Best YouTube Walking Tours for Treadmill Workouts

Virtual travel is one of the coolest new frontiers in tech.

The idea is simple: Thanks to travelers with state-of-the-art cameras, viewers can explore the world straight from their couch.

From official tours offered from the world’s most popular landmarks and museums to more casual YouTube walking tours, the horizons of virtual travel are rapidly expanding.

Some walking tours are even designed for at-home workouts.

If you have a treadmill and Wi-Fi, you can find a walking tour channel that lets you follow your intrigue across the globe—city by city, region by region, country by country.

Just about any YouTube walking tour channel makes for solid workout content. Simply select a channel, find a tour that catches your intrigue, make sure your treadmill is facing the screen, and then start strolling at your own pace.

If you don’t have a treadmill at home, you can still load up a walking tour on your smartphone and take it to the gym. Many treadmills have slots that let you arrange your screen for easy viewing.

Now onto the big question—how can you find solid YouTube walking tours for treadmill workouts? It’s not difficult. In fact, some channels are actually designed to be experienced while walking on a treadmill.

If you’re looking to scratch that travel itching while getting in those daily steps, here are the best YouTube walking tours for treadmill workouts.

Prowalk Tours

Explore here

This is one of the most high-production walking tour channels on YouTube. While it isn’t specifically designed for treadmill workouts (unlike the channels listed below), it’s a cinema-quality experience.

From the quality of the visuals to the scope of tours offered, there are literally dozens of hours of content for you to explore on your treadmill.

The only caveat is that Prowalk uses audio from the tours—which means there isn’t any background music to keep those legs moving, if that’s important to you.

On the other hand, if you’re after immersion, Prowalk Tours will make you feel like you’re actually there live.

City Walks

Explore here

Similar to Prowalk Tours, City Walks includes a very high-quality experience. You’ll feel effortlessly transported into each new city.

Because City Walks is specifically geared toward at-home treadmill workouts, you’re also treated to a more curated workout experience.

Once again, the only caveat is the channel’s audio—which doesn’t include music. However, you might enjoy the intermittent commentary from the host. It includes interesting facts about an area, along with insights into the walking route.

Wind Walk Travel Videos

Explore here

Looking for something more than just a basic jaunt around a city? After all, ramping up a workout is a lot easier when tours move at a quicker pace.

Wind Walk Travel Videos includes a few alternative options that pair well with a dynamic workout—including driving videos, river walks, and mile-high vistas from famous skyscrapers.

That range can help you get a bit more out of your workout if you’re feeling burned out by the standard walking tour fare.

Virtual Running Tours

Explore here

Here’s where the rubber meets the road—with the Virtual Running Tours channel. Videos take at-home runners on explorations of country roads, national parks, and other scenic areas.

The good news is that the channel is hosted by a medical doctor, meaning the videos are timed and structured in a healthy way.

The bad news is that the New Zealand scenery is a bit limited, as the channel focuses on areas close to the host. However, that hasn’t been a problem for the some 80,000 long-time fans and viewers of this channel.

Best Hostels for Adults Across the United States

Are you over thirty and ready to enter your hostel era?

Though hostels are traditionally the domain of young travelers and broke backpackers, there’s a growing number of great hostels for adults.

Though they aren’t billed as ‘Adult Hostels’, they’ve got all the features that those with slightly more refined tastes and slightly deeper pockets are looking for.

I’m talking about features like private rooms and bathrooms, balcony views, large beds (no bunks), insulated walls, and adequate temperature control.

Best of all, guests still get all the usual perks from hostel living—such as great communal areas, shared amenities like kitchens, and cool travelers ready to mingle.

All while saving a bit on lodging.

If you’re interested in exploring the communal world of hostels for adults in the United States, then I suggest staying in one of these big cities.

Freehand Miami, Miami

Looking for an affordable and unforgettable stay in Miami? Head to the Freehand, right on Miami Beach.

Along with its dorm-style rooms, guests can book a private guest room. What I enjoy about the Freehand is its curated list of activities, along with its list of recommendations for visitors.

The best part? The Broken Shaker is a famous Miami cocktail bar that’s located right on the grounds. It lets you sample the best in local ingredients.

