TryGOLD- Free

BAGK TU BASICS

Travel+Leisure US|March 2024
The latest trend in high-end travel? Stripping away all the luxuries and getting some dirt under your fingernails.
- Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
BAGK TU BASICS

LAST FOURTH OF JULY weekend, while most people were scarfing hot dogs and knocking back beers, I was embarking on a 46-mile trek through Denmark, weighed down by a 25-pound backpack and the emotional fallout of a pandemic divorce. I'd signed up for a three-day endurance-hiking event known as the Fjällräven Classic Denmark (three-day trips from $213), which is held every summer on the island of Funen, a couple hours west of Copenhagen. By the end of day one, I'd covered 18 miles (most of them in torrential rain), grunting my way through barley fields, along seaweed-strewn coastline, and up challenging hills.

By the time I collapsed into my tent that night I was exhausted, and so grungy I wondered if a hot shower would even help-not that one was available. What I didn't ask was, Why am I putting myself through this?

Lately, I've discovered a different way of traveling, one that satisfies not only my desire to see new destinations but also a newfound yearning to push my physical (and often emotional) limits.

Prior to 2020, my trips revolved around beachfront resorts and butler service. But my priorities have since changed-and, it turns out, I'm in good company.

"We see travelers seeking out activities that require more mental and physical exertion," says Misty Belles, vice president of global public relations for Virtuoso, a network of luxury travel advisors. "C-suite clients in particular want experiences that go beyond their comfort zone. Executives at the highest levels are willing to push boundaries, and they like to test themselves."

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TRAVEL+LEISURE USView all
Keys to the Kingdom
Travel+Leisure US

Keys to the Kingdom

From premium dining to VIP tours, Walt Disney World Resort is upping its game—and gaining a new generation of superfans.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2025
INTELLIGENT TRAVELER
Travel+Leisure US

INTELLIGENT TRAVELER

If last year’s solar eclipse and auroras turned you into an astro-tourist, you're not the only one exploring after dark.

time-read
1 min  |
June 2025
Best Foot Forward
Travel+Leisure US

Best Foot Forward

A cancer diagnosis motivated T+L’s Nina Ruggiero Curtis to run her first marathon—on another continent.

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2025
The New Girls' Trip
Travel+Leisure US

The New Girls' Trip

Women are putting a new spin on the idea of “solo” travel by signing on for small-group adventures.

time-read
2 mins  |
June 2025
Fiesta Forever
Travel+Leisure US

Fiesta Forever

The Spanish port city of Cádiz seduces with grandeur—and grit.

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2025
Italian Revival
Travel+Leisure US

Italian Revival

Sparkling Lambrusco was once ubiquitous. Simon Willis meets the sophisticated vintners behind its comeback.

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2025
Better, Together
Travel+Leisure US

Better, Together

Women who have lost spouses are finding community through travel.

time-read
2 mins  |
June 2025
Tee Up Your Next Trip
Travel+Leisure US

Tee Up Your Next Trip

From Long Island to Hawaii, top golf events are as much about the destination as the game itself.

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2025
MUSE of the MEDITERRANEAN
Travel+Leisure US

MUSE of the MEDITERRANEAN

Why is the blue-chip art world converging on a tiny Greek island? Tony Perrottet explores Hydra, where chill vibes meet cutting-edge creativity.

time-read
9 mins  |
June 2025
Shaking It Up
Travel+Leisure US

Shaking It Up

Salt Lake City has been attracting a younger population—and with it, a wave of change.

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2025

We use cookies to provide and improve our services. By using our site, you consent to cookies. Learn more