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The 25 Best Places To Go Camping Around the World
With Memorial Day and summer right around the corner, you’re bound to feel a serious case of wanderlust coming on. Whether you want to travel the world or justsqueeze in a weekend getaway to your nearest National Park, in our books, camping is always the answer. (Although if you’re really stuck in the city, you can still find a way to enjoy the (urban) great outdoors.) But let’s be honest: you need to get away somewhere where you can really get good and dirty before you use all of those adorable travel toiletries. And that means camping.
You can go about camping the traditional, thrifty way, or if you’re feeling more fancy, you can go the trendy glamping route. Although if you’ve got that kind of money, you might as well treat yourself to an all-out getaway — (didn’t anyone get the memo that camping isn’t supposed to be glamorous)?
Whatever you’ve got in mind, we’ve rounded up a selection of the world’s most beautiful camping spots to get you started with your planning, whether it’s for a real vacation or just a wanderlust daydream. So get ready, and go buy yourself some summery denim shorts, because vacation time is here.
Yosemite National Park, California
Ninety-five percent of Yosemite National Park is designated wilderness, which means no cars, no buildings, and no electricity. Sleep under the stars and hike up to Glacier Point for a view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls. Make sure you store your food properly though — black bears are common!
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Conveniently located just 75 miles from Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park makes for the perfect nature retreat. You’ll find 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail and just overall peaceful, wild beauty. Hike away the weekend among the park’s many waterfalls.
Boya Lake Provincial Park, Canada
Boya Lake Provincial Park, renowned for the color and clarity of its lake, is a great place to enjoy any type of water recreation. The lake is also one of the few in the north that’s warm enough for swimming. The area was carved out by glaciers, leaving many islands and lakes behind for modern campers to explore on the park’s hiking trails.
Miyajima, Japan
Hey, the island of Miyajima is just a short boat ride away from Hiroshima. You can pitch your tent here year-round, or rent a cabin. The island is speckled with temples if you like a little culture with your camping. But the best part of staying on Miyajima? Walking among the domesticated deer that populate the island.
Big Sur, California
Famous around the world, Big Sur, with its wide selection of campsites, is bound to make anyone a happy camper. Pitch your tent deep among the redwoods, stream side, or right by the ocean.
The Isle of Arran, Scotland
Not only is the Isle of Arran beautiful, but it’s also full of history — as in, it’s been inhabited since prehistory. The island has a wide variety of landscapes and seascapes, including rugged mountains and rolling hills. Campers can hike, sail, kayak, or cycle around the island.
Flamenco Beach in Culebra, Puerto Rico
Considered by some to be the most beautiful beach in the world (!), Flamenco Beachis by far the most popular in Culebra. Pitch your tent on the beach and spend the day snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing. Yes please.
Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica
Corcovado National Park is home to five percent of the world’s biodiversity — National Geographic described it as the most “geographically intense” place in the world. Camping is a great option for a visit to Costa Rica: you’ll be at the heart of the rainforest, away from the country’s touristy resorts.
Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
Located on the island of Maui, Haleakalā National Park is home to the dormant volcano of the same name. Haleakalā is Hawaiian for “house of the sun,” and each morning, visitors trek to the volcano’s summit to watch the sunrise. Expect lots of stark volcanic landscapes but also lush vegetation as you hike through the park. If you’re up for an adventure, consider a stay at one of the park’s two primitive wilderness campsites, only accessible by trail.
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
If you’ve always dreamed of safaris, Maasai Mara is the place to go. The ideal time to visit this large game reserve is between July and October, when you can witness the annual migration of Thomson’s gazelle, zebra, and wildebeest to and from the adjoining Serengeti, in Tanzania. Camp on the banks of the Mara River and hang out with the local Maasai people, well-known for their distinctive customs and dress.
Sahara Desert, Morocco
It’s hot and dry here, but it’s also very picturesque. After a camel trek along the high desert dunes, settle in under the stars of the Sahara sky in a traditional Berber camp. While you’re there, make sure you try your hand at sand boarding (like snowboarding, but on the sand dunes).
Yellowstone National Park, USA
Home to the world’s largest collection of geysers, Yellowstone National Park is one of the only last intact natural ecosystems in the world’s temperate zone. With 67 species of mammals and 330 species of birds, Yellowstone is a great place for wildlife viewing. Make sure you pack those binoculars before you head out for a hike.
Lake District National Park, England
Lake District National Park is home to England’s highest mountain and deepest lake. The park is full of rollings hills, lush green valleys, quaint English towns, and of course lots of lakes. This is a great place for cyclists, and campers will also have their pick of boating experiences. The park has many campsites and also allows for wild camping.
