travel up country

New 2024 Travel Lite Up Country 900U

Travel Lite Up Country truck camper 900U highlights:

• Queen-Size Bed
• Sofa with a Table
• Two Burner Stove
• Outdoor Spray Port

This truck camper has everything you need while you're away from home! There is a queen-size bed up front with wrap-around nightstands, plus additional storage and foot lockers with USB ports to charge your devices. You can prepare meals on the two burner stainless steel stove or in the stainless steel microwave, and the 12V refrigerator will be perfect for cold items. There is also a wardrobe/pantry that can be used for storage. This model includes a convenient wet bath with a sliding door, so you won't even have to use the camp's facilities when you stop for the night!

The Up Country by Travel Lite is a sturdy yet lightweight truck camper that can go deep into the woods. The wood-free construction includes a  Hydro-Lite exterior, aluminum trussed roof, and laminated floors. A monitor panel allows you to keep an eye on the systems, and there's prep for a backup camera as well. A 20K BTU furnace extends the camping season into the cooler months, and you can add an optional 13.5 BTU roof mount air conditioner for the hot summer too! No matter the weather, you'll enjoy the stereo with indoor and outdoor speakers.  

Awesome Sales Staff Parris RV is awesome! The sales team, service department, staff and management are outstanding. From our first encounter when we walked through the door to the closing of the sale, we were treated with respect and honesty. Our salesman, Kyle, was so helpful. He listened to us, answered our questions and helped us find the trailer to fit our needs. We would definitely recommend Parris RV to our family - Collen

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Travel Lite RV was founded in Syracuse, Indiana in 1998 by the late Larry P. Johns. Originally founded as a truck camper manufacturer, Travel Lite RV expanded into travel trailers in 2011 and is now a global RV manufacturer of innovative lightweight travel trailers and truck campers with new and innovative models launching in coming months. 

At Travel Lite RV, we understand how important it is to make the best use of your time and money and that’s why we specialize in travel trailers and truck campers that are beautifully designed yet lightweight and affordable.

We believe your RV should complement your vehicle and lifestyle with a bold, modern design that no other RV manufacturer can match. 

www.parrisrv.com

Parris RV is not responsible for any misprints, typos, or errors found in our website pages. Any price listed excludes sales tax, registration tags, and delivery fees. Manufacturer pictures, specifications, and features may be used in place of actual units on our lot. Please contact us @801-268-1110 for availability as our inventory changes rapidly. All calculated payments are an estimate only and do not constitute a commitment that financing or a specific interest rate or term is available.

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New 2024 Travel Lite Up Country 775

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Specifications

Description, 775 floorplan.

Travel Lite Up Country truck camper 775 highlights:

• 12V Refrigerator
• Stereo with Indoor and Outdoor Speakers

The Up Country 775 has everything you will need to get away! A cozy sleeping space features a roomy bed . Tuck your things away in the storage areas including dual footlockers with integrated USB ports so you can charge your electronics while you snooze. A shelving unit also has room for an optional TV. The kitchen has a dinette which can be converted for additional sleeping space as needed. Enjoy meals cooked on your two-burner stainless steel stove , and clean up in the sink with high rise faucet. A 12V refrigerator keeps your food fresh and cold. As if that's not enough, there's even a bathroom with a 23" x 32" shower ! 

The Up Country by Travel Lite is a sturdy yet lightweight truck camper that can go deep into the woods. The wood-free construction includes a  Hydro-Lite exterior, aluminum trussed roof, and laminated floors. A monitor panel allows you to keep an eye on the systems, and there's prep for a backup camera as well. A 20K BTU furnace extends the camping season into the cooler months, and you can add an optional 13.5 BTU roof mount air conditioner for the hot summer too! No matter the weather, you'll enjoy the stereo with indoor and outdoor speakers.  

Standard Features 

Standard Features

• White- Hydro-Lite Exterior
• TPO Roof Membrane
• Aluminum Trussed Roof
• Laminated Floor Construction
• Fresh Water Tank
• Free Standing Table
• Stainless Steel Sink
• High-Rise Kitchen Faucet
• Shur-Flo Water Pump
• 40 Amp Converter
• 2-Burner Stainless Steel Stove
• Stainless Steel Microwave
• 20k BTU Furnace
• Detachable 30 Amp Power Cord
• Bargman Power Cord
• 20# LP Tank
• Monitor Panel
• Stereo w In/Outdoor Speakers
• Outdoor Spray Port
• Backup Camera Prep
• 2000# Detachable Electric Jacks

Optional Equipment

• 13.5 BTU Roof Mount A/C

Please see us for a complete list of features and available options!

All standard features and specifications are subject to change.

All warranty info is typically reserved for new units and is subject to specific terms and conditions. See us for more details.

Due to the current environment, our features and options are subject to change due to material availability.

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Excellent Customer Service We traveled to Meridian, ID from Farmington, New Mexico over the Holidays to visit our Mother. While there, we planned on looking at motorhomes. We had been looking for several months: Albuquerque, Kingman AZ, and Laughlin, Nevada. Looking through RV Trader, we saw that Bish’s had a 2017 Newmar Ventana

Excellent Customer Service Well I’m not sure if I’m supposed to write this here for a review or not. But I have to admit after owning my trailer for the first year and feeling like I had some pretty bad service in the past. I had taken my trailer in once more to have it worked on and ( WOW) what a difference in service that’s

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Payments are with approved credit. Terms may vary. Monthly payments are only estimates derived from the RV price with an 84, 96, 180, 204, or 240 month term, 10% to 20% down, 7.99%-11.74% interest APR, and financing terms are based on approved credit for qualified buyers and does not constitute a commitment that financing for a specific rate or term is available. Tax, title, licensing, surcharges, doc fees, titling, registration, or other processing fees may apply and are not included in the prices shown or within the monthly payments and must be paid by the purchaser depending on State laws/rules. While great effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, errors do occur so please verify all information, pricing, and payments with a Bish's RV team member by calling us or by visiting us at the dealership. Bish's RV strives to ensure all pricing, images and information contained on this website is accurate. Despite our efforts, occasionally errors resulting from typos, inaccurate detailed information or technical mistakes may occur. We are not responsible for any such errors and reserve the right to correct them at any time. Stock photos may not represent the actual unit in stock. See dealer for details.

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TCA Exclusive: Travel Lite Revamps Truck Camper Lineup With New Brands

As your trusted truck camper industry news source, Truck Camper Adventure reached out to Indiana-based Travel Lite RV (TLRV). We’re glad we did. In a Truck Camper Adventure exclusive, Travel Lite has just revealed that its overhauling its truck camper lineup, which will include two new brands called the Atom and Up Country. To learn more about these new brands and other changes, Keith Lessner, Travel Lite National Sales Manager, was kind enough to answer a few questions.

Thank you for talking with us, Keith. Travel Lite operations were in a state of flux a few years ago. What is the current status of the company?

Keith Lessner: Travel Lite is currently up and running. A couple years ago our suspension of operations was to make the necessary changes to get Travel Lite pointed in the right direction again. Since then, we have completely revamped our product line including truck campers, the new models of which are just launching now.

Where are your campers made and what products are you producing today?

Keith Lessner: All of our campers are made onsite at our Syracuse, Indiana plant. We currently offer ultra light weight travel trailers, toy haulers and our full lineup of truck campers. From here on out, every camper we make will have a laminated structure with aluminum framing instead of the more traditional wood build. We have also recently made big strides on our EV truck camper lineup that is coming very soon. There are a lot of exciting things happening at Travel Lite right now.

How many units have you been producing per year? How many dealerships are selling Travel Lite campers?

Keith Lessner: TLRV produces approximately 1,500 units per year which we are looking to increase and currently serve 85 dealers and counting. There has been a recent spike in new dealer interest and we anticipate being well over 100 dealers by the end of the year.

With regard to the new Travel Lite truck camper brands, will you be retaining the Extended Stay and Super Lite brands you produced before?

Keith Lessner: The Extended Stay and Super Lite truck campers were great for us, but that moniker has been retired. When we moved away from wood construction to our new laminated construction, we wanted to let everyone know how different the structure is and felt it was an appropriate time to make a name change. Our mid-size truck camper line is called the Atom and our full-size truck camper line is now called Up Country. The first Atom’s should be arriving at dealer lots now and the Up Country not far behind. Also, by moving from wood construction to lamination, not only have we increased strength, but we have also made our campers lighter.

What trends and feedback in the marketplace drove these changes?

Keith Lessner: Like most things, there are trends in truck campers and it is always changing. In the truck camper world especially, there are only so many ways you can arrange items in a small space so there tends to be some common layouts. We have taken a hard look at what customers are buying and they seem to gravitate towards a few, more popular layouts and that is where we are starting our focus on our new lines of truck campers. Our initial plans are calling for six floorplans but we want to be flexible and keep with trends when necessary.

How many models and floorplans will be in your initial launch?

Keith Lessner: Three. The Up Country 650 and 775, and the Atom 400.

How will your new campers be constructed? Will you be offering different interior finishes in your campers?

Keith Lessner: Our previous generations of truck campers were built from wood and served us well for many years. Our new laminated construction features our Hydro-Lite sidewalls that have aluminum framing with foam laminated between Azdel and fiberglass. The only pieces of the structure of the camper that aren’t laminated are the roof, which has aluminum trusses, and the cap, which has laminated interior panels. This gives us increased strength and rigidity while helping decrease weight. In an effort to simplify our ordering process and keep our pricing down, we have a single interior color.

Can you tell us more about the single interior color you just mentioned?

