Outwardbounders.com ADVENTURE TRAVEL & THE OUTDOORS

One of the best ways to get off the beating track if you're visiting Quito in Ecuador is to plan a trek and take in the natural beauty of the Avenue of Volcanoes. The volcano-lined corridor was so-named by the famous German explorer Alexander von Humbolt in the 1800s.

Lake Ontario is North America's fourth-largest lake and the 15th largest lake in the world. While many non-Canadians may be more familiar with Lake Michigan — the largest lake entirely within the US borders — Lake Ontario's 924-mile coastline has a lot to offer.

Often referred to as our planet's lungs, Brazil's Amazon Rainforest stretches across 5.5 million square kilometres — representing a more expansive territory than the European Union. It's responsible for nearly 20% of the oxygen on earth. But this natural treasure, and vital resource, which has been around for millions of years, is currently under threat from logging and commercial expansion. The incredibly biodiverse Amazon is home to over 24 million people in Brazil alone, including a vast number of indigenous peoples.

In addition to Sandwich Harbour — off Walvis Bay, a must-see destination on the list for my trip to Namibia was Sossusvlei. The two main attractions are the well-known Dune 45, the Bid Daddy Dune and the majestic Deadlvei, awe-inspiring valley floor lying at the foot of the latter, where 600 to 900-year-old dead trees contrast against the cracked salt and clay white pan.

Arriving at the Sossusvlei Lodge in Sesriem, Namibia from the sea-side city of Swakopmund, after a long 360-kilometre drive through gravel roads, and witnessing unforgettable scenic views of the Namib desert, was like entering into one of those desert oases we read about in books and short stories.

Travellers setting out to discover the mesmerizing dunes of Namibia's Sossusvlei often stay in the small settlement of Sesriem, located just outside the gate to the Namib-Naukluft Park leading to Sossusvlei — 60 kilometres away.