Hello Reader ,

Greetings from Lisbon, Portugal - where I'm visiting a friend for a couple of days and enjoying this vibrant city! I just finished a spectacular Ottsworld hiking trip in Donegal, Ireland, with a group of incredible hikers. Mother Nature threw everything at us...but we persevered! We climbed bog hills, stood up to winds and sideways rain, and also enjoyed incredible coastal views...and even some sheep dog puppies!

Now I switch gears - this weekend I will start my 2nd Camino...Porto to Santiago! However, this time, instead of hiking, I'll be taking the journey by bike.

I'm traveling with Experience Plus Cycling Tours again (I did a Southern France trip with them last year). This family-owned company has been operating for over 50 years and they put on incredible tours in Europe as well as other regions. I love the service level they provide - from the moment you book until the end of the trip. Plus - they have all kinds of little extra things they do that go above and beyond what I expect from a travel company. Make sure you check out their full lineup of cycling tours.

I'll be biking 215 miles from Porto to Santiago. I'm really excited to see how cycling the Camino compares to walking the Camino. I'm hoping there will be fewer blisters! I hope you follow along on my Instagram or Facebook stories as I will be sharing daily updates on cycling, food, wine, culture, and other insights!

Packing for Multi-Adventure Trips

I'm in Europe for five weeks on this trip: two weeks of hiking in Ireland, a week of cycling in Portugal, and a few city stops in Lisbon and Belfast where I'll actually put on real clothes and catch up with friends. Trips like this are the hardest for me to pack for. It's not just different climates—it's different activities that all seem to require their own specialized gear.

The biggest lesson I've learned from years of multi-sport adventure travel is that you can't pack the perfect gear for every activity. If you do, you'll end up hauling around an enormous bag full of "just in case" items. Instead, you have to get comfortable with gear that works well enough across multiple activities.

Some things simply don't overlap. A bike helmet is still a bike helmet. Hiking boots aren't replacing cycling shoes. And padded bike shorts are one item I refuse to compromise on. But wherever crossover exists, take advantage of it. Merino shirts work for hiking, cycling, and city exploring. The same goes for socks, rain gear, fleece layers, and lightweight pants.

Layering becomes your best friend. I pack a few moisture-wicking shirts, a fleece, and one solid waterproof/windproof shell. Is it the perfect cycling jacket with rear pockets? No. But it works for both hiking and biking, and that's the tradeoff that keeps my luggage manageable.

My other secret weapon is packing cubes. I treat them like dresser drawers for my suitcase. One cube holds all of my cycling-specific gear—bike shorts, gloves, jersey, and accessories. When I'm hiking in Ireland, I don't even think about that cube. Then, when I arrive in Portugal, everything I need for cycling is already organized and ready to go.

The goal isn't packing for every possible scenario. It's packing smart enough to handle most of them. Multi-sport travel is all about versatility—not perfection.

Some Additional Packing Tips:

• Follow the Rule of Three: One to wear, one to wash, one to spare.
• Choose a color palette. It sounds boring, but when everything matches, fewer clothes create more outfit combinations. On this trip it's Blue/Green for me!
• Wear your bulkiest items on travel days. Hiking boots and fleece jackets take up a shocking amount of luggage space.
• Prioritize fabrics over fashion. Merino wool and technical fabrics can be worn repeatedly without washing. Plus - they are great for drying fast when doing sink laundry, which I've done a lot of on this trip!
• Take 1 travel adapter that works for multiple countries. I love my super powerful TESSAN adapter - one item that charges everything...at the same time in any country!
• Leave room for souvenirs. No matter how carefully you pack, you'll find something you want to bring home.
• ​Read all of my packing tips (gathered from 20 years of travel!)

Speaking of packing tips - my favorite compression sock company, Vim & Vigr are having their Founders Sale where you can get 30% off select socks. Plus - use code OTTSWORLD to get more off your order! This is a great time to get a new, fun pair for your summer travels!

​Read my story on why you should travel with compression socks - it could save your life! Especially if you are a woman...really - we are more at risk.

Now I'm off to Porto to start cycling!

Happy Travels!

Travel News

The World’s Longest Coastal Hike Just Opened. It Passes Castles, Seal Colonies, and Historic Seaside Towns - Learn about the 2700 mile England Coastal Path​

Forget National Parks, Geoparks Are the Most Underrated Hiking Spots on Earth. Here's Why.​

Seen & Heard

Antarctica - Adventure Trave... May 24 · Where Next? Travel with... 57:34   ​

I recently did a podcast interview about Antarctica. We talk about Antarctica expedition cruise logistics and the choices that change your trip the most, like ship size, how zodiac landings work, and why smaller vessels can mean more time on shore. We explore research bases, the surprising “international village” feel of Antarctica, and why the continent feels like the closest thing to leaving Earth. We compare seasons for wildlife sightings, plus detours that can be even wilder than Antarctica itself, like South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and remote sub-Antarctic islands. If you are thinking about an epic trip to Antarctica, be sure to listen!

If you have questions, be sure to contact me about Antarctica Travel Planning too!