Keith Lessner: The name of our interior color is Somlyn, it is a lighter wood grain for cabinetry and trim with off-white walls and a multicolor countertop that looks like coarse beach sand and each (Atom and Up Country) has curtains that coordinate with the exterior graphic (Green for Up Country and Blue for Atom).

What colors will you be using on the exterior of your campers?

Keith Lessner: The exterior of the Atom is gray and the exterior of the Up Country is white, while both of them have a darker earthy gray front cap and wire/wind channel.

The windows and roof are key components in any truck camper build? Can you explain how the new Travel Lite brands will be approaching and constructing each?

Keith Lessner: Our roof is aluminum trussed with a TPO membrane. The aluminum trusses give us a ton of strength being that they are welded and the TPO membrane is long lasting and has just the right amount of flexibility for going down the road. In regards to windows, we use the Lippert 8800 series windows, in part, because of how well they perform against water intrusion but the tinted glass and sleek design are nice additional benefits. When selecting any component we consider efficiency, ease of use, and utility, among other characteristics, to try and select the best components for our campers.

Will any of the Atom and Up Country floorplans feature a wet-bath?

Keith Lessner: On launch, the Up Country 775 will have a wet-bath and also two future units will get the wet-bath, a sibling to the Atom and a larger Up Country, both still in development.

What will your new Atom and Up Country truck campers retail for?

Keith Lessner: Our MSRP’s for the truck campers range from the mid $20,000’s to the mid to upper $30,000’s, and trailers range from the mid $20,000’s while the toy haulers can have an MSRP starting under $50,000. Of course, it can vary by options and model.

Lithium batteries, inverters, and solar power are three very popular options right now in the truck camper marketplace. Will you be offering all three?

Keith Lessner: Funny you should ask. We are developing a lineup of EV models that will be coming soon. While we have solar panels standard on all of our truck camper and trailer models, our new EV lineup with utilize lithium batteries , inverters, and more solar charging capability and eliminate the need for propane. The cool thing about the way we took on EV, is that all of our truck camper models can be an EV, we didn’t pick and choose like some manufacturers. If you like one of our floorplans, but want an EV, you’re in luck.

Low amperage, low profile air conditioners are another popular option. Will you be offering one?

Keith Lessner: We have done some digging into the low amperage, low profile air conditioners and haven’t found a solution we are satisfied with yet, but we are still looking.

The Ford F150 is America’s most popular vehicle and pickup truck. Which Travel Lite campers will be light enough and will fit on this and other half-ton trucks?

Keith Lessner: The Ford F-150 has a huge advantage over most other half-tons in its class because of the F-150’s aluminum alloy body. The weight that is saves in body panels, is added to the payload. Our first three models of our new laminated truck camper line (Atom 400, Up Country 650 and Up Country 775) are all made to fit in half-ton trucks (the Atom 400 is made for mid-size trucks , but can be carried by full-size trucks due to the quick disconnect power jacks and attached mounting point that is wider to accommodate full size trucks). Always check with your pickup manufacturer for the specific payload capacity of your truck as well as any other potential risks.

So the Atom is made fit mid-size trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger?

Keith Lessner: Yes, that is correct. The Atom is made specifically for mid-size trucks such as the Tacoma Tacoma , Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, Jeep Gladiator and others. Always check with your pickup manufacturer for the specific payload capacity of your truck as well as any other potential risks.

What floorplans/models will you be offering with your new Atom and Up Country brands?

Keith Lessner: There are plans for a second Atom with a bathroom and a larger Up Country model we took from our old Extended Stay line, with a few tweaks, of course. From there, we’ll look to our dealers to see what feedback they are getting and work from there. Like I mentioned before, we are always working on improving the product whether that be content or layout. In smaller spaces like truck campers, a small adjustment can make a big difference.

Will there be any features or options that will distinguish Travel Lite truck campers from the competition?

Keith Lessner: Our quick disconnect jack brackets are different than what is being used by other manufacturers right now and ours are standard power jacks with the quick disconnect, which no one else is doing. We are also utilizing Jet Boil Genesis camp stoves in some floorplans to help manage counter space and cooking flexibility. Let’s not forget about our new EV lineup, which eliminates propane while being completely self-contained.

Can you tell us more about the new EV lineup? Will these be stand-alone lithium campers or will they be compatible with the new Ford Lightning and Tesla Cybertruck getting their power only from the electric trucks?

Keith Lessner: Our EV models will be completely stand alone. While you will still have the ability to plug them into shore power, the multiple large solar panels, high capacity inverter and lithium batteries make it so the camper can power itself and it’s electric components such as electric heater and water heater.

When will your website be updated to reflect all of these changes?

Keith Lessner: We have been working with our web team on updating the entire site updated and adding the information for new campers. Pending any unforeseen delays or technical issues, I would expect to have the updates and new information to be up and running within the next few weeks.

Nice! Thanks again for talking with us, Trevor. Are there any plans to release anything new in the future?

Keith Lessner: Thank you for having me, Mike. It has been a pleasure getting to share our exciting new products with you. With regard to future plans, we are always looking to improve our product and include new, innovative ideas and components in our campers. Our next project is a more rugged, essentials only truck camper, but you’ll have to keep an eye on Travel Lite for all of our updates and new products.

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• Electric Vehicles (EV)
• Ford F150 Lightning
• Hard-Side Truck Camper
• Tesla Cybertruck
• Travel Lite Atom 400
• Travel Lite Campers
• Travel Lite Up Country 650
• Travel Lite Up Country 775

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Thanks for the article on Travel Lite! I’m on my 2nd TL truck camper, a rx960 on a Ram 2500 long bed and love it. I asked another another online truck camper magazine why they no longer report on Travel Lite and was told that they ” no longer pay them “. Keep up the good work!

This aluminum frame construction is great news, especially for a light weight hard side affordable truck camper. I may have to sell my existing wood frame Travel Lite 770 and upgrade to the new aluminum frame unit. I’m really excited not to have to worry about wood rot anymore. I’ve always liked Travel Lite’s simple design with no overhang at the rear. This allows the tailgate to be used as a porch. Thanks Travel Lite.

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Popular Destinations

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I've been to 54 countries and have lived in 10. These 5 underrated places are worth the trip.

• Kate Boardman has visited 54 countries around the world and lived in 10, including the US.
• She's enjoyed spots like France and Bali but says people should visit underrated places like Oman.
• In Guatemala, she climbed an active volcano, and in Ecuador, she swam with hammerhead sharks.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kate Boardman , a 36-year-old former teacher and current content creator from Massachusetts who has lived and traveled all over the world. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I first lived abroad when I was 15, when I participated in an exchange program in Germany. I lived there for a year, attending school and staying with a host family.

That was my first exposure to living overseas and truly immersing myself in other cultures. From there, the travel bug hit me hard. It inspired me to study international business in France while I was at university, and future trips after that.

I've been to 54 countries and lived in 10, including the US. The sense of freedom and self-growth that comes from traveling is unbeatable. I also love being able to see the world in a different way.

The most popular destinations are popular for a reason.

Everyone talks about Paris, London , Bali — all travel destinations that are super popular, in part thanks to social media.

I visited Bali in early 2012 and saw it expand firsthand. There was a lot of construction — with many beach clubs being built — and it became overcrowded by foreigners. It's led to locals being priced out of their homes.

I also think spots like Cancun are super overrated; there are way cooler places to visit in Mexico. Many tourists spend a week in an all-inclusive resort and think that's fun — but that couldn't be more unattractive to me.

Obviously, there's still beauty in places that are oversaturated and famous. But I think that there's an excitement that comes from experiencing places that are off the beaten track.

It's often in those places that you can have the most surprising experiences.

I was treated like family in Iran

I would say my favorite country that I have visited is Iran. I went in 2018 and was there for 10 days.

Normally, when I'm traveling, I backpack alone and stay in hostels as a solo traveler. However, in Iran, if you're American, Canadian, or from the UK, in order to get permission to enter the country, you need a set itinerary and a licensed travel guide.

It was a very coordinated trip and a bit more challenging to visit, but it was so rewarding because I was welcomed with the warmest hospitality.

One of the unique aspects of this trip was how close my guide and I became. He went above and beyond, inviting me over to his family's house for dinner, where I got to meet and hang out with his friends and family. It was truly special.

Because I had a guide, everything was kind of set for me in Iran. He arranged different accommodations, including a road trip through the country, where we stayed in various cities at different guesthouses.

It only cost me around $1,000.

The nature and landscape of Iran are absolutely beautiful and amazing. The sights, attractions, and history are mind-blowing. You've got these gorgeous mosaics everywhere. All of the architecture had my jaw dropping in awe while walking around.

The food is also delicious, and the markets are incredible, each filled with gorgeous textiles, jewelry, turquoise, and rugs.

I would totally visit there again. I hope the political situation changes because that would definitely be one of my group trip destinations. I think it's just incredible.

Georgia took me by surprise

Georgia is just one of those countries that's not on a lot of people's radar. And then they go there and they're like, 'Whoa, that's awesome. Why didn't I know about this before?'

I knew very little about Georgia before I visited in 2018. I spent only five days in the country, but I was completely blown away.

I stayed in Tbilisi, which is the capital city. It's a really beautiful, trendy, and artsy kind of city. It has amazing wine and incredible food.

Probably one of my favorite things about the trip is that I stayed in this hostel called Fabrika . It was an old Soviet Union sewing factory that they turned into a super cool, industrial, hipster hostel.

In Tbilisi, I also went on a pub crawl throughout the Old Town, which featured a bunch of underground cellars and bunkers that have been turned into trendy nightclubs and bars.

