38 Great Trips
We have had many wonderful trips. Selecting our favorites is not easy and excludes many great places. We haven't included the United States (except Alaska), and hardly mention the great cities of the world (each has its own urban hike). We could have written pages and pages. Instead, we chose to give each a paragraph or two with a few tips and hope you use this to start your own adventure.
Our list is culled from travels over 20 years. And, our interests and travel style has changed as we have gotten older. Now we find ourselves more active! When we worked, if we could afford it, our vacation choice was an exotic beach for relaxation.
These days we live at the beach, have time on our hands, and look for places off the beaten path to walk and hike, bike and explore. That's mostly what you will find here.
Most recently we have enjoyed self-guided inn to inn hiking - walks along marked trails where an outfitter provides well notated maps, arranges for small interesting inns and B&B's, and hires someone (we never see them) to move baggage from one spot to the next. The walks are 4 - 8 hours most days, the paths range in difficulty, and the locations are always picturesque. We set out brimming with confidence and generally get lost at least once each trip. Of course, navigation is Ralph's responsibility! We are pleased to report that ultimately, we always reach our destination.
Take a look at some of the walks provided by Active Journey's and Inntravel. We have used both a number of times and have always been pleased.
Some of these notes include names of hotels, restaurants, and a few travel services - only suggestions; which become dated. Our advice is to use the Internet to poke around the travel landscape as it is constantly evolving and improving. We hope you enjoy theses ideas and that you share them with others. And, always, please feel free to email us so we can add your comments, reactions, and suggestions.
Vermillion Coast of France and Spain
Nestled at the foot of the Pyrenees, the Vermillion Coast offers well-defined trails and spectacular scenery. We hiked from the eastern corner of France to Spain experiencing the beauty of the mountains plunging into the Mediterranean.
The Dolomites in Northern Italy
With their explosive shapes and unique colors, the Italian Dolomites are undoubtedly among the most beautiful and spectacular mountains in the world. At every turn you are stopped in your tracks by the awesome beauty and sheer magnificence of this classic mountain environment. Whether you want to hike in the mountains, take wildflower walks, or try via feratta (a range of protected routes combining fixed cables, ladders and gorge spanning bridges), you will find it in the Dolomites. The first time we went we combined the Dolomites with a trip to Venice. It's easy to rent a car in Venice and drive north to Cortina (about 100 miles). Or, start in Munich. From there it is about a 150 mile drive south through the Brenner Pass.
Filled with delightful villages and an abundance of places to stay, consider Collett's Mountain Holidays. We stayed at their lodge in Pedraces. Each morning the guides individually advise about a range of hikes either on your own or with a small group. In addition, they offer via feratta, wildflower walks and even watercolor painting. We can't say enough good things about Colletts. Another time we stayed in Castlerotto hiking and exploring the surrounding area. We found it fabulous!
Walking the West Highland Way, Scotland
The West Highland Way is arguably Scotland's most popular long distance path - about 100 miles broken up over 8 days and 7 nights. This well marked trail is designed to do on your own. We used an outfitter to book the inns and to arrange for luggage transfer. The trail passes through many towns, villages, and locations steeped in the history of Scotland. When we went, we found that about 12 - 14 others had started on the same day and usually met up with them in the pubs each evening. The West Highland Way is a good strong hike, bound to include crazy weather, and guaranteed to offer spectacular scenery.
Walking in Morocco
Morocco is a contrast unto its own. We booked the 8 day Beneath Djebel Toubkal independent walking trip offered by Inntravel which combined the bustling souks of Marrakesh with the snow-crested peaks of the Atlas Mountains and the Berber hamlets that dot the mountain slopes beneath Djebel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. The five days spent hiking through the Berber villages were challenging and demanding. We added a few days in Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast. With its ancient walls and archways, sheltered bay, bustling harbor, and wonderful market, Essaouria is place to sink in and enjoy it's charms. The intimate stays at the Riads with their first class hospitality were delightful.
