Tagged: mountain travel

Swiss + Bollywood Style

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The Yash Chopra Suite at Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa.

Swiss design is known for its minimalism and clean lines. In Interlaken, Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa has brought Bollywood style to its guests with its new ‘Yash Chopra’ Suite in Room 250.

Honoring famous Indian film director Yash Chopra, also Interlaken Ambassador, the 915 square foot suite has been converted into a Bollywood wonderland.

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The Yash Chopra Suite honoring the famous Indian director Yash Chopra.

Says Hans-Rudolf Rütti, general manager, Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa:

“It’s like a dream home out of a Bollywood film…The new Yash Chopra Suite is an exciting contrast to our existing room portfolio and is certain to prove extremely popular with our many guests from India.”

The Yash Chopra Suite features a living room, bedroom with en suite bathroom, guest bathroom and balcony with views of the Jungfrau Massif.

This suite’s walls are adorned with posters of Chopra’s award-winning film Veer-Zaara (2004), silk fabrics and gold motifs.

Chopra and a team of interior designers from Thun-based design firm Raumforum worked together on the living room space.

They selected Indian touches including a lacquered white Ganesha sculpture and velour leopard-print pillow cushions.

Other Indian accessories in the suite are traditional Indian carpets and silk bedspread; Oriental lamps; candles and an Indian tea service.

Images courtesy of Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa.

Mallorca Mountain Holidays

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C’an Picassa, a farmhouse in Son March valley in the Pollenca hills, Mallorca.

Love island mountains? If you’re traveling or living in Europe, the island mountains of Mallorca are now recognized by UNESCO.

The Spanish island’s Serra de Tramuntana Mountains have been awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO.

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Mallorca’s northern coast.

Serra de Tramuntana Mountains, with their high peaks, rocky cliffs and valleys of olive and citrus groves, stretch 90km from Andratx in the south-west to Pollenca in the north of the island.

A popular walking and cycling destination, these mountains are credited for their landscape, history and culture.

Their scenic trails wind through sheltered woodland and towns.

The region is known for its charming villages, colorful flora, fauna, birds and sea views.

Island accommodation specialists Mallorca Farmhouses offer self-catering villas, fincas and country cottages near to or with views of the mountains.

Each Mallorca Farmhouse property includes a private pool, welcome pack and maid service.

One of these properties is C’an Picassa, a three-bedroom farmhouse in the Son March valley in the Pollenca hills.

The farmhouse sleeps six and features large grounds, sun and covered dining terraces and outdoor BBQ.

For more info, visit the Mallorca Farmhouses site.

Images courtesy of Mallorca Farmhouses.

Camping Trekking Nepal

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Himalaya.

Fancy camping trekking Nepal?  Adventure travel company World Expeditions has set up new permanent campsites throughout the Everest region.

The new campsites are set up in secluded locations with stunning mountain views.

From September 2011, the new permanent campsites will be available at the following locations: Ghat; Monjo; Portse Tenga; Dole; Machhermo; Gorak Shep; Dingboche; and Debouche.

Several World Expeditions’ treks in Nepal will feature these new campsites.

At the campsites, trekkers will get  greater insights into the local culture and interact more with the Nepali crews.

Says Gordon Steer, UK manager of World Expeditions:

“When World Expeditions launched in 1975 offering some of the very first trekking holidays in Nepal no one would have imagined that one day treks like the Everest Base Camp would become such a popular, almost mainstream holiday…We feel that we have a very real responsibility to set the right example and protect the environment – and our Everest permanent campsite initiative demonstrates this best”.

Many mountain travelers in Nepal stay in teahouses and lodges which burn wood for cooking and heating and contribute to local deforestation.

These new permanent campsites will feature:

  • A dining room for meals and downtime warmed by a pot belly stove fueled by yak dung;
  • Decor mixing Sherpa furnishings (cushions, table cloths and curtains) with memorabilia of past mountain expeditions;
  • Large client tents with a camp bed and mattress;
  • Flushing western-style toilets and hand basins and
  • Permanent camp manager who are responsible for clean up and general maintenance of the campsite.