During my time in the country, I took a trip out to the countryside to an area called Kazbegi, which is absolutely stunning. There were gorgeous and breathtaking mountains, hills, and massive churches.

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In the city, I also had a Turkish bath, which is a big thing in Georgia. I got a full scrub down.

Guatemala has something for everyone

When most people from the US think about going to Central America, they're focused on Mexico or Costa Rica. Guatemala seems to be a place that kind of gets overlooked.

But life is great in Guatemala.

You've got beautiful weather all year round, the jungle, rainforests, and the Caribbean's white sand beaches, while the Pacific side has its black sand beaches. It's got a little bit of everything.

I first lived in Guatemala in 2021, where I worked as a teacher at an international school. They provided housing in Guatemala City. However, after I finished working for them, I moved to a beach town on the Pacific coast and lived there for about six months.

I've traveled there on other occasions too, staying for periods of four or five months.

The typical salary for a Guatemalan is about $500 a month, with a good salary being $1,000. I would say that $2,000 a month is more than enough to live there extremely comfortably.

There are a lot of digital nomads moving there, especially to Antigua — an old colonial town with a lot of charm, cobblestone streets, and painted buildings.

There's just so much to do in Guatemala; it's so magical.

The biggest must do is hiking the active volcano called Acatenango . Sometimes, you can see it erupting right from its base camp. There's not many places in the world where you can experience that.

Another good place to visit is El Paredon, a super up-and-coming hippie surf town. The surfing is great, and you've got these black volcanic sand beaches. It's just a really laid-back place.

Lake Atitlan is also an incredible spot. It's surrounded by volcanoes and several Mayan villages, each with its own personality and vibe.

Oman's deserts are magical

Oman is in the Middle East, bordering the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. I've been there three times between 2016 and 2018.

The country is culturally rich, and the capital city, Muscat, is really beautiful. It has old traditional marketplaces and gorgeous architecture — the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is definitely worth checking out.

The deserts there are incredible, so doing a desert trip is a must. I camped out in the desert with the locals, rode camels, and drove Jeeps over the sand dunes.

Having tea and watching the sunset in the desert was magical too.

Oman also has wadis, which are basically big canyons in the middle of the desert with swimming holes. There, you'll find bright turquoise water contrasting with the orange rock.

The country's islands are also beautiful and incredible for snorkeling. They look like you'd be in the Caribbean, but you're in the Middle East.

The Galapagos Islands are truly like nowhere else in the world

I visited Ecuador last year for about six weeks. I was leading a gap year program with a group of high school students. We split our time between the Galapagos Islands and the mainland, which consisted of cities and the Amazon.

Because Ecuador has incredibly unique biodiversity that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world, The Galapagos Islands are an absolute must. I've never seen such incredible wildlife in my life; so many species exist only on those islands.

While visiting The Galapagos, my group went snorkeling with 50 to 100 hammerhead and Blacktip sharks. We also swam with sea lions and saw giant tortoises.

Another amazing aspect of Ecuador is learning about the Inca culture. My group did a homestay and lived with a family for about 10 days and learned about their way of life.

We experienced how connected they are with Mother Earth, whom they refer to as Pachamama, and learned about their traditional medicine: They grow their own food and seek out plant medicine when they're sick, rather than relying on processed foods.

Learning about and sharing their way of life was truly special.

I want to show people how to travel the world

There are many beliefs people have about different countries and cultures, sometimes considering them too dangerous, expensive, or unattainable.

I want to inspire more people to explore, step out of their comfort zones, and experience more of the world. I am hosting group trips with the goal of bringing people to these countries and showing them why they are so life-changing.

Watch: From Nepal to Kosovo, here's how countries are celebrating Pride

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I’ve Been to Every Country in the World—Here’s How It Made Me Wiser

T he world is made up of 193 countries, and I have visited them all. I believe that adventure begins where the familiar ends—a city you’re visiting for the first time, a path you’ve never followed before, a mountain you’ve never climbed, a country whose language you don’t speak and whose traditions you don’t know. And there’s nothing like the curiosity mingled with surprise and wonder that results from these new experiences.

As I was working on a book about traveling to all these countries , I started reliving some of my journeys. At one point, I had to stop writing because I became overwhelmed by the memories flooding back to me. After so many years of intense travel, I realized just how many adventures I had lived, how many beautiful places I had seen and how many wonderful people I had met. There I was, sitting behind my laptop with goosebumps all over my arms and tears of thankfulness in my eyes. After having been on the move for so long, it was time for reflection.

One of the most fundamental lessons I’ve learned? The importance of sharing. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do here. Most people aren’t able to travel as extensively as I have, but I can take them on a virtual tour of sorts and give them a little glimpse into the wisdom I’ve gained through my travels. Here are 10 of the most important things I’ve learned on my travels—about the world and the people living in it, including myself.

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Get rid of your prejudices

Even if you haven’t been to a place, chances are you’ve heard or read stories about it. The challenge of the traveler is to leave preconceived notions behind and arrive with a fresh, open mind. Then you will be able to see the place for what it really is instead of looking for confirmations of stereotypes.

I dreaded going to Mogadishu, Somalia, but I knew if I wanted to achieve my goal of visiting every country in the world, I would have to go there. I also knew the country had been unstable for several decades, with regular attacks wreaking havoc on innocent people. When I arrived at Mogadishu airport, I was embraced by my guide. We toured the city, and he showed me the destruction that civil war had caused and the ruins of what once had been beautiful Italian buildings. I was invited for a chat and tea by men in the street. I played football with a few guys on the city beach.

While looking for the old mosque of the city, one of the oldest in Africa, I asked a few older men under a tree where to find it. It turned out to be around the corner, but it was closed. They sent a small boy to find the imam who ran it, and he proudly showed me his mosque. He was visibly touched by my effort to visit this historic temple.

Yes, I was escorted by four armed guards during my trip, and yes, I saw a lot of destruction, as well as refugees living in dire conditions. But I also felt welcome, and I felt the incredible energy of resilient people eager to build a better future. When I left, I realized that my image of the country had greatly changed.

Listen to your heart

When we have to make a decision, we generally weigh our options in a logical way. While it is good to listen to our brains, it is equally important to take our gut feelings into account. In my travels, I have often chosen to do something because my intuition told me to do it, not because it seemed like the best decision in a rational way. These situations have involved choices where courage was required, like quitting a well-paying job in a promising IT career to travel or setting my goal to visit every country on Earth, even though my government told me to stay away from some of them. While people close to me didn’t understand my decisions, these choices were among the best I ever made, and they changed my life for the better.

Lead with kindness and humor

Traveling, by definition, means meeting people from different backgrounds and cultures. You inevitably meet people who do and say things you would never do or say yourself, and on the flip side, people in the country you’re visiting might not be used to foreigners or know how to deal with them. They might have a preconception about you , the stranger. (See above about stereotypes!)

The key is to arrive with an open mind. Be kind and modest, smile and try to connect with the people you’re dealing with. By being human and accessible, most people will open up to you, and you’ll likely receive kindness in return. If the opportunity presents itself, try to make an innocent joke—laughter is a universal icebreaker.

When I arrived at a checkpoint in the middle of the Cameroonian jungle (in Africa) on the back of a motorbike, an officer stopped me. I’d had my share of greedy officials fishing for bribes and was tired of it. Still, I shook hands and asked what he wanted. He started by saying that I should pay money if I wanted to proceed. I pointed at the dusty motorbike I was driving, my worn backpack and then my skin, and said, "You are assuming I am rich because I have white skin … but would a rich person really travel like this?” He laughed, shook my hand again, gave me a pat on my shoulder and wished me a safe trip.

Embrace the similarities

We live in an incredibly diverse world. Even in my own small country (the Netherlands), there are quite a few dialects. Of course, these differences are precisely what makes travel so fascinating. But I have come to realize that we are much more similar than we think. We all want to be healthy, we all want the best for our kids and we all want to have good meals. At the end of the day, no matter where we’re from, we are all humans sharing the same planet.

It is surprising how many people complain about the weather. And the traffic. Whether you are in New York, Lagos, Bangkok or almost any other big city, people think their traffic is the worst in the world. I’m convinced that if we would look for the things we have in common, we would have a better understanding of one another.

Be grateful

On all my travels, I prefer to take it slow. I take public transportation where possible. I often explore cities and the countryside walking or on a bicycle. I eat at local restaurants, and I sleep in modest, local accommodations. This immersion guarantees a better understanding of the life locals live. It also means that I get to meet a lot of people, and there is no better way to begin to grasp a country than to listen to its inhabitants.

One of the things that has struck me most is that even in the poorest countries, people make the best of their lives. They work very hard to make ends meet, hoping for a better life for their children, even when the odds are stacked against them. Rather than complain, they do their best. As a result, I have come to appreciate my life and what I have. It doesn’t make sense to complain. If something isn’t right, you can decide to improve it, fight it or forget about it.

This lesson has also made me see the beauty in small things . I still get thrilled when I witness a spectacular sunset, a brilliant rainbow or a ray of sunlight seeping through gaps between enormous clouds. There is so much to be grateful for, and if you acknowledge it, it brings a lot of positivity into your life.

Be generous, and share what you can

One of the things that touches me most on my travels is how people welcome me to their country. People have gone out of their way to help me, invited me to their homes, made sure I was safe, gave me a drink and prepared food for me. Over the years, I’ve realized that those who have less often share more.

