Hello Reader ,

Thirteen years ago, walking across Spain on my first Camino de Santiago, I landed on a mantra that's quietly steered every decision I've made since: Make Your Own Way. I was at a crossroads in my blogging, and I was considering stopping it all together because I didn't like the direction the blogging world was going, and I didn't want to compromise to fit into it.

What I realized that first time around was that I didn't build this life — leaving a stable corporate job in 2006, turning travel into a career, saying yes to destinations nobody else was covering — by doing what everyone else was doing. So I continued forward with Ottsworld in the way I wanted...my way. Authenticity and stories over SEO.

And last month, cycling a completely different Camino through northern Portugal, that mantra found me all over again. It reminded me why I'd rather take the unfamiliar road than the comfortable one, in travel and in everything else.

Off the beaten path isn't just where I like to plan and promote travel. It's how I try to build a life: the good, the bad, and the ugly port neighborhoods included.

Celebrating 20 Years of Blogging

Speaking of 2006...I'm coming up on my 20th anniversary of starting Ottsworld.com and changing my entire life. I've been starting to plan a few ways I can celebrate that with you - my readers/followers/friends - more on that to come. But I'd also like to ask for your input on something that is important to me.

One of the hard things about this career is that I'm doing it alone - I rarely get any input or feedback like you would in a regular job. I would love to hear from you as part of my 20 years - has something I've written, created, photographed, said - inspired you in some way? Or maybe it was a place I traveled in the last 20 years that inspired your own travels. If so, could you be so kind as to share that with me by replying to this email and sending me a short write-up paragraph about what it was? I'm collecting this for an article I'm working on.

Thank you so much for your input - it's really important to me.

Take a Coolcation - Cool Places to Travel During a Heat Wave

It's hot everywhere! Well... maybe not everywhere. Here are a few places I've been that are great for cooling off this summer. Note: there are plenty of other destinations that fit the bill, but I'm sticking to trips I've personally done.

​Norway Road Trip — Crisp mountain air, glacier-fed fjords, and endless daylight make Fjordland the ultimate antidote to summer heat.

Greenland (things to do in Nuuk, Iceland vs. Greenland vs. Faroe Islands) — Icebergs, dog sledding, and Arctic hikes in a destination that stays cool even in July.

​Faroe Islands — Dramatic sea cliffs and grass-roofed villages wrapped in cool, misty air year-round.

​Iceland — Waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and small towns that offer refreshing temps even at peak summer.

Alaska (Anchorage summer/winter, Alaska Railroad) — Glaciers, wildlife, and mountain scenery you can enjoy without breaking a sweat.

​Newfoundland — Rugged coastlines and icebergs bring a refreshing chill even in the height of summer.

​Cape Breton, Nova Scotia — The Cabot Trail delivers ocean breezes and cool coastal air along one of the most scenic drives in Canada.

Where are some of your favorite cool destinations for the summer?

Where Next?

I'm at home for July/August doing some hiking and biking in Colorado this summer. My next big trip starts up in September to Turkey and Uzbekistan!

Stay cool and Happy Travels!

Travel News

​Beyond Barcelona: The Spanish Cities You Should Visit Instead​
Skip the usual hotspots (Barcelona & Madrid) and discover the Spain’s low-key gems, starting with these curated and under-explored Spanish escapes

​Solo Travel Trends: What’s the growing appeal of small-group adventures? And why are so many more women booking them?

​A niche tour built for diabetic travelers: my friend Kristina Vetter is launching a new Costa Rica tour in December designed specifically for women with diabetes. Traveling with diabetes comes with real challenges, so Kristina's tours take the worry out of food choices and pace, letting you explore with fellow travelers who just get it. The inaugural Costa Rica trip is all about connecting with people like you, swapping tips, and feeling completely at ease along the way. And be sure to check out her site - TravelingWhileDiabetic.com​

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.

See what you can expect when we stay in eco camps in the Annapurna region below!

Ride the Capitol Quest with Me 🚲 And Enjoy Autumn in the Northeast!

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.

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

Vietnam/Cambodia with Wandertours (Women Only)​
Dates: Mar. 22 - Apr 6, 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

On The Blog

I've been updating my Camino Posts including a new post on what it's like to cycle the Camino! Plus a few favorite article about my upcoming tours.

Gear Corner

You know I don't leave on a trip without compression socks. They are perfect for travel, recovery, and reducing swelling. My favorite compression sock company, VIM & VIGR, has their big sale going on through Sunday - so don't miss this! Plus - use my promo code OTTSWORLD for an additional 15% off!

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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