For more info, visit the World Expeditions Site.

Image courtesy of World Expeditions.

Mountain Island Of Wine

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Man O War Vineyard, Waiheke Island, New Zealand.

Fancy a New Zealand wine holiday?  Then head to New Zealand’s ‘Island of Wine’, Waiheke, which is only a 30-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland.

Right now, on the island, the cliff edge Delamore Lodge is offering a special wine holiday package for New Zealand and Australian residents.

With locally sourced food and wine, the Mediterranean-inspired lodge has suites that open out to 180-degree ocean views.

Waiheke Island is home to 30+ vineyards including Goldwater Estate (island winemaking); Stoneyridge (tasting and dining in vines, olives and lavender) and Te Whau (food and historic wines).

The lodge’s executive chef Aaron uses ingredients homegrown and harvested locally including Rangihoua Olive Oil, oysters from Te Matukua Bay, fresh fish and olives picked from the lodge’s olive grove.

This food and wine destination also offers beautiful beaches and a landscape for adventurers.

This package includes:

  • One night accommodation in a luxury suite;
  • Bottle of bubbles, cheese and fruit platter in your suite on arrival;
  • Pre-dinner drinks and canapés;
  • Deluxe four-course dinner and choice of local award-winning wines (wine extra cost);
  • Gourmet breakfast and
  • Complimentary transfers from Waiheke Ferry Terminal on arrival and departure.

For more info, visit the Delamore Lodge site.

Image courtesy of Delamore Lodge.

Mountain Traveler: Susan Van Allen

Mountain Traveler is a series about travelers in the mountains.

Susan Van Allen wrote this guest post on hiking in Italy.  She is the Italian American author of 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go.

Van Allen has been traveling to Italy since 1976, enjoying all the pleasures this country has to offer.

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Susan Van Allen’s Italy travel guide.

Experiencing Italy on foot is the perfect way to savor every detail of this beautiful country, get peace of mind, and a good fragrant hit of nature while you’re at it.

Some of my favorite trails are along the coasts. In the northern region of Liguria, there’s the popular Sentiero Azzuro (Blue Path) in the Cinque Terre, which connects five enchanting seaside villages.

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Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy.

You can do the entire hike in 5 or 6 hours (beginning in Riomaggiore) and then, after a refreshing swim in Monterosso, take a ferry or train back to your starting point. But it’s best to settle in for a few days, to indulge in beach and boating time. There is a 5 euro charge for entrance to the Sentiero Azzuro, and be aware that it gets very crowded in high tourist summer season.

My most beloved coastal hike is the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods), above the Amalfi Coast, south of Naples. Steep paths that were once used for mules to carry goods to the villages take you through lemon groves, forests, and vineyards, with stunning views of the candy-colored towns below that stretch out to the tantalizing sea horizon.

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Amalfi Coast, Campania.

If you prefer to go inland, the regions of Tuscany and Umbria are tops for hiking in the hills. Trails are well-marked and there are maps available at the small town tourist offices. An especially appealing hike starts from Cannara in Umbria and leads up to the fields of Pian d’Arca, where Saint Francis gave his famous Sermon to the Birds.

If you’re up for a week of group hiking, Country Walkers, offers excellent choices all up and down the boot, with native guides.

Country Walkers trips are perfect for solo travelers and for families. With everything taken care of, (meals and accommodations are included), it’s an especially stress-free way to experience bell’Italia.

This travel company is dedicated to sustainable tourism, so all their trips are environmentally responsible, and give travelers a great opportunity to blend in with the local culture.

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Lipari, Sicily.