Hiking in Umbria - Italy
Umbria, Italy's green heart, is filled with hilltop towns. It has a special character, full of pastoral countryside and high mountain wilderness. Known for its truffles and other wild mushrooms, we combined this 5 - 6 day hike with a week's stay in neighboring Tuscany. A self-guided hike, consider the itinerary offered by InnTravel. Overnights included Spoleto, Abbazia di San Pieto near Ferentillo in the Valnerina, and Norcia. This was a delightful trip to an area we knew little about. We hiked 4 - 6 hours most days, stayed in quaint inns, ate wonderful food and drank great wine. While in Umbria be sure to take time to visit Orvieto, Assisi, and Perugia.
Nicaragua
Each visit to Nicaragua we enjoy more, particularly Granada - a charming historic city. While Nicaragua is definitely an impoverished nation, we have always found it most welcoming. Last time we rented a house (we recommend GPS) for 3 weeks, brushed up on our Spanish, took dance lessons - the bachata (not us on this youtube link) at the local cultural center, and used our rental car to take a variety of side trips. The coastal beaches are only 1 - 2 hours away. Or, catch the ferry from Rivas and take a few days to explore Ometepe, the volcanic island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua. Consider staying at Villa Paraiso. Take a day to explore around Laguna de Apoya, only a 30 minute drive from Granada, and have lunch at the delightful resort Norome. In Granada don't miss having breakfast on the veranda at Kathy's Waffles, dinner at El Zaguan, and order the guapote at La Colinas. Zip lining the treetops near Mambacho with Mambotours is an experience not to be missed. To get to Granada, fly to Managua and rent a car. It is only about an hour's drive. Or, if you are in Costa Rica, add a side trip to Nicaragua. Catch flights from either San Jose or Liberia.
Hiking in Majorca
The rugged mountains of the Tramuntana Sierra plunge into the sea, and villages perch precariously on the slopes above tiny coves. North-west Majorca offers the island's best walking - old paved mule tracks wind through wooded valleys, between terraces of olive and citrus groves, and high above the coast. For our 10 day visit we avoided the touristy beach areas and concentrated on the small villages and the wonderful walks. Only an inexpensive 30 minute flight from Barcelona, Majorca is a delightful destination. We booked an independent walking trip through Inntravel. They booked the small inns and moved our luggage. Other than that, we were on our own - just the way we like it. We spent time in Fornalutx, Soller, Valldemosa, Deia, and Palma - all different and enchanting in their own way. Majorca has a great inexpensive bus system making it easy to combine walking from one village to the next and patching the gaps with public transportation. In Palma be sure to stay at the Hotel Dalt Murada where Ferran and his family will make sure that you are well attended to. Be sure to add a few days to your trip and explore Barcelona - a vibrant, beautiful city.
Cinque Terre
If you enjoy a good easy walk, spend a few days in Italy's Cinque Terre, along the Ligurian Sea (part of the Mediterranean Sea). From Milan, take a train to Genoa. Then, catch the local train to the Cinque Terre. We drove once but think the train is easier. The Cinque Terre is a collection of 5 coastal villages (Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore, Portovenere, and Vernazza) connected by a local train as well as a wonderful coastal walking path (about 7 miles). You can walk it in one day but we prefer spreading it out over a few days so one can sink into the moment - great lunches can take time! We stayed in Vernazza. Booking ahead is a good idea although in the offseason we had no problem finding a room when we arrived. Just ask around. There are also a number of other wonderful hikes to neighboring vistas and villages. You can make all arrangements for the Cinque Terre on your own.
Walking in Switzerland
A typical day included arranging a picnic to put in our backpacks, riding a ski lift to some mountain destination, spending 6 hours or so hiking along very well marked trails, taking another ski lift down to the next village on the route, finding a room in a little inn, having a wonderful dinner (including a drink by a fire), and exploring our surroundings. Our trip was 10 days. We started in Lucerne, caught the steamer to Stanstaad, and started walking. We will definitely do this again! (Note: travelling this light makes it very easy to change the itinerary which we had to do when the weather turned!). Consider a side trip to Zermatt - tremendous scenery and amazing hikes.
