic natural arch where ships once docked to load lumber. Then wander the private beach, swim beneath the giant trees of Navarro River Redwoods State Park, ride horseback in the inland mountains, or kayak through sea stacks along the craggy coastline. To experience a different taste of the region, head to the inn’s 25-seat dining room, where chef Matthew Kammerer’s eight-to-twelve-course tasting menus are completely foraged, farmed, and harvested within 50 miles. The payoff? Dishes like spring-vegetable nori with smoked oysters, abalone, and sea vegetables. From $355 —S.P.
Book Now
Arctic Watch (Nansen Weber/Weber Arctic)
#29. Canada
Richard Weber and his wife, Josée Auclair, and sons Tessum and Nansen have spent 30 years exploring the polar regions, notching countless records and expeditions, like the first crossing of the Arctic Ocean on skis. The family also runs three lodges spread across the Arctic Archipelago, each offering unique adventures. In July and August at Arctic Watch, the northernmost fly-in lodge on the planet, kayak among icebergs while looking for beluga whales. At Arctic Haven, located on the shores of Ennadai Lake, 450 miles from civilization, you can observe North America’s largest caribou migration in August and September. And in April and May, the family runs the world’s northernmost heli-skiing operation from the Baffin Island hamlet of Clyde River, Nunavut. The only other tracks you’ll see belong to the resident polar bears. From $6,616 for six nights —J.M
Book Now
Whitefish Mountain Resort
(Ben Gavelda)
Whitefish Mountain Resort
(Whitefish Mountain Resort)
#30. Montana
Former Tour Divide champion cyclist Cricket Butler had bikers in mind with every step as she renovated an old barn in northern Montana. The result? The Whitefish Bike Retreat, a simple, tasteful lodge that serves as a base camp for bikepackers weary from the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which passes by six miles away, and rippers looking to explore some of the state’s best trails. Private rooms start at $110, or you can pitch your own tent for $40. Stay in the lodge and you’ll have access to the wood-fired sauna, repair shop, hot showers, and bike wash. As for where to ride, there’s a private skills park on the property, and the 42-mile Whitefish Trail offers machine-cut cross-country routes right out the back door. Nearby Spencer Mountain has freeride terrain, and Whitefish Mountain Resort boasts lift-served downhill galore. —G.A.
Book Now
Milford Sound
(Milford Sound Lodge)
Milford Sound
(travellinglight/Alamy)
#31. New Zealand
What nobody tells you about Milford Sound—that World Heritage site and most dramatic of New Zealand fjords—is that there’s (almost) no place to stay. Instead, buses shuttle in day-trippers from Te Anau, an adventure base two hours south, and deposit them onto giant boats for a loop of the fjord. But those in the know will have secured a bunk bed, camper spot, or small river chalet months in advance at Milford Sound Lodge (from $27, $40, and $307, respectively). Kayak to the fjord’s 500-foot waterfalls, fly-fish the wide, graveled Cleddau River outside your door, and indulge in local pinot noir and Stewart Island salmon at the on-site Pio Pio Café. But the best part is the sense of peace and awe when the last tour bus pulls out of sight. —Elizabeth Hightower Allen
Book Now
New River Gorge (Harrison Shull/Aurora/Alamy)
#32. West Virginia
OK, it’s not actually infinite, but with over 200 trad and sport-climbing routes strewn along three miles of world-class sandstone high above the New River Gorge, the Endless Wall sure feels that way. All-day sun makes cool weather ideal for classics like Fantasy, a 5.8 trad crack route that’s one of the crag’s few double pitches. Climbers comfortable leading 5.10’s will get the most out of the area, but the gorge is filled with more than 1,400 established routes to session. There’s also 60 miles of mountain-biking trails, trout-filled tributaries, and Class III–V rapids to explore. To refuel, grab a beer and a grape and Gorgonzola pizza at Fayetteville’s Pies and Pints. It’s just four miles from the American Alpine Club’s official campground ($30). —Abigail Wise
Book Now
Morocco
(Surf Maroc)
Morocco
(Surf Maroc)
Morocco
(Surf Maroc)
#33. Morocco
With four lodging options in Taghazout, British expats Ben O’Hara and Ollie Boswell have put this laid-back surf village on any boarder’s bucket list. The duo’s newest chic offering, Amouage by Surf Maroc, opened in 2016 and is perched over a point break on a coastline riddled with good waves. And the boutique hotel’s local guides and instructors know a thing or two about where the swell is. The best waves are November through March, and pending conditions, the guides might drive you an hour and a half north to the hamlet of Imsouane or put you in the water right out front. Meals are family style, and the mostly European guests are eager to exchange wipeout stories while lounging on Moroccan poufs. Too tired or sore to surf? There’s yoga in a glass-walled room overlooking the sea, masseuses to knead throbbing arms, and an infinity pool with views of the waves you’re missing. Seven-day packages start at $644, all-inclusive —M.T.
Book Now
We rounded up ten contributors and editors to dish the secrets on their all-time favorite destinations. Here’s the list of places around the world that they came up with.