Last fall, I joined a wonderful Country Walkers trip in eastern Sicily. A great variety of terrain made for amazing times: one day we’d be hiking with the sun on our shoulders through the Oasi Naturale di Vendicari, amongst marshes, cactus and wild thyme, then we’d be bundled up at the top of Mount Etna, with icy wind whipping around us as we hovered over smoking craters, awestruck.

A highlight of a lifetime was climbing Stromboli, one of the Aeolian Islands, that lies between Sicily and the mainland. At the summit we were wowed by the island’s still active volcano, simmering and exploding with a low thunderous rumble and sparkling crimson fireworks.

Images courtesy of Susan Van Allen and the Italian State Tourist Board.

This is a Guest Post.

 

Whistler’s Last Snowboard Event

Whistler wraps up its 2010/2011 snowboard season with Billabong Ante Up, presented by Von Zipper on Canada Day, July 1st, 2011.

Hip Hop star K-OS will play DJ sets at this year’s event.

The 5 Star TTR World Snowboard Tour event will kick-off the 2011-2012 TTR World Snowboard Tour.

Billabong Ante Up will also be the qualifying event for the 6 Star Billabong Innsbruck Air and Style event in February 2012.

Riders from Asia, Europe, Scandinavia USA, and Canada are expected to compete at Billabong Ante Up.

“I’m stoked to return to Billabong Ante Up for another year. It’s a really fun contest that I did well last time, and Whistler is definitely one of the best places on earth,” says Sebastien (Toots) Toutant, who will defend his title.

Other scheduled riders are Scotty Lago (USA), Chas Guldemond (USA), Gjermund Braaten (Germany), Seppe Smits (Belgium), Roope Tonteri (Finland), Sage Kotsenburg and others.

K-OS will be playing DJ sets at the following times:

  • 2:30pm After snowboarding qualifying ends;
  • 4:00pm Immediately following event finals and
  • 4:45pm Immediately following event awards.

To attend the Billabong Ante Up event live, guests can buy a PEAK 2 PEAK Alpine Experience ticket, use their Seasons Pass (free access) or EDGE Card (50% off) to access the mountain.

The event will also be available on a live webcast on July 1, 2011 from 1-5 pm PST.

For more info, visit the event site.

Video courtesy of Billabong Ante Up.

Outdoor Capital Of The UK

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Ceilidh dancers mark the launch of the Outdoor Capital of the UK’s ‘ActiVacations’ in Scotland.

Lochaber, in the Highlands of Scotland, has been recognized as the Outdoor Capital of the UK.

Recently, the Outdoor Capital of the UK’s ‘ActiVacations’ were launched by ceilidh dancers at the summit of Aonach Mor in the Nevis Range.

Lochaber is kn0wn for its beaches, coastline, islands, glens, mountains and forests and icons Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, Glencoe and the Scottish Sea Kayak Trail.

The concept of ActiVacations combines the demand for activity holidays and ‘staycation’ trend with action-packed holidays for gentle walkers to adrenaline junkies.

Says Marian Austin from Nevis Range, Mountain Experience:

“From the summit to sea, the area is blessed with an incredible landscape which not only allow visitors to take part in a huge variety of outdoor activities on land, in the air and on the water, but for them to undertake them in some of the most dramatic Scottish locations imaginable.”

The Outdoor Capital of the UK offers a new website where travelers can create their own personal itinerary combining accommodation, events and activities.

Here are three ActiVacations:

  • West Coast Waters: An excursion in Mallaig and the Small Isles including Rockhopper sea kayaking, white water rafting with Highland Activities, cross-country mountain biking at Nevis Range and luxury self-catering accommodation at Sunnyside Lodge.
  • Treat The Teenagers: High adrenaline activities including quad biking and paintballing with Highland Activities, canyoning with Vertical Descents and a high wire adventure course at Nevis Range.
  • Panoramic ActiVacation: Discovering Glen Spean and the Great Glen including a wildlife photography workshop with Nevispix, a scenic 4×4 safari with Highland Activities, a Segways tour with Glencoe Activities and entry to No Fuss Events’ 5km run.

