The Magic of Staying in a Japanese Ryokan in Autumn August 12th, 2026 • by Kristin Calkins For many Boundless Journeys travelers, the most memorable part of walking Japan’s historic Nakasendō Trail isn’t the miles covered each day. It’s arriving at a traditional ryokan while paper lanterns glow beneath brilliant autumn maples and gentle mists fade across the mountains of the Kiso Valley. The day’s hike is over, but another centuries-old tradition… Read More »
Hiking Safety in the Age of Apps and AI August 11th, 2026 • by Kristin Calkins There has never been more information available to hikers. With a few taps on a phone, you can find a trail, download a route, check mileage and elevation, ask AI what to expect, and follow your progress as you hike. But what happens when the trail on your phone is nowhere to be found on… Read More »
Nakasendō Trail: Japan's Original Highway Was Built for Walking August 10th, 2026 • by Kristin Calkins October is the best time to hike through Japan. After the summer heat fades, the mountain air turns crisp and brilliant colors light up the Kiso Valley. Japanese maples glow in shades of crimson. Golden ginkgo trees brighten temple grounds and village streets. Persimmons hang beneath farmhouse eaves like orange lanterns, while harvested rice fields… Read More »
Cool Summer Hiking: The Secret Hikers Have Always Known August 7th, 2026 • by Kristin Calkins For generations, summer vacations have been defined by beaches, sunshine, and soaring temperatures. At Boundless Journeys, we’re seeing a different trend with summer hiking. More travelers are asking where they can spend an entire day outdoors without planning every hour around the heat. They’re looking for fresh mornings, beautiful trails, and destinations where summer is… Read More »
What Does It Take to Be One of the World's Best Tour Operators? A few thoughts from a small Vermont company August 5th, 2026 • by Kristin Calkins On Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Tour Operators List…Again It’s not exactly the Vermont way to boast out loud. Around here, we’re generally taught to keep our heads down, work hard, and let the work speak for itself. So writing an article about why Boundless Journeys was recently named one of Travel + Leisure’s World’s… Read More »