Anh Co Tran’s Favorite Outdoor Destinations
Anh Co Tran’s work often takes him to bustling cities around the globe. But when it’s time for a personal getaway, he gravitates toward places where nature takes center stage. He views it as his balance. Work rarely takes him to nature so he makes sure his free time does. Here are some of Anh’s top outdoor destinations, from icy landscapes to sun-baked deserts and why they’ve left such an impression.
Iceland: An Otherworldly Favorite
If there’s one place Anh can’t wait to go back to, it’s Iceland. He visited in the winter, where the country transformed into a land of snow, ice caves, and glacier hikes. He said it looked like an extraterrestrial landscape. It’s so different in the winter versus summer, he would like to go back and experience both.
Between the dramatic terrains, kind people, delicious food, and the surreal experience of sometimes 18 hours of darkness, Iceland remains at the top of his travel list.
Desert Wonders And The California Coast: Antelope Canyon, Joshua Tree, Sedona, and Big Sur
Anh admits he has a thing for deserts and coastlines, each one unique in its own way.
Antelope Canyon: Antelope Canyon is a narrow slot canyon in Arizona known for its smooth, wave-like sandstone walls and dramatic beams of light that shine through its openings.
Joshua Tree: charms with its namesake, otherworldly trees, and distinctive rocky formations.
Sedona: enchants with its rich red clay soil, colored by iron deposits, and a mystical atmosphere filled with vortexes.
Big Sur: California’s central coast between Carmel and San Simeon, with dramatic cliffs, winding views, and a misty coastline.
Hawaii’s Big Island: A Jungle of Possibilities
When it comes to tropical escapes, Anh’s heart is on Hawaii’s Big Island. It has everything — rainforest, desert, mountains, and beautiful beaches. The diversity of landscapes makes it an adventurer’s dream, blending lush greenery with rugged terrain.
The Importance of Nature
For Anh, these trips aren’t just about sightseeing — they’re about restoring mental balance. He says that he spends so much time in cities for work, which is why he seeks out nature to recharge. From icy peaks to red-rock deserts, the outdoors offers him a counterpoint to his fast-paced career.
Anh’s travel bucket list is still long with Mount Kilimanjaro high on the horizon. But whether it’s hiking through a glacier, wandering among desert blooms, or exploring a rainforest trail, his adventures share one common thread: the variety of the natural world.