Remote Wilderness and Solitude
Wandering the Desert South of Albania
Description: Explore the arid, windswept south of Albania, where the Ionian Sea meets stark mountains and ancient ruins. This article follows a 3-day hiking route through the Ksamil Islands and the Butrint National Park, with interviews from local fishermen and olive farmers. Expect vivid descriptions of salty air, crumbling stone villages, and simple seafood tavernas.
Highlights: Photo essay of abandoned Ottoman-era watchtowers, a boat trip to secluded coves, and a recipe for grilled octopus from a coastal grandmother.
The Silent Sands of Oman’s Wahiba Desert
Description: A meditative journey into Oman’s Wahiba Sands, where Bedouin camps and starlit dunes create a timeless escape. Includes a 2-day camel trek itinerary and an interview with a Bedouin guide about preserving nomadic traditions. The focus is on the desert’s vast silence and spiced coffee shared by firelight.
Highlights: Gallery of dune patterns at sunrise, tips for sleeping under the stars, and notes on local flatbread baking.
Trekking the Untouched Trails of Georgia’s Tusheti
Description: Venture into the Caucasus Mountains of Tusheti, Georgia, a region of jagged peaks and medieval stone towers. This 4-day hiking itinerary visits remote shepherd villages, with insights from a local cheesemaker on highland life. The article captures the region’s wild beauty and Orthodox Christian rituals.
Highlights: Photo essay of mist-covered valleys, a recipe for khachapuri, and stories of hospitality in guesthouses.
Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft: A Desert Odyssey
Description: Discover the surreal landscapes of Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft National Park, home to towering sand dunes and desert-adapted wildlife. A 3-day 4x4 and walking itinerary explores Sossusvlei, with an interview from a San tracker on reading the desert. The piece reflects on the humbling scale of the land.
Highlights: Gallery of dune shadows, tips for sunrise photography, and a local guide to desert survival foods.