Book a room here

Freehand New York, New York City

If you like the style and feel of the Freehand Miami, book a stay at their New York City counterpart. Just like in Miami, location is a huge feature here. The Freehand New York is located in the Flatiron District—one of the most picturesque and iconic Manhattan neighborhoods.

Aside from its great location, the Freehand also offers good dining at the Comodo restaurant and—you guessed it—Broken Shaker cocktail bar. I also think the rooms are particularly stylish thanks to their custom artwork and dark wood features.

Book a room here

HighRoad Hostel, Washington DC

Stately and outright gorgeous, HighRoad works hard to differentiate itself from other hostels for adults. To be fair, this is a hybrid hostel-hotel establishment—one that’s elevated thanks to its location inside an old Victorian mansion.

It focuses more strongly on its hotel features while also offering more affordable dorm-style rooms.

It’s also in a solid location, which lets you walk around DC’s most pedestrian-friendly hotspots. But my favorite amenity here is the grand style. Even its sitting rooms feel effortlessly elevated.

Book a room here

Found Hotel Chicago River North

I love the Found Hotel in Chicago. Though it’s billed as a hotel instead of a hostel, it offers shared bunkbed rooms. Similar to the HighRoad in DC, its interior décor is austere and old-school—in all the right ways.

But what I love is the curated list of activities and communal spaces. They’re designed for guests to mingle while also enjoying the best Chicago has to offer. That’s an important part of the Sonder ethos, which is the group that runs Found Hotel.

Book a room here

Samesun Venice Beach, Venice Beach

The main appeal of the Samesun is its proximity to Venice beach—which is literally steps away across the street.

You’ll also be within walking distance of Venice Skate Park and the Santa Monica Pier. Aside from its location, I also adore the building’s charm.

Adults can easily book private rooms that are spacious, bright, and fitted with all the hotel essentials. I’ve even seen reviews of families staying here—which should clue you in that the vibe is open and the space geared for people of all ages.

Book a room here

How to Get into Airport Lounges—For Non-Members

We’ve all caught a glimpse into an airport lounge during a low moment at the airport and thought… Wouldn’t it be nice?

Airport lounges are like sheltered little oases in the cruel desert of air travel. Unfortunately, they’re reserved for the select few—usually, elite status members of airline loyalty programs or passengers with first and business-class boarding passes.

While passengers heading through fantastic airports won’t likely need an airport lounge, having access to these relaxing areas is never a bad idea.

But how can you gain access to airport lounges without paying for a pricey ticket or joining a membership program?

There are quite a few ways—and none require forking over thousands.

Here’s how to get into airport lounges for non-members and non-first-class flyers.

Buy a day pass

Want access to an airport lounge? The easiest way to get in as an infrequent flyer is to do a bit of research beforehand.

Look up the airport where you have a layover, then look for lounges from the airline you’re flying with. While many airlines offer day passes, from United to American, some only let you take advantage if you’re flying with them.

Day passes are surprisingly affordable, with most options costing less than $100.

That being said, there are a few caveats.

First, it might only be worth it to take advantage if you have a long layover. Second, keep in mind that during peak travel season, even lounges will be packed. Third, look up what time the lounge opens and closes. Some shut down as early as 7 pm.

Keep in mind that you can also purchase annual memberships to airline-sponsored lounges—no membership or elite status required.

These cost between $500-$1,000 annually, depending on the airline. American Airlines Admirals Club Memberships cost $850 for the year, for example.

Join Priority Pass’s lounge network

Aside from buying a one-time day pass, the easiest way to get into airport lounges is via lounge networks.

Unfortunately, one of the most expansive lounge booking services, LoungeBuddy, recently announced that it will shut down in January 2025. That means that the main lounge network serving Americans is Priority Pass—which isn’t a bad choice at all.

Priority Pass’s massive global network allows you to buy a one-time day pass to its lounges or pay for an annual membership. With around 1,500 locations around the world, this is the best option for frequent international travelers.

Pro tip: If you’re interested in Priority Pass and have a high-fee travel credit card, check that it doesn’t already offer Priority Pass access—it’s a common perk.

