The beauty of travel is that it’s endless. There’s so much variety in terms of culture, landscape, people, and food. Travel also varies depending on the seasons. We often think of where we want to go not when we want to go, which is crucial. Places like the Arctic experience drastic seasonal weather. In the summer the sun is out past midnight but the winter brings darkness with only four hours of daylight. Here’s some of my favorite locations within each season.
Spring – Norway
Norway in the spring is magical. You are treated to all the Arctic elements that you would expect but the days are longer and the temperatures aren’t as brutal. Norway is known for its fjords and dramatic landscape. You also have a really good chance of seeing the northern lights, which should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Summer – Oregon
The Pacific Northwest offers a diverse landscape with waterfalls, forests, mountains, lakes, and a rugged coastline. Oregon summers are close to perfect with temperatures in the mid 80s and sunny skies. Oregon claims they have their own seven wonders with Mt Hood, Columbia River Gorge, the Wallowas, Painted Hills, Crater Lake, the Coast, and Smith Rock. I’ve been to five of them and they are totally worth it. I recommend a road trip.
Fall – Iceland
I always credit Iceland as one of my favorite places to travel. I’ve been there 13 times so I guess I’m pretty hooked. Going in the fall is great cause it’s before the brutal winter. The temperatures drop slightly in preparation for winter and you might see some light slow but generally it’s pretty mild. Colors in the fall are alive with all the beautiful greens and incredibly vivid sunsets. Iceland is known for its hot springs, northern lights, glaciers, waterfalls, and Icelandic horses. Check out some areas in the south like Vik and Jokulsarlon Lake.
Winter – Central Coast of California
I’m a bit biased growing up here but the Central Coast in the winter is something special. There are charismatic coastal towns like Cayucos and Cambria and cities like Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo with restaurants and nice wineries. The waves in the winter are alive from off shore winds and northern storms that produce big swell. The Central Coast offers a nice break from your typical southern California beaches. Areas like Big Sur and the Pismo Dunes offer great camping and nearby surf breaks. There are scenic hiking trails and spots for mountain biking and rock climbing. Plus the people in towns like San Luis Obispo, Arroyo Grande, and Cayucos are super friendly and happy folk.
Chris Burkard
Chris Burkard is a self-taught photographer and artist, based in Central Coast California, whose work is layered by surf, outdoor, lifestyle and travel subjects. Burkard’s images are punctuated by energized landscapes and moments of bliss, by adventure seeking and the lifestyle that ensues, by movement and intuitive light-working capabilities. With ocean as his main muse, Burkard has consistently captured this subject in timeless and expansive photographic impressions, utilizing the tool of surfing to approach the ocean’s intricate personality and then extending out to include the human personalities that draw meaning from this same source. Searching for wild, remote destinations and offbeat landscapes, Burkard portrays the humble placement of the human in contrast to nature.
website: chrisburkard.com
instagram: @chrisburkard
facebook: facebook.com/chrisburkardphotography
blog: chrisburkard.tumblr.com