Denali National Park, Alaska
The main focus of Denali National Park is Denali itself, otherwise known as Mount McKinley, or simply “the great one.” Whether you’re a serious mountaineer or just want a relaxing stroll, this park has a hike for you. Six million acres of open land means lots of wildlife, including black and grizzly bears … so make sure you keep that in mind.
Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador
Cotopaxi National Park, home to Cotopaxi, one of the most active volcanoes in the world and Ecuador’s second highest peak, is bound to satisfy all your hiking adventure cravings. Pitch a tent for spectacular views and regular visits from the park’s friendly llamas.
Lake Myvatn, Iceland
Despite what its name may lead you to believe, Iceland actually has nice weather in the summer. You’re going to want to have flexible dates for your Lake Myvatncamping trip: head out at the right time and you can catch an unforgettable view of the Northern Lights.
Jasper National Park, Canada
No one can say they’re bored in Jasper National Park: the park offers a wide range of activities including skiing, kayaking, swimming, and fishing. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best places to enjoy the Rockies. Soak in the mountains as well as the lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, and glaciers as you trek on some of the park’s 600 miles of hiking trails.
Sardinia, Italy
Hello, beach camping! Need I say more? Enjoy the turquoise sea after spending the night in one of the region’s 42 campsites. Sardinia will give you a different taste of Italy: it’s actually an autonomous region, located closer to Africa than Italy, with a fiercely independent spirit. Make sure you hit up the island’s towns for some of their famous cheese.
Ladakh, India
Located right between Pakistan, Tibet, and Xinjiang Province, Ladakh is one of the best places to experience the Indian Himalayas. Hey, the region isn’t called the “Land of the High Passes” for nothing. Camping here is a great way to explore the area, taking you off the beaten path, and bringing you closer to Ladakh’s many Buddhist Monasteries and remote villages. If you’re looking for something more active, you can also try your hand at rafting or hiking.
Cala Llevadó, Spain
Cala Llevadó, on Spain’s Costa Brava, is located right by the ocean, in the forest. You’ll be staying in the shade, steps away from beautiful beaches. Go snorkeling, climb up the neighboring mountains, or just lounge on the beach, looking out onto that sparkling blue sea.
Garden Route National Park, South Africa
A perfect combination of ocean and mountain, Garden Route National Park has one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the continent. Hike up the peak, enjoy some mountain biking, kayak in the waves, or just kick back, relax, and enjoy the view.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park has a handful of campsites that put you right on the rim of the canyon. Watch the sun rise over the Grand Canyon with a cup of coffee every morning, and wander the trails adjoining your campsite for even more breathtaking views.
Best Waffle Toppings
No waffle is complete without a delicious topping, especially the crispy, indulgent waffle ironed-cinnamon rolls featured in this week’s episode of Mad Genius Tips! Here, seven of Food & Wine’s best toppings that will complete any wonderful waffle stack.
No waffle is complete without a delicious topping, especially the crispy, indulgent waffle ironed-cinnamon rolls featured in this week’s episode of Mad Genius Tips! Here, seven of Food & Wine’s best toppings that will complete any wonderful waffle stack.
1. Brandied Apricot Butter
This fruit-filled butter is wonderful on waffles but it’s also great on crusty bread, warm popovers, pancakes and muffins.
2. Perfect Blueberry Syrup
A huge virtue of homemade syrup is that, unlike the store-bought kind, it can taste much more like fruit than sugar.
3. Belgian Chocolate-Fudge Sauce
This rich sauce is a perfect topping for crispy, classic Belgian waffles.
4. Wild Berry Compote
Get hold of some wild berries if you can, but this is a good treatment for any berry.
5. Stone-Fruit Butter
Fruit butters are made with less sugar than jam, so they have a less candied fruit flavor. The yield here will vary slightly; when the fruit is especially juicy, there is more water to evaporate before the butter thickens, and the yield is smaller.
6. Berries with Lemon Mint Syrup
For this delicious compote, crushed mint leaves and strips of lemon peel are steeped in a sugar syrup, which is then tossed with fresh berries. We’ve used the more readily available spearmint here, but if you happen on pineapple mint, by all means use it instead.
7. Bourbon Whipped Cream
Brandy will also do the trick here.
