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Spain

Hike El Saltillo Malaga

How to hike El Saltillo – Malaga hiking off the beaten path

Rome in winter

15 Best winter city breaks in Europe

Rome is a great place for winter sun holidays in Europe

18 Amazing destinations for winter sun in Europe

Madagascar is one of the best places for whale watching in the world

21 Best places for whale watching in the world for your next ethical adventure

Arcos de la Frontera is one of the most beautiful places near Seville

15 Amazing Day trips from Seville for your bucket list!

The top of Mulhacen Spain

Mulhacen hike: The only hiking guide you’ll need

Things to see in Mijas are the amazing views from the mountains

6 Awesome things to do in Mijas Spain (and what not to do)

Arcos de la Frontera

Arcos de la Frontera Spain: Dramatic, whitewashed beauty

Los caños de Meca

Los Caños de Meca Cadiz: A bohemian paradise

Seville itinerary

The best of Seville in 3 days: An epic Seville itinerary

Conil de la Frontera

12 Fun things to do in Conil de la Frontera, Spain

Jerez de la Frontera

10+ Things to do in Jerez de la Frontera: Andalusia’s sherry capital

Spain off the beaten path

Spain off the beaten path: 23 Bucket list-worthy places!

Looking down at Playa de los Muertos from the view point

Cabo de Gata beaches – some of the best in Spain

Day trip to Toledo

Day trip to Toledo itinerary: Getting wonderfully lost in Medieval Spain

Mulhacen is one of the best hikes in Spain

15 Extraordinary hikes in Spain not to miss

35+ day trips from Malaga you can’t miss – an insider’s guide

Cala de San Pedro Cabo de Gata – an adventurers paradise

Barranco Blanco

Barranco Blanco – A world away from the busy sunshine coast

Mallorca road trip Photographing Cap Formentor

Mallorca road trip: The best of Tramuntana views and villages

Why you should never ride a donkey in Mijas

El Refugio del Burrito

Meet the rescued donkeys and mules at El Refugio del Burrito

Welcome to Brainy Backpackers! Thanks for stopping by! My name is Linn, and I’m here to help you explore this amazing world in a responsible way!

Brainy Backpackers - small footprints big difference - a responsible travel blog

40 tips for Responsible Travel

Make sure you don't regret anything after your travels with these 40 tips for responsible travel!

POPULAR POSTS

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How to travel locally by train

How to travel locally: A responsible guide to local travel

Travel books to fuel your wanderlust

20 travel books to fuel your wanderlust: My all-time favorites!

10 Best sustainable backpacks for the eco friendly traveler

Eco-friendly gift ideas

15 Eco friendly gift ideas for responsible travelers: A sustainable gift guide

Caramoan Islands from above

11 breathtaking Philippines off the beaten track destinations

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Did you know that I used to work with whale watchi Did you know that I used to work with whale watching in Madagascar for a few months about 16 years ago? It was my first time seeing whales and I learned so much about ethical whale watching.🐳🐳🐳🐳🐳

I fell completely in love with these giants. Each time I see a whale it feels like it's the first! It's nothing but magic! Today, I live only an hour and a half from one of the best places in the world to see orcas!

Have you been to any of these places? Or have you gone whale watching somewhere different?🐳

Check link in bio for my latest post on best places to go whale watching in the world including ethical practices.

#responsibletourism #sustainabletourism #ethicalanimaltourism #wildlife #letwildlifestaywild #wildlifeconservation  #traveladdict #travelphotography #wildlifephotography #brainybackpackers
Before you make up your mind about these (not so b Before you make up your mind about these (not so beautiful) lemur selfies, let me tell you a story.

This is Makina (I might just spell that wrong, she is a Malagasy lady). My uncle (that's the owner of that blue shirt with squares) rescued Makina a few years back. From a life in captivity, in chains as a tourist magnet. The owner would take money from tourists to hold her and take selfies with her.

Now, she lives on a small island north of Nosy Be in northern Madagascar, in the rainforest. There are to groups of lemurs living in that rainforest. But they are different species than Makina. So she doesn't fit in 100%. She will never be able to have babies either, as there are no males of her species there. 

Despite that, she now roams free with the others as well as another rescue lemur my uncle took in, Marina. She's also of a different species than the two packs that lived there from before and from Makina.

But they both have a good life now, and they can be lemurs and do what lemurs do. 

When they want to, they come by the eco lodge that my uncle runs. It's the only place with humans on the island. I didn't see Marina much when I was there, but Makina came over a couple of days to hang out for quite a while. She isn't afraid of humans due to her past, but you can really see her affection for my uncle. And his for her. She jumps on your lap only if she feels like it and she leaves when she wants to. She can be gone for a couple of weeks in the forest without showing up, while other times she can come by daily for cuddles.

I feel blessed to have met Makina and that she had so much confidence with me that she wanted to sit on my lap as much as she did. Clutching those soft little fingers to hold on to me❤️

For me, Makina's story is a really sad story with a bittersweet ending. I don't think she will ever feel 100% like she belongs, as there are no other lemurs of her species there. And neither will Marina. But they are both in a safe place, and the only thing they have to worry about are fights with the other animals. And that's a good thing.

What do you think of Makina's story?

#wildlife #ethicalwildlifetourism #madagascar #rescuelemur #travel #ecolodge
Happy World Animal Day!!!!🦍🐒🐆🐏🐘🐁 Happy World Animal Day!!!!🦍🐒🐆🐏🐘🐁🦫 
Together with @expedition.wildlife and @explorewithlora I've selected a few organizations that we think do an amazing job protecting wildlife, habitat, and educating on ethical animal tourism. We will collect donations throughout the month for one of these incredible organizations. We just created a poll so YOU can choose which one you think deserve to get the pot at the end of the month! Check out my stories to find out which organizations we chose, how they work, and make sure you vote for the one YOU think deserves it the most!

#worldanimalday #makeadifference #wildlife #ethical #sustainable #responsibletourism #brainybackpackers
Did you know that more than half a million wild an Did you know that more than half a million wild animals are used for tourist entertainment?

We need to do something about that! This month is October. And it's (Un)Ethical Animal Tourism Awareness month. I partnered up with @expedition.wildlife and @explorewithlora to spread awareness about animal toruism. What to avoid, what to do, and how to take the right decisions. We're sharing expert advice on our blogs and social channels all month so make sure you follow along and help spread awareness and information too.

It's so easy to make a bad choice. Thinking it's the right choice. Because of lack of information. Let's do something about that and make a difference! Are you with us?

#ethicalanimaltourism #ethicalchoices #responsibletravel #brainybackpackers #protectwildlife #responsibletourism #sustainabletourism
Are you crazy about monkeys? My feelings about th Are you crazy about monkeys?

My feelings about them are mixed. I love seeing monkeys in the wild! They are beautiful, intelligent creatures that I want to cuddle, as everyone else. But I hate seeing monkeys in touristy settings! They jump on you, steal, and try to rip things off you. They literally become aggressive. Why?

When large numbers of tourists come and they all give the monkeys food, the animals (because, as I said, they are intelligent) learn pretty quickly that whatever human carries is for me. Especially if I can eat it. 

What happens when animals start eating human food? (Other than becoming scary!) They eat less of their natural food. This actually puts the whole food chain in unbalance. But seeing monkeys eating crisps and muffins makes me think that they might be subject to slight malnutrition too?

What do you think?

#responsibletourism #ethicalanimaltourism #sustainability #sustainabletourism #wildlife #brainybackpackers
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