For more info on ActiVacations, visit the Outdoor Capital of the UK site.

Image courtesy of the Outdoor Capital of the UK.

Beach & Mountain Holidays

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Playa de Troya, Tenerife.

Want to combine your beach and mountain holidays?  These days,  the Internet is full of holiday deals to the Canaries, the Balearic Islands, and many other seaside destinations.

For those who love mountain holidays, this is a bit frustrating as it’s hard to find similar packages to the Alps or the Pyrenees. To solve this problem you can book a holiday at a resort close to mountains.

Then you can travel your destination cheaply and still stay in a lovely hotel.  When the rest of the hotel guests head to the beach, you can take your backpack and boots and go mountain hiking.

Here are a few destinations which will allow you to combine beach holiday packages with hikes in the mountains:

  • Tenerife in the Canary Islands is a very popular destination, especially for families on cheap package holidays. If you come here, you can climb the volcano Teide, which stands at over 3,700 metres. It is one of the highest mountains in Spain and it has some gorgeous views over the rest of the island.
  • Crete, Greek Islands is another very popular destination for beach goers, yet it should be just as good for mountain lovers: the White Mountains are incredibly beautiful, while you can also see the famous gorge of Samaria. You can have a great time in these peaks while everyone else is tanning on the beach.
  • Andalusia is the most popular part of Spain for beach goers yet it is also great for hiking. Indeed, if you go a bit inland you will find a stunning range of mountains. The mountains are not that high, though they make for excellent hiking.

So if you love mountains, but are jealous of beach goers and their great holiday packages, take heart.  Holidays to islands can lead you to some amazing mountain hiking.

Image courtesy of Tenerife Tourism Corporation.

This is a Sponsored Post.

Himalayan Adventure Sale

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Trekking in Nepal with Peregrine Adventures.

Planning a Himalayan adventure?  Peregrine Adventures is now offering special deals on its range of 2011/12 Himalayan adventures.

One of the adventure travel company’s most popular Nepal treks is the 14-day Annapurna Dhaulagiri, a moderate grade trek in the Annapurnas.

The trek begins near Pokhara then it climbs through emerald rice terraces and rhododendron forests.  The narrow ridge is separated from the surrounding 8,000-metre peaks by the deep Kali Ghandaki Gorge.

In the last several years, Peregrine has worked with local villagers to build community-owned and operated lodge accommodation for trekkers along the trail.

Says Steve Wroe, destination manager:

“Through company and client donations and the lodges’ incomes, we’ve helped make significant improvements to local schools, including adding computer rooms, new classrooms and paying the wages of additional teachers. Being welcomed in these villages and seeing what a difference our contributions can make is a highlight of the trek.”

Between September and May, the trip departs Kathmandu weekly and includes the trek and time spent in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

The package covers ground transport and accommodation; Peregrine local leader and porterage on trek; and a trek pack including sleeping bag and duvet jacket and return flights from Kathmandu to Pokhara.

Another Himalayan adventure is the 23-day Island Peak, Everest and Gokyo adventure.

For aspiring mountaineers, south of Everest, Island Peak (6189 metres), the “ideal ‘first’ Himalayan summit,” has stunning views of the Himalayan range.

The trek follows in the footsteps of all Everest expeditions in Nepal to Thyangboche monastery, then to the glacial Gokyo Lakes, Kala Pattar and Everest Base Camp.   The adventure allows two days for the summit attempt.

The trip departs from Kathmandu in September and October, 2011 and April and May, 2012.

This package covers all transport and accommodation; meals on the climb; experienced Peregrine leader, medical oxygen and Portable Altitude Chamber on the climb; climbing equipment and personal trek equipment including duvet jacket and sleeping bag.

For more more info, visit the Peregrine Adventures site.

Image courtesy of Peregrine Adventures.