By F&W Editors
6 Benefits of Slow Cooking Your Food
A visit to nearly any recipe site will likely yield numerous recipes for slow cooked meals, desserts, and even snacks. Slow cooking may seem like a relatively recent phenomenon, but it actually has its roots in Jewish culture. Because no cooking could be done on the Sabbath, food was put into a hot oven the day before. The oven was shut off, but the residual heat slowly cooked the food over time. Eventually, an inventor who grew up eating his mother’s bean stew, which was cooked in this manner, invented what is now known as the Crock Pot. Since the late 1930s, people have been using this device to cook a wide variety of different meals, and it’s estimated that as many as 83% of households have at least one.
Unfortunately, many people may not be taking advantage of this cooking technique as often as they could be. There are a lot of benefits to cooking your food in a slow cooker, many of which go far beyond the original use it was intended for.
Meals for Busy Families
In the 1970s when Rival Manufacturing purchased the patent for the Crock Pot, they quickly landed on what is probably the best benefit that the device has to offer; an easy way to cook meals for busy families. With more women and families with both spouses working than ever before, dinnertime can be a rush, particularly for families with children. By the time everyone arrives home, homework is seen to, chores are done, and sports practices have been attended, there isn’t a lot of time left in the day to eat dinner, let alone to make a hot, nourishing meal.
That’s what makes a slow cooker such a beneficial tool for busy families. At the start of the day – or even the night before if the inner chamber is refrigerated – it’s easy to put everything needed for that night’s meal into the slow cooker and turn it on. On a low setting, the appliance will slowly cook food for between 8 and 10 hours, and then keep it warm for several hours after that if desired. So a hot meal can be waiting when the family arrives home at the end of the day, rather than needing to be prepared. This frees up valuable time for family members who usually do the cooking or prep work in the evening, which can lead to less stress, as well as to more quality time spent together as a family.
Meals for New Moms
New moms have a lot to contend with. Little sleep, the constant holding, feeding, and rocking, not to mention the potential chasing after of older children and any housework that needs to be done each day. And if the baby doesn’t handle evenings well, needing to be held between the hours of five and seven when dinner is usually prepared, it can make dinnertime a difficult proposition for the whole family.
That’s what makes a slow cooker so advantageous. Slow cookers can cook food over the course of 10 hours, but they can also be set to a higher temperature, allowing them to cook food over just a few hours as well. So a new mom who finds some time on her hands in the middle of the afternoon while the baby is napping can take just a few minutes to throw together a slow cooker meal that will be ready during the witching hour when it’s a lot harder for her to break away.
One Pot Meals Mean Fewer Dishes
Slow cookers not only take some of the stress out of preparing a meal; they can also take some of the stress out of the meal’s clean up as well. Many slow cooker recipes are one pot or one dish meals, meaning that the main dish and the sides are usually cooked together. Soups, stews, chicken and squash, lasagna, chili, and countless other meals that can be made in the slow cooker don’t require a second pot or pan to cook. This makes clean up much faster and simpler at the end of the day. And for those that truly hate cleaning up at the end of a meal, there are even liners made of aluminum foil that can be placed inside the slow cooker, sitting between the ceramic chamber and the food. Once the meal is done, just pull the liner out and there’s no clean up from the meal at all.
Less Stress on Holidays
It seems like the more time that goes by, the bigger and more involved most holiday dinners seem to become. This in turn leads to more dishes needing to be prepared, along with more chaos as the cook tries to
coordinate the entire effort at once
Slow cookers can help to ease some of this holiday meal planning stress. While not every traditional holiday dish can be created in a slow cooker, many things like an Easter lamb or a pot of Christmas meatballs can be placed in the slow cooker at the start of the day, before the rest of the meal needs to get going. This frees up valuable oven or stove top space for other dishes, and takes one thing off the plate of the holiday chef who only has to remember the slow cooker dish before serving. Very few slow cooker recipes require much interference once they begin cooking and the initial prep work is done, so it’s easy to get at least one component of the holiday meal out of the way early on, then relax because that step is done.
Don’t Forget the Flavor
Of course one of the best reasons to begin slow cooking is the food itself. Tough cuts of meat become tender when cooked for long periods of time. Stews and soups take on extra flavor over the course of the day. Dried beans and grains require no soaking before being placed in the slow cooker with liquid. All of this adds up to tender, flavorful meals that are less stressful and time consuming than most traditional recipes and cooking methods. So stop hesitating to use that slow cooker and instead start adding it to the weekly menu rotation to begin reaping the many benefits of slow cooking food today.
