Mirador de la Playa de las Teresitas

Mirador Cruz del Carmen

Mirador de Chipeque

Mirador Punta del Frailete

Mirador de Masca

Mirador Archipenque

Mirador El Medano

Tenerife truly stands out for its diverse panoramic views.

From any point on the island you can reach an elevation above the clouds in less than an hour.

Visiting its viewpoints is undoubtedly the best way to experience the island's charm.

That's why I've decided to focus the guide on highlighting the 7 essential viewpoints 🤩 that should be included in any visit.

You'll discover the island one viewpoint at a time.

No matter how much time you have or what your interests are, your mission should be to make it to these viewpoints at all costs.

Don't miss any of them.

After that, you can take some time to relax on the beach or by the hotel pool...😎

Note:  just click on any location within the guide or map and you'll instantly get directions on your phone's Google Maps app.   Make sure to download the Thatch app for a seamless and convenient experience!

P.S.: once you save this guide you’ll have it for life and can access it any time on the Thatch app.  You’ll also get any updates that I make to the guide later on🔐

Canary Islands, Spain

Tenerife, Spain

España

Tenerife South Airport (TFS), Spain

🗺️Insider's Guide to Tenerife

The White Tower - Turnul Alb

The Black Tower - Turnul Negru 

Mount Tâmpa 

Museum of Urban Civilization of Brașov - Muzeul Civilizației Urbane 

Biserica Neagra, The Black Church 

Poarta Ecaterinei, Catherine's Gate 

Where do you go to get THE shot of your trip to a city? Brașov has no lack of beautiful panoramas. 

Here are 5 of my favorite locations to snap the perfect picture. Some of these views are on postcards you can purchase at shops around town. 

Grab your camera and let's go!


If you enjoy this guide, I'd so appreciate you saving it, leaving a tip, sharing it, or writing a review below. Follow me and be the first to know when I create new guides. Thanks!

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Brașov, Romania

Eastern Europe

Balkans

5 Postcard Worthy Photo Sites in Brașov, Romania

2 Soto de Valdeón 

3 Majada de Argolla - basic stone shelter   

6 Refugio Vegabaño 

7 Roblon de Cuesta Fria - ancient oak tree 

8 fountain / fuente

9 Refugio del Frade    

10 Refugio Vega Huerta   

11 Horcada Jou de las Pozas - big cairn on saddle   

12 high point on this rocky section  

13 Refugio Vegarredonda  

26 Refugio Vega de Ario 

14 'Ario' painted on rock  

15 fossils in rocks 

16 big cairn at top of climb 

17 big cairn at path junction  

18 top of stone chute 

19 grassy saddle east of Vega d'Aliseda 

20 jink in trail - route unclear - bear north around side of hill  

21 cairn 

22 cairn at bottom of hollow 

23 big hole - mind the edge 

24 water trough for cattle 

25 path junction  

27 signpost 

28 cairn and green pole at top of Canal de Trea - Collau las Cruces  

29 descent route to north side of prominent ridge 

30 base of big overhanging cliff 

31 path / track junction in Cares Gorge

32 locked hut and path junction   

33 footbridge 

34 cave 

35 Collau de Cerredu ridge  

36 ridge - join path going uphill 

37 scramble traverse across rock face 

38 10m rope section 

39 rope section 

40 Refugio Jou de los Cabrones - water fountain 

41 col 

42 big colourful pole 

43 path junction - choice of routes - left is easier - right involves scrambling  

44 Horcada Arenera - col at 2273m  

45 Via Ferrata down gully  

46 Refugio Vega de Urriellu 

47 drop down into big bowl 

48 danger sign about missing via ferrata cables between Horcados Rojos and Jou de los Boches  

49 saddle between the two big hollows 

50 very steep, tricky scramble  

51 top of steep scramble 

52 join indistinct trail 

53 cairn at start of scree slope descent 

54 IMPORTANT PATH JUNCTION - go up not down  

55 cairn 

56 choice of routes to get onto ridge  

57 join path descending from other col 

58 Cabaña Veronica

59 top of steep 10m scramble up chimney 

60 low point - now follow trail across scree slope 

61 path junction for Fuente Escondida

62 col at 2352m 

63 pass top of rocky promontory  

64 red paint splodge on rock  

65 Refugio Collado Jermoso  

66 head north round shoulder of hill  

67 signpost for refugio and start of big steep descent 

68 signpost in Vega L' Asotin  

69 start of via ferrata 

70 car park 

71 road 

72 fuente 

73 fuente 

1 Posada de Valdeón - fountain in village square  

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!