Ottsworld Tours

My tours are filling fast - many of them only have one space left on them. So if you are a solo traveler thinking about traveling with me...do it now - I'd love to have you!

New Nepal Hiking Tour

Dates: April 15-27, 2027
Cost: $3590

Join me as we head back to my favorite region - the Annapurna region and do a loop hike around the area. We'll climb to heights of 12,000 ft with an option of going up to 15,100 ft! But most importantly, we'll be immersing ourselves in the Himalayan culture along the way, meeting locals, seeing how they live, making friends, and enjoying incredible views.

We start with some unique hands-on experiences in Kathmandu while seeing a few of the sites and then fly to the quiet lakeside town of Pokhara where we start our journey into the Himalayas.

• Trek a quieter, less-traveled loop route to Kopra Ridge with panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges
• Enjoy the colorful rhododendron bloom throughout the region
• Visit the iconic Boudhanath Stupa and enjoy a special group dining experience in its vibrant surrounds
• Walk through traditional Gurung and Magar villages, gaining insight into rural mountain life
• Experience diverse landscapes, from lush rhododendron forests to high alpine terrain
• Stay in a combination of Eco-Comfort Camps and lodges, offering a higher level of comfort in remote settings
• Enjoy the support of an experienced local trekking crew throughout and female guide

Come to Vietnam and Cambodia with me on a culturally focused tour! Mar 22 - April 6, 2027 - Only 1 spot left!

I am working with Wandertours to host their Vietnam and Cambodia tour next March 2027. As you may know - I used to live in Vietnam - so the region is near and dear to my heart. It's been about 10 years since I've been back, so I'm really excited to host this trip and to my old 'home' in Asia!

This is a women's only trip, and it's more cultural than adventurous - which is different from my normal tours. We start in Hanoi, head north to the rice fields for a little wellness stay, stay overnight on a boat in Ha Long Bay, head south to Hoi An, then on to my old home in Saigon, and further south to the Mekong Delta. We basically cover the entire country of Vietnam. Then there is also an add-on trip to Siem Reap Cambodia and Angor Wat.

Ride the Capitol Quest with Me 🚲

Dates: October 7-14, 2026
Cost: $3550 Max: 12 people - only 1 spot left!

Join me on my Capitol-to-Capitol Quest. We'll cycle from Augusta, Maine, to Montpelier, Vermont, during peak leaf-peeping season, when New England explodes in golds, reds, and fiery oranges.

Quiet backroads, car-free trails, charming small towns, and a front-row seat to one of the most beautiful times of year in the U.S. Every detail is handled, local guides have our backs, and you get to be part of an epic story that connects generations, places, and people.

Patagonia ebike Small Group Tour
Dates: November 1 - 7, 2026 - only 1 spot left!
Cost: $5400 ($1350 deposit)

This tour is starting to fill up - I only have 2 remaining spots left! Looking for an incredible, epic November trip before the craziness of the holiday season - then this is for you! Ride an e-bike across the Patagonian steppe and into the shadows of the Paine Massif, stay in remote ranches, meet seasoned baqueanos, spot guanacos and wild horses, and end every day closer to one of Earth’s most iconic parks. It’s more than a vacation—it’s a transformational adventure that challenges, inspires, and delivers a story you’ll remember forever.

South Africa Surf & Safari​
Dates: Feb. 21 - 27, 2027 - FULL Waitlist only

Other Tours I'm working on launching for 2027:

• Spain's Camino Ronda and Catalonia - Sep 2027
• Japan's Michinoku Coastal Trail - Nov 2027
• Japan Cat Tour - Nov. 2027

Ottsworld Travel Discounts

If you want to experience Ireland but couldn't make one of my tours this year - check out Ireland Walk Hike Bike - they do custom tours, group tours, and self-guided itineraries through the west coast of Ireland! Use code OttsWorld2023 for 5% off their offerings - not good with other offers.

Get $100 off at Adventure Life on your next custom trip anywhere in the world. Just tell them Ottsworld sent you!

Get 5% off your Patagonia travels with my friends at Chile Nativo! They will be running my Patagonia ebiking trip and I love them! Use code Ottsworld for 5% off ANY of their regular, non-custom programs (including W hiking and puma tracking).

If you plan a trip to Japan, check out OKU Japan for its incredible multiday hikes and cultural activities in lesser-known areas. Get a 5% Discount for people using code OTTSWORLD5.

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If you've been finding value in these newsletters and the info I've been sharing, please forward this along to any travel-loving friends whom you think might find them useful!

Use these helpful links to book and plan your next trip:

• ​Schedule a call with me - ditch the overwhelm, avoid the cookie-cutter tourist traps, and craft travel experiences that inspire and energize you. Whether you’re planning your first big adventure, dreaming of a career break, or just need someone to help make sense of it all, I’ve got your back.
• Get my Free ebook Where to Go & When​
• Read through my 99 Travel Tips before you go
• Book your travel insurance with the company I use, Allianz Travel Insurance​
• Check out my Gear Shop on my Amazon Store​

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