Hidden Places Travel

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Hidden Places Travel

Hidden Places is a boutique travel company that takes you on adventures to the world's most spectacular and lesser-known places. License Number 58042.
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Hidden Places is a boutique travel company that takes you on unique small-group expeditions to spectacular destinations around the world, including Croatia, Laos, Vietnam, Galapagos and East Africa. We leave a positive footprint by funding conservation and community development with our Adventures for a Cause. We are a fully licensed tour operator and travel agent registered with Consumer Protection BC.

07/18/2024

Join Us in the Arctic!
See Our Latest Newsletter here.

07/04/2024

This was a Walking, Culture and Cuisine trip, and oh, the cuisine! It’s going to take a few posts to give even a taste (sorry) of the amazing food we had in Japan. Here’s the menu for our welcome dinner. It seemed a bit overwhelming at first, but everything was so delicate and fine. The best of ingredients, treated with such respect and care, presented so artfully. I’m
only showing a few of the courses, including the shabu shabu, a hotpot of vegetables and beef (beyond tender and cut ultra thin so it cooks in seconds). A chef came to give us a quick demo.

06/30/2024

Our fourth day of walking in the Kiso Valley was along the most beautiful and best preserved part of the Nakasendo Trail. I kept thinking about all the people who had walked here long before us, as far back as the early 1600s - shoguns and samurai, messengers and merchants, pilgrims, and traders - making their way from Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto. I imagined them, like us, admiring the waterfalls, resting in the forest shade, marvelling at the green vistas. Gratefully arriving at one of the little ‘post towns’ and stopping for food, for shelter. I’ll soon be sharing lots of pictures of our amazing meals on this trip, but for now I must mention the vegetarian lunch we had on this day, in the equivalent of a small roadside cafe. My photo shows the central dish - vegetables grown by the owners of the cafe in their garden, or foraged by them on the nearby mountainsides. Burdock, butter bur, wasabi leaf, squash, fiddlehead, peas and more….It was simple, exquisite, delicious. And then there was matcha ice cream!

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06/25/2024

Day 3 on the Nakasendo Trail, in glorious sunshine! We walked for 14 km through forests, green valleys, and also sweet villages where a barber ran out to introduce us to his cat, and a lady told us about her trip to Canada. There were lots of bear signs, but no sign of bears! Our destination was O-Tsumago, a totally original little settlement. Home for the night, a small inn run by a farming family who fed us with rice they had grown, fish they had raised and vegetables they had foraged. Brilliant.

06/16/2024

Day Three of our Japan: Walking, Culture and Cuisine Trip.
We travelled by train to the Kiso Valley, to spend several days walking a section of the ancient Nakasendo Trail which runs between Edo (now Tokyo) and Kyoto. Alang it are ‘post towns’, small villagers where during the Edo period (1603 to 1868) travellers used to rest and overnight on the 500 km trail. The first leg of our journey was very short; we got off a couple of stops before the post town of Narai, and walked, in the rain, to this gorgeous settlement. On the way we visited a family run lacquer factory set behind an atsmopheric garden, broke a rule while crossing a wooden bridge, visited a Shinto shrine, and finally settled into our minshuku, a traditional family run inn. After changing into the yukata left for us in our tatami mat rooms, we gathered for a stunning dinner. Food shots to follow!

05/06/2024

Tokyo! Everyone has arrived safely, we’ll be meeting our guide in a few hours, then it’s lift off!

05/04/2024

On my way to for our new trip!
Stay tuned for stories and pics.

05/01/2024

NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS for select Arctic expeditions … and US $ 2500 air credit! Join us!

04/22/2024

Cultural Adventure in Japan this coming October! - https://mailchi.mp/hiddenplaces/cultural-adventure-in-japan-this-coming-october
See more about this trip in our latest newsletter!

03/10/2024

Introducing the Arctic! - https://mailchi.mp/hiddenplaces/introducing-the-arctic

02/28/2024

What's on your Bucket List? https://mailchi.mp/hiddenplaces/tell-us-whats-on-your-bucket-list

02/22/2024

There’s nowhere quite like the backwaters of Kerala. And the best way to explore them is by kayak. We developed this trip way back, we have deep connections in the area, and the entire experience is a delight.
Contact us for information on scheduled and private departures. Join us for an enchanted adventure!

02/15/2024

We're proud to partner with Aurora Expeditions who have launched their second purpose-built expedition ship.

This is "Introducing the Sylvia Earle" by Aurora Expeditions on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

01/19/2024

Tis the season for black truffles in Catalonia. Hmmmm. Right now they are at their best!

10/28/2023

My latest book is out!