Use your credit card perks

Dozens of credit cards offer unique airport perks—lounge access included. If you have a high-status credit card from a major provider or are part of a co-branded hotel credit card program, you might already have access to lounges.

Here’s how to get into airport lounges via popular credit cards:

The Platinum Card from American Express gives holders direct access to over 1,400 airport lounges. The best are Centurion Lounges, along with Priority Pass Select options and Plaza Premium Lounges.
Chase Sapphire Reserve offers access to over 1,300 lounges around the world. Holders have access to Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club, along with Priority Pass Select lounges.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card gives holders direct access to its Capital One Lounges, along with Priority Pass and Plaza Premium lounges.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card comes with Priority Pass Select membership.
HSBC Elite Credit Card includes Priority Pass Select membership.
United Club Infinite Card comes with access to all United Club locations and Star Alliance lounges.
US Bank Altitude Reserve Vis Infinite Card includes eight visits per year to Priority Pass lounges.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card includes access to Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges—but only when flying with Delta.

How to Celebrate Halloween in Ireland—The Birthplace of Samhain

Halloween is my favorite holiday.

It’s nestled in with all the best autumn activities, like pumpkin picking, harvest festivals, and haunted houses. The weather is crisp and perfect as the leaves put on a stunning display.

It feels like an American dream to me—but the United States isn’t the birthplace of Halloween.

That distinction belongs to Ireland where the holiday was is also known as Samhain.

And it’s one of the best times to be on the Emerald Isle, as cities and villages come alive with the wonders of Halloween.

Not only is it a historical and cultural affair, but the parties are also top-tier—which shouldn’t be a surprise. We’re talking about the Irish, after all. They’re experts in artforms like good conversation (aka ‘craic’), folk music (aka ‘trad’ music), telling tall tales, and more.

Ireland and the Irish are also the keepers of Celtic mythology—which is still alive throughout the island via folk practices and folktales. The best time to feel this living history, in my opinion, is during Halloween.

Heading to the Emerald Isle in late October? Here’s how to celebrate Halloween in Ireland.

From Samhain to Halloween

Let me make a few distinctions before I dive into Ireland’s Halloween party scene.

Halloween was once known as Samhain. Samhain is a Gaelic festival that marks the harvest season and the arrival of winter.

(There are three other seasonal festivals throughout the year—you may have heard of Samhain’s spring counterpart, Bealtaine.)

Samhain is an ancient tradition that was first mentioned in literature in the 9^th century. It’s known as a short period of time in which the line between the ‘Otherworld’ and our world is blurred.

That allows for naughty spirits to cross over into our reality—which is where our modern spooky Halloween sensibilities come from.

But the US has a very commercialized version of Halloween—one that focuses on candy and costume sales. In Ireland, you’ll find similar fare in the way of pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, and other popular activities.

But in many places, you’ll also notice that the holiday is celebrated in more intimate ways. Pubs are lit with candles and stories are told. Decorations are hung up and pumpkin patches pop up around towns and cities.

Halloween festivals also pop up during this time. Want to know where to celebrate Halloween in Ireland? Go to Galway, Dublin, or Boyne Valley. They have some of the country’s best festivities. Here’s how to celebrate Halloween in Ireland in these places.

How to Celebrate Halloween in Ireland

Galway

Galway is located on Ireland’s western shores—and it’s a tourist favorite for a reason. The small and picturesque town is walkable, charming, and cultural.

During Halloween, it comes alive as locals help put together dozens of themed activities.

The Galway Aboo Halloween festival is one of the most famous, which regularly sees around 80,000 participants rush in from the surrounding area. The best part of the festival is the Macnas Halloween Parade, which brings ‘magnificent Halloween chaos’ to the streets—I’m quoting Galway Tourism on that.

It’s actually pretty terrifying… in all the right ways.

Dublin

Dublin is pretty spooky no matter the time of year thanks to its winding streets and old brick buildings. But the city really goes above and beyond during Samhain to treat locals to spooky fare.

There are famous haunted houses like The Nightmare Realm and Malahide Castle, along with cemetery tours of Glasnevin Cemetery.