When I was traveling in Sudan, Africa, on a local bus with my travel partner, I noticed an old woman and her son. It was obvious that they were poor from the ragged clothes they wore and the bag they carried, which was full of holes. The woman did not seem to see much, and one of her son’s feet was distorted, and he had trouble walking.

Whenever we stopped, we helped them get out and back onto the bus. Unfortunately, we couldn’t talk to them more than a few words. We felt sympathy for them and were considering what we could give them before we reached our destination. Then, unexpectedly, the bus stopped, and they got off. It all went too fast, and we didn't manage to give them anything. When we reached our destination and went to pay our fare, the driver told us that it had already been paid. It turned out that the frail mother had given him the money for our fares when she got off with her son. We looked at each other, tears welling up in our eyes.

These many acts of generosity have made me a more generous person too. Giving not only makes the receiver happy—it also makes you feel good.

Travel sustainably

A rapidly increasing number of people have the means to travel, and more destinations are within reach of potentially millions of visitors. In many ways, this is good. Travel can lead to mutual understanding and a deeper sense of international awareness. However, I’ve been noticing more and more lately how the influx of tourism can have a negative impact on local communities—for example, through pollution and rising prices—and the area on a social and cultural level. Moreover, tourist money often doesn’t go to the local economy but to big international brands (think: hotels, tour operators, cruise companies and the like).

Last year, I visited the traditional Gerewol Festival in Niger, Africa, where young people from nomadic tribes hope to find a future spouse. I saw foreigners poke their big lenses into kids’ faces without bothering to ask and fly drones in the middle of the event to capture the image of young men all painted for the occasion, just to have the best shot. It made me feel awful, like the tourists thought they were in a zoo looking at animals instead of respectfully watching the nomads perform their age-old traditions.

I am convinced that in order to keep travel attractive in the long run for both travelers and host countries alike, measures will have to be taken. Some popular destinations are already trying to limit the number of visitors. But I hope people will become more conscious and book their next trip with local operators, as well as think of the impact their journeys will have on the places they are visiting—not to mention be respectful of the people they encounter.

Know who to trust

One of the main concerns when you travel is whether or not you can trust strangers. How do you know if they will stick to their word? Travel quickly teaches you what to look for in a person. It teaches you to listen carefully to what someone says and how they say it, and to listen to your intuition. Trusting your intuition is one of the most helpful things you can do in travel (and life, in general).

When I was 19, I set out on my very first solo trip. I traveled by train through Western Europe, crossed the Mediterranean and ended up in Morocco. There, I was besieged by young men who claimed to want to practice English. I ignored them. I had traveled around three continents with my parents and thought I was an experienced traveler. Ah, the innocent overestimation of youngsters! The guys continued to follow me until I gave in. Over the next few days, they took me out for tea, for walks through Tanger, for talks about the things young guys talk about. They invited me to a traditional party in their village. And then, suddenly, they asked me how many drugs I wanted to buy. None, I told them. They turned aggressive, claiming I had wasted their time and that I had to pay them compensation for it.

I managed to negotiate the amount down, but when I left, I felt empty. They had broken my trust, and I considered that unforgivable. It took a while before I trusted people again. It also taught me to listen and look carefully, to stand my ground and to walk out of situations that didn’t feel good. Nothing like this ever happened to me again. I still want to trust strangers, but I will always hold a healthy dose of skepticism.

Enjoy life now

When I was 23 years old, I lived in Lomé, Togo (Africa), for two months. After a while, I started feeling weaker and weaker, and one morning, I couldn’t get my head off my pillow. I vaguely realized that people carried me to a car and put me in the back seat, and a little later, I was lying on a bed in a small clinic. I felt a minor shot of pain in my index finger. Faraway voices were talking excitedly, and one word that came back several times was palu . I couldn't have cared less about the name of whatever was tearing me down, and I didn’t care if I ever woke up again—I just wanted to surrender to the deepest sleep ever.

Miraculously, a few days later, I walked out of the clinic. The doctors told me they had never seen a more severe case of malaria ( palu in French) and that they would not have been able to save me if I had arrived a few hours later. It took me several months to fully recover.

This was one of the defining moments in my life. I realized that even though I was young and fit, life was very fragile. You can’t take anything for granted, and you simply don’t know how long you will be on our beautiful planet. This realization instilled a kind of urgency in me—a deep desire to enjoy life, explore the world and make the most out of it. Knowing that I have lived my life fully gives me some peace of mind whenever I undertake a risky journey.

Invest in experiences instead of things

“Are you a millionaire?” “How do you pay for all your travel?” These are a couple of the questions I regularly get. While travel doesn’t have to cost a fortune (it largely depends on how, and where, you travel), I certainly have spent a good amount of money on it over the years. But it was money well spent. I can look back on so many fantastic memories, have learned so much from so many people and have been thrilled, awed and blown away by so many places. This is something that no one can ever take away from me—and it’s something I will cherish for the rest of my life.

I would wholeheartedly advise anyone to invest in experiences. They will enrich your life in a purer, deeper and longer-lasting way than any new gadget, car or anything else ever will.

Boris Kester is an author, fearless adventurer, polyglot, avid sportsman, programmer and political scientist. He is one of about 250 people worldwide to have traveled to every country in the world. According to the authoritative travel site NomadMania.com, Boris ranks among the best-traveled people on the planet. He is the author of The Long Road to Cullaville: Stories from My Travels to Every Country in the World . He shares his travel photos and stories on TravelAdventures.org . Learn more at BorisKester.com .

The post I’ve Been to Every Country in the World—Here’s How It Made Me Wiser appeared first on Reader's Digest .

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"Rocky, wild and unpredictable" — why Baja California is ideal offroading country

Unfurling for more than 750 miles down a stick-thin peninsula, Baja California has long been known for water adventures — but new off-roading tours help travellers see it from a different perspective.

Gripping the roof handle and staring silently over the dashboard, I avert my gaze from the 160ft drop to my left. There’s just six inches of dirt road standing between us and the cliff edge: one wrong move from our driver, and the pickup truck we’re in is going straight into the Sea of Cortez.

The first time I visited Mexico’s Baja California, the world’s second-longest peninsula, it was on a backpacking trip through Central America. I hitchhiked and bussed over 650 miles from Tijuana, on the border with the US, to Todos Santos, just short of Baja’s most southerly point, Cabo San Lucas. Travelling along the Carretera Transpeninsular, I stopped at every major town along Baja’s main highway, wine-tasting in Ensenada, whale-watching in Guerrero Negro and swimming with sea lions on Espiritu Santo Island.

During those long drives, I’d stare out at the stark desert landscape for hours: salt-encrusted greasewood shrubs and giant cardón cacti sprouted from swathes of sand and clay-red mountains, which often turned candyfloss pink at sunset. But what caught my eye were the narrow dirt tracks, hundreds of them crisscrossing the desert like a map drawn in the sand, veering off the highway towards sun-baked sierras and hidden turquoise coves. One day, I thought to myself, I’d return to Baja California to see where those roads led.

Five years on, I’ve come to La Paz, in the south of the Baja California peninsula, to join Baja Expeditions’ first-ever overlanding trip. The company has specialised in whale-watching, kayaking and wild camping in the state since the 1970s, but has recently branched out with off-roading tours to encourage visitors to explore the peninsula’s less-visited interior.

“People think Baja is just beaches and whales,” says our driver Mike Thorneycroft, a Canadian who moved to Baja California in 2020. “But it’s more than that. These trips are about getting people out of the resorts and into Baja’s least-visited communities, and learning some of their history and culture.”

Mike gets us past the cliff edge safely, manoeuvring around asteroid-sized potholes and boulders with ease as we climb up and over Sierra de la Laguna, part of a mountain range that connects Baja California Sur, the southern state of Baja California, with southern California in the US.  

On slightly wider roads, I start to relax and take in the views: unlike the parched desert I’d seen from the highway years ago, these mountains are lush from recent hurricane rains, flourishing with lime-green mesquite trees and pink and yellow wildflowers. We cross arroyos — dry riverbeds that fill up after heavy rainfall — flowing with crystalline water, where orange butterflies and free-roaming piglets from a nearby ranch are taking a drink. A vulture and a flaming red cardinal bird join soon after.

“Baja California is perfect for off-roading,” says Mike, who organises and competes in long-distance off-road rallies across the state. “The roads are rocky, wild and unpredictable, changing quickly in the rainy season. But that’s what makes it exciting.”

Near the former silver-mining town of   El Triunfo, we stop at the Santuario de los Cactus, a community-run garden with some   of the oldest and rarest cacti on earth, including the cardón, the world’s largest cactus. The garden’s grey-moustached volunteer caretaker, Guadalupe ‘Lupe’ Gonzalez, shows us around, pointing out which cacti fruits are edible and how to extract water from their flesh. He also shows us cacti species used to treat kidney stones, stomach aches and open wounds.

“I learnt about the medicinal properties of cacti from the rancheros (ranchers),” says Lupe, caressing the spines of a 400-year-old cactus as if they were whiskers. He’s been caring for the plants here for more than 30 years and offers guided tours of the garden for a small donation. “But this knowledge comes from the Indians. There are none left here now, but we know how to survive in the desert because of them.”

Before the Spanish arrived, Baja California was inhabited by three major Indigenous groups: the Cochimí, the Guaycura and the Pericú. Ancient rock paintings in Sierra de San Francisco, around 465 miles north of where I am and described by UNESCO as some of the most impressive collections of rock paintings in the world, suggest that these tribes had lived on the peninsula for at least 10,000 years.  

