Latest news with #explorer
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Dark urges driving Charles Lindbergh's secret double life finally exposed... and how the peculiar obsession lives on
Few have embodied the glamour of progress and modernity quite like the brilliant Charles Lindbergh. Aviator, engineer, environmentalist, scientist, explorer, military adviser and much else besides, Lindbergh had a genius for being at the leading edge of technological development.
Telegraph
5 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Roger Morgan-Grenville
As an island nation, we ought to cherish our coastline. My 11,000-mile journey revealed that too often, we don't
Hospitality Net
03-06-2025
- General
- Hospitality Net
EHL Innovation Rewind: Sarah Marquis on Why the Future of Travel Must Be Felt, Not Engineered
While attending the EHL Open Innovation Summit in Lausanne, we met with Sarah Marquis, National Geographic Explorer, to talk about the future of travel and what makes it truly meaningful. In our conversation, she reflected on the importance of emotional connection, the irreplaceable value of walking, and how real travel is never about technology but about presence, feeling, and being part of the natural world. Which technology or innovation do you believe will have the biggest impact on travel and hospitality over the next 5 to 10 years? From my point of view, the real impact will not come from outside technology. It will come from within—the experience itself. What I look for when I travel is a boutique moment, a one-to-one connection with the locals, something deep and human. I want to sit in the best coffee shop, drink the local drink, feel the air, hear the language, and see life pass by. Travel should be about emotion and diversity. That is what makes it magical. It is not just moving from one place to another. It is about living, breathing, and feeling a different world. That is the kind of experience we must protect and encourage. What would it take for us to stop compensating for our environmental footprint and start actually healing the system? So far we have approached this the wrong way. We want to look green but we often do not take the real steps to be in harmony with the planet. I can speak from my own experience as a survivalist and explorer. I have hunted for food and survived off the land. I have also made the conscious choice to stop taking from nature. On one expedition in Australia, I came to a canyon with only three fish in a pond. I was starving, had lost five kilograms, but I chose not to eat them. That moment changed me. It was the start of my path to veganism. The next step for humanity is to rise in consciousness. When that happens, we will know what to do. It will not be about ticking boxes. It will be about harmony and awareness. You have explored places most people can only dream of. Is there an ethical way for others to experience these fragile ecosystems? Yes, and it starts with walking. Walking is the human speed. Our senses are made for it. When we walk, we experience everything more deeply and disturb the environment the least. I have learned this over 25 years. Another way is to work with the locals. In Mongolia, I was guided by a Mongolian who took me into his family. It was a real experience. Involving indigenous people leads to more authentic, respectful, and meaningful travel. Travel takes time. It cannot be rushed. Do you think virtual or augmented experiences, like VR, can substitute or prepare us for the real experience of nature? No. For me, there is no such thing as a digital experience of nature. That is not an experience. It is a preview. I live between two worlds—one where I wear nearly the same clothes every day, and one where I am out in the wild, not washing for three months, living off the land. When you are really out there, unmapped, breathing the land, you become part of it. There is no substitute for that. Our bodies have senses. Our heart is our core. That is where experience happens. We cannot feel that through a screen. Instagram, iPhones, VR—they show us something, but they do not let us live it. Is there a right or wrong way to tell a story about a destination? Yes. An experience is not just about the destination. It is about what you feel. I remember being in Italy, in a horrible train station coffee shop at 4 in the morning. I had an espresso in a paper cup, and it was one of the best I have ever had. Not because of the coffee, but because of the moment. That was the experience. The smell, the taste, the tiredness, the place—it all came together. That is what travel is. You do not think experiences: you live them. About the EHL Open Innovation Summit 2025 This interview was recorded during the EHL Open Innovation Summit in Lausanne, where Hospitality Net joined as official media partner. The event brought together a global mix of thinkers and doers to explore the future of hospitality, food, and travel through open innovation. What made it special was the mix of ideas, formats, and people. It was not only about tech or talks. It was also about people showing up, working together, and sharing energy in real time. Key Figures 385 participants 48 speakers and contributors from more than 20 countries 7 innovation challenges collectively addressed 45 sessions 25 student volunteers 15 F&B startups letting us taste the future 1.5 days of connection, learning, and co-creation Key Insights from the Summit
Daily Mail
31-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
I quit my job to travel - this is the money mistake I made and how to avoid it
We're often told quitting is weak, a way out for those not headstrong enough to handle certain pressures, but I couldn't disagree more. The first time I quit a job was back in 2009, leaving my first London-based magazine office job in exchange for 12 months of exploration through 15 countries on a seriously tight budget. And the last came about just over 15 months ago, when I decided to become a full-time freelance travel writer. At 38, it was one of the scarier leaps to make, yet undoubtedly one of the best decisions I've ever made. But there are definitely a few things I wish I'd known before jumping into the unknown… here's what I've learnt along the way. Don't dawdle, time is precious The younger you are, the easier it is to quit. I was just 23 when I first quit a job for a year-long backpacking trip, and I made the decision instantly as soon as I'd saved enough money. I had a few worries about how easy it would be to get employed when I returned, but they were soon forgotten as soon as I hit the road. Yet, quitting in your 30s is a different ball game. I deliberated for three long years before I finally plucked up the courage to do it, and you know what? I wish I had done it much, much sooner. Making the decision was by far the hardest thing about it, but once it was done, I've never regretted it or looked back. What I've come to realise now is that time is so precious; We don't know how long we're going to be here, so if you're not happy with your current situation, it's worth changing whatever you can, as soon as possible. It'll cost more than you planned for While I like to travel in a more refined way these days, I was a budget backpacking pro in my 20s, and managed to spend spend just £7,000 in a year