Bikepacking is a whole different kind of adventure. It’s not just about getting from A to B, but about everything in between—the unexpected detours, the quiet moments, the challenges, and the small wins.

It’s Not a Race

One of the first things I realized? Bikepacking isn’t about speed. Slowing down made the journey so much more enjoyable. I took in the scenery, noticed small details I would have missed if I were rushing, and allowed myself to experience the ride truly. The best views and encounters happen when you’re not just focused on the destination.

Plan Your Route Well

While spontaneity adds to the adventure, a little planning goes a long way. A stunning viewpoint might be just a short detour away, but without research, it’s easy to miss. Taking the time to map out key spots beforehand ensures no highlights are left undiscovered.

Avoid City Centers at Rush Hour

One thing I did get right? Avoiding busy city centers during peak traffic. There’s nothing worse than weaving through impatient drivers when all you want is to enjoy the ride. Planning my route to steer clear of high-traffic areas made for a much more relaxed experience.

Rest Is Essential

Legs do all the work, and they deserve proper care. Regular breaks, stretching, and pacing the journey help maintain stamina and prevent exhaustion. Rest isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity for long-distance rides.

You Don’t Need Fancy Gear

If you’re thinking about bikepacking, don’t feel like you need to spend a fortune on gear. Borrowing, buying second-hand, or starting with what you already have is perfectly fine. You’ll figure out what works for you along the way. There’s nothing worse than making a big investment only to realize it’s not the right fit.

Final Thoughts

Bikepacking is all about the experience. It’s about learning, adapting, and appreciating the journey. Starting out might feel uncertain, but each ride brings new lessons and a greater love for the adventure.

For anyone thinking about trying bikepacking—go for it. Take your time, plan a little, and most importantly, enjoy the ride.

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Originally introduced in 1972 as a one-time promotion celebrating the 50th anniversary of the International Union of Railways (UIC), it allowed young travelers under 21 to explore 21 countries with a single ticket. The initiative’s success transformed it into a permanent offering, now available to adventurers of all ages, with tailored options to suit different travel needs.

Starting your train adventure

The journey begins with choosing your ticket, which can sometimes be a bit daunting. First, it’s essential to understand the difference between “Interrail” and “Eurail.” Simply put, they’re the same product, but Interrail Passes are for residents of European countries, while Eurail Passes are designed for travelers from outside Europe.

Decide whether you want to explore one country or multiple countries, as this will determine the type of pass you’ll need.

The One Country Pass

If your heart is set on exploring just one country—say, France—the One Country Pass is your go-to option. However, this pass cannot be used to enter or leave the selected country. For example, you can’t use it to travel from Belgium to France; it’s valid for travel within only France.

The One Country Pass is valid for one month, during which you choose how many travel days you need—anywhere from 3 to 8 days.

The Global Pass

Dreaming of a multi-country adventure? The Global Pass is your perfect companion. Before purchasing, consider the duration of your trip and the number of travel days you’ll need. The Global Pass comes in two main varieties, catering to different travel styles:

1. Continuous Global Pass
   This option offers unlimited travel within a chosen period of 7 to 90 consecutive days. With the Continuous Pass, you’re free to explore Europe every day during the pass’s validity. These passes are the most flexible—and also the most expensive.
2. Flexi Global Pass
   The Flexi Pass allows you to select a specific number of travel days—anywhere from 4 to 15—within a validity period of 1 or 2 months. For example, with a pass for “10 travel days within 2 months,” you decide which 10 days to travel within the two-month window.

Important: Your Interrail Global Pass allows one outbound and one inbound journey to/from your home country. For instance, as a Belgian, you can’t zigzag between Antwerp, Eindhoven, Hasselt, and Maastricht using the pass.

What is a travel day?

A travel day starts at midnight (00:00) and ends at 11:59 PM. Within these 24 hours, you can take as many trains as you’d like, making it ideal for getting the most out of your day. For instance, you can easily travel from Belgium to Poland in just one day.

“Does that mean I lose two travel days if I take a night train?” you might wonder. Thankfully, no. If your night train departs on one day and arrives the next, only the day of departure counts as a travel day—provided your arrival falls within the validity period of your pass.

Just trains?

Well, yes—that’s the primary concept of Interrail. However, in some countries, your pass can also be used for ferries. Depending on your destination, ferry rides may be fully covered or discounted for Interrail travelers.

You’ve bought your Pass — What’s next?

After purchasing your pass, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your unique pass number. If you’re using a digital pass, the next step is downloading the Rail Planner app, logging in, and linking your pass with your personal code.

The Rail Planner app will be your indispensable travel companion. It’s not just for planning your journeys; it also serves as your (digital) ticket. The Rail Planner provides all essential details: travel times, transfer points, layover durations, potential supplements, and more.