Corocora Camp (Corocora Camp)
#1. Colombia
Getting to Los Llanos Orientales, a patchwork of forest, grassy savanna, and wetlands in eastern Colombia, takes effort. From Bogotá, it’s a one-hour flight east to the regional capital of Yopal, followed by a 2.5-hour drive into the bush. But when you arrive, you’ll be rewarded with a stay at Corocora Camp, a new four-tent safari lodge in the heart of a private 22,000-plus-acre nature reserve that’s reminiscent of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Keep an eye out for giant anteaters, pumas, chubby capybaras, and over 200 species of birds as you enjoy aged Colombian rums on your tent’s private terrace. Or search for wildlife on foot, by 4x4, or on horseback with your own private guide. Guests can also partake in the camp’s conservation efforts by setting up camera traps to track jaguars, or visit a nearby ranch to observe how the local llaneros (cowboys) use chants to herd cattle. From $490 —Jen Murphy
BOOK NOW
Taos Ski Valley (Jimmy Chin)
#2. New Mexico
Taos Ski Valley has seen a renaissance since it was bought by philanthropist Louis Bacon in 2013. In addition to becoming the first B Corp–certified ski resort—it meets the nonprofit’s high standards for environmental and social responsibility—the mountain has seen massive improvements including a new high-speed quad chair and the LEED-certified, 80-room Blake Hotel (from $259). It’s beefing up its summer offerings as well, particularly lift-accessed mountain biking. Two flow trails with 6.5 miles of berms, rollers, and bridges will open this summer, with plans for a total of 15 miles in the future. Off the slope, hit Black Rock Hot Springs, summit 13,161-foot Wheeler Peak, or fish for native cutthroat trout. Big groups: snag room 433 at the Blake, a two-bedroom suite overlooking the base village. —Nicholas Hunt
BOOK NOW
Secret Bay Resort (Secret Bay)
#3. Dominica
The 115-mile Waitukubuli National Trail on mountainous Dominica is the Caribbean’s only through-hike. Spanning from the village of Scott’s Head in the south to Cabrits National Park up north, the trail opened in 2013 but was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017. Today all but three of the route’s 14 sections have been entirely rehabbed and are open to the public. Along the way, you’ll pass an 18th-century French settlement, view dormant volcanic peaks, and swim in Emerald Pool beneath a cascading waterfall in 17,000-acre Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Stay at campsites or inns just off the route, or set up base camp at Secret Bay Resort’s brand-new Ti-Fey Villa, a luxurious two-story structure with a kitchen, wraparound deck, and plunge pool (from $705). Day passes $12, 15-day passes $40 —Stephanie Pearson
BOOK NOW
The Lodge at Blue Sky (The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection)
#4. Utah
The Lodge at Blue Sky, which will have its grand opening in May, offers a fresh take on the ranch escape. Forget rustic cabins—accommodations range from 600-square-foot rooms to two-story, two-bedroom suites, each with panoramic views of the 3,500-acre property. And while there’s a 7,400-square-foot spa and classic dude-ranch staples like horseback riding and sport shooting, it’s the year-round mountain adventures—including heli-biking, resort and nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fly-fishing—and the lodge’s exclusive ski-in, ski-out lounge in the Park City Mountain Resort village that steal the show. Blue Sky also takes brag-worthy hotel bars to a new level with an on-site distillery from award-winning Utah whiskey maker High West. Before you sip grain-to-glass cocktails, you can learn about the mashing, milling, and aging process. From $850 —J.M.
Whether you prefer haute or hut cuisine, the Dolomites in Italy’s South Tyrol have the best of both. The region is a culinary melting pot of Italian and Austrian traditions mixed with rustic influences from the local Ladins culture. On weeklong guided or self-guided gourmet ski safaris with adventure outfitter Dolomite Mountains, you’ll earn your turns and meals. Owner Agustina Marmol has spent over a decade finding the area’s top restaurants to customize trips for every palate. You’ll ski between remote rifugios (backcountry huts) that serve hearty dishes like venison polenta and offer lodging, and dine in Michelin-starred restaurants like San Cassiano’s St. Hubertus. In the summer, the outfitter offers a food crawl, where you’ll hike, bike, and climb to reach picnics and restaurants housed in alpine farmhouses. From $2,200 for seven days —J.M.
BOOK NOW
#6-9. Explore the Last Frontier
Why you should go now to Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Creative Commons)
In fall 2017, after nearly four decades of protection, Congress opened part of the 19.6-million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge—one of America’s largest, wildest, and most remote tracts of public land—to oil exploration, which could devastate its ecosystem. For first-time visitors, it’s best to go with a guide. Outfitters like Alaska Alpine Adventures and Wilderness Alaska can build you custom trips, or choose from one of the latter’s eight preset itineraries. Here are our favorite expeditions. —Nick Davidson
Rafting the Kongakut River
For ten days and 42 miles, you’ll float Class II–III rapids from the river’s headwaters at Drain Creek through mountain vales and lupine-studded tundra to Caribou Pass.
