Results for Alps

Your 🆓 & paid guides for France, all in one place. A little bit more about myself: I was born in Paris and lived in Lyon for most of my life, I have always loved travelling and got into hiking / road tripping in my home country during the COVId-19 pandemic as travelling out of the country was more difficult and riskier, I got to discover many stunning places I may have never been to without a global pandemic forcing me to visit more of my own country ^^ Through these guides, I want to encourage you to explore France's hidden gems & most beautiful locations. TIP: If you wish to get a sense of where these locations are relative to major cities like Paris, Lyon & Marseille, make sure to use the map feature! I hope these guides will be useful and inspire you to explore more of the country. COMING SOON: ➕Day trip Ideas from Lyon 🌄French Alps 🌄Calanques National Park 🌊Nice & the French Riviera 🌄Best Lakes & waterfalls 🏙️Paris 🌄Pilat National Park and more! NB: This is not a PDF but an interactive guide which means that when you click on a place in the guide or map you can directly open directions on your phone's Google Maps app, call restaurants or book hotels. Don't forget to download the free Thatch app to get easier access!

Looking for a relaxing weekend gateway or the perfect hotel for your skiing trip to Switzerland? This is your ultimate guide, no matter the budget you have in mind. This guide compiles some of the best hotels to either fully disconnect or relax after a day out in nature. From a hot tubs to saunas or massages, these hotels have everything you need to recharge. Most of them are located in the Alps, meaning within mountain towns rather than in cities. These mountain towns, some of which are more popular than others (i.e. Zermatt or Verbier), are were people come to ski, hike, bike, or just enjoy stunning views. Even locals, aka me, come to theses towns/places year around. I created four categories (from "on a budget" to "luxury"), depending on your budget. (Cover picture: BEAUSite Zermatt)

Zermatt is the ultimate ski destination for skiers & aprés lovers in the scenic Swiss Alps. Enjoy some of the world's best skiing, food, and sights. If you are a foodie like me, or love a drink after a day on the slopes, this guide is for you.