Supplements and reservations

Yes, you read that right. Sometimes you’ll need to pay a supplement in addition to your pass. This varies by country and railway operator, but it’s most commonly required for high-speed trains. There are two types of supplements you might encounter: a surcharge and a seat reservation. A seat reservation guarantees you a specific seat on the train and must be arranged before boarding. This can often be done through the app, the railway operator’s website, or at a ticket office.

The filter function

Both the Rail Planner website and app feature a filter function, allowing you to avoid routes requiring reservations. You can also select options like “direct trains only” or specify minimum transfer times.

For certain routes, seat reservations are recommended. If you’d rather play it safe or snag a window seat, it’s worth making a reservation. However, budget travelers who don’t mind hunting for an open seat—or even standing for a short while—can skip the reservation. Of course, if a reservation is mandatory, you won’t have a choice.

During my own Interrail journey through Italy and Austria, I traveled on trains without reservations whenever possible, even when recommended. While it sometimes took a little effort to find a seat, I never had to wait long before securing one.

And finally, my last travel tips.

On a budget? The Rail Planner app gives you a clear map of your entire planned route, making it easy to visualize your trip. It also highlights Interrail partners at your destination, offering discounts and deals. For example, I once enjoyed a 10% discount on a hostel stay in Munich!

As you travel, the app also tracks your statistics: how many trains you’ve taken, how many countries you’ve visited, and the total kilometers traveled by train. These stats make for a fun souvenir to look back on and relive your journey.

Sit and enjoy the ride!

The post The ultimate guide to Interrail appeared first on Simply By Joy.

Tourism is an age-old phenomenon. Think of the wealthy Romans traveling to luxurious resorts. Much later, during the Industrial Revolution, tourism development accelerated. Travel became more accessible to a wider audience, partly thanks to improved mobility and, on the other hand, the rise of vacation rights.

Modern tourism, as we know it today, is deeply rooted in our society. In 2023, approximately 1.3 billion international arrivals were recorded, compared to ‘only’ 25 million in 1950. This growth naturally brings significant challenges.

Consider Venice, struggling under its popularity. Or Amsterdam, where finding affordable housing has become nearly impossible. Or the unequal distribution between the local population and investors in Casablanca. Or the waste left behind on the ‘unique’ journey to the top of Mount Everest.

Sustainable vs. regenerative?

According to the United Nations, sustainable travel means making conscious choices to minimize negative impacts on the environment, society, and economy. It’s a noble goal, something we can all contribute to. But… do we need to strive to maintain the current system for future generations? Why would we want to preserve a system, including all its negative consequences?

Isn’t our intention to progress, rather than stand still? The regenerative attitude goes beyond ‘maintaining’. It is a proactive approach in which the traveler focuses on restoring and improving the travel destination. It is therefore not just about reducing the negative impact, as with sustainable tourism, but about actively contributing to the restoration of natural ecosystems, strengthening local communities and economies, and preserving cultural traditions.

By the way, I don’t see sustainability and regenerative practices as conflicting concepts. Instead, I view sustainability as a component of regenerative tourism, part of a systemic change.

Why do I speak of systemic change?

Because we need to revise the core principles of tourism. Instead of solely striving for profit, actors in tourism should also aim for value creation for both local communities and nature. This means that regenerative tourism involves a shift in values and practices. This is the point where tourism breaks out of its silo as an industry solely focused on travelers.

Systemic change requires involvement from all stakeholders in the tourism sector, including governments, travel organizations, local communities, and travelers.

What can I do as a traveler?

As a traveler, you have a certain responsibility. Ten years ago, when I started simplybyjoy.com, I wrote, “traveling is a privilege, therefore we are able to positively change our behavior towards it.” I still feel the same way today.

You might rightly think, ‘easier said than done.’ The good news is that there are already many organizations contributing to this regeneration. You might not know them because they’re not TUI, Hilton, or MSC. In the next part of this article, I’ll introduce you to some regenerative tips and players.

Information is key

Everything starts with making informed choices. Choose destinations that promote sustainability and regeneration, and remove destinations that need breathing room from your bucket list. Travel during the off-season whenever possible to support local economies when tourism is not flourishing. Also, learn about the situation of the destination: what is the history of my host country? What cultural norms should I follow? What about the economy? Is there great inequality? What are the country’s biggest challenges?

In addition to the destination, you can also research the impact of your stay or of the organization(s) you are traveling with. What are they doing to promote a positive impact? Is it truly taking place, or are we talking about greenwashing? How does the tour operator work with local communities? Does the organization also provide an educational framework for its visitors?

Fight against greenwashing

Greenwashing is the deceptive presentation of a company, product, or service as being more environmentally friendly or sustainable than it is. This is often done through marketing and PR strategies that overemphasize certain ecological benefits while obscuring the harmful environmental impact. As a traveler, check if you are not supporting greenwashing and ask critical questions.