Camping for Caribou
Work with your guide to set up base camp on the state’s North Slope in late June to early July and ogle the migrating, 200,000-strong Porcupine herd at its calving grounds on the coastal plain.
Pack-Rafting the Continental Divide
The weeklong 60-mile trek and paddle adventure from the Jago River to the Hulahula takes you along trackless tundra and past 8,000-plus-foot peaks. Bring a pack raft for the smaller waters.
Photographing Polar Bears
Local Inupiat guides from Kaktovik will ferry you on the Beaufort Sea to Barter Island, where dozens of polar bears gather in autumn to scavenge whale carcasses.
Noah Surf House (Noah Surf House)
#10. Portugal
Noah Surf House looks even better in person. Located an hour north of Lisbon in the small village of Santa Cruz, the resort’s 13 podlike eco-friendly bungalows and a main lodge are just across the street from one of the best breaks in the region, along with the bunk room’s fitness studio, infinity pool, skate park, hot tub, and fire pit. If it isn’t going off, the coast has endless other options, which the in-house guides will drive you to. Don’t miss Noah’s Restaurant and Beach House, just down the hill on the sand of Praia da Fisica, for drippingly fresh seafood and comfy chaises—the perfect place to lounge beachside between surf sessions. Then head up the road to the hotel’s higher-end sister property, Areias do Seixo, for a massage. Pro tip: eat as many pastéis de nata, small Portuguese custard tarts, as you can get your hands on. Bungalows from $181, bunks from $57 —Mary Turner
BOOK NOWBig Bend National Park (Trevor Paulhus)
#11. Texas
It takes some savvy navigating skills to tackle the newly mapped Big Bend 100, a ten-day self-supported cross-country trek that links existing paths, dirt roads, and sandy arroyos, often with ten or more miles between water sources. In other words, this undertaking requires research, expert backpacking and camping skills, and DIY grit, but the rewards are total solitude, stark desert beauty, and the increasingly rare satisfaction that you’ve completed a through-hike few have even heard of. The route starts at Big Bend Ranch State Park and rambles for 100 miles across creek beds and past ancient rock art to the 7,000-foot Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park, where you’ll need backcountry permits to camp each night. The view from the top is sublime, with the Rio Grande and Mexico falling away as far as the eye can see. —S.P.
Patagonia (Upscape)
#12. Chile
The austere mountains, turquoise rivers, and wind-whipped steppe of northern Patagonia feels a lot farther off the grid than famed Torres del Paine National Park in Chile’s southern tip. Get even deeper into the steppe with South American outfitter Upscape, which offers fly-fishing, photography, and trekking trips March through April (the end of austral summer) at a pop-up camp on the Jeinimeni River. Just yards from the Argentinean border, Upscape’s remote camp has 300-square-foot tents with sleeping quarters and a living room, and a communal dining tent for meals of perfectly grilled carne asada. Not that you’ll spend much time there with the monster brown and rainbow trout to be stalked, sunsets behind craggy peaks to be captured, and glacial valleys and alpine lakes to be explored. From $3,950 for five days —S.P.
BOOK NOWGreen River (Josh Miller Photography)
#13. Colorado and Utah
When explorer John Wesley Powell made the historic first descent of the uncharted Green and Colorado Rivers in 1869, which was considered impossible at the time, one boat sank and nearly half the crew abandoned the cause. Things will definitely go more smoothly on OARS’s 150th anniversary re-creation of a portion of the expedition. The 28-day, 466-mile, fully outfitted trip through Colorado and Utah encompasses some of the most iconic landscapes in the Southwest—many of them named by Powell himself—while hitting an overload of Class II–IV whitewater. OARS will run expeditions by raft and dory from Flaming Gorge to Lake Powell in June and September, but if you can’t make the whole enchilada, sign up for the 13-day upper-river or 16-day lower-river section of the trip. $8,899 for the full expedition —Graham Averill
BOOK NOW
Niehku Mountain Villa (Erik Nissen Johansen)
#14. Sweden
In their youth, the owners of Niehku Mountain Villa, a 14-room adventure base 124 miles north of the Arctic Circle, were ski-bum fixtures at Riksgränsen, a nearby resort on the Norwegian border. Today, Johan Lindblom, a ski patroller turned international mountain guide, and Patrik Strömsten, a ski racer turned award-winning sommelier, run what’s arguably the Arctic’s most luxe lodge, complete with a 500-bottle wine cellar and tundra-to-table restaurant. From its doorstep, helicopters can access 60 skiable mountain peaks. And unlike the Alps, where heli-skiing is limited to a handful of prescribed landing spots, the Arctic is a rule-free playground where you can do as many as 15 lines a day. Grabbing first chair at your local hill no longer sounds that impressive, huh? From $4,658 for three-day heli-ski packages, meals and accommodations included —J.M.
BOOK NOW
#13-19. Our Favorite New Cycling Trips
Along for the ride
Croatia (Duvine Cycling and Adventure)
Bourbon Trail, Kentucky
The Kentucky Distillers’ Association recently launched three new cycling routes, including a three-day, 188-mile pilgrimage to ten distilleries, notably Woodford Reserve and Maker’s Mark.