Seven-day trek based in refugios. INTRODUCTION The Picos de Europa is a region of limestone peaks reaching over 2500 metres above sea level; the highest being Torre de Cerredo at 2650 metres. The route described here is one that I hiked alone in early summer. The best time to tackle the route is between June and September. There is more likely to be snow on the high passes in early June but they are usually not to difficult to negotiate. The Picos de Europa is not as well known as the Pyrenees or Alps and as such the hiker traffic is less and the tourist infrastructure is less developed. This makes the area feel less spoilt but it can also make it a more challenging area to explore with fewer trails and little to no signposting. Always take a map with you: the Editorial Alpina 1:25,000 maps are the best. I took these and also used the outdooractive app and downloaded the relevant map tiles. This is useful for pinpointing where you are, in what can be confusing terrain. I was lucky to have clear weather for my entire trek but I would imagine that it's pretty difficult to navigate when the cloud is down on the mountains so take a compass too. You can stay in refugios every night on this hike and wild camping is permitted above 1500m; details below. I can't recommend the Picos de Europa as a hiking destination enough. The mountains are magnificent but there are also beautiful extensive woodlands at lower altitudes, as well as meadows full of wildflowers and butterflies. The juxtaposition between the stark limestone peaks and the gentle greenery of the valleys is beguiling. DISCLAIMER: Please note that hiking in the Picos de Europa is not risk free. It is a very challenging area in which to hike. I accept no responsibility for any accidents you may experience while hiking this route. You are responsible for your own safety. Some of the dangers and difficulties are listed a little further down this guide. HOW BUSY? Unlike some of the more well know hikes around Europe this trail is less well trodden and as such the trail can be quite hard to follow at times, and at other times there is no trail! Despite this, refugios, being small, fill up fast (see below). REFUGIOS The hike is made easier if you stay in the staffed refugios where you can recharge your metaphorical batteries. Accommodation at these mountain huts is in communal dormitories and you will need to bring your own sleeping bag. It's best to book ahead as they are often full throughout the summer. Prices are around the €12-17 mark and they also do affordable meals (breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner). There is also a handful of unstaffed, very basic mountain shelters with no services and no beds but these can be a good option in an emergency. Most of the refugios only accept cash so be sure to take plenty with you before you set off as there are no ATMs! All the refugios on the route are listed in the route description below with website links. WILD CAMPING Camping is only permitted at 1500m above sea level or higher. There is not much water anywhere above this altitude so be sure to fill up when you get the chance (at refugios) before camping in a remote spot. POSADA DE VALDEON This beautiful village tucked in the valley between the Macizo Central and Macizo Occidental is a lovely place to wander for a few hours. At the centre of the village there are a number of restaurants and bars and a small square with a water fountain. If you need somewhere to stay before or after the trek you'll find hotels, guest houses and a youth hostel. There is a hotel recommendation and link in the route description. In the centre of the village is a pharmacy should you need any blister plasters! And on the road to the west of the village is the National Park office where you can find information about hiking and anything else to do with the national park. GETTING THERE From the UK there are Ryanair flights to Oviedo (Asturias airport) from London Stansted. A bit further afield you can get flights to Bilbao and Santander from the UK and the rest of Europe. Getting from the airport is a little complicated but there are buses to Posada de Valdeón from Oviedo changing in Cangas de Onis. The journey takes about 4.5hrs. There are also buses from Santander and Bilbao changing in Llanes and Riaño with the journey taking around 15hrs from Bilbao. An easier but more expensive option is to get a taxi. You could also hire a car but of course you will have to leave the car sitting idle in Posada de Valdeón while you do the hike. FLORA & FAUNA This area of northern Spain is fantastic for wildlife. At lower elevations the beech and sessile oak woodland stretches for miles over rolling hills. This is part of the boreal forest that once would have covered much of Europe and is home to roe deer, wild boar, red squirrels, pine martens and brown bears. In the skies you have a good chance of seeing griffon vultures, golden, booted and short-toed eagles, black kites and peregrines. Of the smaller passerine species the Picos are home to red-backed shrikes, black redstarts, spotted flycatchers and black woodpeckers. But it's the wildflowers in the meadows and on the woodland edges that are the real joy and most easily appreciated. Vetches, cinquefoils and orchids create a colourful patchwork of colours with butterflies bringing the whole scene to life. Look out for swallowtails, fritillaries and hairstreaks. NAVIGATION Navigation is difficult as the terrain can be confusing and in many places there is no trail whatsoever. Take a map (1:25K Editiorial Alpina maps are the best), compass and GPS and know how to use them. It's also a good idea to download the map on a relevant map app. I used the outdooractive app but others are available. WEATHER Thunderstorms are common, usually in the afternoon and these can be particularly dangerous high up in the mountains. It's best to hike early and get to a refugio by lunchtime if there are afternoon thunderstorms in the forecast. The weather in this part of Spain is very changeable as it has a maritime climate. Rain and thick fog are possible but equally long periods of warm sunshine are not unusual. The best advice I can offer is to be prepared for anything. Pack suncream and a sunhat but don't forget your waterproofs either. FALLING ROCKS Rock falls are not unusual as chamois and other hikers can dislodge rocks above you. Getting caught in a rockfall is not so common but not impossible. Be aware and if you see rocks heading your way, and cannot find cover, crouch down on the floor and pull your rucksack over your head and back. DRINKING WATER There is very little running water as these mountains are mostly comprised of permeable limestone. You will need to take plenty of water with you each day (I packed three litres every day and usually drank it all). You can fill up at the refugios and there are a few fountains / fuentes although most of the ones I saw marked on the Editorial Alpina map were dry when I found them. THE SUN Sunburn and sunstroke are both real dangers and there is little shade. Keep hydrated and wear a sun hat that covers your neck. TERRAIN In some places you need to scramble up steep rocky sections. You will need to have experience in this kind of terrain and have a head for heights! The terrain is very rocky and uneven at higher altitudes so you will need strong, sturdy footwear. Trekking poles are also invaluable in providing support and helping you across and up awkward sections. There is also a lot of steep ascent and descent on this route so you will need to be reasonably fit. DANGEROUS ANIMALS On many parts of the trail you will encounter cows. In my experience they are very docile and used to trekkers so they shouldn't be of any concern. You may also find flocks of sheep and while these aren't dangerous they are often accompanied by shepherd dogs which have been trained to keep intruders away from the flock. They can be quite intimidating when they start barking at you. If you see sheep ahead it is best to give them a wide berth, even if this means veering away from the trail for a while. If you walk directly towards or through a flock of sheep you risk agitating the shepherd dogs. Bears are not common in the Picos de Europa but there are bears in other parts of the Cantabrian Mountains, notably Somiedo National Park, not far to the west, and there is always the possibility of seeing an itinerant bear wandering through the Picos. Eurasian brown bears are not as big nor aggressive as the grizzly bears of North America so you shouldn't worry too much about an encounter. It's extremely unlikely you will see one so if you do, consider yourself very lucky. Wild boar are common in the woodlands at lower altitudes. They are not as aggressive as some people will tell you and tend to be nocturnal. I did see some in the daytime near Vegabaño. As soon as they saw me they ran away, crashing through the undergrowth. As with any large animal it's best to simply give them plenty of space to move away from you. I hope none of this advice puts you off hiking in the Picos de Europa. Yes, it's a challenging mountain area but the rewards for hiking here are great. Enjoy the hike!