Biking Vietnam
Our 17 day bike adventure took us from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
, via the central highlands and the stunning coastline, on to Hanoi, visiting the fascinating attractions of
this beautiful country along the way. Neither an endurance test nor a marathon race, we avoided the busy, major highways, instead riding on the back roads and supported by a back-up vehicle. This was an organized tour so we had plenty of help. Our group was small - in fact, we were the only Americans. There was a couple from New Zealand, 3 Canadians, and 3 Australians.
Some days there was no cycling. On the cycling days, we rode from two to six hours. The support vehicle and bus are always on hand if one needs to rest. We used Active Journey's to book our trip. Experiencing Vietnam this way was extraordinary.
Hiking the Portugal's Algarve - Mountains and Coast
We combined this weeklong self guided walk with a few days in Lisbon (before the hike) and a 10 day meandering drive to the north of Portugal (after the hike). Hidden away from the popular tourist spots a great deal of the Algarve remains totally unspoiled (other parts are pretty crowded). Our walk began in the mountains of Monchique, then took us to the fishing port of Lagos where we followed the coastal path, with its spectacular views, to Burgau, Salema and finishing our trek in Sagres. Much of the coast and path lies within the Cape St Vincent National Park, famous not only for its spectacular scenery but also its rare flora and fauna. We were on our own, following maps that were provided, staying in small inns and B&B's. Our luggage was transported so we just hiked with light backpacks and picnics. Hikes ranged from 3 to 8 hours. We used Active Journey's to make arrangements.
Hiking to Machu Picchu
Our friend Marsha planned a special trip for a group of 8 friends to Peru and Bolivia. She booked this two week trip through Wilderness Travel and made some small modifications to their normal itinerary. The trip was guided and well supported. We started in Lima, flew to Cusco where we explored and got acclimated to the altitude. The highlight was the 3 day hike from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu. We hiked about 6 hours each day, tent camped (with the support of our guide staff), arriving at Machu Picchu via the Royal Inca Trail. The final walk was tough but, as we entered through the Sun Gate for the view of Machu Picchu, was well worth it! Don't miss the hike to Huayna Picchu - another great view. Caught the helicopter back to Cusco - at least we didn't have to walk! We combined Machu Pichu with a fascinating boat trip on Lake Titicaca and spent time exploring Bolivia and the area surrounding La Paz.
Galapagos
Swimming with the sea lions, tromping among giant tortoises, seeing piles of the oddest looking inguanas you can ever imagine, learning all about Darwin, and looking for the green flash every evening during happy hour all make the Galapagos Islands a great adventure. We spent a little over a week with 10 others on the 125' Paranda cruising from island to island. The boat travelled at night so we could snorkel, hike and explore all day. The marine specialist on board briefed us every evening. The meals were exquisite. The Galapagos is a great trip. We booked our trip through Inca Floats. Spend a few days in Quito before or after the trip. Don't miss the local markets!
Exploring Andalusia
Located in the southern Iberian peninsula of Spain, the Andalucia
region offers golden beaches and beautiful mountain ranges. Dotted with enchanting small towns and villages rich in history, folklore and arts, its easy to sink in and enjoy the tapas. We spent 10 days combining many day hikes with city walking. We trained to Cordoba and rented a car. From there we spent time in Ronda, Seville, and Granada. The Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema, near Ronda, a designated Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO is filled with wonderful hikes. Be sure to stop at the tourist office in Ronda. They have information on several beautiful 2-4 hour hikes around Ronda. Walking around Seville, Granada, and Cordoba with their vast histories makes this a delightful trip. The Alhambra, the Alcazar and the La Mezquita are all amazing. If you have time in Seville, be sure to email Carlos at Sevilla Bike Tours and sign up for his bike tour. It was fantastic!