10 Fun Photography Facts
1. Every two minutes we snap more pictures than the whole of humanity did in the 1800s.
It’s estimated only a few million pictures were taken in the 80 years before the first commercial camera was introduced. In 1999, the peak of the film-camera industry, Kodak reported that people took around 80 bn photos. Nowadays it is very hard to estimate how many photos are taken annually, but here are some statistics for 2015. According to Benedict Evans, People share 730 bn photos per year on Facebook, 255 bn – on WhatsApp and around 22 bn – on Instagram. And don’t even get us started on Snapchat, Apple’s iMessage, WeChat and other small messaging and photo-sharing apps. We can only estimate that around 3 trillion of photos will be taken this year. Or more! 😳
2. Cheerleader effect: Individuals seem more attractive on group photos than on individual portraits.
Thinking about uploading a new photo on Facebook? Better pick one where you are around friends! According to the research of Drew Walker and Edward Vul at the University of California, individual faces appear more attractive when presented in a group than when presented alone. This phenomenon was called the “Cheerleader effect”. 👯
3. Cameras that captured the Moon’s surface for the first time were left there because of their weight.
The Moon serves as a cosmic graveyard for 12 Hasselbald cameras – astronauts abandoned them when leaving the Earth’s satellite. These cameras shot iconic images of the Moon’s surface and were left behind to allow for the 25kg of lunar rock samples to be carried back instead. 🌚
4. People started making funny cats photos in the 19th century.
Images and videos of cats create one of the most viewed content on the Internet – and let’s admit it, we are very happy about it. Interesting thing is, cats have been viral since the 1870s when the Brighton photographer Harry Pointer became famous for his funny cat pictures. Pointer began his career taking conventional photos of cats but soon realized that people enjoyed more pictures of cats in ridiculous poses, unusual settings or with a silly facial expression. 😺
5. The largest photo competition ever held received 353, 768 entries.
According to the Gunnies Book of World Records, the largest photography competition entrant is achieved by Vereniging Wikimedia Nederland from the Netherlands at the Wiki Loves Monuments 2012 competition. From the 1st of September to the 15th of October, exactly 353, 768 photos were submitted to the contest. Wiki Loves Monuments is an annual photo competition held by the Wikipedia community members. Participants submit pictures of different historical monuments and heritage sites. This is the winning photo was taken by Parnav Singh. 📷
6. People never smiled on the old photos because they had to stay still for hours.
Over the years, many theories have popped up trying to explain why people never smiled in old photographs. The most popular ones were that people didn’t want to show their bad teeth or that people thought smiling made them look ridiculous. In fact, due to insanely long exposure times, making one shot took hours. Try to keep a smiling face for a couple of hours – not only your facial muscles will start killing you after a while – your smile will look more creepy than sincere. 😶
7. A photo of a cute child in your wallet will save your money.
If you want your lost wallet to be returned, take some precautions: put a photo of a baby there! A studyby a Scottish psychologist Richard Wiseman showed that you have more chances to have your wallet returned if there is a picture there. Researchers “lost” 240 wallets with the contact information of the “owners” on the streets of Edinburgh, to see how many of them would be returned. The rate was pretty high: 42% of the wallets were posted back in total. Thus, 88% of the wallets that contained a picture of an infant were returned, followed by 53% ”return rate” of the wallets that contained a picture of a puppy. Of those picturing a family photo, 48% were returned, and 28% of those with a photo of an elderly couple. The wallets with no pictures were returned only in 15% of the cases. 👶🏻
8. The inventor of photography was better known for his invention of propeller and boats.
Cameras existed way before photographs were invented – they evolved from camera obscura and have been changing throughout centuries. The fist somewhat successful photograph was taken in approximately 1816 by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. This took him eight hours of exposure to light, and the picture still was fuzzy. Maybe that’s why during his lifetime, Niépce was better known for his invention of a propeller for boats. Here is how the first photo ever taken looks like:
9. The left side of our faces looks better on photographs than the right side.
If you are familiar with the situation when you are trying to figure out, which angle should be picked for a perfect selfie, think no more! The study by Kelsey Blackburn and James Schirillo from Wake Forest University showed that the left side of our faces is perceived as more attractive than the right side. The research suggests that the left side of our face tends to exhibit a greater intensity of emotion, which observers find more aesthetically pleasing. 🐺
10. The most viewed photograph in history is the Windows XP’s default wallpaper called “Bliss”.
Bliss was taken in 1996 (years before Windows XP was launched) in Sonoma County, California by an American photographer Charles O’Rear. He snapped the picture on film with a medium-format camera. Although many claim that the photo was digitally manipulated, O’Rear claims it never was. Right now the landscape looks different – grapevines were planted on the hill so now Bliss is impossible to duplicate. 🙏
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