Experience this Mediterranean seaport city along with hillside villages nestled into cliffs. The city we call Genoa in English is Genova in Italian. This maritime city is the regional capital city of Liguria along Italy’s northern Mediterranean coastline, bordered by the Côte D'Azur of France and Monaco to the west, where the Alps meet the sea. As a Mediterranean region, Liguria is known for fresh produce and seafood with a variety of cheese produced in its coastal hills. The high-speed train takes just over 1-1/2 hours from Turin. Note: When you click and buy through links in this guide, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. To help fund production of these guides, tips are highly appreciated.

Have you ever heard of a tiny chicken-shaped country in the heart of Europe called Slovenia? If not, I believe it is time you discover its beautiful mountains, seaside, vineyards, and more! In this guide, we will explore various diverse regions of Slovenia, including the capital city of Ljubljana, the second largest city of Maribor, the seaside region and region of Julian Alps - Gorenjska.

Italy is where I was born and where I live. From the Alps to the coast of Sicily, I had the opportunity to travel and discover more about my country. I was born in Galatina, in Lecce province and the city of pasticciotto (a famous local pastry), but I have always been living in Latina, a city south of Rome. During these years I have been visiting a lot of place all around the Booth and I am ready to share my knowledge with you, so that you can have the best experience without stressing too much about planning and looking what to do. This page is a working in progress, as I will regularly update it with more and more guides, so make sure to save it in order to be kept informed. If you want a more customised itinerary or recommendations for you next Italian adventure, just click on my face above and choose what most suits you. I am grateful for any feedback you may have and if share my guides it with your loved ones.

If you want a small city with easy access to some major Alps, Aosta is perfect for you! It’s an easy drive to a gorgeous section of the Italian Alps, including Mont Blanc and tons of castles. This guide gives you everything you need to base your trip in Aosta. Both free and paid sites (and if they’re even worth it), a few hotel ideas, and great restaurants. In this guide, you’ll get: - the major sights with notes on what’s worth seeing and if they need advanced booking - an interactive map to help navigate you to each spot - 6 restaurants at varying price points, 3 hotel suggestions, and both 8 sites to see (mix of free and paid) Before you buy: everything on this list is included in my Four Days in Valle d'Aosta guide, so if you want activity suggestions as well, choose that instead!

Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc in 11 days. Spend most of your nights wild camping in the French and Swiss Alps. Experience one night in a Italian mountain hut. Rest your feet half way in a cute Italian town.