Although the Spanish colonised Baja California much later than Mexico’s mainland, around the late 17th century, the culture and history of these local Indigenous groups was erased more quickly than in the rest of Mexico. Some experts believe this is because the region’s Indigenous groups were nomadic hunter-gatherers, who lacked the big cities and societal structures that helped preserve the legacies of the Mayans and Aztecs in other Mexican states. Today, very few Indigenous groups remain, with most living in the north of Baja California.

After a few hours of driving along the spectacular Barriles Santa Teresa coastal road, we make the steep descent to Palo Blanquito beach, where we’ll be spending the night. It’s a wild strip of sand, where milky-red cliffs crumble into a dazzling turquoise sea studded with volcanic rock. Come sunset, it’s just our truck on the beach and a flock of pelicans floating on the dead-still water, like rubber ducks in a jade-coloured bath. We eat refried beans and chicken burritos under the stars, watching a brilliant-white crescent moon rise over the water. That night, I sleep to the sound of the waves lapping gently at the shoreline.

The next morning, I watch the beach come to life from my tent. As the sun rises above the horizon, the sea turns from liquid silver to light pink, illuminating the inside of the tent with a warm glow. A family of pelicans — each one resembling a light aircraft — skim across the water with mouths agape, hoping to catch one of the flying fish backflipping through the air. Eager to join the action, I roll out of the tent and into the sea, plunging head first into the crystal-clear water with my mask and snorkel. Below the surface is an underwater city made of coral and volcanic rock, and colourful fish: I see a long, translucent cornetfish; a tiny cortez rainbow wrasse; and an enormous shoal of California yellowtail, the soft morning light bouncing off their tinfoil-like skin. It’s tempting to stay longer on this wild, empty beach, lounging on the rocks and floating in the warm turquoise waters as the resident pelicans do. But Mike has packed up camp and started the engine — it’s time to continue our journey through the desert roads of Baja California. “That’s the thing with overlanding,” says Mike, opening the passenger door for me to get in. “There’s always one more road to explore.”

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Americans are traveling abroad in droves.

The number of U.S. citizens flying to international destinations reached nearly 6.5 million passengers in March, according to the International Trade Administration. That’s the highest March total in over five years and shows that the post-pandemic “revenge travel” trend is the new normal.

It wasn’t just March, which usually sees a spike in international departures for spring break. In every month of 2024 so far, more Americans left the country than last year and 2019. These trends point to a blockbuster summer for overseas travel.

Nearly half of Americans (45%) plan to travel by air and/or stay in a hotel this summer and expect to spend $3,594 on average, on these expenses, according to a survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, conducted online by The Harris Poll and commissioned by NerdWallet.

That's despite rising travel prices that have caused some hesitancy among would-be travelers. About 22% of those choosing not to travel this summer cite inflation making travel too expensive as a reason for staying home, according to the poll.

So where are traveling Americans going? And what does it mean for those looking to avoid crowds of tourists and higher travel prices?

New travel patterns

Nearly every region in the world saw an increase in U.S. visitors in March 2024 compared with March 2023, according to International Trade Administration data. Only the Middle East saw a decline of 9%. Yet not every region saw the same year-over-year bump. U.S. visitors to Asia saw a 33% jump, while Oceania and Central America each saw a 30% increase.

Comparing 2024 with 2023 only tells part of the story, however. The new patterns really emerge when comparing international travel trends to 2019. For example, Central America received 50% more U.S. visitors in March 2024 compared with March 2019. Nearly 1.5 million Americans visited Mexico, up 39% compared with before the pandemic. That’s almost as many visitors as the entire continent of Europe, which has seen a more modest 10% increase since 2019.

Only Canada and Oceania saw fewer visitors in March 2024 than in 2019, suggesting that interest in these locations has not rebounded. Indeed, the trends indicate a kind of tourism inertia from COVID-19 pandemic-era lockdowns: Those destinations that were more open to U.S. visitors during the pandemic, such as Mexico, have remained popular, while those that were closed, such as Australia, have fallen off travelers’ radars.

Price pressures

How these trends play out throughout the rest of the year will depend on a host of factors. Yet, none will likely prove more important than affordability. After months of steadiness, the cost of travel, including airfare, hotels and rental cars, has begun to sneak up again.

About 45% of U.S. travelers say cost is their main consideration when planning their summer vacation, according to a survey of 2,000 Americans by the travel booking platform Skyscanner.

That’s likely to weigh further on U.S. travelers’ appetite for visiting expensive destinations such as Europe, while encouraging travel to budget-friendly countries. It could also depress overall international travel as well, yet so far, Americans seem to be traveling more.

For those looking to avoid crowds while maintaining a budget, Skyscanner travel trends expert Laura Lindsay offered a recommendation many of us might need help finding on a map.

“Albania has been on the radar of travelers looking for something different,” Lindsay said. "Most people have yet to discover it, but flights and tourism infrastructure are in place, and there are fewer crowds in comparison to trending European destinations like Italy, Greece, or Portugal.”

On the flip side, American travelers looking to avoid crowds of compatriots would do well to avoid Japan, which has seen a staggering 50% increase in U.S. tourists between March 2019 and 2024.

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On a similar note...

THE 10 CLOSEST Hotels to Country Park, Khimki

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• Best Value Properties ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data, including traveler ratings, confirmed availability from our partners, prices, booking popularity and location, as well as personal user preferences and recently viewed hotels.
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61. Bega Hotel

62. Radisson Blu Belorusskaya Hotel, Moscow

63. Boutique-Hotel Mona

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The 18 best places to see the northern lights.

Check the aurora borealis off your bucket list.

The Best Places for the Northern Lights

Getty Images

The northern lights, known as the aurora borealis, are a spectacular natural light show visible at certain times of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. They occur when electrically charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, creating vibrant streaks of blue, green, pink and violet dancing across the night sky. 2024 and 2025 are an excellent time to catch the northern lights: Solar activity will be at a peak, making for a more impressive experience, if you're in the right place.

The best places to see the aurora borealis have little light pollution, clear skies and no precipitation. The lights are only visible at northern latitudes when it's dark outside, so the months from September to April are best for seeing the aurora. There's also a Southern Hemisphere counterpart, the aurora australis; there are fewer easy spots from which to view this phenomenon, but if you're lucky, it can be equally brilliant.

For more information on the northern lights, scroll down to the FAQ section at the bottom of this page. Read on to discover the top destinations where you can see the kaleidoscopic northern and southern lights.

Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks is by far one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights, as it's located directly under the auroral oval. This ring-shaped zone sits around the Earth's geomagnetic North Pole and is generally associated with the most vibrant aurora sightings. Visitors can expect to see the lights on an average of four out of five clear nights during aurora season, which lasts from late August to late April.

You can book a northern lights tour to see the aurora from the springs and tubs at Chena Hot Springs Resort. This excursion includes round-trip transportation to the resort from town, a soak in the hot springs, a visit to the Fairbanks Aurora Ice Museum and an aurora viewing tour; dinner and drinks centered around Alaska produce are an option extra with hot drinks supplied.

There's more to Fairbanks than just the northern lights: If you visit in late summer, consider family-friendly activities like a ride on the Riverboat Discovery or gold panning. For a festive holiday experience in the winter, head around 15 miles out of Fairbanks to visit the Santa Claus House in the city of North Pole. Travelers can also see ice sculptures in February and March at the impressive World Ice Art Championships or take a dog-sledding or snowmobiling tour .

Where to stay: For excellent chances of aurora viewing, book a private igloo at Borealis Basecamp, a top glamping resort located on 100 remote acres of boreal forest about 25 miles from Fairbanks. With activities like dog-sledding on top of aurora viewing, past visitors regularly describe it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Tromsø, Norway

Located about 220 miles above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is one of several top spots to view the northern lights in Norway. At the darkest point of the aurora season – which runs from September to early April – the sun doesn't rise in this northern part of the country, although there is twilight during the day. With this level of darkness, there are more opportunities to see the aurora.

Tromsø itself is a small but lively city, so there's plenty to see and do when you're not looking up at the sky, including a visit to the beautiful Arctic Cathedral. In late January to early February, the city hosts the Northern Lights Festival, a 10-day music and performing arts event featuring a variety of musical genres.

Aurora chasers can view the lights on their own while in town, but to get a better view, it's recommended to head away from the city lights. Arctic Circle Tours is one company offering guided trips, with small groups for a more personal vibe. Alternatively, adventure-seekers can embark on an exhilarating husky trekking expedition in the Arctic wilderness.

Where to stay: For accommodations with harbor views, look no further than the Scandic Ishavshotel – guests love it for its convenient central location in the city, as well as its plus-sized breakfast buffet with plenty of choices.

Luosto and Rovaniemi (Lapland), Finland

Lapland is located within the Arctic Circle in the northernmost part of Finland. The northern lights are most visible here between the end of August and April – and approximately 200 times a year – so there are many opportunities for aurora spotting. Finnish Lapland is also known as home to the Sámi people (the only recognized Indigenous group in the European Union region), some 200,000 reindeer and Santa Claus – who can be visited in the town of Rovaniemi, the region's largest city and a great base for your aurora expedition.

Consider venturing roughly 70 miles north of Rovaniemi to the resort town of Luosto, set among the picturesque and hilly landscape of Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Here, you can also spend a magical evening outdoors under star-filled skies during a reindeer-drawn sleigh ride through the snow-covered forests. Jaakkola Reindeer Farm offers a reindeer sleigh tour to spot the aurora once weekly; it includes a stop to warm up at a bonfire camp with snacks, hot beverages and local fireside stories.

