Not your average travel book: how to explore the world like the experts

The never-ending road to adventure.

When it comes to globetrotting travel companies, Intrepid has clocked up the kilometres. When founded in 1989 by two – there’s no other word for it – intrepid Melburnians, Darrell Wade and Geoff Manchester, there was one itinerary and five paying guests. Hundreds of thousands of customers later, Intrepid now does more than 900 trips in over 100 countries, hosting small groups with a like-minded conscious approach to travel.

Now Intrepid has put some of the knowledge, harvested from its rich 35-year history, into a book.

This is not your average travel book, however. Intrepid’s Leigh Barnes says The Intrepid List: 100 Uncommon Experiences to Change the Way You Travel (Hardie Grant Explore, $45), “was born from a belief that storytelling has the power to bring people together, challenge assumptions and change the way people see the world.

Making music in Marrakesh.

“This is exactly what we do on our trips all around the world. This is not a list of where to go. It’s a collection of stories about what truly connects us as humans, regardless of culture or background. We wanted to create a collection of stories that tell the story of global connection and community.”

Another big point of difference is that the book contains stories contributed by many of Intrepid’s personnel.

“The Intrepid List”

“Our team is made up of 3000 travel experts around the world, who are the most passionate, well-travelled and well-connected adventurers you will ever meet,” says Barnes.

Those contributing to the book include Intrepid executive Natalie Placko, who reflects on the pleasure of learning to make traditional basil pesto, al fresco, with locals in Levanto, Italy. Rachel Miller shares her encounter with a traditional all-women performance troupe in Marrakesh, Morocco, for whom music had become empowering. And another Intrepid member, Lucy Siebert, writes of dancing at dawn with mountain villagers during a cultural ceremony in the highlands of Timor-Leste.

Barnes hopes the book inspires both regular and new Intrepid guests.

“We always say that people who travel on our trips are curious, conscious and connected. We hope that these stories spark those exact values in readers. And of course, we would love more people to explore the world in our way – which is all about keeping things local, travelling in a conscious and ethical manner, and forming long-lasting connections with the communities you visit.”

See intrepidtravel.com; publishing.hardiegrant.com