06/28/2023

Here's our latest newsletter: Walking and Cultural Adventures in Japan - https://mailchi.mp/hiddenplaces/walking-and-cultural-adventures-in-japan

02/24/2023

Latest Newsletter: Early Bird Deals for Antarctica - https://mailchi.mp/hiddenplaces/early-bird-deals-for-antarctica

01/29/2023

New Trips for the New Year - https://mailchi.mp/hiddenplaces/new-trips-for-the-new-year

01/11/2023

Bragging a bit here, but on our Douro Kayaking trip in Portugal we stay in gorgeous places. They include an architecturally brilliant eyrie perched on a cliff with sweeping views (and raptors riding the currents close to our rooms), a carbon neutral hotel set amongst eco-friendly vineyards, and a family- run restored manor house. We get to know our gracious hosts and learn about (and enjoy!) the wine they produce and their locally sourced gourmet food. For more information, check the Portugal page on our website (link in bio) and, better still, drop us a line or call. We’re always happy to chat about adventures!

01/09/2023

Paddle into magic with us, on Portugal’s Douro River.

01/08/2023

Our Douro River adventure begins in the ancient city of Porto, originally established in pre-Roman times by the Celts. We explore its historic centre, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stay in an iconic hotel with stunning views and, of course, have a port wine tasting session!

01/05/2023

For our paddling adventure on Portugal’s Douro River we have a fleet of excellent kayaks, top notch guides and a wonderful support crew.

The trip is suitable for all skill levels, including beginner paddlers, and we provide instruction.

We have a scheduled trip in September 2023, and can arrange private group tours, late May - late September.

If you’d like more information, send us a message - we’re always happy to chat!

01/03/2023

Ready to go paddling with us on Portugal’s Douro River this year?

One of Europe’s iconic rivers, the Douro flows across Northern Portugal, from wild rugged mountains on the Spanish border to the medieval city of Porto. It is the heart and soul of this region, and the life force of its ancient wine growing culture. Our adventure follows the ‘River of Gold’ and two of its lesser known tributaries. We paddle between steep terraced slopes planted with millions of vines, rolling green hills and sheer granite walls. And we go deep into the world of Douro wine and refined cuisine.

12/19/2022

Season's Greetings - Our latest newsletter

At some point during the days ahead, you might enjoy a particularly nice glass of port. Perhaps you’ll wonder where and how this wine is made. You could of course turn to Google and see that it hails from a stunning landscape in Northern Portugal, where a shining river snakes through undulating sl...

11/29/2022

Come with us to Namibia to spot the rare desert adapted elephant out in this wild and starkly beautiful landscape.

11/25/2022

To survive in the arid landscapes of northwest Namibia, desert adapted elephants have developed unique traits. Their larger feet enable them to move more easily across soft sandy terrain. With their feet and trunks they dig for water beneath the ground. They can go for several days without drinking, and have been observed to store water in a pharyngeal pouch in their throats, which they collect, when needed, with their trunks.

Most importantly, they have an excellent group memory and knowledge of widely dispersed sources of water, and they range over long distances, to drink and feed.

11/22/2022

A big excitement on our Namibia safaris is when we spot the unique and rare desert-adapted elephants.

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Victoria, BC
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http://hiddenplaces.net/

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Videos

During our first day in Tokyo, in the grounds of the Zojoji Buddhist Temple, we met Jizo, a revered deity who we would encounter throughout our trip. Our guide Akko explained that Jizo is a bodhisattva, a compassionate being who has chosen to delay his own enlightenment in order to help others. He is seen as a protector of travellers, farmers and most especially small children, including mizuko, who died before or shortly after birth. In the grounds of Zojoji Temple, there are over a thousand small statues of Jizo, many of them places there for mizuko, to help release them from a state of limbo and reach the cycle of rebirth. People offer pinwheels to Jizo statues as a symbol of the playful and carefree nature of childhood. It is believed that the spinning motion of the pinwheels represents the constant cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, and that Jizo helps guide the souls of deceased children through this cycle. There are around 1,300 Jizo statues at Zojoji, concentrated in rows in a single area. Many are dressed in red hats and bibs, others are allowed to weather and grow moss. I got a sense of kindliness from them, so it was no surprise when Akko told us that Jizo is known for being a patient and kind deity. #hiddenplacesadventures #hiddenplacesjapan @insidehiddenplaces #exploringjapan🇯🇵 #spiritualjapan

Even in less peaceful moments, the Kerala Backwaters are always interesting - especially when experienced by kayak! #keralakayakingcultureandcuisine #keralakayaking #adventuresbykayak #kayakadventuresworldwide

Check out the early morning sounds of Kerala’s backwaters!There is no better way to explore this lush paradise than by kayak. We’ve been running trips here for many years and we’ve never stopped being enchanted by the people, the landscapes, the culture, the cuisine. Contact us for more details!

Only in Antarctica!

