Roughing It Is The New Luxury

Last Fourth of July weekend, while most people were scarfing hot dogs and knocking back beers, I was attempting the Fjallraven Classic Denmark - a 46-mile, three-day trek - weighed down by a 25-pound backpack and the emotional fallout of a pandemic divorce. By the end of day one, I’d covered 18 miles in torrential rain, grunting my way through barley fields, along seaweed-strewn coastline, and up challenging hills. 

If you've been following me on Instagram or Facebook for a while, you know that my trips usually revolve around beachfront Caribbean resorts, butler service and fruity cocktails. But lately I’ve discovered a different way of traveling. It's one that's taken me to Sweden, Canada and Denmark. Most important, it's one that satisfies not only my desire to see new places but also my newfound yearning to push my physical (and often emotional) limits.

And, as it turns out, I’m in good company. The latest trend in high-end travel is about paring back the luxuries and amping up the effort. Read all about it - and find out whether I survived my Danish adventure - in my story in Travel + Leisure's March issue, online here.