Italy's Amalfi Coast
Ginger planned this weeklong driving, hiking, and exploring trip along the Amalfi Coast. We flew to Rome, and took a train to Salerno and picked up a rental car. We took our time driving the coast spending a few days at the Luna Convento in Amalfi, overnighting in Ravello, exploring Positano and Sorrento - and everything in between. We included a day or two in Naples and an overnight on the Isle of Capri before making our way back to Salerno. If you are doing the driving, we recommend going during the off-season when it is not so crowded. Great food, great wines, terrific hospitality and unbelievable views! A leisurely lunch on the Amalfi Coast is something not to be missed. Make sure you leave some time for enjoying Rome.
Patagonia (Chile and Argentina)
Hiking Patagonia was a wonderful trip booked through Mountain Travel Sobek. Starting in Santiago, Chile (taking a few extra days for ourselves to explore the surroundings), we flew south to Patagonia via Puerto Arenas. Our group hiked and camped in Patagonia's Los Gaciares National Park and Torres del Paine National Park. The views of Patagonia's most famed peaks were fabulous - Cerro Torre, Fitzroy, and Torres del Paine. Be sure to bring long underwear and wind pants! We finished the trip with a few days in Buenos Aires - a great place to visit.
Great Barrier Reef
Our 3 week trip to Australia was filled with any number of highlights. One of the best was spending a few days at Lizard Island, a delightful resort on the northernmost island along the Great Barrier Reef. Whether you snorkel or scuba, it is only about an hour by boat to the reef. Lizard Island is a tropical paradise ringed with many little sandy beaches. The resort has dinghies available for guests to go exploring. Just pack your gear, request a picnic, and have a great time.
Driving the Peloponnese in Greece
An enchanting trip is to take a week to 10 days and drive the Peloponnese - the southern peninsula of Greece. Filled with small towns and villages and tremendous coastal scenery, don't miss the great seafood and the tavernas. Don't worry too much about reservations along the way. There always seems to be a room. Just chart your route, pickup a rental car in Athens and go. Among the many choices consider Nafplion, Gytheio, Koroni, Methoni and Lefktron. And, don't miss Delphi. Add a few days on the front end to explore Athens. We tacked on a few days on the island of Corfu at the end.
Hiking in the Borders of Scotland
Another good place to walk in Scotland is the Borders. You can easily get there by bus from Edinburgh. We started in Melrose - a truly delightful village, hiking on St Cuthbert's Way one day. The next day we followed the Southern Upland Way to Traquair where there is a delightful B&B next to the old schoolhouse. We finished by walking to Peebles and arriving in time to catch the bus back to Edinborough. If you are in Traquair checkout the Traquair Arms restaurant in Innerleithen - quite the local experience particularly if there is live music.
India
Our trip to India was a private tour (we went with one other couple). Mountain Travel Sobek made all the arrangements. We had a fulltime guide and an assortment of drivers and other helpers and spent nearly 30 days taking in city sights (Jaipur, Dehli, Agra, and Kolkata) and driving on many country roads. Many days were spent in game preserves including Ranthambore National Park, Keoladeo National Park, and Kanha National Park. The train trips from one place to the next were unforgettable. We finshed the trip in Assam. At Kaziranga National Park we rode elephants while searching for one horned black rhinos. What an adventure! The tiger in the wild at Ranthambore? It was big and our jeep was small!
Barge Trip in France
Always on our list, a barge trip in France is an adventure to consider. We booked through France Cruises who took well care of us. However, there are several brokers and many boats to choose from and we advise you to shop around. The ownership of these barges can change from time to time. The biggest decisions were the size of the barge, the ammenities, the destination, and how much we were willing to pay as these trips can be quite expensive. The size of the barge varies. Some are quite large allowing you to join a tour group. We opted for smaller and chose a private barge for 6 persons and planned our trip with close friends.