Catchy phrases like “Travel Sustainable” from Booking.com and “Cruising the blue in a green way” from MSC Cruises sound great, but the reality is a bit less rosy. These companies often use green slogans that have more to do with marketing than actual sustainability, as it usually goes.

For example, Booking.com’s “green leaf” rating, which claimed to highlight eco-friendly stays, was recently removed in 2024 after discussions with the Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM). The ACM found that the system wasn’t transparent enough for travelers to understand, and it was taken down to avoid misleading consumers.

MSC Cruises is another example. They advertise “green” LNG-powered ships, which sounds positive, but LNG (liquefied natural gas) isn’t exactly problem-free. While it can reduce some harmful emissions, it also results in methane leaks—a potent greenhouse gas that can cancel out the supposed climate benefits. Plus, the cruise industry, with issues like water pollution, biodiversity loss, and waste, isn’t winning any sustainability awards. So, slogans like “Cruising the blue in a green way” might look nice on paper, but the truth is more complicated.

Leave Nothing but Footprints: Beyond the Quote

Your personal actions on the road leave a certain mark. I will explain this using two simple, obvious examples. I really like the quote “Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures.” Many travelers also know it and think they are applying it, but in practice, they leave a greater impact than they can imagine.

• Did you know that while your sunscreen might protect your skin, it can harm marine life? Sunscreens containing ingredients like oxybenzone, octocrylene, and octinoxate can damage coral reefs and coral larvae. In fact, Hawaii banned the sale of sunscreens containing these chemicals in 2021 to help protect reefs. To make an eco-friendly choice, look for reef-safe sunscreens made with non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide—these are usually marked as “reef-safe” on the label. Want to take it further? Support coral regeneration projects, or try a beach cleanup on your next dive trip.
• Have you heard of ‘stonestacking‘? Stacking stones is a popular trend among hikers, but it seems we need to do some awareness work here. Moving and stacking stones disrupts the ecosystem and causes soil erosion. The soil that was once protected by the stone is now vulnerable. It sounds so innocent, but it’s not a sustainable practice.
• On hiking trips, I saw lots of fruit peels along the way. People might think they are biodegradable, but in fact the decomposition of fruit litter takes much longer than you probably imagine. A banana peel could take up to two years to decompose, especially in cooler, less humid forest environments. It may also disrupt local fauna because they’re not a natural part of the animals’ diets. Eat your fruit and take the peel with you, until you find a trash can.

Advocating for Gender Equality

Are women in the community treated equally? According to UN Tourism (World Tourism Organization), women make up 54% of the tourism workforce (2024). Despite being the majority, women remain concentrated in lower-skilled, lower-paid, and often informal jobs. Men are often the visible frontline or management, but the women make sure the beds are made, the rooms are cleaned, and the coffee is on the table. So there is clearly still work to be done on equality in the sector. As travelers, you can therefore choose to join organizations that are actively working on this. For example:

• In Nepal: For 25 years, 3 Sisters Adventure Trekking has focused on empowering women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. By actively involving women in the trekking sector, this organization not only creates jobs and better economic opportunities for women but also fosters a shift in the social structure, promoting gender equality in the region.

• In Kenya: In 2020, The Mountain Lioness Program, launched by Exodus, began training women as professional guides and porters on Mount Kilimanjaro—an area where men have historically held most of these roles. This program opens up new opportunities for women in the tourism industry while challenging traditional gender roles on Africa’s highest peak.

Part two to be continued.

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The main destinations of our train adventure were Northern Italy and Western Slovenia. I struggled when my friend suggested changing the itinerary to stay in Italy due to non-stop rain at our chosen destinations in Slovenia. I kept refreshing the weather app, hoping the forecast might change. Even though I knew staying in Italy was the right decision, I went to bed annoyed. However, after sleeping on it, I finally admitted she was right. We ended up exploring parts of Italy I hadn’t considered, and it turned out to be a great decision (with great weather).

We have 24 hours a day: stop rushing.

It took me a few days to fully switch from my work mindset to a vacation one. At first, I felt like I had to hurry to do everything, whether it was catching the first train or ticking off items on our itinerary. But gradually, I realized there was no rush—if we missed one train, another would come. There’s no need to chase time. Instead, I learned to slow down and savor the moments.

People are inherently good.

For the first time, I hitchhiked—something I’d always wanted to try but never quite had the courage for. Both times we stood on the roadside, thumbs out and smiles on our faces, we were picked up by the most incredible people. One time, we even got a ride up the mountain on the back of a quad, which was an unforgettable experience. Each time, we were pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm and kindness of our drivers, who even shared local tips with us along the way.

You don’t need to travel far to have ‘authentic experiences’.