Ljubljana, Slovenia's captivating capital, enchants visitors with its vibrant energy and fairytale charm. Tucked amidst the foothills of the Julian Alps, this picturesque city offers a unique blend of architectural delights, cultural immersion, and outdoor adventures. Explore charming squares lined with baroque buildings, stroll along the banks of the Ljubljanica River, or venture into the embrace of the surrounding mountains. Ljubljana promises an unforgettable experience for every explorer's heart. I´ve lived in Ljubljana for a couple of months during an ERAMUS+ placement, on the summer of 2019, so I´ll tka einto account what I´ve experienced back then on a daily basis to make sure that you can live Ljubljana the most! This guide includes: - introductory note - places to visit (photo spots, museums and cultural venues,, open squares, beaches and others) - restaurants, coffeeshops and sweets spots - photo spots Get to see more from my travels on my Instagram (@pedralexpereira) and Flickr (flickr.com/photos/pedralexpereira)

During my trip to Italy, I spontaneously decided to spend a day in Bergamo, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much this city has to offer—more so than even nearby Milan, for example. When I picture a classic Italian postcard city, Bergamo now comes to mind. With amazing food (of course), charming little alleyways filled with souvenirs and regional products, and beautiful historic architecture, it has everything you’d want from a city nestled near the Alps. The city of Bergamo is located in northern Italy's Lombardy region. Bergamo is made up of two parts: the modern extension in the plains below and the old walled core, known as Città Alta ('Upper Town,') situated inside a group of hills. Encircled by vast Venetian defensive systems, the upper town has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 9, 2017. Let me show you what’s worth seeing!

Tucked in the northwestern corner of the Alps, Valle d'Aosta borders some of the best-known peaks in the world! With easy views of Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) and the Matterhorn (Cervino), it’s easy to see why you want to head to this section of the Italian Alps. This guide gives you everything you need for four days in Valle d’Aosta. The best of the outdoors mixed with great food and a little history. In this guide, you’ll get: - the major sights with notes on what’s worth seeing and if they need advanced booking - an interactive map to help navigate you to each spot - 8 restaurants at varying price points - 3 hotel suggestions - 3 day trips - free and ticketed sites to see in the city of Aosta

Located in Northern Italy, Trento is the third largest city in the Alps, and represents well the Alpine culture. Its position makes it a great destination for people who love nature and outdoor activities, such as skiing, hiking or cycling. But it has plenty to offer for those who appreciate history and culture. This brief guide highlights the main sights of the city, where to eat and what to do as well as some places to see outside the city itself, if you are looking to connect with nature. You can check my walking tour video of Trento ↓ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAs1ZbR3Yn8&t=426s&ab_channel=Sebastian

Nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Zermatt stands as a testament to the breathtaking beauty that Switzerland is renowned for. For any adventurer, Switzerland is a must visit and Zermatt is one my personal favorite places in Switzerland. This charming mountain village, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and the iconic Matterhorn towering majestically above, offers a captivating blend of natural wonders, alpine adventures, and unparalleled hospitality. 🏔️ This guide has a variety of luxury (come on is Switzerland) and budget-friendly recommendations. As a beginner skier, my main goal was to have the ultimate Après experience. This guide includes: 🚂Train recommendations into Zermatt 🎿Ski Rental & Pass Recommendations 📍Where the locals go for Après 🍴A variety of dinning experiences 🥾Non-Ski Activities

