Lauren Matison Crossley

“You can't be unhappy in the middle of a big beautiful river,” said writer Jim Harrison. Whether your goal is to see the planet from a new perspective or unplug in an epic setting, few experiences match the invigorating rush of paddling out onto flowing water.
From barreling down America’s grandest rapids on the Colorado River to taking a peaceful stand-up paddleboard ride on the Danube, these aquatic tours promise unforgettable adventures outside your comfort zone.

Long before Norway was named one of the happiest places on Earth by the United Nations, travelers have been humbled by its powerful natural realm. In this land of the midnight sun, where the country’s total population is less than New York City’s, you can have the seemingly infinite wilderness all to yourself while hiking, biking, and paddling.

If you love to exercise, being in a relationship with an athletic person makes perfect sense. You keep each other motivated to work out, lots of sweat is sexy (seriously—exercise makes awesome foreplay), and there's a mutual understanding that staying fit is a lifestyle choice.

All photos: Vincent Crossley
Sometimes it takes a very long (and very hilly) road to finally feel happy in your own skin. When I started planning a bikepacking trip across France—a 12-day, coast-to-coast journey from the North to South, averaging 60 miles a day—I simply wanted to raise money for World Bicycle Relief and have a romantic adventure with my husband and lots of rosé. (Our own Tour de France, if you will—just about a week shorter, and about a quarter of the distance.) But there I w...

When you’re immersed in nature, there’s no such thing as a boring hike. But if you’re looking to discover some unfamiliar terrain, head to one of these five spectacular trails. Each one represents a different version of the word "wild"—like scaling a well-known granite wall or exploring an uninhabited, Martian-like landscape—yet they all offer challenging journeys across America’s craziest geological wonders. These epic routes celebrate taking it slow in heart-racing places.

This summer, my husband and I bikepacked more than 500 miles across France. Starting at the English Channel, we rolled down to the Mediterranean, carrying everything we needed on our bikes. The intoxicating landscapes, legendary climbs, and ancient chateaus—everything we’d seen in Tour de France coverage—combined to dazzling effect with France’s spirit of fraternité. Drivers slowed to yell, “Bon courage!” like we were breakaway hero Thomas Voeckler.
While we realized our Tour dreams, we also ...

The all-women's adventure travel movement is a force to be reckoned with. Join the party.

We scoured the country in search of high-octane fun on a dime and discovered subterranean treks in California’s Land of Giants, bike rides through the Grand Canyon of the South, and under-the-radar rain forest hikes on the Olympic Peninsula. The low-budget lodges on this list (from $39 a night!) make it all possible without touching that dream-trip fund. Consider these wallet-friendly retreats offering stylish digs, adventure concierges, and up-close access to the wildest shows on earth.

Best known for the famous 1969 counterculture music festival of the same name — an event that actually took place 50 miles away in a town called Bethel — Woodstock, New York is an easy getaway from NYC. With its unique culture, mountaintop Buddhist monastery, great food, and general relaxed vibe, the hippie town is the perfect place to cure your stress and screen addiction (at least for the weekend).

After long lift lines, repeats on favorite runs, and après-ski schmoozing, there may not be much time for off-slope adventures on a weekend ski trip. Still, these five towns make a strong case for mixing up your mountain game and reveling in some hidden pleasures of the season. Make the most of your next winter getaway by adding one of these non-ski adventures to your weekend on the mountain.

If you’re well prepared for adventure and can find the humor in things not going according to plan, you’ll never stop exploring. To understand just what will get you to that place, we spoke with endurance athletes, gear gurus, and elite climbers about how to physically and mentally ready yourself for your next great journey—whether it’s a multi-day trek, afternoon bike ride, or overnight camping trip.

A road trip up the Atlantic coast, from Biarritz to Brittany, reveals France’s wild western edge, where water-sport opportunities abound and there are far fewer tourists than in the Mediterranean. Even if you’re not a lover of the sea, the dramatic coastal landscapes, delicious cuisine, and budget-friendly beach campgrounds are too good to miss.

There’s far more to the Hamptons than just drinking rosé while lying on a giant swan-shaped pool float (though you’re absolutely welcome to do that if you so please). From a secret sculpture-dappled nature preserve to the best cocktail spots and the coolest place to spend the night (for just $35!), these are the things you absolutely must do in the Hamptons.

Consider a trip to one of these five unspoiled destinations that are redefining the family island getaway.

We consulted with the country’s top food bloggers and experts (and did plenty of foraging ourselves) to uncover the best eco-friendly restaurant in every state, from the Sun Belt to the Gulf of Alaska to the shores of Hawaii's Big Island.