I don’t need to travel to the other side of the world—there’s plenty of adventure waiting right here within our borders, or not too far from them. While far-away destinations are undoubtedly exciting, I’ve realized that I can find equally enriching and authentic experiences on the continent where I am from, often in places I hadn’t even considered.

Traveling is a privilege.

This trip reminded me of the true depth of that privilege. The ability to explore new places, try new food, make unfortunate choices when abroad, and immerse myself in unfamiliar landscapes is something not everyone has the chance to do. Travel is more than just personal discovery—it’s a chance to engage with the world thoughtfully and sustainably. As more people have access to global travel, we also have a growing responsibility to ensure the destinations we love are cared for, so they can be enjoyed by future generations.

Unfortunately, people still don’t know how to ‘leave no trace’.

Even though there might be good intentions, I’ve realized that not everyone knows how to truly ‘leave no footprint.’ I don’t claim to be perfect either—I’ve had to learn a lot to travel more sustainably, and I’m still learning every day. But honestly, I thought some things were just common sense, like taking your trash with you. It’s shocking how often I still saw things like toilet paper, food scraps, and cigarette butts left behind. Just because something is biodegradable doesn’t mean it belongs in nature. It’s a reminder for me to keep preaching: we all have a responsibility to leave the places we visit as untouched as possible.

Public transport isn’t only expensive in Belgium.

I used to complain about the cost of public transport at home, but this trip gave me some perspective. I’ll try to complain less… I promise!

The post What Slow Traveling taught me appeared first on Simply By Joy.

When you Google the term “stone stacking”, you’ll find a shit-ton of information. There are lots of different meanings behind these stacked rocks. I’ve seen them before, but on our last hike at the Liechtenstein gorge, I was overwhelmed by the amount. Also at Lago di Braies, on its South side, we encountered plenty. So I became curious. After researching a bit I learned that this practice does more harm than good.

In the outdoor community, it’s usually recognized as a trail marking, but it actually origins in many spiritual and cultural practices. Think of its use in Buddhist tradition or Vikings practices. Even seafarers used stacked stones for navigating long before lighthouses came to be. Because of their wide significance, these types of stones go by different names. Some people call them stone johnnies, cairns, or stacked stones. So you see, before it became a social media trend as we know it today, it actually had (and still has) more purpose.

Leave nothing but footprints

Nowadays, stone stacking is a popular trend amongst hikers so it seems like we need to do some awareness work here. You see… when you intentionally move stones, you displace important ecosystem structures. In addition, moving rocks in any way contributes to soil erosion, as the dirt once protectively tucked under them is now vulnerable. Slowly, we start to turn natural landscapes into peopled places.

Do we want that? No. If we want to keep enjoying the outdoors as we do today, we have to start taking responsibility. “Leave nothing but footprints” preaches that message clearly and effectively.

What to do when you encounter these cairns?

Obviously: don’t add any. You could consider breaking them down if you feel comfortable with it. Only do it when you are sure these cairns don’t serve any other purpose because you don’t want to destroy those intentionally set as navigational aids. In the poll off Adventure Journalism, other co-travelers advise how to. Here I highlight one comment:

“Please dismantle them gently. Knocking them down can irreparably damage sensitive plant and small animal (inc insects and other invertebrates’) habitats. If you’re going to dismantle them, do it gently, or inform park/area staff so they can do so.”

Commented by M. on the forum

Would you like to have more in-depth information? Please read this article here. Next time you and your friends go for a hike, you have something to talk about If you wish to read more about sustainable travel, you might like my last article about flying and its impact. Cheers

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Now the real question is: how to reduce your impact when flying? First of all, I’d like to stress that cutting down our emissions is one of the only ways to fight climate change. So, before booking your next trip think mindfully about alternative transportation (think train, bicycle, etc). Each individual has his/her own carbon footprint which entails the emissions from our daily tasks, like doing the laundry or by driving. Traveling by plane is a huge contributor to the individual carbon footprint as well as to global warming. The second action you can take is to compensate your CO2-equivalent through funding a green project. This is called carbon offsetting.

This is how you can help:

For example: a KLM flight from Brussels to Accra only requires a 20 euros compensation.

There are many discussions about the effectiveness of carbon offsetting. Obviously, it is not the solution to climate change. It is however a way to raise awareness and a useful tool to start. The only way we’ll be able to fight the current climate issue, we have to cut emissions rather than compensate for them. For more resources on carbon offsetting and its effectiveness, please check the following articles on National Geographic and the Guardian.

Tourism is one of the biggest polluting industries in the world. But on the other hand, tourism creates jobs, income for host communities, infrastructural improvements, etc. Overall, if handled well sustainable tourism can improve the quality of life of host communities. Unfortunately, the current pandemic had a big impact on all activities within the industry. Let’s find a way to make this industry thrive again in a positive way.

More tips about sustainable travel over here. Cheers

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