You might remember Flight Finder Lauren as our resident thrill seeker and all-round wild woman. So, it came as no surprise to us when she wrote up a piece on 10 of the Best Wild Camping Spots around the globe.

They’re all pretty special if you ask us, and we were particularly impressed with how well the UK & Ireland performed against some heavyweight international competitors. That said, we’ve decided to highlight the most extraordinary and inspiring of the lot, just to get your travel juices flowing! Here goes…

Lapland, Finland

Ever fancied camping in the ‘ happiest country on earth’? Well, for 8 ecstatic years, Finland has proudly held on to that title. In fact, the Finnish government is so welcoming to campers, they’ve even set up thousands of shelters across the country for you to make use of if you wish.

You're probably expecting something along the lines of a lakeside clearing in the middle of an enchanting forest. Well, you’ve got oodles of those to pick from, so let's lean into the free shelter idea to give you something a little different, AKA Lapland. Yep, the hometown of Santa himself.

This vast snow globe scenery would usually remain out of reach for the average camper, if it wasn’t for the help of päivätupa huts. Most lodgings are free of charge and run on a first come, first served basis. Although, if that level of uncertainty leaves you feeling uneasy, you’ll find some listed online which you can reserve in advance for a small fee.

There is some debate whether these still fall into the wild camping category. Personally, I would edge on the side of no. But, with just a roof, four walls and a couple of benches, it’s still pretty back to basics. Plus, they're typically in prime aurora borealis spots, so if you’re not an Arctic camping pro, these are your best option!

Tierra del Fuego, Patagonia Argentina/Chile

With the domineering Andes mountain range, the vast steppe desert and, of course, those iconic pearlescent glaciers, Patagonia no doubt rules many wild camper’s dreams.

Split between Argentina and Chile, the region is home to 9 national parks where wild camping is not only allowed, but practically encouraged. Even if you arrive without a kit, most hostels are more than happy to rent you some reasonably-priced gear.

Regarding the wildlife scene, Patagonia isn’t too concerning, surprisingly. Its largest predator is the puma, but you’d have to be crazy (un)lucky to bump into one. Given the 1.7 million penguin population, you're far more likely to run into Pingu and his buddies. I’ve heard they’re pretty chill, as long as you keep your distance.

If you’re ever holidaying around Buenos Aires, you can just hop on a direct flight to Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city. From there to the Tierra del Fuego National Park, public transport is frequent, but by far the coolest ride has to be the ex-prisoner ‘ end of the world train’.

On the Argentinian side, you’ve got a lifetime’s worth of hiking trails suitable for all abilities. But, if you’re a dab hand at all this adventuring, the Chilean side might be more to your tastes. It’s arguably much wilder, with large flat plains and dense forests, much of which are yet to be explored.

And let’s not forget, this is the gateway to set sail to the frozen frontier of Antarctica, and you really can’t get much more wild than that.

Kaindy Lake, Kazakhstan

If it ends in a ‘stan’, you just know it’s got adventure stamped all over it! From sandy deserts and lush forests, to snow-capped mountains, vast canyons, icy glaciers and heaps of lakes…if you can think of it, Kazakhstan probably has it.

And all of them are yours to wander and camp as you please, as long as you're respectful, of course.

As you’d probably expect, there are bears and wolves. The other dangers here are a little trickier to spot—black widows, tarantulas, scorpions, and copperhead snakes all call this country home. Thankfully, they’re terrified of humans, so don’t let them dampen your spirits. In case you’re really scared, just avoid anywhere dry, especially the deserts.

With those creepy crawlies in mind, let’s play it safe with the hauntingly beautiful Kaindy Lake, otherwise known as 'the dead lake of Kazakhstan'.

This eerie lagoon was formed back in 1911 after an earthquake caused the valley floor to fill up with icy river water. Now, all that’s left above the surface are the skeletal remains of a once thriving forest. But, take a peek below the sapphire blue depths and the branches with their needles stand frozen in time, preserved by the frigid temperatures.

Lauren’s top tip: Caravanya is a handy app to have on your phone. It offers up-to-date info on each countries' wilding camping laws, so there's no need to rely on years-old Reddit threads.

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Have you ever caught some Zs at any of these places, or is there somewhere else you think deserves a mention? Both North America and Australasia didn’t quite make the cut this time, but we’d love to hear your recommendations for these regions. Just hit ‘reply’ on this email!

Put on your blue suede shoes and board the plane, you’ll touch down in the land of the Delta Blues, (hopefully not) in the pouring rain. That’s right, we’ve landed in Tennessee, and believe us when we say it’s all about the music.

There are three main stops you have to make to walk with music royalty, and we’ll start off with the King himself over at Graceland. Elvis Presley’s Memphis mansion is essentially a 120-acre shrine, where you can explore the halls he wandered and mingle with his collections of gold records, classic cars and sequin jumpsuits. You can also stay overnight at the Guesthouse at Graceland, but be prepared for it to be less cute B&B and more 5-star hotel resort.

Next on the toe-tapping tour, we’ll head to Music City, Nashville. It’s the home of blue grass and country music, and the city that gave legends like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton their start. But here are a couple of factoids for you: the nickname didn’t come from country music, and its skills stretch far beyond old-school country, having launched the careers of Tay-Tay, Miley, Kings of Leon, Sheryl Crowe and more.

Unsurprisingly, it’s pretty easy to find good music to while away the hours in Nashville—just follow your ears. Meander down Broadway, jumping from open mic to rooftop bar, and you may well find the next big star. And as a bonus, the city’s food scene will keep you well-fuelled for that 24/7 music life.

Saving the most thrilling for last, the little town of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. For those not already in the know, this is the home of Dollywood and Dollywood’s Splash Country, the theme park and water park inspired by the life of Dolly Parton. Is it cheesy? Yes, incredibly. Is it a great fun? Also yes.

It’s probably worth mentioning that Pigeon Forge is a great jumping-off point for trips into the Smoky Mountains, too—the eagle-eyed among you will remember those from last week’s visit to North Carolina! While the hiking trails, caves and waterfalls are most enjoyable in any season, visiting in June could be a genuinely illuminating experience.

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across the web this week.

• A recent Which? survey has given us a rundown of the best and worst airlines for legroom and seat width across long-haul and short-haul routes—and the losers aren’t who you’d expect!
• For picture-perfect holiday accommodation, look no further. Here’s a round-up of the most-saved Airbnbs in the ‘Amazing Views’ category.
• There’s no doubt that hotels in Paris can get expensive, but surely these tourists didn't think that bedding down atop the Eiffel Tower would save them any cash…
• And finally, as summer holidays come to an end, many of us will be experiencing a dose of the “Sunday Scaries”—but on a whole other level. You’ve had a great trip, you don’t want it to end, and the return to the real world is hanging over you.

  It’s too late for us, but save yourselves with these tips from CN Traveler. Our favourite piece of advice on the list? “Plan the next trip”. Who are we to argue?