But I suggest you stick to the city street parade. The Bram Stoker Festival includes a parade route that was relaunched last year with a few new additions. From what I’ve seen in photos and heard from attendees, it’s a larger-than-life creative endeavor.

What I like is that locals also go above and beyond to incorporate history and culture into the parade. Aside from the holiday’s Celtic origins, Dubliners also honor Bram Stoker—author of Dracula and Dublin local.

Boyne Valley

Want a bit more of a folk emphasis on your Halloween celebration? Skip the big cities and head to Boyne Valley.

It’s home to sites like Tlachtga, where ancient Celts celebrated Samhain. Rather than host a spooky Halloween parade, Boyne Valley instead throws an annual Púca Festival to honor its past.

It includes old-school Samhain festivities like feasting, bonfires, and plenty of trad music. There are also high-flying acrobatics and other unique displays.

But beware the Púca—these spirits can shapeshift and have been terrifying locals for well over a millennia.

Best Earthships and Earthen Rentals in the US

Some travelers love to go backpacking through nature, doing things like climbing mountains and traversing rivers to get in touch with their wild side.

Others just want to relax. They want to soak up the sunshine, eat well with loved ones, and sleep in comfortable mattresses in minimal-effort, maximum-impact form.

And some travelers are like me—interested in the best of both worlds.

I’m often on the hunt for comfort and natural wonders.

I want to graze the great outdoors knowing I have a proper shelter to return to at the end of a long day.

Welcome to the allure to Earthships and earthen homes.

What are Earthships and earthen homes?

The name Earthship comes from a flagship company based in Taos, New Mexico that pioneered a new ethos and practice of off-grid living.

The company offers a school where off-gridders can learn the basics of living with and off the land—from solar power to rain catchment to water reuse.

Earthen homes, by contrast, are a more casual label placed on homes that are integrated into nature—no official Earthship templates or paperwork involved.

Earthen homes might use partly sustainable resources and materials—or they might go whole-hog when it comes to off-grid living.

As someone with lofty dreams of one day building an Earthship, earthen rentals are some of my favorite offered.

Want to take a closer look at how these unique homes function and what you can expect from one? Here are my US picks for the coolest rentals and Earthships integrated into nature.

Earthen Home

Colorado Springs, Colorado

I’m starting this list with a totally off-grid Earthship.

That means it’s built entirely from sustainable materials, recycles its water for multi-usage, draws its power from solar, and stores electricity in batteries.

That last point is the most important here: Electric power isn’t infinite. The main trade-off at this Earthship is hot water; it’s not infinite.

Additionally, this home uses thermal heat from the earth to keep warm—which isn’t always as efficient as a fireplace, so you should bring layers.

That being said, the design and layout are beautiful. This Earthship is located on multiple acres of private land that’s covered with pines. From its feel to its immersion in nature, this is one of my top rentals in the US – earthen and beyond.

Book here

Romantic Treehouse

Bloomington Springs, Tennessee

This Earthen home isn’t sustainable—but it was built by the Amish, so I think it belongs on this list. Amish constructions are (usually) completed by hand and rely on minimal modern technology, which makes the whole process pretty sustainable.

This rental is also located in a treehouse and surrounded by fertile green woodlands. The best part? Those who aren’t wooed by off-grid living won’t have to go without.

The Romantic Treehouse rental comes with shared amenities like a barrel sauna, cold plunge, putting green, and pickleball court.

If you’re here to dip a toe in Earthen-style living, here’s a great place to start.

Book here

Spectacular Earthship

Taos County, New Mexico

Stay where it all began—in Taos County, New Mexico.

In case you’re unaware, Taos is one of New Mexico’s best destinations. Want to ski? You’ve got great mountains close by. Want to enjoy endless desert views? It’s impossible not to.

At this rental, you get to experience an Earthship in its full glory. Earthships aren’t uniform, meaning they can be incrementally and modularly expanded over time. In this case, that’s an interior garden that’s fed with grey water runoff from the shower. (Science!)

(At their most powerful, Earthships can even recycle blackwater into surrounding land to generate a functional wetland.)

