Hi, I'm Walter!
Travel has been my lifelong passion. I've visited 59 countries across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia as an independent traveler. Along the way, I’ve immersed myself in local cultures and made countless friends. This blog is a culmination of my love for exploring the world and connecting with people from all walks of life.
Mission
Sharing and Inspiring Independent Travel
My mission with Trailblazing Adventures is twofold: help fellow independent travelers planning their adventures and to inspire others to take the independent route. Through detailed itineraries, tips, and stories, I aim to show that traveling independently can be enriching, accessible, and incredibly rewarding.
Travel Philosophy
Travel Your Way, On Your Terms
At Trailblazing Adventures, we believe in the freedom and flexibility of independent travel. Planning your own itinerary means you can explore at your own pace, discover hidden gems, and make meaningful connections with locals. Independent travel is not only about going beyond the tourist traps but also about experiencing the world authentically and on a budget that suits you.
Benefits of Independent Travel:
Cost-Effective: Cut out the middleman and save money. Independent travel often costs less without the extra fees of packaged tours.
Personalized Itineraries: Travel at your own pace and follow your interests. You’re not bound by a group schedule or itinerary.
Authentic Experiences: More opportunities to interact with locals, make friends, and immerse yourself in the culture.
Freedom and Flexibility: No following the flag with a group of 50 strangers. Choose your own adventures and change plans as you go.
Managing Travel Expenses
We explore different budgets to make travel accessible to everyone:
Budget: For those who prefer to keep costs low and focus on essential experiences.
Moderate: A balanced approach, mixing affordability with a few comforts.
Comfortable: For travelers who want more amenities and a bit of luxury without going overboard.
Luxury: Occasionally, we indulge in aspirational brand hotels or highly recommended Michelin-rated restaurants, what the heck YOLO.
By managing travel expenses across these categories, we aim to show that you can have incredible adventures regardless of your budget.
Values
Gratitude and Respect: We are fortunate to travel and are always thankful. We respect local communities and engage with a curious and open attitude. Learning and doing good are at the core of our travels.
Sustainable Tourism: We support local businesses whenever possible and strive to minimize our impact on the environment. Sustainable tourism is about preserving destinations for future generations. We dislike mass tourism practices when they overwhelm local communities and cause distortions in the economy and environment. Our goal is to travel in ways that are respectful, sustainable, and beneficial to the places we visit.
Ethical Practices: We avoid activities that exploit local communities or involve animal cruelty. Whenever in doubt, we err on the side of caution to ensure our travels are ethical and responsible.