Where to stay: For a bucket list experience, watch the impressive light show from a glass igloo at Santa's Hotel Aurora & Igloos in Luosto. Past visitors love the cozy atmosphere here, boosted by amenities like saunas and log fireplaces. If you're sticking to Rovaniemi, the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel is a stunning choice, with designer cabins perched among the snow-covered taiga forest.

Orkney, Scotland

This group of captivating (and mostly uninhabited) islands, located about 10 miles off Scotland's remote northern coast, is one of the best places to see the northern nights in the U.K. Fall and winter are the best seasons to witness the aurora, also known in local Shetland dialect as the "Mirrie Dancers," with fall bringing the highest proportion of clear nights. A few places to see the spectacular light show include along the coast at Birsay or the Broch of Gurness, an archaeological ruin on a sweeping and dramatic coastline.

In addition to the aurora, Orkney is home to breathtaking coastal landscapes and more sheep than you can count (try some local lamb, if you can). Travelers can also visit the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with several monuments dating back 5,000 years.

Where to stay: During your visit, plan to stay in the historic town of Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands: The no-fuss Ayre Hotel offers harbor views, and past visitors compliment the hearty meals in the hotel restaurant. Spot the aurora close to town at Inganess Bay and Wideford Hill.

Yellowknife, Canada

Yellowknife, the capital of Canada 's Northwest Territories, dubs itself the "Aurora Capital of the World." Thanks to its position in the middle of the auroral oval, the city puts on one of the world's most awe-inspiring light shows. The period from mid-November to the beginning of April is the recommended time to spot the aurora, but it's also possible to see the aurora during more hospitable weather from late summer to early fall as the lights are visible up to 240 days a year.

Located on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife boasts winter sports such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing. If you visit in March, plan to attend the monthlong Snowkings' Winter Festival, which features events and activities like a snow-carving competition, a snow castle, live music and more.

For a unique experience, book a tour through Aurora Village to view the lights. The property will pick you up from your hotel and take you to its site, where you can stay warm in a tent while sipping hot beverages. The Aboriginal-owned Aurora Village also offers activities such as dog-sledding or snowshoeing excursions.

Where to stay: Warm up in the fireside lounge at The Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife. Previous visitors note the warm and helpful staff as a strength here.

Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

The optimal time for seeing the illuminated skies in the northern part of Sweden, known as Swedish Lapland, is between early September and late March. The small Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi sits around 125 miles above the Arctic Circle on the Torne River and is an ideal locale for aurora viewing. You'll fly to the nearby Kiruna Airport to get here. With the village's origins dating back to the 17th century, you can still find some of the original homesteads, including an old timber cottage. Today the village boasts 800 residents – and more than 1,000 dogs.

Where to stay: If you're up for a chilly overnight adventure, reserve accommodations at the world's first permanent ice hotel, the aptly named Icehotel 365. Each of its artist-designed suites is sculpted from ice with a unique theme and maintains temperatures around minus 5 degrees Celsius (about 23 degrees Fahrenheit). The rooms also feature beds with reindeer hides and thermal sleeping bags so you can bundle up during the night. While you're at the property, take advantage of the guided "Northern Lights Safari on Snowmobile" or embark on the "Moose Safari on Horseback" atop an Icelandic horse.

Reykjavik, Iceland

October through March is the best time to chase the aurora borealis in Iceland . There are numerous natural parks and attractions throughout the country where you can view the show during the long and dark winter, but the capital city of Reykjavik also offers many options for accommodations, restaurants, tours and other activities for your visit. For optimum aurora viewing in the city away from the light pollution, head to Öskjuhlið. This wooded and hilly area in Reykjavik sits at 200 feet above sea level and has walkways and paths where you can see the nighttime show.

Atop this hill sits Perlan, which houses the only planetarium in the country and a museum featuring exhibits about Iceland. Perlan is also home to the world's first indoor ice cave and glacier exploratorium. During your visit, don't miss the panoramic views of the city from the building's fourth-floor observation deck. From this vantage point, you'll be able to see the Snæfellsjökull glacier; Keilir, a volcanic mountain; and Esja, the mountain of Reykjavik.

Where to stay: While in Reykjavik, splurge on an overnight tour with Buubble Tours. This experience includes breathtaking sightseeing spots and a night spent under the magical northern skies in a transparent bubble at the 5 Million Star Hotel. For longer stays, consider the eco-friendly Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel, with sweeping views of the city – guests love it for its cozy yet chic Scandinavian design.

Southern Iceland

While Reykjavik is a great aurora-viewing spot if you like having amenities close by, consider getting out into Iceland's stunning, otherworldly countryside for a unique backdrop for the northern lights. One unique place to see them is the black sand beach at Reynisfjara (but watch out for the dangerous waves here). Alternatively, head to Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon and seal habitat, where the aurora's reflections in the icy water are truly beautiful.

There's no shortage of tours that will stop by these locations and more for possible aurora sightings. Consider a 10- or 13-day tour around the country with Fun Travel, or a four-day option from Arctic Adventures. If you want to do things at your own place, it's also possible to self-drive – just know that road conditions can be icy, particularly in the depths of winter (although Icelandic roads are generally well-maintained).

Where to stay: Hotel Rangá is a formidable option for aurora-spotting. It offers a variety of special amenities, such as aurora wake-up calls, a lookout deck and snowsuits to keep you warm if you're outside viewing the lights. Past visitors praise Rangá for being a comfortable yet luxurious place to relax, be it in the outdoor hot tubs or the cozy and sociable bar.

Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Greenland may not be the most accessible place to travel for viewing the northern lights, with limited flight options (mostly via Iceland), but those who make it here will be thrilled they did. The tundra of Kalaallit Nunaat – the Greenlandic name for the country – is one of the best places on the globe to see the aurora from September to early April.

For the more adventurous aurora seekers, head to the top of the Greenland Ice Cap for spectacular views of the lights. This impressive glacier covers 80% of the country and is accessible via the tiny town of Kangerlussuaq. Located on a fjord right along the Arctic Circle, the town, often described as a gateway to Greenland, was a former U.S. Air Force base and is now home to Greenland's main airport. The town is known for having clear skies on some 300 nights per year, so chances of a sighting are particularly good here.

Tour company Guide to Greenland offers various tours, from two-hour aurora-viewing trips to a tough but rewarding multi-night dog-sledding expedition across the ice. For a less strenuous experience, companies like Nordic Saga Tours offer cruises through the Arctic landscapes around Kangerlussuaq.

Viking cruise along Norway's coast

Courtesy of Viking

Embrace the winter and set sail for the Arctic Circle to experience the aurora in northern Norway. The 13-day "In Search of the Northern Lights" cruise itinerary with Viking departs from London for the North Sea with stops in ports of call that are top aurora-viewing locales, including Tromsø, Alta and Narvik, plus a stop in Amsterdam en route. The cruise ends in Bergen, Norway.

While on land, take in the natural beauty of the snow-blanketed landscapes and book bucket list excursions like a night spent in an igloo or a reindeer sledding adventure. You can also chase the lights into the wilderness by snowmobile, take a dog sled ride under the stars or view them from a Sámi tent atop the mountain Pæska in Alta. This Viking Ocean Cruises itinerary is offered with departure dates from mid-January to mid-March.

Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Michigan

Regarded as one of the top spots in the U.S. to see the aurora outside Alaska, Headlands International Dark Sky Park sits at the top of Michigan 's lower peninsula, less than 5 miles from Mackinaw City. While the northern lights are less common here due to the relatively southern location, the best time to catch a glimpse of this phenomenon is typically during the spring and fall – and appearances can usually be predicted a couple of days in advance. The park even maintains an online Clear Sky Chart so you can check the weather forecast before you go.

There are also other stargazing opportunities throughout the year at Headlands. During the summer months the Milky Way is visible across the sky, and late summer evenings entertain visitors with meteor showers.

Where to stay: If you're visiting between late April and the end of October, splurge on a stay at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island, where the aurora should also be visible. Guests describe this iconic property situated along the shoreline of Lake Huron as positively charming, thanks to its historic nature and manicured grounds. The resort also offers a host of outdoor activities from bike rentals to swimming.

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Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Martha Shuff | Courtesy of Voyageurs National Park

Located on the international border between Minnesota and Ontario, Voyageurs National Park is an approximately 218,000-acre labyrinth of boreal forests, lakes and streams. Voyageurs is Minnesota's only national park; it's also unique in that the park's interior is accessible only by boat, unless you visit by snowmobile in winter. As a certified International Dark Sky Park , Voyageurs provides opportunities to view the Milky Way on clear evenings, especially in the summer. Year-round aurora viewing is also possible on evenings with clear dark skies, but chances are better during the winter, when it's dark for longer.

For a guided stargazing tour – including the Milky Way, the constellations and (if you're lucky) the northern lights – book with Voyageurs Outfitters. If you're on your own, park officials note that almost any campsite is a good spot for northern lights viewing and stargazing. You can also check out the boat launch areas around Ash River, Kabetogama Lake and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center for top-notch views.

Where to stay: Those who prefer to sleep in a warm, cozy bed instead of camping under the stars can make reservations at the Cantilever Distillery + Hotel, a boutique Trademark Collection by Wyndham property in the nearby town of Ranier, Minnesota. Visitors report that there's a lot to like here, from the industrial-chic rooms to friendly staff to top-notch cocktails in the active distillery on the premises.

Abisko National Park, Sweden

Given its Arctic location, Sweden is one of the prime spots for aurora viewing in the Northern Hemisphere, with Swedish Lapland at the top of the list. The fall and winter months (from September to March) offer the best opportunities to witness the spectacle, as there is more darkness than light during the days.

