I’d like to talk about my uncle, Julian, who has always had a real thirst for adventure. Unlike most of my relatives, who prefer relaxing beach holidays or city breaks in popular European capitals, he is constantly looking for destinations that are completely off the beaten track.
Over the years, he’s travelled to some truly remote spots. For instance, a couple of years ago he spent three weeks trekking through the steppes of Mongolia, staying with nomadic families in traditional tents. On another trip, instead of visiting the usual tourist hubs in South America, he decided to explore volcanic caves in Iceland during the dead of winter. He avoids luxury resorts entirely and tends to choose places where there is very little tourist infrastructure.
When it comes to planning, he does almost everything himself from scratch. He’ll spend months scouring obscure travel blogs, reading historical journals, and chatting to locals on online message boards. He packs incredibly light, just a sturdy rucksack with essential gear, and rarely books hotels in advance, preferring to sort out accommodation as he goes.
I think the main reason he’s drawn to these unconventional spots is that he craves authenticity. He often tells me that mainstream tourism sanitises the travel experience, turning everything into a packaged product. For him, the real joy comes from immersing himself in unfamiliar cultures, navigating language barriers, and stepping outside his comfort zone. It’s certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but I find his adventurous spirit quite inspiring.