🇬🇧 A guide to discover the unspoiled territory of Briga Alta, in the North of Italy, dedicated to nature, mountain, outdoor, and photography lovers. Ideal for those who want to enjoiing their holiday by foot or by mountain bike, but also for those who want to explore the photographic potential of the Ligurian Alps. I will take you on a journey to discover the best panoramic points nestled between Monesi, Piaggia, Upega, and Briga Alta crossing with respect and awe the Protected Areas of the Marguareis Natural Park. Included in the guide: ▸The best panoramic points ▸Stopping points ▸Refreshment points ▸Photographic spots ▸Nearby accommodation options, including B&Bs, lodges, and hotels For further information or to delve deeper into a topic, feel free to contact me: IG @isabellasigaudo 📧info@isabellasigaudo.com ______________________________________ 🇮🇹 Una guida per scoprire il territorio incontaminato di Briga Alta, dedicata agli amanti della natura, della montagna, dell'outdoor e della fotografia. Ideale per chi vuole intraprendere la propria vacanza a piedi o in mountain bike, ma anche per chi vuole scoprire il potenziale fotografico delle Alpi Liguri. Ti porto alla scoperta dei migliori punti panoramici incastonati fra Monesi, Piaggia, Upega, e Briga Alta, attraversando con rispetto e meraviglia le Aree Protette del parco Naturale del Marguareis. Inclusi nella guida: ▸ i migliori punti panoramici ▸punti tappa ▸punti ristoro ▸punti fotografici ▸Alloggi nelle vicinanze, tra cui B&B, rifugi e hotel Per ulteriori informazioni o per approfondire un argomento sentiti libero di contattarmi: IG @isyphotographs 📧info@isabellasigaudo.com

Want to brunch in Annecy today? Annecy, also known as "The Venice of the Alps," isn’t just about stunning views and charming canals – it’s a brunch paradise! If you’re like me and believe that brunch is the most important meal of the day, then you’re in for a treat. Whether you’re craving fluffy pancakes, avocado toast, or a full-on feast, I’ve got you 🫶🏻 This guide will take you through the best spots in town to start your day off deliciously. So grab your fork, and let’s dive into the tastiest morning adventures Annecy has to offer! 🍳🥐☕️

Many destinations have been in 🐆 fashion and then out over the years but Milan and Lake Como are constant in their splendor. This is a living guide to the very best places to eat and drink when in the area. Everybody has their favorite of the 30-plus towns and hamlets, all linked by the scenic Antica Strada Regina. To truly understand the local saying, 🚤 ‘the lake should be seen from the lake’, meander through its least explored corners towards the only island, Comacina (where spectacular firework displays mark the feast of San Giovanni in June); or hop over to the ‘pearl of the lake’, Bellagio, on the tip of the cape where the lake splits into two legs. My recommendations cover the entire lake Como district - the Alps ever-present, vast and dreamy, climate never too hot, never too cold - and Milan capital of fashion and design setting new trends for Italy and beyond. Tips include dishes to order, background about the place, and some personal anecdotes to give extra color to each destination! NB: As I travel back to the region I will continue to update this list. If you purchase today, you will receive all future updates.

Experience a small Alpine city nestled in the Alps in this interactive guide. Nearby towns that boast Michelin-rated restaurants and 5-star resorts in a region world-renowned for winter skiing and summer hiking. Aosta is the regional capital city of Valle d'Aosta, the smallest and bilingual (Italian and French) region in the far northwestern corner of Italy, bordered by France to the west and Switzerland to the north. Traverse its mountains and bask in luxury. Use this interactive guide to explore this Alpine valley, accessed through Ivrea from Torino (both in Piemonte).

Nestled against the foothills of the Alps, Lake Como is the epitome of Italian elegance, with its shimmering waters, charming villages, and luxurious villas. Whether you’re drawn by its natural beauty, historical allure, or culinary delights, a day here can be an unforgettable journey through the region's finest offerings. This 24-hour guide will take you from a peaceful sunrise on the lake to a moonlit stroll along cobbled streets, with well-curated spots to dine, explore, and relax, capturing the essence of Lake Como.

Nestled between the stunning Alps and picturesque vineyard hills of Piedmont in Northern Italy, Turin is often overlooked by mainstream travel itineraries. However, Italy's first capital and home of royal residences has an artsy and creative side that goes beyond cars and football. Take a peek at these ten unusual spots, and remember to keep your eyes open to spot other hidden gems during your next stroll in the city. You can save this map and access many more travel tips on the Thatch app - it's free!