 

Asturias, Spain

Picos de Europa National Park, Oviedo, Spain

León, Spain

Picos de Europa, Spain

Cantabria, Spain

Spain

Picos de Europa - 7 day hiking guide

Hallgrimskirkja

Rainbow Street

The House of Collections

Ingólfur Arnarson

The Icelandic Phallological Museum (Hið Íslenzka Reðasafn)

Ingólfur Square

Alþingishúsið

Cathedral of Christ the King

Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús

The Settlement Exhibition

Sun Voyager

Laugavegur

Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre

National Museum of Iceland

Árbær Open Air Museum

Sky Lagoon

Krýsuvík

Blue Lagoon

Bridge Between Continents

Gunnuhver Hot Springs

Reykjanes Lighthouse

Valahnúkamöl

Garður Old Lighthouse

Lögberg

Silfra

Öxarárfoss

Þingvallavatn

Strokkur

Seljavallalaug Swimming Pool

Drangurinn í Drangshlíð 2

Skógafoss

Hestavaðsfoss

Fosstorfufoss

Kvernufoss

Solheimasandur Plane Wreck

Mt. Pétursey

Dyrhólaey Lighthouse

Dyrhólaey Viewpoint

Reynisfjara Beach

Hálsanefshellir Cave

Víkurfjara Black Sand Beach

Vík i Myrdal Church

Mossy Lava Fields

Fjaðrárgljúfur

Stjórnarfoss

Dverghamrar

Svartifoss

Skaftafell Glacier

Múlagljúfur Canyon

Jökulsárlón

Diamond Beach

Gufu waterfall

Fardagafoss

Hverir

Mývatn Nature Baths

Grjótagjá

Viewpoint from Hverfjall volcano

Mývatn

Skútustaðagígar

Krafla

Leirhnjúkur

Dettifoss

Akureyri

Húsavík

Glaumbær Farm & Museum

Hvitserkur

Iceland, a land of fire and ice, beckons the adventurous traveler. This island nation, dramatically perched atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, boasts a raw, otherworldly beauty. Here, glaciers creep over volcanic peaks, waterfalls cascade into turquoise fjords, and geothermal pools bubble beneath the earth's crust. 

This guide includes:
- introductory note
- places to visit (photo spots, museums and cultural venues, parks and gardens, open squares and others)
- restaurants (portuguese food and international cuisines)
- coffee and brunch places
- places for beer and drinks
- places for a night out

Get to see more from my travels on my Instagram (@pedralexpereira) and Flickr (flickr.com/photos/pedralexpereira)

Iceland

Reykjavik, Islândia

Icelandic odyssey - a weeklong adventure circumnavigating the island nation 

MOMA1890 Boutique Hotel

Schwan Locke, Theresienwiese

The Flushing Meadows

Bayerischer Hof

Scandic München Macherei

Gut Feeling

Das Graseck

Bleibe Ferienwohnung

Das Tegernsee

Sorry Johnny Kaffeebar

Maximilianeum

Maximilianstraße

Marienplatz

Viktualienmarkt

Caspar Plautz 

Lea Zapf Marktpatisserie 

Gärtnerplatz

Homegirl Store 

Kauf Dich Glücklich 

Ruby Store 

Ace & Tate

WE.RE Store 

Kaffeerösterei Viktualienmarkt

Frühlingsanlagen

Wittelsbacherbrücke

Reichenbachbrücke

Maison Tran

This five-day itinerary and adventure guide to the most beautiful hikes, spas, trails, lakes, restaurants and museums in Munich is the result of over four years of discovering the city as a lifestyle writer, hours of planning, and my personal favorite places and activities around town and Bavaria. 

It includes two days of art, culture and restaurants in Munich, one day of swimming at an alpine lake of your choice, one day of exploring the mountains and one day of relaxation & wellness. I have either adapted these days to a precise schedule or included different choices of hikes and lakes, depending on difficulty and distance.

The guide includes fun features such as an interactive map, directions that connect directly to your phone’s Google or Apple Maps app, and the exact coordinates to some of my favorite hidden gems & activities. 

It lays out instructions to help you plan your perfect trip to Munich and it surroundings with beautiful boutique, design and wellness hotels within the city or in the Bavarian countryside. As well as 16 of my favorite cafés, restaurants and bars, 12 special sights, 7 local boutique stores, 5 hiking destinations, 5 alpine lakes in the area, a lake tour, some beautiful art and a lot of German culture. It also includes direct links to all locations, so you have access to tickets, phone numbers, booking portals and addresses. It's mobile friendly when you download the Thatch App for free so you can easily access all of the info right from your phone! 

While this guide is designed for 5 days and I have written down different transportation options inside and outside the city, it can also easily be adapted to your travel time. Although of course I believe you can never spend too much time in Germany's most beautiful city. 🧚🏻

I have hand-crafted this guide specifically for those (like me) who want to experience Munich's versatility while enjoying direct access to nature as well as local city life. As a part of your purchase, here are a few things you can look forward to: 

1. I only create guides based on areas I have not only been to but know well! I lived in Munich for four years and tried out all kinds of fun activities and restaurants/cafés as part of my job. So this guide is a collection of the most beautiful places that I can recommend with a clear heart and that I will visit again the moment I am back in Munich. 

2. No matter if you've never climbed a mountain before or already scaled Mount Everest: This guide offers a variety of outdoor activities, so everyone will get their money's worth. What you should bring, however, are swimming gear and hiking boots. 

3. I've listed five different options for getting around Munich and the surrounding area. So you don't have to worry that you won't be able to reach your destination without a driver's license. 

4. This guide is completely transparent and I have not been paid by anyone to write it. I have mainly written down these experiences because I love Munich and believe that the city often suffers from a simplistic image. That's why I want you to experience the city's nightlife, rich nature and unique subculture the way I did for years as a local. 

This guide truly is everything you need to plan your entire trip all in one place. I can't wait to hear & see your adventure! Feel free to send me a DM with your feedback & tag me in your photos! @brggbck 

5 days of Munich and Bavaria: Design, Wellness, Food and the Outdoors 

Results for Ella Sustainable/Eco