You have probably heard of Germany’s Black Forest and are longing to stroll under its thick canopies. But you need to add an essential component to your German holidays. The Bavarian forest, near the Danube Valley in the south-eastern part of the country, is what seems an endless expanse of unspoilt wilderness and is even more magical when explored during …
Continue reading
The Vinschgau Valley: An Alpine Land of Charming Contrasts
The Northern Italian Vinschgau Valley: A Brief Overview South Tyrol’s Vinschgau Valley (Val Venosta in Italian) is certainly an area of contrasts. Each year, travellers flock to the region, but often for a wide variety of different reasons. For some, it’s the irresistible call of nature and that blissful sensation of escaping from it all; as the Vinschgau Valley has …
Continue reading
Tauferer Ahrntal Valley: Exhilarating Alpine Adventures
Tauferer Ahrntal Valley: A Brief Overview The Tauferer Ahrntal Valley, homeland of the famous mountaineer, Hans Kammerlander, is unsurprisingly a terrain filled with scenery of the more dramatic kind; soaring alpine peaks, endless green meadows, glaciers and forests. It’s a landscape that is sure to appeal to the adventurous at heart, and keen hikers will no doubt be delighted by …
Continue reading
Vines, Wines and Alpine Appeal: Southern South Tyrol
Southern South Tyrol: A Brief Overview The southern area of South Tyrol encompasses the very best of natural alpine scenery and Mediterranean ambiance; making it one of the most popular hiking destinations in the continent. The trails themselves offer the opportunity to wind through lush meadows, past glacial lakes and mountain ranges and through dense forests; and the cities, towns …
Continue reading
Alpine Hiking for all Abilities in Passeiertal Valley
Passeiertal Valley: A Brief Overview Passeiertal Valley (Val Passiria in Italian), starting at the historic spa town of Merano and winding a trail right through the spectacular peaks of the Oetztal, Stubaier and Sarntaler Alps, is widely acknowledged to be one of the finest locations for hikers in the region. Of course, South Tyrol in general, with its verdant meadows, …
Continue reading
Fresh Air, Healing Waters and Literary Lives in Merano (Meran)
Merano (Meran): A Brief Overview Often celebrated for its thermal waters, the picturesque town of Merano (Meran), which is set at the entrance to the Vinschgau Valley (Val Venosta) and the Passeiertal Valley (Val Passiria), has long been popular with travellers seeking respite, relaxation and solace in nature. Merano is the Italian name; Meran is the German name of the …
Continue reading
Alpine Action: Hikes & Bikes in Valle Isarco (Eisacktal Valley)
Valle Isarco / Eisack Valley: A Brief Overview The Northern Italian Eisack Valley (Valle Isarco) has, over the years, developed a formidable reputation as being one of Europe’s prime locations for activity-based holidays. The mountain valleys and peaks provide the perfect environment for magnificent mountain hiking in the warmer months, and with its numerous challenging trails, it’s also a popular …
Continue reading
Family Fun, Action Adventures & Walking in Bressanone (Brixen)
Bressanone (Brixen): A Brief Overview As with many other cities and towns in the region, the ancient city of Bressanone (Brixen in German) is predominantly German speaking; with a personality that is quintessentially Alpine in essence, with a sprinkling of Mediterranean thrown in for good measure. The city is officially South Tyrol’s oldest, and has an atmospheric medieval quarter with …
Continue reading
Bozen (Bolzano): A Baroque City Beside the Scenic Dolomites
Bozen (Bolzano): A Brief Overview The mostly German speaking city of Bolzano (Italian), or Bozen (German) as it is more commonly called by the locals, is nestled within the glorious mountain backdrop of northern Italy. Flanked by the dramatic Dolomites and the vineyards and woodlands of verdant South Tyrol, it’s often recognised as the ‘capital of the Alps’, making it …
Continue reading
Walking with Children – Family Walking Holidays in Europe
Europe is the perfect introduction to walking holidays for children. The popular walking areas include plenty of easier terrain with a wide variety of family-friendly accommodation. If you are considering a family holiday with the kids – then please check out the “Walking with Kids” section on our website. If you enjoyed walking holidays before having a family, please don’t …
Continue reading
The Original Disney Castle – Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
The story behind Neuschwanstein is no fairy tale. Nor is the “Schloss” (castle) really a castle – more a fantasy that Walt Disney himself would have been proud of. The force behind Bavaria’s most famous castle was Ludwig II of Bavaria. Although built over the ruins of an earlier, genuine, castle, Ludwig’s castle was more Disney than castle. Castles were …
Continue reading
Switzerland – Why Zermatt’s Mountain Guides are Famous
Zermatt’s fabled Mt. Matterhorn (4,478m/14,692ft) has always been a draw for those who love mountaineering and the Alps. Unfortunately with beauty often comes danger, and the Matterhorn has seen fatalities each year since it was first climbed by British climber Edward Whymper in 1865, who lost 4 of his party on the descent. These days as many as 150 climbers …
Continue reading