The L'Etoile was the perfect pick for us and owner Cobie and mate Nico could not have been more delightful and attentive hosts. Our accomodations were great. We selected the half board option which worked really well. With Cobie's and Nico help and advice we were able to combine just the right number of on-board meals (which were fabulous) with the interesting restaurants, bars and cafes in the delightful villages we visited. The bikes on board were always available for cycling excursions and the van that accompanied the barge assured that we enjoyed all the nearby sites.
Our 7 day trip took us through the beautiful Provence and Camargue regions of France. Starting near Avignon, the barge and its van took us to many charming places including Roussillon, Gordes, Isle la Sorgue, Les Baux de Provence, Arles, and Aigues Mortes - all the way to the door of the hill country of Provence. We added a day in Marseilles and hired Provence Sightseeing to drive us to Avignon via Aix in Provence and Casis.
Northern Italy and Lake Como
Bellisimo! Drive up from Milan or take the train from Milan to Como, and the ferry to your final destination. We chose to stay in Varenna, a delightful village, with a romantic promenade, a tiny harbor (where the ferry stops) and narrow lanes. Basing ourselves there, we ferried to Menaggio and had a great time hiking up Mt Grona. Another day we found a forested path that took us to Bellano. From there we took the ferry to Bellagio where we spent a wonderful afternoon. Another delightful side adventure is to take the car ferry from Varenna across the lake to Menaggio and then drive to Locarno, Switzerland via Lugano. Lake Maggiore is fabulous!
Antigua, Guatemala
We welcomed the New Year in Antigua, Guatemala. This charming, historic city is filled with interesting things to do and see. On New Year's Eve the party is in the streets - quite a celebration. For our trip we flew into Guatamala City, rented a car, and drove to Antigua (an hour or so). We stayed at the Casa Madeleine - a charming small inn and used the car to explore the area around Lake Attitlan.
Christmas in Vienna, New Year's in Salzburg with stops in Prague and Budapest
Although our list really is not about the cities, this particular trip was so good that we decided to include it - a real winter vacation filled with "urban hiking" exploring Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Salzburg. We brought our city clothes and enjoyed all the holiday concerts.
Experiencing New Year's in Salzburg is amazing - you won't believe the fireworks. In Salzburg we stayed at the Hotel Kobenzl which is on a hill overlooking the city (our second time and we would return again). What can one say about Vienna, Prague and Budapest that has not been said? We explored every nook and cranny, did all the self-guided walking tours, ate great meals, and even saw the Vienna Boy's Choir perform on Christmas morning. This is an easy trip to plan. Just set the itinerary and book the trains (it helps with the timing) and hotels before you leave the States. These can be popular places during the holidays.
Alaska
Our Alaska trip was about a month long. We flew to Anchorage and journeyed from there. (Don't skip biking the Tony Knowles Trail in Anchorage. That's where we encountered our first moose. The greenways in Anchorage are wonderful for city hiking and biking.) Ginger planned the itinerary over the internet. Our trip included time in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Nome, training to Denali for a few days of hiking inside the park, driving to Seward where we hiked from the Exit Glacier to the Harding Ice Field (fabulous and strenuous), spending time in quirky Homer where we hiked the Glacier Lake Trail in Kachemak Bay State Park. We also drove to McCarthy and spent several days hiking in Wrangle-St. Elias National Park which was terrific. The last several days were spent on Kodiak Island. With borrowed gear, we had a great time fishing the streams for salmon. Oh, and we did see bears!
A special highlight was taking the 6 day Discovery Kayaking Cruise on Prince William Sound. This 65 foot boat holds about 12 passengers and crew. It's small enough to get up close and personal with any number of amazing glaciers. Most days were spent sea kayaking and hiking around glacial moraines.