Dalmatian Islands, Croatia
For eight days, guests on DuVine Cycling’s Yacht and Bike Tour island-hop around the Adriatic to cycle some of the region’s best routes, from the olive groves of Brac to the ancient fishing villages on the isle of Vis. $7,695
The Ozarks, Arkansas
The International Mountain Bicycling Association’s Epic-designated Upper Buffalo Headwaters Trail is like pizza, says Slaughter Trail Guides founder Dustin Slaughter: “Even when it’s bad, it’s good.” Guided day trips tackle big hills and creek crossings, with opportunities to cool off in blue lagoons. From $95
North Highlands, Scotland
Wilderness Scotland has launched a seven-day road-cycling trip along the North Coast 500, Scotland’s Route 66, which winds past rugged mountains, sweeping beaches, and charming fishing villages. May 11 and June 29; $2,250
Lake Champlain, Vermont
On this edition of the foodie-friendly Farm to Fork Fondo series, routes of 7 to 93 miles around the Champlain Islands include pit stops stocked with local cider slushies and wood-fired pizzas. Finishers are rewarded with a BBQ feast and a pint of regional craft beer. July 21; from $40 —J.M.
Yellowstone safari glamping (Collective Retreats and Natural Habitat Adventures)
#20. Wyoming
Scraping leftovers into a compost pile might not sound like a vacation activity, but on Natural Habitat Adventures’ new seven-day Yellowstone safari, composting is as essential to the experience as camping or hiking. While expert naturalists guide you in search of bison and wolf pups, you’ll also be on an industry-first zero-waste expedition. You’ll drink from reusable water bottles and dine on locally sourced food sans single-use plastics like straws, plates, and cups. Everything that can’t be composted or recycled locally is hauled back to the company’s headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, to be recycled, upcycled, or handed off to TerraCycle, an innovative company that specializes in the reuse of otherwise unprocessable waste. The hope is that the trip will inspire you with the landscape and wildlife while fostering habits you can take home. From $5,695 —S.P.
BOOK NOWUnleashed Dog Bar (Katlyn Larrieu)
#21. South Carolina
Greenville’s Unleashed Dog Bar is the perfect place for you and your pooch to relax after a long day exploring this burgeoning Southern adventure hub. The 3,500-square-foot on-site dog park features misters and galvanized water troughs to keep your canine cool while you enjoy locals brews, like Catawba Brewing’s White Zombie ale, on the covered patio. In town, bike beside the Reedy River on the 22-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail and refuel along the way at the route’s many breweries and restaurants. Or head into the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains to hike, bike, or paddle. The Class II–V rapids of the Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River, made infamous by their role in the thriller Deliverance, are located just an hour and a half away. —Johanna Flashman
Form Arcosanti (Saam Gabbay)
#22. Arizona
Every May in the high desert an hour north of Phoenix, the 1970s experimental community Arcosanti plays host to Form, the best house party in the Southwest. For three days, the festival’s 2,000 attendees start the morning with rooftop yoga, then hike the Verde River basin, mingle during discussions of art and climate change, and groove to an eclectic lineup of world-class musicians and DJs playing sets on three stages. The event removes the commercialism, angst, and druggy vibe from the music-fest template and replaces it with inspirational talks, views of the Sonoran Desert, and daily cliffside pool parties. Campsites are included with admission, and a platoon of food trucks are on hand throughout. Or snag one of the glamping tents or an RV. Bookend your trip with a mountain-bike ride on the red-rock trails of Sedona, just an hour’s drive north. This year, festivities run May 10–12. $364 —Will Palmer
Need to check Africa off your bucket list? There’s no more iconic destination than Tanzania, and for 25 years, Sandy and Chip Cunningham at Outside GO have been refining the perfect itinerary. On their nine-day safari, you’ll travel with a private guide from the foothills of Mount Meru in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro to Serengeti National Park, stopping along the way to view elephants, lion prides, buffalo, and alien-looking baobab trees at Tarangire National Park, as well as one-of-a-kind sunrises over Ngorongoro Crater, at 100 square miles the world’s largest intact caldera. Your housing? A tented camp right on the rim. From $8,295 —N.H.
Tourists (Peter Crosby)
#24. Massachusetts
Tourists, a remodeled motor lodge in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, is your home base for exploring the highland region’s mountain peaks, river valleys, and famed cultural institutions like the Tanglewood Music Center and Clark Art Institute. Set on 55 acres in the town of North Adams along the Hoosic River, the 48-room retreat is the brainchild of a group of creatives that include John Stirratt, whose band Wilco puts on the Solid Sound music and arts festival every other summer at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. A network of boardwalks and suspension bridges leads guests to a saltwater pool, art installations, and the Airport Rooms, a craft-cocktail lounge with hearty fare from chef Greg Thomas. The Appalachian Trail runs right through the property, and 3,491-foot Mount Greylock, the state’s highest point, is just half a mile away. From $199 —J.M.