We're taking bookings for Antarctica trips for this season (November 2021 to March 2022) and the following seasons. Places are filling fast, and when you see this video you'll understand why!

That’s one happy elephant, in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. And a thrilling late afternoon encounter for us. #africa #botswana #botswanaelephants #okavangodeltabotswana #elephantsofafrica #africasafaris #botswanasafaris

Nothing like a lovely dust bath to start the day. #africa #namibia #desertelephants #namibiandesert #namibiasafari #africaadventures #getclosetonature @ehranamibia @elephantswithoutborders

We walk #milesforelephants to help protect these remarkable beings. Check the link in our bio for information on next February’s trek in Kenya. #africa #kenya #savetheelephants🐘 #africanelephantsofinstagram #elephantfamilies #walkforelephants #saveelephantsworld @spaceforgiants @elephantswithoutborders @elephantvoices @savetheelephants @wildaidafrica @biglifeafrica

Sit still for a while in #antarctica and watch the penguins waddle by....pure magic. #greatwhitecontinent #tripofalifetime #antarcticadventure #everythingpenguin #wildlifeadventures #wayoutthere #wildlifevideos

Sail check time.

Lovely morning swim. #lovethiscoast #wildswim #morningbliss #hellobc #coldwaterswimming #naturalhigh

The most perfect morning swim, with swallows flitting by, gentle warming sunshine, clear silky water and only a tiny breeze. #lovethiscoast #hellobc #wildswim #coldwaterswimming #morningbliss #naturalhigh @jonideboni

Timeless in Rajasthan: this farmer is using a centuries-old method to pull water from a well (check out the little buckets attached to the wheel) and divert it to his fields. #rajasthan #india #traditionalfarming #oldways #irrigationsystem #theindiaroute #instaindia #bullocks #waterwheel #rurallife #rurallifestyle #travelfar #travelfarandwide #offthebeatentrack #travelindiagram #iloveindia #exploreindia #hiddenplacestravel #hiddenplacesadventures #kerala #tripextension

Referendum day in our village brought a fiesta with lots of shared food, like this delicious fidua - a special type of fine noodles with prawns and mussels. #catalonia #village #localcuisine #sharingfood #villagelife #historyinthemaking

Feeling proud to be part of this amazing peace-loving, tolerant country.

Surfing in the city! Munich just got even more liveable. #munich #isarriver #germany #surfing #riversurfing #citysurfing #takingturns #sundayinthecity #hiddenplacestravel #hiddenplacesadventures

A Hidden Places group is in Namibia right now, and our guide tells us they are having an amazing safari. I hope they have as lovely an elephant encounter as this one, captured by Rhoda in Etosha National Park during our Namibia safari last August. A patient mother and her rather large baby still suckling- turn up your sound! #namibia #safari #etosha #elephant #babyelephant #africa #elephantencounter #wildlifeplanet #wildlifevideo #hiddenplacesadventures #hiddenplacestravel

In Japanese there is a term, Shinrin-yoku, which means ‘forest bathing’ - spending time in the presence of trees. The term was coined in 1982 when forest bathing became part of Japan’s national health program. Millions of dollars have been spent in Japan to study the physiological and psychological effects of forest bathing, which have been shown to include lowering the heart rate and blood pressure, reducing stress hormone production, boosting the immune system and creating a sense of well being. To date, 47 ‘therapy trails’ have been created in Japan. No wonder we love the country so much! The tree in our video is on Meares Island, close to Tofino, BC. There is a trail there though an amazing rain forest - and we can attest to the health benefits of being among these giants. #forest #trees #japan #shinrinyoku #naturehealing #treestagram #treesofinstagram #treecollection #treelovers #tofino #mearesisland #explorebc #helllobc #vancouverisland #hiddenplacestravel #hiddenplacesadventures @forestbathingclub @forestbathinguk

Just another sibling squabble. #antarctica #gentoo #penguin #chicks #antarcticpeninsula #siblings #hiddenplacestravel #hiddenplacesadventures

Good night, Yokohama! This view from our hotel window helps fend off the time lag.#Japan #new trip #hiddenplacestravel #hiddenplacesadventures

On one of our Kenya Safaris we encountered this huge group of happy, healthy elephants in Masai Mara. Today in Nairobi, 100 tons of ivory will be burned, a symbolic act in the fight to protect these beautiful animals and secure their future.

Shortcuts

Our Story

We call them hidden places. Places on the fringe of the world, or simply a few steps off the beaten path. Places where magic happens: watching a snow leopard creep with muscular grace over a Himalayan pass; gliding in kayaks between iridescent green islands in Southern India; cycling to a sacred Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka, where we are blessed by a monk.

As adventure travel photographers and writers we used to find these places by accident. Now we find them on purpose – and we bring others with us.

Want to come along? (And if you can’t join us, we can create a special private trip – just for you.)