visiting 15 countries. But before I set out, I had only planned to spend £5,000 before realising mid-way through that wasn't enough. For this reason, I always make sure I have saved enough to last my entire trip, plus money to live off when returning home and looking for a new job, and extra cash for unplanned issues while I'm away. If in doubt, save at least £2-3,000 more than you think you need. And if you have a student loan, you also need to think about the interest, which, regardless of being fairly low, adds up over the duration of your trip away. You may have to take a pay cut when you return After my first long-term trip, I managed to secure a new job a couple of months after returning to the UK, yet the salary was just £17,000 - much lower than the job I had left. But a job is a job, and I took it and managed to survive by living in a large London house share, cycling everywhere, and taking a packed lunch to work every day. It was sometimes tricky, but it definitely wasn't the end of my career, and I got a good pay rise a year later. Friends and family will cast doubts over your decision The beauty of human beings is that we are all very different; we think in different ways, we have different passions, and completely different fears, so don't be surprised if people place their fears on you. When contemplating quitting a job, over 80 percent of the people you talk to will tell you not to do it. But it's important to listen to your instincts. It's your life, and you have to live it in a way that's true to you. If travel is important to you and you're in a secure financial position, thank friends and family for their advice, but don't let them discourage you if it's what your heart is telling you to do. It's not that big of a deal When you're in the routine of life, doing the same thing day in and day out, breaking that cycle can feel like the biggest deal. But guess what? It's not that wild. 'Once you begin to travel, you will realise that the world is full of people living in unique ways,' says Lydia, pictured in Yerevan, Armenia Once you begin to travel, you will realise that the world is full of people living in unique ways. People of all ages travel, volunteer, move countries, fall in love, and change their entire life plans. I've met widows who've sold everything to travel alone long-term, families who've pulled their kids out of school for adventure, and many, many people who have moved across the world for love. You may lose friends Being in a position where you can quit your job can be triggering for people who aren't as free. Debts, mortgages, family, and illness can all prevent people from doing some of the things they might want to, and so it can be difficult for them to see others doing it. And that goes for both parties - there are things my friends have that I might hanker after at points on the road. But good friends are supportive through whatever situation you happen to be going through, and vice versa. If big decisions filter out some people in your circle, it's not a bad thing; the friends remaining will be friends for life. It's not that scary out there Social media and news outlets overflow with horror stories from around the globe, showcasing the worst of humanity on a daily basis - it's no wonder many are afraid to go out of their comfort zones. And while, of course, it's imperative to be sensible (especially when travelling alone as a woman), people the world over are generally very kind and generous. Some of my most memorable moments have been with wonderfully warm strangers who have treated me like family. And it's for moments like those that I continue to travel.
Fox News
18-05-2025
- Fox News
Abandoned 'Wild West' theme park frozen in time shocks visitor: 'Left to rot'
Lukka Bradburn traveled to rural Japan last year to document abandoned theme parks — and was surprised by what he found left behind in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and after years of decline, according to news agency SWNS. Bradburn, a printer, explorer and father of two, came across the parks after researching the areas on Google Maps. He found an entire derelict colonial "American town" area complete with hotels, churches and restaurants. The "Western Village" theme park near Nikkō, Tochigi, has stood virtually untouched since its closure in 2007, its sprawling grounds frozen in time like a ghost town straight out of 1800s America, SWNS reported. Nature has been slowly reclaiming the land: Vines have crawled up church walls and snow has blanketed abandoned porches. Opened in 1973, the theme park was inspired by classic American and Italian Western movies — but it closed because of competition from Tokyo Disneyland, per SWNS. Bradburn even discovered a replica of Mount Rushmore still intact, along with saloon bars and a stadium where crowds once watched jousting and other sports. The replica monument emerged among frost-covered trees, its stone faces still clearly defined against the sky. Nearby, weathered structures and themed facades lined the pathways, evoking the appearance of a long-forgotten frontier town. The site was littered with mannequins depicting life in "Wild West" America, according to SWNS. Abandoned buildings include a gift shop that was boarded up and heavily damaged. Among the rubble, Bradburn managed to find a prop gun on the floor and an arcade with the original machines. With parts of the park still standing, he noted that navigating the sites was surprisingly straightforward. During his exploration, Bradburn said that both attractions were easily accessed. "The Western one had a bit of a fence, but you could pretty much just walk in," he said. "There was no security or anyone watching over it; it was just left to rot," he added, as SWNS noted. The absence of maintenance left the area in a state of disrepair. "As we got to one park it was heavily snowing and we were having to get through all these bushes," he told SWNS. "It was quite overgrown." Both were in rural areas surrounded by countryside, mountains and small towns, creating the picturesque snowy scenery seen in the photos shown within this article. On his adventure, Bradburn and his friends came across another urban explorer, a Japanese man who said he used to visit the park as a child. "There was no security or anyone watching over it; it was just left to rot." The man, who spoke limited English, told the friends he'd returned to take photographs of the theme park, according to SWNS. For more Lifestyle articles, visit While exploring, Bradburn also came across the remains of Kejonuma Leisure Land, which once attracted 200,000 visitors in the remote Tohoku region; it closed in 2001. He found a decaying ornate Ferris wheel, carousels and children's train rides. The attraction closed due to falling demand and the struggling Japanese economy, per SWNS. The site, once a popular destination in the remote Tohoku region, has seen little change since its closure. Visitors can still identify many of the original attractions, though time and weather have taken a visible toll. Bradburn said he plans to return to Japan next year for further exploring. "The Japanese theme park industry entered a boom during the 1960s and 1970s, reaching a peak in the 1990s. Since then, they've seen a gradual decline," according to The Park Database.
