Welcome to the blog

If you are here, you are either a friend who learned about this new endeavor through a conversation or social media, or you landed on this website and wanted to know more about us. We hope you will adopt us as a travel buddy that you can rely on when planning adventures and follow also on our Trailblazing Adventures YouTube channel.

Either way, welcome to Trailblazing Adventures! Help me make this blog not only a source of information but also a thriving community. Help me find that hidden bar where the trendy crowd meets in Bangkok or that restaurant far away from the crowds in Rome where you find authentic Italian cuisine cooked by la nonna.

This is a safe space where there are no stupid questions, and no travel options are too basic or too luxurious. We are all adventurers and want to learn from each other how to make the most of our travel experiences.

Why another travel blog?

For one, it’s because I love traveling and I enjoy helping others plan their perfect adventures.

Also, because most blogs are either a repetition of a how-to tick all the boxes on a location without enjoying anything local or understanding history, people, and cultures. And others are following somebody else’s adventure in ways that more often than not are difficult to replicate.

My mission with Trailblazing Adventures is twofold: to help fellow independent travelers plan 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.

You can check our about page for the benefits of independent traveling, our approach to travel under different budgets, and most importantly, our core values.

My philosophy is that you should bring back from traveling more than some Instagram moments or just make sure you visit all the "must-visit" tourist spots in a destination. There is no fun in fighting with the crowds, the hordes that follow the yellow flag, and the souvenir salespeople to take the perfect photo at the Fontana di Trevi. Don't get me wrong, "la fontana è bellissima," and I would include it in an itinerary first thing in the morning in the off-season or at 3 am like in La Dolce Vita (no bathing, you will end up in jail). But if you go to Rome, find that hidden restaurant, go to a local bar and hear an Italian band play live music, learn a few Italian words, and make friends. Make memories, not just Instagram posts (make those too if you want, -guilty party myself- we will show you the best spots).

My ultimate travel hero was Anthony Bourdain. I loved his approach to finding something authentic in each destination, enjoying local food at some rich guy’s villa in Europe or on the streets of Bangkok seating in a plastic chair with auntie that just cooked some delicious Pad Krapow in a wooden cart on the street. He was irreverent but always respectful of local customs, enjoying every moment and being inquisitive. Bourdain had a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life, showing us that the heart of travel is in these human connections and shared experiences. If I can manage to bring just 10% of that spirit to the blog and YouTube videos, then I am happy.

What is Upcoming at the Blog

We will continue to highlight our recent trip to Portugal and Galicia. So stay tuned for blogs on Lisboa, Porto, and Braga, including restaurant and hotel reviews for these cities and other recent travels.

We will also be busy on our YouTube channel, Trailblazing Adventures, posting a new video on Portugal and Galicia every Saturday. The video and the blog post complement each other; the videos offer the visuals for you to decide the attractiveness of the sites, walks, and places, while the blog provides more detailed explanations and directions. Not every restaurant, hotel, and site will have a video review. Here, we aim to build a more engaging community to discuss what places to visit, restaurants to try, and hotels to stay at in each location. We will try to respond to as many comments as possible on both platforms.

Stay tuned and let's build adventures together!

Five Fantastic Sunsets for 2024

We all love sunsets. It seems to be a way that nature has to bring humanity together, if only for a few minutes. The colors, the end of the day, and the splendor of sharing this vessel suspended in space called Earth. Sometimes it’s the peace and quiet of contemplating it in an almost meditative state, or other times having a cold beer with friends by the beach. Always memorable.

Here are five fabulous sunsets to enjoy:

Zanzibar, Stone Town

Sunset in the Spice Island, with dhows in the foreground, is truly magical. You can enjoy it in some quiet spot or in the park by the Old Fort. Even better if it is after the last day of Ramadan, when locals fill the place to eat from food carts, breaking the Eid fast after the sunset prayer.

Luang Prabang, Laos on the Mekong

The mighty Mekong is majestic at every hour, but sunset makes it perfect and as it gets cooler, you enjoy it even more. It's a perfect spot for a drink on a sunset cruise. Enjoy it now, before the projected dam turns the Mekong into a pool and this unique experience is gone forever.

Koh Samui, Thailand

Koh Samui has too many perfect sunset spots. But if I have to choose one, it’s the one in some of the restaurants by the Big Buddha Temple. The Big Buddha, the hills, and the ocean – you cannot ask for more.

Pokhara, Nepal

Pokhara is Nepal's tourist city, either as a destination or as a starting point for many of the Himalayan treks. The sunset over Phewa Lake between the mountains is a scene that cannot be perfected. This, together with the Nepalese from the Himalayas being some of the nicest people on the planet, makes the place perfect.

Jomtien Beach, Thailand

You might say two in Thailand! Yes! It is Thailand, and unwritten rules don't apply. My favorite seaside promenade. At sunset, locals, expats, and tourists walk to see the sun set in the Gulf of Thailand. Impromptu blankets on the side or on the beach start appearing when the evening begins, people getting food from the vendors and sharing a cold Singha or Leo (which of the two beers would be a good subject for an article that can generate impassioned opinions). Is it the most scenic? Probably not. Is it hidden and can only be reached after trekking for 8 hours? No. Those are not conditions to make it my favorite. It is the memories, the place, the friends, and it is Thailand. That seals the deal for this traveler.

Until Next Time

Thank you for taking the time to read our July Bulletin. We hope you enjoyed our updates and found inspiration for future travels in our featured article.

We’d love to hear from you! Please use the comment section to let us know what kinds of lists or topics you’d like to see in future bulletins, and tell us about your favorite sunset experiences. Your feedback helps us create content that you’ll enjoy.

Safe travels and see you next time!