Our founder, James, is an avid traveller with a passion for exploring diverse cultures, landscapes, and hidden gems around the world. With years of experience journeying across continents, he has developed a deep appreciation for unique destinations that offer both adventure and relaxation. From bustling cities to remote paradises, James seeks out the best experiences each location has to offer. Here, we asked him about his favourite travel destinations and what makes them truly unforgettable.
What is the most intrepid destination you’ve travelled to?
Ethiopia is hands down the most intrepid destination I’ve ever experienced – an adventure-seeker’s dream, packed with history, culture, and landscapes so surreal they seem straight out of a fantasy novel.
First, there’s the Omo Valley, where you’ll meet some of the most fascinating tribes on Earth, each with their own traditions, striking body paint, and centuries-old customs. Then, in the Simien Mountains, you can sit among Gelada monkeys, who casually go about their business as if you’re one of the troop!
History buffs will be in awe of the incredible rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, literally carved into the earth, while coffee lovers can sip a cup in the very place coffee was born – talk about an authentic caffeine fix!
For a real thrill, head to Harar, where the legendary Hyena Men feed wild hyenas by hand (yes, really). And if that’s not wild enough, venture into the Danakil Depression, an otherworldly landscape of bubbling lava lakes, neon-colored sulfur springs, and endless salt flats – the closest thing to walking on another planet (see in the featured image for this post).
Ethiopia is unpredictable, exhilarating, and utterly unique. If you’re looking for a destination that will surprise, challenge, and inspire you at every turn, this is it!
Where do you go for a bit of local flavour?
Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina – it’s got history, culture, incredible food, and a soul like nowhere else!
The city is a fascinating blend of East and West, where Ottoman-era mosques, Austro-Hungarian buildings, and Yugoslav remnants all sit side by side. One minute you’re wandering through the bustling Baščaršija bazaar, the next you’re sipping coffee in a Viennese-style café – it’s the best of both worlds!
And the food? Unreal. Ćevapi – those little grilled sausages served with fluffy somun bread – are an absolute must. Then there’s burek, a delicious, flaky pastry filled with meat, cheese, or potatoes that you’ll struggle to stop eating. And let’s not forget Bosnian coffee, served in a traditional džezva, best enjoyed while people-watching in the old town.
As if all that wasn’t enough, Sarajevo is surrounded by stunning mountains, making it one of the most scenic cities in Europe. Whether you’re exploring the hills or soaking in the city’s incredible stories, you can’t help but fall in love with its charm.
It’s warm, welcoming, and packed with personality – everything you want when searching for a true taste of local life!
What’s your favourite all-round destination?
If I had to choose one ultimate all-round destination, it has to be South Africa. A place so incredible I ended up living there on and off for five years before the pandemic!
First, the scenery is absolutely jaw-dropping. Whether it’s the dramatic cliffs of the Cape Peninsula, the rolling vineyards of the Winelands, or the endless savannahs of Kruger National Park, every turn feels like a postcard moment.
Then there’s the wildlife – and I don’t just mean the Big Five! Sure, spotting lions and elephants on safari is unreal, but where else can you also find penguins waddling along the beach at Boulders Bay, whales breaching off the coast, and great white sharks lurking in the deep (if you’re brave enough to cage dive!)?
Cape Town is one of the most vibrant cities in the world—nestled under Table Mountain, with stunning beaches, buzzing nightlife, and a creative energy that’s completely infectious.
And don’t get me started on the food and wine—South Africans take their braais (BBQs) very seriously, and the wine regions of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek produce some of the best vino you’ll ever taste.
South Africa is the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, culture, and natural beauty. It’s no wonder I found myself calling it home for a time. It’s the kind of place you’ll always want to go back to.
What is the most beautiful destination you’ve visited?
I’ve been lucky enough to visit some of the most breathtaking places on Earth – the Himalayas in Nepal, Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains, the wild and rugged Faroe Islands, the vast Grand Canyon, and the endless plains of the Serengeti. But if I had to pick the most beautiful place I’ve ever set foot in, Patagonia takes the crown!
It’s a land of sheer, untouched wilderness—a place where icebergs float past you in electric-blue lakes, glaciers carve their way through valleys, and towering mountains rise dramatically into the sky. It’s the kind of scenery that makes you stop in your tracks, just to take it all in (and, of course, snap a hundred photos).