BOOK NOW
Karakter (Daniel Mysliwiec)
#25. Poland
Need proof that Eastern Europe is the continent’s new premier destination? Look no further than Krakow. Sitting on the banks of the Vistula River below the 8,000-foot Carpathian Mountains, the city beat out culinary hot spots like Lisbon, Portugal, to become the 2019 European Capital of Gastronomic Culture. And for good reason. Krakow has 26 Michelin-recommended restaurants, such as Karakter, whose chef specializes in making exotic animal parts like bull testicles taste delicious. Burn off those calories pedaling nearly 60 miles of mountain-bike trails in the surrounding hills or by sending some of the thousands of limestone climbing routes in the nearby Jura uplands. Two hours to the south are the majestic, craggy Tatra Mountains, a playground with more than 600 miles of trails known as the Little Alps. —S.P.
Everest Base Camp (MT Sobek)
#26. Nepal
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the outfitter MT Sobek, a California-based adventure travel pioneer and one of the first American companies to offer small-group Himalayan expeditions. Join the celebration on one of its five 20-day pilgrimages to Everest Base Camp this year. Three veteran guides will lead you on a route that hasn’t changed much in the decades since MT Sobek led its first trip in 1969, but that’s a good thing. The dicey flight into the clifftop town of Lukla is an extreme adventure in itself, and staying in Sherpa villages, visiting the iconic Tengboche monastery, and passing rhododendrons in bloom and prayer flags disintegrating in the breeze as you hike more than 8,000 feet up to 17,600-foot Base Camp is one of the world’s most iconic journeys. From $6,695 —S.P.
BOOK NOWBeaver Island (Frank Solle)
#27. Michigan
Lake Michigan’s 56-square-mile Beaver Island is only accessible by a two-hour ferry ride or puddle-jumper flights from a few nearby cities and towns. But that remoteness has preserved this adventure haven’s rugged character. The island has five inland lakes filled with pike, perch, and bass, lazy dirt roads that are easily navigated by cruiser bike, and Mount Pisgah, a 150-foot sand dune that, with an elevation of 730 feet, is a surprisingly strenuous hike. For a little more adrenaline, expert paddlers can test their skills against the Great Lake along a new 42-mile water trail that passes remote dunes, wetlands, and beaches as it circumnavigates the isle. The St. James Township Campground ($10) overlooking Garden, Squaw, and Whisky Islands is a great spot to observe the northern lights flicker across the sky. —S.P.
Harbor House Inn (Brendan McGuigan)
#28. California
Perched dramatically atop a 150-foot cliff overlooking the crashing Pacific, the 103-year-old, ten-room Harbor House Inn in tiny Elk, California, completed an eight-year renovation last spring. Book the property’s Shorepine cottage for private-terrace views of 75-foot-high Wharf Rock, a historic natural arch where ships once docked to load lumber. Then wander the private beach, swim beneath the giant trees of Navarro River Redwoods State Park, ride horseback in the inland mountains, or kayak through sea stacks along the craggy coastline. To experience a different taste of the region, head to the inn’s 25-seat dining room, where chef Matthew Kammerer’s eight-to-twelve-course tasting menus are completely foraged, farmed, and harvested within 50 miles. The payoff? Dishes like spring-vegetable nori with smoked oysters, abalone, and sea vegetables. From $355 —S.P.
BOOK NOWArctic Watch (Nansen Weber/Weber Arctic)
#29. Canada
Richard Weber and his wife, Josée Auclair, and sons Tessum and Nansen have spent 30 years exploring the polar regions, notching countless records and expeditions, like the first crossing of the Arctic Ocean on skis. The family also runs three lodges spread across the Arctic Archipelago, each offering unique adventures. In July and August at Arctic Watch, the northernmost fly-in lodge on the planet, kayak among icebergs while looking for beluga whales. At Arctic Haven, located on the shores of Ennadai Lake, 450 miles from civilization, you can observe North America’s largest caribou migration in August and September. And in April and May, the family runs the world’s northernmost heli-skiing operation from the Baffin Island hamlet of Clyde River, Nunavut. The only other tracks you’ll see belong to the resident polar bears. From $6,616 for six nights —J.M
BOOK NOW
Whitefish Mountain Resort (Ben Gavelda)
#30. Montana
Former Tour Divide champion cyclist Cricket Butler had bikers in mind with every step as she renovated an old barn in northern Montana. The result? The Whitefish Bike Retreat, a simple, tasteful lodge that serves as a base camp for bikepackers weary from the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which passes by six miles away, and rippers looking to explore some of the state’s best trails. Private rooms start at $110, or you can pitch your own tent for $40. Stay in the lodge and you’ll have access to the wood-fired sauna, repair shop, hot showers, and bike wash. As for where to ride, there’s a private skills park on the property, and the 42-mile Whitefish Trail offers machine-cut cross-country routes right out the back door. Nearby Spencer Mountain has freeride terrain, and Whitefish Mountain Resort boasts lift-served downhill galore. —G.A.
