About Treksplorer

Hey there! I’m Ryan O’Rourke, a part-time independent traveller from Canada and the founder & editor of Treksplorer.

I started Treksplorer with a simple mission: to help busy people maximize their vacations and see the world two to three weeks at a time.

Since its humble beginnings in 2011, Treksplorer has grown to include hundreds of articles spanning over 30 countries. The tone and advice has shifted, too.

We’ve traded in our backpacks for rolling luggage and cramped budget accommodations for more comfortable mid-range luxury hotels. And despite being outliers in an online world skewed towards long-term budget travel, we’re quite unapologetic about it.

(Much to the chagrin of my normally apologetic Canadian character.)

Why Treksplorer is unique

Treksplorer isn’t about following my own journeys in real time; it’s about helping you maximize your next one. You won’t find beachside selfies or play-by-plays here. Nor will I inundate you with never-ending chronicles of sponsored press trips.

Instead, we’ve decided to shun the usual travel blogger path. At Treksplorer, we aim to craft and curate only unbiased & practical mid-range luxury travel information to help you plan your next trip. No sponsors. No gimmicks. No bulls**t. Just good ol’-fashioned travel advice.

(And, yes, that means we always pay for my travels out of my own pocket.)

Why would we participate in such madness? With over two decades of hopping around the world under my belt, I now realize that travel isn’t an all-in proposition. Contrary to what the travel blogging world leads you to believe, you don’t need to quit your job, sell all your possessions, and live out of a 40L backpack to see the world.

Our message here is quite the opposite: You absolutely can experience the world without sending your life into an upheaval.

Learn more by checking out our city & country itineraries and things to do, where to stay, and when to visit guides for some of our favourite world destinations.

Meet the team

Ryan O’Rourke

Founder & Editor

Ryan O’Rourke is a Canadian traveller, food & drink aficionado, and the founder & editor of Treksplorer. With over 20 years of extensive travel experience, Ryan has journeyed through over 50 countries, uncovering hidden gems and sharing firsthand unsponsored insights on what to see & do and where to eat, drink & stay. Besides Treksplorer, Ryan’s freelance travel & lifestyle writing has also appeared in several online publications, including the Huffington Post, Matador Network, and RoamRight.

Mia Russell

Mia Russell

Lead Contributor

Mia Russell is a freelance writer based in South Africa with a passion for travel. She’s travelled to 35 countries and counting, and when she is not in the water swimming, freediving, or snorkeling in beautiful places around the world, she is writing about her experiences. Before becoming a freelance travel writer, Mia worked as Chief Copy Editor for Glamor magazine and Managing Editor for One Small Seed Magazine. She’s a regular contributor to travel websites like Go City, Bookmundi, The Maldives Expert, and Heritage Safaris.