Despite being fully off-grid, the internet is also billed as ‘surprisingly good’. The interior design showcases local Taos tastes, as well.

If you’re a fan of Taos and haven’t had the chance to stay in an Earthship yet, start here.

Book here

House on the Edge of Time

Jerome, Arizona

It’s not necessarily Earthen—and it’s definitely not an Earthship. But the Hosue on the Edge of Time is a fully bespoke project.

It was constructed with materials that are locally sourced, from the stones to the wood to the stained glass. While parts of the home are sunken into the earth for temperature control, most of the construction is built on a vision of artistry and architecture.

It’s dusty, it’s off the beaten path, and guests can expect a distinct experience depending on the season. Despite the uniqueness, this home is quirky, includes unique features like a hot tub, and is highly rated by guests.

As in, visitors come back here years after their first stay. They love the design, the atmosphere, and the host.

Book here

Cob Cottage

Mayne Island, Canada (very close to Seattle)

I’m rounding off this list with a Canadian pick—but don’t worry, it’s only a few miles across the border from Washington State and an hour from Seattle.

I wanted to include Cob Cottage because of its high design. The home was constructed by CobWorks and includes locally sourced and sustainable materials.

Thanks to the care and vision of the Cob architectural firm, guests are treated to some truly unique and beautiful interior design. The arched, wooden ceilings feel fluid and natural, while the curved fireplace and windows feel like they’re out of a storybook.

This place was built with love, care, and optimism—which I think you can feel just by looking at the pictures.

Book here

What Are Digital Detox Retreats?

Travel isn’t always about exploring the unknown. At least, not in a physical sense.

For some travelers, the true journey points inwards.

Though wellness travel has been around for hundreds of years, the concept of wellness retreats is a relatively new concept. Rather than focus on external adventures alone, many wellness retreats are focused on growth, rejuvenation, and community.

In other words, the focus is on mental and spiritual wellness just as much as physical relaxation and alignment. Nature is usually involved, along with healthy foods and group meetings.

But there’s a decidedly modern sort of wellness retreat that’s gaining popularity: The digital detox.

What is a digital detox?

A digital detox involves putting (or maybe locking) away most forms of technology.

The goal is to detoxify the mind from the stresses and mindsets that we take on when glued to our screens. Given the rise in social media addiction, many digital detoxers are hoping to change their relationships to platforms like Instagram, X, and TikTok.

But digital detoxes aren’t solely tied to social media.

After all, most adults spend their workday glued to a screen. Just as many detoxers are looking to simply minimize the amount of time they’re looking at laptops, computers, smartphones, tablets, and similar devices.

So, a digital detox retreat is one that gets participants away from their phones and computers.

But what happens in the meantime changes according to each company.

What are digital detox retreats like?

Every digital detox retreat is distinct.

Though the main goal of minimizing screen time is mutual, most retreat organizers focus on activities and lifestyles that suit their participants.

Some digital detox retreats involve like-minded communities that want to share their stories and listen to others. Some retreats are more geared toward nature in order to ‘reset’ the mind and body. Others might involve activities like cycling, camping, or kayaking.

These examples are just the tip of the iceberg.

As with their ‘theme’, every digital detox retreat is different in terms of organization and infrastructure.

If you want to itch your travel bug while you detox from blue light, check out retreats in wellness-focused countries like Costa Rica. Or if you’re on the hunt for community instead, look for a soulful retreat that brings together participants to exchange stories and wisdom.

In other words, every digital detox retreat looks different.

Unfortunately for men, many trips are geared towards women—and there’s a solid number of retreats that are women-only. On the other hand, some retreats can be booked with private groups, which would be great for any guys who want to put together a men-only retreat.

What sorts of travelers are going on these retreats?

Given the sheer range of digital detox themes available, there’s no single ‘type’ of traveler that fits the bill.

In fact, that’s something that I love about digital detox retreats—they tend to feel more accessible for the average traveler because the topic is more neutral. Who doesn’t want to spend less time on a screen, after all?

If you’re someone who has considered going on a wellness retreat, a digital detox variant might feel less intimidating than an outdoor camping excursion, New Age spiritual quest, or similar type of retreat.