JB in the Wild E. 40

Welcome to episode 40

I.???????????????? Introduction

Happy new year!? It's a new opportunity to experience another dream trip, or maybe it’s your first.? Just about everyone I talk with has travel on their bucket list.

A world of options abounds, sparkling nightlife in the big city that calls you or a picture postcard perfect mountain vista, cool, calm and serene.? The possibilities are eternal.

I know my list of travel continues to grow…it’s (almost) hopeless, just like my ever-growing reading list.? About books, here are some excellent travel journals and memoirs to stoke your inner wanderlusts’ fire.

In this episode, we share a short stack (I promise) of excellent travel adventure reads.? It’s chilly out there for a lot of you.? Why not pick up a new read for the cool evenings by a warm fire.

Also in this episode, a new year highlight on my favorite town.? Yeah, I’m biased.? It’s my hometown.? One that often is overlooked, under the radar, or not considered.

There’s always a new trendy place to visit.? Now it’s your turn to be the traveling trailblazer.? When you are home you can tell all your friends, family and co-workers all about it.

Travel ideas this episode are all about wintery wonderlands.

…and travel trivia!

II.?????????????? Travel reads for 2025

Five travel books you will be engrossed in this year.? Caution!? These books will stoke your wanderlust!? From the deserts of mysterious central Asia to an epic lifetime of surfing safaris, get ready to transport yourself to distant lands.

African Silences – Peter Matthiessen

Matthiessen is a Bonafide naturalist/author celebrity.? He penned a dozen or more wilderness adventures throughout the second half of the 20th century.? African Silences describes his multiple West African safaris documenting elusive large mammals and tribal peoples.? He entertains with near fatal car crashes and aerial surveys with some tense moments attempting to avoid arrest by various militias in war-torn regions.?

Barbarian Days:? A Surfing Life – William Finnegan

Quite possibly the best sporting memoir ever written.? Finnegan a journalist/surfer (or maybe the other way around), reflects on his passion for big waves and living to tell the tale.? One need not be familiar with surf culture to enjoy his writing.? If you aren’t a beach lover or surf enthusiast, you just might want to be after reading this one.

The Coast of Coral – Arthur C. Clarke and Mike Wilson

Clarke, the celebrated creator of the Dune sci-fi series was also a serious naturalist.? He and his dive master partner explore the Great Barrier Reef over multiple expeditions.? His story telling shines through.? It’s equal parts adventure and bioscience.? Published in the 1950s, it’s a look back at a vast wilderness we are still learning a lot about.

Valleys of the Assassins and Other Persian Travels – Freya Stark

Stark’s writing style makes for an excellent page-turning adventure.? She chronicles her trailblazing expeditions in modern day Iran (Persia), in search of historic figures nearly lost in time.? She was a true maverick.? In between the two world wars, Stark made history seeking out fascinating legends from the hazy pages of history.

In Xanadu – William Dalrymple

Written 40+ years ago, Dalrymple, a 20-something Scottish university student decides to follow in Marco Polo’s footsteps.? Traveling the ancient silk road in search of, he wasn’t sure what.? This is one is a travel primer for intrepid souls and Gen Z’ers with a wanderlust.? His storytelling captures a youthful spirit.? At times, going solo, then rendezvousing with an ex-girlfriend, and another stretch with a young woman he meets at a dinner party.

?III.???????????? Travel Trailblazing – Hidden in Plain Sight

Some say wanderlust is part of us inherently.? For me, it was cultivated.? I was (I thought) destined to be a townie when I was young.? Being content just living across the dark green choppy waters from the City by the Bay.? Or, Oz as it was referred to by a famous son of Oakland, Tom Hanks in a documentary about Oakland.

In my teen years and early 20s I had the opportunity to travel.? It suited me and my daydreaming nature well.? Then the full travel bug hit me after dozens of verbal altercations with usually random people about Oakland.? Narrow mindedness is best overcome by exploration.? And that is why travel is my passion.? Learning by seeing, doing, going…living.?