Villa in Tuscany
Thanks to our friend Marcia who did the research and booked the place, we and three other couples spent a wonderful week in a villa a few kilometers from Montepulciano. This is a great location to base your exploration of the hill towns of Tuscany and to sample the local vineyards (there are many). From Montepulicano, day trips via car to Florence and Siena are easy. Don't miss San Gimignano. With separate rental cars, each couple had the freedom to go their own way (recommended). There are dozens of companies that rent villas in Italy and you should definitely shop. Try starting at LuxuryLink.com
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Costa Rica
With advice from friends, a little internet research, some very helpful email exchanges, Costa Rica was easy to plan on our own. We charted a 3 week itinerary and drove it all without problem although some of the roads do need a little work. After an overnight in downtown San Jose, we headed down to Puntarenas and caught the car ferry to Paquera on the Nicoya Peninsula. Drove 2 hours to Santa Theresa where we stayed at the Florblanca Resort - drop dead gorgeous and a great base to explore the surroundings. Then, with a handwritten map, we drove north (about 3 hours) to Tamarindo (some of the driving was on the beach) and stayed at the Sueno del Mar. From there we headed to the cloud forest in the Arenal region staying at the Villa DeCary B&B for a few days. There is much to do and see in the Arenal. Our next destination was Pavones all the way at the southern end of Costa Rica. We took 2 days to get there stopping overnight at a small inn just beyond Quepos and the second night at the Cuna del Angel just on the other side of Dominical. In Pavones (a surfing paradise - not much else) we rented a small house for a few days. As we headed back north to San Jose, we took a few days to do more exploring.
There are many ways to approach a visit to Costa Rica and there are many choices - the beaches, the mountains, the rainforests, surfing, fishing to name just a few. In hindsight, we drove a lot and saw too many potholes. It's a very beautiful country.
Biking in Provence, France
This was an adventure - a self guided bike trip. Cycling through the forest of Vaucluse, viewing the ochre cliffs of Roussillon, with the crags and gorges of Luberon in the background, we ate well, drank great wines and walked all the cobble streets. Found this trip through Active Journey's. The adventure was the time of the year, late November. We delayed our trip waiting for our first grandchild to be born. By the time we got to our starting point, Cavaillon (via train from Marseilles or from Paris via Avignon), the weather was cold, icy, and rainy. Regardless, this self guided approach provides the bicycles, the maps, various B&B's and small inns are booked, reservations are made at delightful little restaurants, luggage is moved - all you need to do is enjoy the scenery, pedal hard, and not get lost or late. We loved Cavaillion and the Hotel du Parc. We will return to Auberge des Sequins one day for some hiking. What an unforgettable experience!
Lago di Garda
Italy's Lake Garda is breathtaking. We spent 3 days there staying in a small hotel in Torbole, a few kilometers from Riva del Garda - the historic area is delightful to explore. One day was spent driving around the lake but the rest of the time we hiked (there are a number of paths leading behind Torbole to the area around Nago). We particularly enjoyed the Vol restaurant in Riva de Garda.
New Zealand - the Milford Track
We took a month to explore New Zealand - from North to South. Ginger planned our itinerary booking all the reservations either by Internet or fax. One of the highlights (and there were many) was the Milford Track. Traversing the heart of New Zealand's wild fiord country, the Milford Track has long been described as "the finest walk in the world". We took the 5 day / 4 night Milford Track Guided Walk - an all-inclusive guided walk through the heart of Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. The package included accommodation, meals, snacks, backpacks and rain jackets. We stayed in lodges and the trip was led by guides. Consider this if you travel New Zealand - it's a 70 mile drop dead gorgeous walk.
There is so much else to do in New Zealand and it is hard to even begin to cover it in this short amount of space. Be sure to spend time visiting Queenstown, Aukland, Wellington, Christchurch, Taupo - all have loads of activities. Try flyfishing at Lake Brunner Lodge. Hike in the many national parks. Kayak on the Marborough Sound. Put on crampons and hike on the Fox Glacier. Go bungee jumping or hang gliding.
South Africa
We booked Hiker's South Africa through Mountain Travel Sobek. This was a spectacular 18 day trip with 11 days of moderate to strenuous hiking. We stayed in lodges, hotels, country houses, and rustic chalets. We ate wonderful food and drank amazing wines. Our trip included Cape Town, the Western Cape Province, the mountains of Drakensberg, the Cederberg Wilderness Area, the Cape Winelands. The hike to Tugela Falls was spectacular and the descent using chain ladders bolted into the rock was unforgettable. We added a 4 day extension to one of the great wildlife reserves - Krueger National Park for game drives and bush walks. This was an amazing trip!