If you're up for the Arctic adventure, December is an ideal month to visit Abisko National Park, which some regard as one of the best places on Earth to see the lights dance across the sky. The park's mountainous terrain and clear dark skies offer dramatic front-row seats for viewing the northern lights. The Aurora Sky Station is one of the best vantage points to see the aurora in the park. Join one of the expert presentations to learn about the science behind this fascinating phenomenon.

If you'd prefer to chase the lights with a curated tour, professional photographers and aurora-chasing guides at Visit Abisko lead three- to four-hour tours throughout the fall and winter. If you can, try to join the tours in fall, as this time of year offers a unique opportunity to view the lights both in the sky and reflected in the lakes and rivers, which you won't see in the winter months.

Where to stay: For cozy Nordic vibes, stay at Abisko Mountain Lodge, which also offers activities like ice climbing and snowmobile tours in winter. Guests love the excellent restaurant here, which offers Swedish specialties ranging from salmon to moose.

Nellim, Finland

Courtesy of Wilderness Hotels

Located a stone's throw from the Russian border in Finnish Lapland, this remote Arctic destination is a top-rated locale to view the northern lights due to the lack of light pollution. You'll be seriously out of the way of any built-up areas, as there's not even a paved road into Nellim. The best time to visit is between December and early April. This village is a great place to hunker down in a lodge and relax while enjoying a slice of life in the Finnish wilderness.

Where to stay: The Nellim Wilderness Hotel offers a perfect base with year-round activities, including aurora-chasing tours by car, snowmobile or on snowshoes. You can even take a sleigh ride through the snow to a campsite on Lake Inari to spot the aurora in pristine nature.

Beyond standard rooms, the Wilderness Hotel also offers glass-roofed cabins, as well as classic log cabins and bubble-shaped accommodations for two where guests can watch the dancing lights through the glass roof above your warm, cozy bed. When you're not chasing the lights, enjoy other Arctic activities like a husky safari, ice fishing, snowmobiling or a day in the snow meeting the local reindeer.

Saariselkä and Kakslauttanen, Finland

These two towns are around 150 miles above the Arctic Circle, with a prime location under the auroral oval, allowing as many as 200 opportunities per year to see the northern lights (weather permitting, of course). This area in Finnish Lapland is known for its stunning scenery, Sámi culture, cross-country and downhill skiing, and Urho Kekkonen National Park – one of Finland's largest.

Ski enthusiasts can roll two trips into one by hitting the slopes by day in Saariselkä and aurora spotting by night at Finland's northernmost ski resort. March into early April is the best time to view the aurora, as the Finnish Meteorological Institute notes that the weather is usually clearer at this time of year. But it's possible to see the northern lights at any time during the season from late August to early or mid-April.

Where to stay: Seven miles south of Saariselkä sits the village of Kakslauttanen, where you can book two- or four-person Glass Igloos at the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. The new Kelo-Glass Igloos, which sleep up to six, mix the comforts of a log chalet with the visibility of the glass roof; enjoy a private sauna, a fireplace and more. There's also an impressive selection of year-round tours and activities at this resort, including northern lights excursions on snowmobiles or by horse-drawn carriage.

Stewart Island, New Zealand

Courtesy of RealNZ

Although they may be isolated, some far-south destinations offer the chance to see the aurora australis – or southern lights. While you might be able to see them year-round in some locations (just as with the northern lights), certain months are better for aurora viewing in the Southern Hemisphere. Stewart Island is regarded as one of the top spots to see the brilliant display in New Zealand , with 85% of the island encompassed by Rakiura National Park, so there are few people and virtually no light pollution. You can reach Stewart Island by flying in from Invercargill or taking a ferry from Bluff.

New Zealand's winter months – June to August – are the best time to see the southern lights; spring and fall are also not bad times to spot them. The brighter summer months, between December and February, make it more difficult to spot the aurora, but there's still a chance you'll catch a glimpse between midnight and 4 a.m.

Where to stay: Consider reserving a room with at Stewart Island Lodge, an intimate bed-and-breakfast. This beautiful property is just minutes by foot from the village of Oban, and the property will pick you up at the ferry terminal for your stay. Past visitors rave about the spectacular views of Halfmoon Bay and the Foveaux Strait from both the rooms and lodge terrace.

Tasmania sits approximately 150 miles south of mainland Australia. This mountainous island is one of relatively few places on the planet where it's theoretically possible to see the aurora 365 days a year due to its latitude, which allows for full darkness even on summer nights. The capital city of Hobart is the easiest point of entry: It's home to Tasmania's largest airport and serves as a convenient base. The city's burgeoning food and cultural scenes will also give you plenty to see and do.

From here you'll be able to reach several great viewing locations with unobstructed and open views of the sea along the southern and southeast coastlines, like Goat Bluff and Tinderbox Bay. When you're not staring at the night sky, splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter flight with Tasmanian Air Tours. Depending on your whims, your private pilot can whisk you away to soar over the sea cliffs; stop at a local winery to sample local vintages; or head south to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Port Arthur , Tasmania 's historic and most notorious prison.

Where to stay: Reserve accommodations at The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart. The historic luxury property is situated along the lively waterfront area with harbor views. Past guests admired the historic building housing the hotel and loved the heritage rooms featuring gas fireplaces for those cold Tasmanian nights.

Expedition cruise to Antarctica

If you're one of the lucky few people on the planet to travel to the southernmost continent on Earth, it may be pricey, but you'll have an adventure of a lifetime in Antarctica, especially if the aurora illuminates the sky. The southern lights are most visible in the winter months (between March and October), but due to weather conditions, only researchers brave the Antarctic winter – and they mostly stay indoors.

However, all hope is not lost if you seek to view the aurora australis in Antarctica. Late-season expedition cruises to this continent offered in March also bring the opportunity to view the southern lights and enjoy the end of Antarctica's fleeting summer. As the days shorten in length, you may encounter light snow across the extreme landscape and ice starting to form on the water's surface.

When it comes to wildlife viewing, humpback whale sightings are abundant, and you'll still see penguin colonies – including king and gentoo penguins. You can also keep your eyes peeled for elephant seals, leopard seals, wandering albatross and other species of birds. When night falls on clear evenings, look for the light show in the southern sky. Companies that offer March voyages include Swoop Antarctica, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Silversea Cruises , Aurora Expeditions and Hurtigruten Expeditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

There's no one location that's widely accepted as the best place to see the northern lights. However, the strongest light displays are within what's called the "auroral oval": a rough circle around the Earth's magnetic northern pole that tends to occur around 60 to 70 degrees of latitude. The oval's exact size expands and contracts (some more southerly destinations can fall under it when the aurora is particularly strong), but there are certain locations that generally fall within the oval most of the time.

These places include:

• Central and northern Alaska
• Large areas of Yukon, the Northwest Territories and northern Quebec in Canada
• Southern Greenland
• Far northern Norway, Sweden and Finland

Within these areas, it could be argued that Iceland is the best place to see the aurora as it experiences much milder temperatures than some other areas within the oval. But this is subjective, and some travelers may prefer a location like Yellowknife in Canada for a full-on, very cold Arctic experience.

The northern lights are only visible when it's dark out. Since many of the best places to see them are so far north that they experience near-constant daylight in the summer, you'll generally want to schedule a trip between late August and early April. However, within this time period, there's some debate about the best time to catch the lights. For example, the aurora tends to be more active around the September and March equinoxes due to stronger solar winds – but on the other hand, your chances of seeing them may be higher in the depths of winter, since there's longer nights and therefore a longer window in which they might appear.

In more southern locations like Minnesota, it may be possible to see the light show in the summer months, but it's still advisable to go at a time when the nights are longer. It can also be worth trying to schedule your northern lights trip when there's a new moon: While the aurora can shine through moonlight, it may be harder to see if there's a full moon.

Of course, cloudy weather can block the aurora even if you go at the right time of year. So, it may be wise to research the local weather patterns at your chosen destination to find out if there's a month where you can expect clearer skies. In many cases, though, there's a little luck involved.

These two countries can offer excellent views of the northern lights, since both are directly under the typical auroral oval. Yet there are some differences to be aware of.

In Norway, you'll need to head to the north of the country to catch the aurora: While they have been sighted in Oslo , the capital and largest city, it's too far south to be a reliable vantage point. Cities like Tromsø are popular spots, but direct flights there are only possible from some European cities, so North Americans will have to take connecting flights. On the other hand, Iceland is generally easier to reach, with direct flights to its capital, Reykjavik, from a large number of U.S. destinations (particularly from the East Coast) with no further connection required.

Since clear skies are key for seeing the northern lights, weather is another factor to consider. In November, December and March, Reykjavik has statistically slightly more frequent clear skies, while in January and February, Tromsø is a little better, but the difference isn't big: Both places have clear skies only around 25 to 30% of the time in these months. Reykjavik has slightly warmer weather, though, so between that and the ease of access, it has a slight edge over Norway for seeing the northern lights.

Alaska and Iceland are known for stellar aurora light shows, so deciding between them may depend on which destination you find more convenient and more to your tastes. In Alaska , the city of Fairbanks is considered a great spot to catch the northern lights. (They can still be seen elsewhere in the state – for example, in Anchorage, although they're not so common in more southern locations like Juneau). The advantage of Fairbanks is that you won't need a passport , yet there aren't many direct flights from the lower 48 states. Despite being an international destination, Iceland may be more accessible (particularly from the eastern U.S.), thanks to fairly regular flights to Reykjavik from numerous American cities.

