Mexican Journeys by Land and Sea

Lago di Braies, Dolomites

A stunning jewel north of Cortina d'Ampezzo. Arrive early or leave late for a peaceful moderate hike around the lake. Otherwise, prepare to meet your fellow tourists in a long line to rent a rowboat.

Tres Cime, Dolomites

Take the Toll Road very early from Lake Misurina to the main parking lot to beat the crowds and limits on numbers of visitors. Hike to the dramatic peaks and the refugios nearby and or, if you have time, hike the loop trail counter-clockwise.

Cascate Val de Fanes

Hike the natural park with waterfalls just north of the Cortina city center. There's also exciting "Via Ferrata" routes to traverse the ledges if you have the safety equipment to hook into the cables and some training.

Having a car in the Dolomites is very handy. There are public buses but they only go to the most popular places. That would work with a short trip with one local hotel in let's say, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Castelrotto, or Ortinsei.

Lake Misurina

A quaint lake surrounded by the brilliant rocky Dolomites. It's an easy walk around passing by a few grand and simple lake hotels.

Gondola to Rifugio Lagazuoi

For a quick high altitude experience, take the gondola that shoots you up to an elevation of 9,029 ft and then walk up to the high point from there. Wow.

When we hiked the long distance trail, Alta Via Uno, a number of years ago, we walked right by here but the weather was socked in and didn't see a thing. Today made up for it!

Ortisei to Seceda

From city center Ortisei, two gondolas will whisk you straight to the top for outstanding ridge-line hikes and views. We took the easy public bus here from the quaint town of Castellrotto which is closer to the Alpes Des Suise.

Alpes di Suise

From our base in Castellrotto, we took the bus up to Compatsch and then the chairlift to Saltria. From there, it's delightful higher altitude walks in the largest alps in Europe. Walk up through green pastures to the ridge line or beyond, and loop back with alpine lunch at the cute Marmutthutte.

Pulpit Rock, Stavanger, Norway

Stunning day hike up to dramatic rocky outreach over fjord. Very popular hike in southern Norway but worth it!

Haugesund and Avaldnes

The town of Haugesund in western Norway is on the North Sea. It's home to many a Viking king, and there is an easy stroll to the coast to see the monument to King Harald, all of Norway's first King. The national obelisk was erected in 1872 to mark 1,000 years since the country's unification. Just outside town, a short public bus ride away, is the Nordvegen History Center and Viking Farm at Avaldnes, also worth a visit.

Port of Bergen

Above Bergen is a beautiful park in the woods with trails and a mountain lake. After trying the fresh seafood at the port market, like the scallops, mussels, salmon or shrimp, take the nearby cog train or walk up the steep path for both incredible views and tranquility.

Flam, Norway

From the coast of the fjord through a green fertile valley and up to a dramatic waterfall. Beautiful land.

Fjellstua Viewpoint, Alesund

A short hike up to a prominent viewpoint, rain or shine or both!

Varden Viewpoint, Molde

Pleasant day hike from the center of the town of Molde up to the panorama with some 222 partly snow-clad peaks (1,325 ft). We didn't count! On the return hike back down, stop for coffee and waffles by the red mountain hut (you'll probably pass it on the way up; it's toward the top). 

Eidfjord, Norway

The fog lifted exposing the pure natural beauty of the fjords of central Norway. Nestled in the heart of the Hardanger Fjord countryside, and dwarfed by the surrounding mountains stands the old Eidfjord stone church from about 1309 AD, and part of the Norse sagas. The town itself was built in more recent times with funds from the energy company tapping into hydroelectric power.