Then there’s the wildlife – you might spot guanacos (Patagonia’s answer to llamas), soaring condors, and even elusive pumas. The whole region feels like nature’s grandest masterpiece, with landscapes so surreal they seem almost too beautiful to be real.
Patagonia is remote, rugged, and raw in the best way possible. Whether you’re trekking through Torres del Paine, watching the Perito Moreno Glacier calve into the water, or simply standing in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery, you can’t help but feel tiny – and totally in awe.
It’s beauty on a whole different level, and trust me, once you’ve been, it never leaves you!
What’s your most memorable “Once In a Life Time” experience?
I’ve been lucky enough to have some incredible once-in-a-lifetime experiences – spending a night under the stars in the Sahara Desert, floating over Cappadocia’s surreal landscape in a hot air balloon, and even swimming alongside Basking Sharks in Scotland (which was both exhilarating and slightly terrifying!). But if I had to pick just one, witnessing a Bull Jumping Ceremony in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley was truly unforgettable.
This isn’t just a spectacle, it’s an ancient rite of passage for young Hamar men proving they are ready for marriage. The ceremony starts with women from the community dancing, singing, and even being ritually whipped as a show of support. Then comes the main event: the young man must leap onto the backs of bulls and run across them without falling. He does this completely naked, which, let’s be honest, adds to the intensity!
Being fully immersed in such a raw, unfiltered tradition was absolutely magical. The energy, the pride, the emotions – it felt like stepping back in time, witnessing something so deeply rooted in culture that it almost didn’t seem real.
Ethiopia is full of surprises, but this? This was something else. One of those rare moments where you think, wow, I can’t believe I’m actually here. If you ever get the chance to experience it, don’t hesitate, it’s pure, authentic adventure!
Untravelled Paths is renowned for its Mini Adventures, which is your favourite?
That’s such a tough question because we have so many amazing Mini Adventures! From tracking wolves in Transylvania to sleeping in the Sahara, each one is unique and special in its own way. But if I had to choose just one, I’d go with the 4-night Ice Hotel Experience, our very first adventure and still an absolute classic!
This trip has a bit of everything. You get to stay in a real-life Ice Hotel, where the walls, beds, and even the glasses at the ice bar are made of ice! It’s a proper bucket-list experience and one you’ll be telling people about for years.
Then there’s the history and culture. Think Dracula’s Castle, the charming town of Sibiu, and the eerie beauty of Transylvania in winter. It’s a mix of fairytale charm and spine-tingling legend, perfect for history buffs and adventure seekers alike.
And to top it all off, a city break in Bucharest, Romania’s lively, underrated capital, full of quirky cafes, grand architecture, and a buzzing nightlife.
It’s the perfect blend of adventure, culture, and fun, and since it was our very first experience, it will always hold a special place in my heart!
Finally, what’s the most unique country you’ve visited?
There are a few strong contenders for the most unique country I’ve visited – Georgia (the country!) with its ancient wine culture and jaw-dropping mountains, Ethiopia with its incredible history and tribal traditions, and of course, Japan, where everything feels like stepping into the future. But honestly, it’s hard to look past Iceland – there’s nowhere else quite like it!
Iceland is like another planet. One minute, you’re walking through lava fields that look straight out of a sci-fi movie, the next, you’re soaking in a steaming hot spring under the Northern Lights. It’s a place where volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, and black sand beaches all exist in perfect, dramatic harmony.
Then there’s the sheer otherworldliness. Where else can you drive past geysers that shoot boiling water into the sky, visit ice caves that shimmer in shades of blue, and hike across a glacier all in the same day? Not to mention the adorable puffins and the chance to spot whales just off the coast!
Iceland’s mix of stunning landscapes, wild weather, and Viking history makes it truly one of a kind. It’s rugged, raw, and absolutely unforgettable – just be prepared for the wind to quite literally blow you off your feet!
So if any of James’s favourites have inspired you, then get in touch! Remember, James also offers a bespoke service where he personally tailor your next adventure!
The post Our Founder’s Top Destinations appeared first on Untravelled Paths.
from Untravelled Paths https://blog.untravelledpaths.com/blog/our-founders-top-destinations/