Fairbanks does offer statistically better weather for aurora viewing: It has clear skies more often than Reykjavik, particularly in March when the Alaska city experiences them around 45% of the time (compared to about 25% for Reykjavik). But you'll have to be able to tolerate the cold. While temperatures in Reykjavik hover around freezing in midwinter, Fairbanks is a veritable deep freeze, with average highs around 5 degrees Fahrenheit down to lows colder than minus 5 in December.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Timothy Forster , as a Canadian who has traveled from coast to coast in that sprawling country, knows all about travel in the cold northern reaches of the world. Forster used his extensive traveling background along with research expertise to curate this article.

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5 facts about presidential travel abroad

American presidents and other world leaders frequently travel internationally, most commonly for conferences and bilateral meetings. This face-to-face diplomacy can offer insights into political priorities, partnerships and tensions, as well as key international issues.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international travel in 2020 and 2021, but diplomatic travel picked up significantly in 2022. Here are five facts about presidential travel abroad:

Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to examine the international travel history of recent U.S. presidents and other heads of government through Jan. 20, 2023.

Dates and destinations of U.S. presidential travel prior to 2021 are from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Historian, which has recorded international presidential travel since 1901. Travel data for 2021 and 2022 was compiled from White House press briefings. Information on visits to Ukraine by other world leaders were independently verified through official government websites.

Only trips where the head of government met face-to-face with another head of government are included. For example, Biden’s trip to the UK for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral is excluded as Biden did not hold any diplomatic meetings with the British prime minister or other world leaders. Visiting leaders were only counted if they were the head of government at the time of their visit. Depending on the country’s political system, “head of government” could mean president or prime minister, but not both. Heads of state, monarchs and interim leaders are excluded from the visiting leaders count.

U.S. President Joe Biden has traveled internationally less frequently than his last two predecessors did. Biden traveled to 17 places outside the United States in his first two years in office, visiting some more than once. He made six international trips in 2021, all of them to Europe. In 2022, he made 12 trips, including to Europe, the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East. And in early 2023, Biden traveled to Mexico for the North American Leaders’ Summit.

All told, Biden’s international visit count trails those of former Presidents Donald Trump, who made 23 international trips to 20 places during his first two years in office, and Barack Obama, who made 32 trips to 24 places in the first two years of his presidency.

Biden’s first presidential trip abroad was to the United Kingdom, while Trump’s was to Saudi Arabia and Obama’s was to Canada. A president’s first trip is often used to signal the importance of a strategic alliance. On his trip to the UK in June 2021, Biden reaffirmed the U.S.-UK partnership and committed to close cooperation throughout his presidency. Typically, U.S. presidents visit a close ally on their inaugural trip: Canada was the first international destination for both Obama and Bill Clinton, while Mexico was the first destination for George W. Bush.

U.S. presidents have visited the UK the most in the past decade – a total of eight times. American presidents have worked closely with their British counterparts over the past decade, cooperating on issues from defense and counterterrorism to climate policy . Travel to the UK has largely centered around conferences and summits, but in 2019, Trump made a ceremonial state visit to the UK .  

In the past decade of presidential travel, Belgium (home to NATO headquarters ), France, Germany and Japan are the second-most visited destinations, at six times each.

So far, Biden has made the most trips to the UK and Belgium – two each. (Biden’s additional visit to the UK to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II is not included in this count, since he did not hold any diplomatic appointments.) Just as these two European allies stand out in Biden’s presidential travel thus far, France stands out in Trump’s administration and Germany stands out in Obama’s – they visited those respective countries four times while in office.

Biden is among 38 heads of government who have visited Ukraine since the beginning of the war there. Biden traveled to Kyiv as part of a surprise trip in February, days before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion .

While many heads of government visiting Ukraine have come from neighboring countries or countries in Europe (such as Poland’s prime minister, who has visited five times since the beginning of the war) that is not always the case. For example, Guatemala’s President Alejandro Giammattei and Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embaló traveled to Ukraine in July 2022 and October 2022, respectively.

Biden hosted 28 heads of government at the White House as of the end of 2022. Foreign leaders come to the U.S. for events including conferences, summits and bilateral meetings. Among those to visit the White House in 2021 and 2022 were then-Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson of Sweden, who met with Biden to submit her country’s application for NATO membership ; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who traveled to the White House on his first known wartime trip abroad ; and French President Emmanuel Macron, whose trip marked the first state visit of Biden’s presidency . In fact, the president of France has been the first leader to make a state visit to the U.S. for the past three presidential terms, with Macron visiting Trump in April 2018 and his predecessor, François Hollande, visiting Obama in February 2014. In April 2023, Biden hosted the second state visit of his administration , meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

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Sarah Austin is a research assistant focusing on global attitudes research at Pew Research Center

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Klook Plans Partnership with Thailand as the Country Skyrockets in Popularity

Jesse Chase-Lubitz , Skift

April 25th, 2024 at 2:33 PM EDT

Thailand remains a strong destination post Covid. Tour operators are flocking to the country and playing a significant role in how travel evolves.

Jesse Chase-Lubitz

Klook, a leading platform for travel experiences in Asia, signed a letter of intent with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to boost experiences in the country. The company is hoping to double the number of bookings it has for tourism packages to Thailand this year.

Klook says it is focusing on events, from Muay Thai matches to music festivals to Michelin visits and river cruises. The collaboration should have a particular impact on ticketing, as it allows the company to offer an integrated booking experience to major festivals and top attractions. 

Klook is also planning to promote the less obvious attractions and support small to medium operators by providing digitalization tools that can bring offerings online and showcase them to a global audience. 

Thailand Gaining in Popularity

Thailand is a long-time travel favorite and it bounced back strong after COVID. Klook says the country has had a 44% growth in foreign tourist arrivals over the past year and a Travel Pulse survey shows that travelers are looking to increase their target budgets for Thailand in 2024 by up to 50%. 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand conducted its own survey echoing these results . They found that tourists are spending more on luxury accommodations despite higher airfares and that the use of online platforms for travel arrangements is rising, with tour operators “still playing a significant role.”

Other tour operators, such as EF World Journeys, which offers educational tours, say Thailand is a growing favorite for North American travelers and that it remains one of the top three most popular destinations in Asia. 

“Year-to-date, EF Go Ahead Tours has realized nearly 60% year-over-year growth in bookings to Thailand, adding several new tour offerings in the country to meet the demand in the region,” says Heidi Durflinger, President of EF World Journeys which operates two of their offerings.

“Based on our trending destinations data, which is based on thousands of demand indicators amongst younger adult travelers (18-35), tours in Thailand have been a consistent top 5 destination for bookings during Spring Break, but we are also seeing strong demand for Thailand from travelers seeking international beach vacations all year round,” said Heather Leisman, President, EF Ultimate Break.

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Tags: Klook , thailand , tourism

Photo credit: Klook & Thailand Tourism Authority Tuk Tuk at Wat Ratchanadda and the Loha Prasat, Buddhist temples in Bangkok. Source: Klook

U.S. tourist faces 12 years in prison after taking ammunition to Turks and Caicos

An Oklahoma man faces up to 12 years in prison on a Caribbean island after customs officials found ammunition in his luggage.

Ryan Watson traveled to Turks and Caicos with his wife, Valerie, to celebrate his 40th birthday on April 7. They went with two friends who had also turned 40.

The vacation came to an abrupt end when airport staff members found a zip-close bag containing bullets in the couple's carry-on luggage. Watson said it was hunting ammunition he had accidentally brought with him — but under a strict law in Turks and Caicos, a court may still impose a mandatory 12-year sentence.

"They were hunting ammunition rounds that I use for whitetail deer," Watson told NBC Boston in an interview conducted last week that aired after their first court appearance Tuesday.

"I recognized them, and I thought, 'Oh, man, what a bonehead mistake that I had no idea that those were in there,'" he said.

The couple were arrested and charged with possession of ammunition. Authorities seized their passports and explained the penalties they faced.

Valerie Watson said in the interview: "When I heard that, I immediately was terrified, because I was like we can't both be in prison for 12 years. We have kids at home, and this is such an innocent mistake."

The charges against her were dropped, and she returned home to Oklahoma City on Tuesday after the court hearing to be reunited with her two young children.

"Our goal is to get Ryan home, because we can’t be a family without Dad," she said.

The couple also spoke about the financial burden of a much longer-than-planned trip. "This is something that we may never recover from," Ryan Watson said.

The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a warning to travelers in September about a law that strongly prohibits possession of firearms or ammunition in Turks and Caicos, an overseas British territory southeast of the Bahamas that is a popular vacation spot.

It said: "We wish to remind all travelers that declaring a weapon in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring the weapon into TCI [Turks and Caicos Islands] and will result in your arrest."

The embassy added: "If you bring a firearm or ammunition into TCI, we will not be able to secure your release from custody."

The embassy and the government in Turks and Caicos did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The same thing happened to another American, Bryan Hagerich, of Pennsylvania, who was arrested after ammunition was found in his luggage before he tried to board a flight out of Turks and Caicos in February. He said he accidentally left it in his bag.

Hagerich was on a family vacation with his wife and two young children but has now been in the country for 70 days. He spent eight days in prison before he posted bail.

"It’s incredibly scary. You know, you just don’t know what the next day may bring — you know, what path this may take," Hagerich told NBC Boston.

"You know, it’s certainly a lot different than packing your bags and going away with your family for a few days. It’s been the worst 70 days of my life," he said.

Hagerich, once a professional baseball player, was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the MLB 2007 June amateur draft from the University of Delaware.

His case goes to trial May 3.

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.