BOOK NOW
Milford Sound (Milford Sound Lodge)
#31. New Zealand
What nobody tells you about Milford Sound—that World Heritage site and most dramatic of New Zealand fjords—is that there’s (almost) no place to stay. Instead, buses shuttle in day-trippers from Te Anau, an adventure base two hours south, and deposit them onto giant boats for a loop of the fjord. But those in the know will have secured a bunk bed, camper spot, or small river chalet months in advance at Milford Sound Lodge (from $27, $40, and $307, respectively). Kayak to the fjord’s 500-foot waterfalls, fly-fish the wide, graveled Cleddau River outside your door, and indulge in local pinot noir and Stewart Island salmon at the on-site Pio Pio Café. But the best part is the sense of peace and awe when the last tour bus pulls out of sight. —Elizabeth Hightower Allen
BOOK NOWNew River Gorge (Harrison Shull/Aurora/Alamy)
#32. West Virginia
OK, it’s not actually infinite, but with over 200 trad and sport-climbing routes strewn along three miles of world-class sandstone high above the New River Gorge, the Endless Wall sure feels that way. All-day sun makes cool weather ideal for classics like Fantasy, a 5.8 trad crack route that’s one of the crag’s few double pitches. Climbers comfortable leading 5.10’s will get the most out of the area, but the gorge is filled with more than 1,400 established routes to session. There’s also 60 miles of mountain-biking trails, trout-filled tributaries, and Class III–V rapids to explore. To refuel, grab a beer and a grape and Gorgonzola pizza at Fayetteville’s Pies and Pints. It’s just four miles from the American Alpine Club’s official campground ($30). —Abigail Wise
BOOK NOW
Morocco (Surf Maroc)
#33. Morocco
With four lodging options in Taghazout, British expats Ben O’Hara and Ollie Boswell have put this laid-back surf village on any boarder’s bucket list. The duo’s newest chic offering, Amouage by Surf Maroc, opened in 2016 and is perched over a point break on a coastline riddled with good waves. And the boutique hotel’s local guides and instructors know a thing or two about where the swell is. The best waves are November through March, and pending conditions, the guides might drive you an hour and a half north to the hamlet of Imsouane or put you in the water right out front. Meals are family style, and the mostly European guests are eager to exchange wipeout stories while lounging on Moroccan poufs. Too tired or sore to surf? There’s yoga in a glass-walled room overlooking the sea, masseuses to knead throbbing arms, and an infinity pool with views of the waves you’re missing. Seven-day packages start at $644, all-inclusive —M.T.
A UFSC ganha mais um ponto de coleta de esponjas utilizadas. A UFSC possui um ponto de coleta de esponjas usadas no prédio da Engenharia Sanitária e Ambiental na UFSC (CTC) , criado pela pós-doutoranda Elisângela Schneider . O ponto está localizado no primeiro andar do departamento, em cima do coletor da Coleta Seletiva da UFSC.
Local musicians are invited to attend a free recycle and restring event at Alvas Music in San Pedro, CA on Saturday, March 23, 2019 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Sponsored by D’Addario and TerraCycle, musicians can bring any old instrument strings for recycling and get their electric or acoustic guitars restrung with D’Addario NYXL or Nickel Bronze Acoustic strings. Old strings collected during the event will be recycled through Playback, D’Addario’s free, national recycling program.
Specialty retailers are also joining the packaging revolution. REN Clean Skincare is a good example of a retailer that is making environmentally-friendly packaging part of its offering. The company kicked off the campaign with a splashing Earth Day celebration featuring its new partner, the Surfrider Foundation. The campaign was aimed at making REN customers aware of the need to conserve water and keep beaches clean and plastic-free.
The company is selling some of its skincare products in bottles made from plastic reclaimed from the ocean. The bottle is part of REN’s Clean to Planet initiative to become a 100% zero waste company by 2021. The bottle is made by TerraCycle, a recycling based in New Jersey. TerraCycle specializes in materials that are hard to recycle. The company claims to have collected over 300,000 pounds of beach plastic in cooperation with collection partners.
The recycled plastic bottles get quite a bit of attention. However, REN is doing far more that is less noticeable. The company is cutting down on paper waste by eliminating card board boxes for some products. REN is also removing double labels, relying on a new single-layer label to display legal requirements and product instructions.
REN Skincare was acquired by Unilever N.V. (UN: NYSE) in 2015. The unit is estimated to contribute $9 million in annual sales. In the greater scheme of things at Unilever, its shares do not reflect REN and its efforts to clean up and make useful ocean plastic. Nonetheless, REN’s efforts show that one step has been taken in the right direction to make Unilever a part of the solution and not just a part of the problem of packaging waste.
Neither the author of the Small Cap Strategist web log, Crystal Equity Research nor its affiliates have a beneficial interest in the companies mentioned herein.