For those who have visited the golden rolling hills of Napa, tasted the boozy grapes, hiked the many cliff side beaches or strolled the hilly streets of San Francisco, here’s a few reasons to add Oakland to your next Northern California visit:

Culture

An all-American melting pot, Oakland is.? Voted in polls year in a year out.? Vibrant enclaves spanning the globe call the Town home.? Jingletown is a ?colorful, bustling Latin quarter, east of the downtown lake Southeast Asian communities merge, pinched between the San Francisco Bay and downtown, historic Chinatown.? On the edge of North Oakland, Little Ethiopia.? And there’s plenty more worldly neighborhoods.

Food

Culture lends itself to aromas and flavors.? I’ll keep this one short.? A reputable source surveyed foodie destinations across the nation in 2024, who’s number one?? Oakland.

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-food-cities-in-the-us-readers-choice-awards

I do have a short list of must try restaurants. Just ask!

Nature

The biggest secret about Oakland, it’s a woodland paradise with million-dollar views of the Golden Gate bridge and the San Francisco skyline in numerous spots along the rugged ridgeline on the eastern boundary of the city.

Majestic redwoods are a 10-minute drive from the urban grid.? Hike, bike ride, pick wild berries, camp, try archery, ride horseback.? It’s all within the city limits.? A thousand mile away feel.? City vibes by day, age old redwoods and starry nights.

Nightlife

San Francisco used to be the undisputed music mecca outside of L.A. and NYC.? Those cool night spots have been replaced by tech monsters gobbling up the prime real estate.?

Oakland maintains numerous live music venues.? From arena mega concerts to an abundance of cozy venues.? Jazz, rock, pop, punk, R&B spill into the city nights almost every day of the week.? Sure, Austin and Nashville reign supreme these days.? Oakland impresses with an eclectic music scene.

Pair the foodie, music, culture and natural wonders, Oakland is far more than its reputation eludes.

?IV.???????????? Travel Ideas – Winery Wonderlands

1] Switzerland Skiing Getaway

8 days

Arrive Geneva

Private walking and foodie tour in Geneva

Private transfer to Zermatt Switzerland

Stay in a boutique Swiss chalet hotel

Ski in ski out

All meals included

Dinner service, multiple restaurants in the hotel

Private ski lessons available

Cross border ski passes included (Switzerland – Italy)

Bring your ski equipment or expert fitting on arrival

Optional self-guided tour Matterhorn nature trails

Private transfer return to Geneva

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2]? Rocky Mountain Snowboarding Adventure

5 days

Arrive Vail, Colorado

Private transfer to private resort adjacent condo

Hot tub and full kitchen included

Board rentals available

Private lessons beginner to advanced

Ski passes included

Optional cross country skiing day with private guide

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?3]? Arctic Expedition – Northern Lights

6 days

Arrive Oslo Norway

Self-guided city tour optional

Grand tour private guide, including local epicurean experience

Private transfer to Oslo airport

Arrive Artic circle by air

Private transportation to boutique lodge

3 days viewing the Northern Lights

By sled

By walking tour

By snowmobile

All professionally guided

Last day in Artic, spa day

Return flight to Oslo

Optional extend trip in Norway or complete tour

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V.?????????????? Trivia

What is the city with the most skyscrapers?

Hong Kong (558) – Bonus:? New York is third (318), after Shenzhen, China (414)

Source:? Statisa.com

A two-part trivia question to kick off the new year.

What is the first national capital city to celebrate New Year’s Eve?

What is the last national capital city to celebrate New Year’s Eve?

VI.???????????? Quote

“I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring”

-??????? David Bowie

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Thank you for reading!

Ready to travel?? Talk about travel?? Dream up an epic trip?

Find us online @ https://www.holidayroadadventures.com/team/josh-black

https://calendly.com/josh-black-w53w

Already planning a trip, we can help.

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Dream.? Plan. Go!

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