Figi
If you are returning to the States from Australia, consider a stopover in Figi. We are not certain how the transporting works these days, but when we went we flew into Nadi and then caught a flight at the local airport to Suva. Next, we were driven by car about 30 minutes to a boat launch where our host was waiting to take us by boat for a 40 minute excursion down the Rewa River, across a stretch of Pacific ocean, to the 4 ½ acre island of Toberua and its fabulous resort. Fresh flowers, fresh fruit, great staff, and a great deal of paradise! Check it out!
Walking in the Ticino
The Ticino is Italian Switzerland - politically Swiss and culturally Italian. Two of the loveliest Swiss cities are here, Lugano and Locarno, each on a beautiful lakefront. We hiked the Strada Alta Leventina (on our own, no advance reservations, just the clothes on our back).
Take the train from Locarno to Airolo and look for the path. We hiked for 3 days (3 - 5 hours or so each day), spent wonderful evenings in little villages (Osco and Anconico), and had fabulous meals. Finished the walk in Sobrio. Caught a few local buses to get to the train station in Faido. From here you can connect back to wherever you want to go. We caught a train to Adermatt, then Goshenen, and finally rode the Glacier Express to Zermatt. Wow!
Kenya
Another Mountain Travel Sobek trip was to Kenya almost 20 years ago. This was a walking safari. They still offer a similar trip. With guiding assistance from the Maasai, we trekked on ancient trails across the unspoiled, culture- and game-rich country between the Great Rift Valley and the Loita Hills, spiritual homeland of the most traditional living Maasai. We walked through the remote Ngurman Forest filled with lush glades and huge waterfalls. Our trip included game viewing in the famed Masai Mara. We stayed in gorgeous lodges, wonderful camps, and even in tents. Our notes remind us of six great hikes and being delightfully spoiled.
Posadas in Portugal
We had a great time driving from one end of Portugal to the other staying in Posadas. These are government owned hotels located in a variety of historic and culturally significant structures - castles, palaces and the like. Use this link to see a complete list. This trip is easy to arrange. Book a flight to Lisbon, plan your route, make reservations, and rent a car. Don't miss Ponte da Barco and Ponte de Lima. We stayed at Casa Nobre do Correio-Mor and had a great time.
Knoydart - Europe's Last Wilderness
There are some great hikes on the Scottish island of Knoydart - but it may not be for everyone! Getting there is a bit of a trip. From Glasgow take the train (6 hours) through Fort Williams to Mallaig. Catch the supply boat (about an hour) to the pier at Inverie on Knoydart where you can stay at the Pier House. Knoydart is in a world unto itself. Don't miss the Old Forge Public House which claims to be mainland Britain's oldest pub. Since you have to go through Mallaig anyway, there are ferries (not every day) to the islands of Rum, Canna, Muck and Eigg (hope for good weather if you are hiking to the Cathedral and Massacre Caves!)
Tasmania, Australia
Five days is not enough time to spend in Tasmania. This mysterious Australian island is the last inhabited island south of Australia before reaching Antartica. With jagged steep mountains, deep wild rivers, humid forests, miles of deserted beaches and numerous protected national parks, Tasmania is a can't miss destination. We based ourselves in Hobart - a delightful charming place with wonderful restaurants, great bars, and a wide assortment of art. Tasmania offers some of the best overnight bushwalking to be found.
Explore some Greek Islands by Ferry
We took 10 days and fell in love with the Greek Islands - and only sampled a few. We flew to Athens, caught a taxi to the port at Peraeus to get a ferry. We stayed a few days on Paros, Ios, and Mykonos. There are many islands to choose from - each unique and distinct. We found it easy to rent cars and find lodging along the way. Here is the link for Greek ferry system schedule. Who needs a cruise ship!