As legal cannabis consumers become acquainted with each new producer and product to hit their shelves, how those offerings are presented is becoming a bit of a controversy. The result has been a mixed reaction, both proactive and reactive, with an array of producfts from leading producers such as Plus Products Inc. (OTC:PLSPF) (CSE: PLUS), Canopy Growth Corporation (NYSE: CGC) (TSX: WEED), CannTrust Holdings Inc. (OTC:CNTTF) (TSX:TRST), Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY), and KushCo Holdings, Inc. (OTC:KSHB).
While Canada’s cannabis buyers have to wait until October 2019 for cannabis edibles to become legal, California’s market is already getting its packaging laws in order. Leading the way in California is Plus Products (OTC:PLSPF) (CSE: PLUS), which now dominates the state’s edibles sector with 3 of the Top 5 cannabis products. As a market leader, the company is now being proactive in its move to roll out child-resistant (CR) tins across the state, well in advance of a January 2020 California deadline.
In the Canadian market, the proposal for responsible packaging has been met with some resistance by producers—citing waste and other concerns.
“Most cannabis consumers care very much about the environment and we’ve already gotten a lot of flak from the public,” said Allan Rewak, executive director of the Cannabis Council of Canada a group that represents licensed producers in an interview with Post Media.
“You’re going to see plastic containers piled up outside stores with people putting (edibles) all in one container.”
At the moment, the Canadian restrictions are primarily limiting to quantity per package. In California, the restrictions are focused on the appearance and function of the containers.
According to the California Department of Public Health’s FAQ website:
“Cannabis product packaging cannot resemble traditionally available food packages and must be tamper-evident, re-sealable if the product includes multiple servings, and child-resistant. In addition, packaging for edibles must be opaque. All manufactured products must be packaged according to regulatory standards before they are released to a distributor.”EMBRACING THE PACKAGING CHALLENGE
In a release this week, Plus Products Inc. (OTC:PLSPF) (CSE: PLUS) has gotten out ahead of the new law, announcing the redesign of its signature tins, to deliver its popular gummies in new CR packaging—in compliance approximately one full year ahead of the state’s deadline.
“The convenience of our packaging is an important part of what has made PLUS successful. We are proud that we were able to keep the best elements of that experience while bringing to market a new tin that is child resistant, convenient, and still completely recyclable,” said Jake Heimark, CEO of Plus Products Inc.
“We believe the top cannabis brands have a responsibility to lead the industry in a safe direction. We searched the globe for the best child resistant packaging and found it in these tins. It is difficult to achieve child resistance without compromising the portability and practicality of the consumer experience. We believe the tins we are launching this week are an elegant solution to a difficult problem, and are an important step in PLUS continuing to make cannabis safe and approachable.”
The company’s new tins going forward are made of recyclable tinplate steel with a polypropylene insert, and are already available at select outlets in California. The tins are certified according to the Code of Federal Regulations 16 CFR § 1,700.20, and are opened with a press and twist method, similar to a prescription medicine bottle.
It’s doubtful that the new packaging will impact the company’s sales, which lead the state according to BDS Analytics during Q4 2018. PLUS currently produces 3 of the top-5 best-selling branded products in all product categories including flower, vaporizers, edibles and topicals. PLUS “Uplift” and PLUS “Restore” remained the #1 and #2 best-selling SKUs. PLUS “CBD Relief” was the #5 best-selling SKU, and the top CBD-only SKU.
CALIFORNIA LEADING THE PACK
The importance of the edibles market cannot be stressed enough. In a recent BDS Analytics report, the research firm projected sales in the edibles market to surpass $4.1 billion by 2022.
California is currently the largest and most important cannabis market in the world—larger even than the entire country of Canada. In comparison, Canada is only expected to yield $2.7 billion in 2019 legal sales, whereas California already hit $2.5 billion in sales in 2018, and is expected to grow rapidly.
Over the course of its long history since legalizing medical marijuana, California has grown its product selection to more than 250 brands of edibles.
While the California edibles market grew steadlily, Plus Products Inc. (OTC:PLSPF) (CSE:PLUS) managed to get itself to the top of the sector with its premiere cannabis gummies products.
Since hitting the California scene ranked #43 in Q2 2017, less than two years later the company now has 3 of the best-selling branded products in all product categories, including flower, vaporizers, edibles and topicals—Over that time, Plus increased its market share 24x.
Now the company’s best-selling SKUs are PLUS “Uplift” ranked #1, PLUS “Restore” ranked #2, and PLUS “CBD Relief” ranked #5 (which also took the top CBD-only spot, according to BDS analytics). The company has since grown its revenue to a $10 million run rate, with growth coming every month—and now it’s expanding its operations into more states.
GROWING OUT ORGANICALLY
Since launching in 2017, Plus Products Inc. (OTC:PLSPF) (CSE:PLUS) rapidly grew its presence in California from #43 to #1 ranking. By producing an array of products made with high-quality ingredients, PLUS has developed a brand, entirely produced in the Company’s dedicated 12,000-foot, food-safe cannabis manufacturing facility in Adelanto, California. PLUS products are now sold in over 200 licensed dispensaries as well as to delivery service customers, through a distribution partner.
Backing the company is the successful hedge fund Tiger Global Management—known for turning small companies in rapidly growing industries into multi-billion-dollar businesses.
Tiger was recently responsible for the build out of an e-cigarette product known as JUUL. Over 40 months under Tiger’s involvement, JUUL grew to the point where tobacco giant Altria paid $12.8 billion for a 35% interest in the company—giving JUUL a $38 billion value. Now the hope is that Tiger and PLUS can repeat this level of success through the PLUS brand story.
Next up is a planned expansion from the current 12,000 sf manufacturing facility in Adelanto, CA to a 40,000 sq ft space. The Adelanto operation has an annual production capacity of $50 million. The expansion is set to boost Plus Products’ current production line capacity of two lines, with an additional three lines.
EDIBLES AND PACKAGING DEVELOPMENTS
Canopy Growth Inc. (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC)
In the lead-up to the legalization of cannabis-infused edibles and beverages, Canopy Growth plans to release a wide range of products in various forms. These include non-caffeinated chocolate, five different kinds of beverages, and vape pens with new cartridge technology, all ready to roll once Health Canada formally legalizes them. Canopy is set to team up with recycling outfits such as TerraCycle to ensure that their packaging doesn’t end up in landfills.
CannTrust Holdings Inc. (OTC:CNTTF) (TSX:TRST)
Unhappy with the upcoming packaging regulations, CannTrust CEO Peter Aceto has voiced concern, stemming from feedback from clients. The main concern is that the edible legislation will bring with it a lot of packaging, which CannTrust would like to actively reduce. As it stands, Aceto has expressed that much of the existing container surface is used to host government excise stamps and warnings, which he’d like to see reduced, instead to be used more for CannTrust’s branding.
Tilray, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY)
Through a recent $419 million deal signed to acquire Hemp Hearts maker Manitoba Harvest, Tilray is looking to team up to launch CBD-infused products where permissible in the US. The acquisition helps to accelerate the pot grower’s entry into the US market, as Manitoba Harvest’s products are already on the shelves of retailers such as Wal-Mart, Costco, and Whole Foods, in both Canada and the US. Tilray is looking to leverage the food maker’s manufacturing facilities and supply chain that touches roughly 16,000 stores, where their products are already sold. Together, they’re looking to take advantage of the recent US farm bill that legalized hemp-derived CBD products.
KushCo Holdings, Inc. (OTC:KSHB)
Unlike most major names related to the cannabis industry, KushCo Holdings entered through the niche of packaging and being in compliance with each jurisdiction. The packaging solutions specialists provide an unglamorous but important service to the cannabis industry. Since entering the market, however, KushCo has since expanded into the sector to create a one-stop shop for cannabis products. The company has secured long-term supply arrangements with three large companies, expected to be worth $75 million.
Disclaimer: Nothing in this article should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this article is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. Baystreet.ca has been paid a fee of twenty thousand dollars by PLUS Products for advertising. Baystreet.ca also holds shares in PLUS Products. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this article as the basis for any investment decision. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in this article is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment.
Corocora Camp (Corocora Camp)
Taos Ski Valley (Jimmy Chin)
Secret Bay Resort (Secret Bay)
The Lodge at Blue Sky (The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection)
The Dolomites (Stefano Politi Markovina/Alamy)
Noah Surf House (Noah Surf House)
Niehku Mountain Villa (Erik Nissen Johansen)
Croatia (Duvine Cycling and Adventure)
Yellowstone safari glamping (Collective Retreats and Natural Habitat Adventures)
Form Arcosanti (Saam Gabbay)
Kuro Tarangire Lodge (Kuro Tarangire)
Tourists (Peter Crosby)
Karakter (Daniel Mysliwiec)
Harbor House Inn (Brendan McGuigan)
Whitefish Mountain Resort (Ben Gavelda)
Milford Sound (Milford Sound Lodge)
Morocco (Surf Maroc)
The company is selling some of its skincare products in bottles made from plastic reclaimed from the ocean. The bottle is part of REN’s Clean to Planet initiative to become a 100% zero waste company by 2021. The bottle is made by TerraCycle, a recycling based in New Jersey. TerraCycle specializes in materials that are hard to recycle. The company claims to have collected over 300,000 pounds of beach plastic in cooperation with collection partners.
The recycled plastic bottles get quite a bit of attention. However, REN is doing far more that is less noticeable. The company is cutting down on paper waste by eliminating card board boxes for some products. REN is also removing double labels, relying on a new single-layer label to display legal requirements and product instructions.
REN Skincare was acquired by Unilever N.V. (UN: NYSE) in 2015. The unit is estimated to contribute $9 million in annual sales. In the greater scheme of things at Unilever, its shares do not reflect REN and its efforts to clean up and make useful ocean plastic. Nonetheless, REN’s efforts show that one step has been taken in the right direction to make Unilever a part of the solution and not just a part of the problem of packaging waste.
Neither the author of the Small Cap Strategist web log, Crystal Equity Research nor its affiliates have a beneficial interest in the companies mentioned herein.