Travel ideas for outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.
Santa Fe NM
Santa Fe NM
Santa Fe NM
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Santa Fe, the oldest and highest capitol city in the US, established in 1607, it is situated at an elevation of roughly 7200 feet. A city for photography, skiing, hiking, fly fishing, biking, foodies, and naturally lovers of art and history.
The Plaza area: In the center of the old town is the Plaza, bordered by world class galleries, restaurants, shops and the Palace of the Governors; where Native American artists sell handmade jewelry and other crafts. Summertime brings the Spanish and Indian Markets as well as nightly music on the park stage. Within a few block of the Plaza are two churches not to be missed; The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and The Loretto Chapel with its Miraculous Staircase.
Hotels: St. Francis Hotel and Pueblo Bonito Casitas.
Canyon Road: A short walk but quite a different atmosphere from the Plaza is Canyon Road. A quiet street lined with amazing galleries and a few upscale restaurants. I have yet to actually visit every gallery!
The Railyard District: A relatively new gathering area with shops, Saturday Market, dining and of course trains, The Rail Runner to Albuquerque and Sky Rail for a "quirky and scenic" adventure from Santa Fe to Lamy and back.
When you are ready for the outdoors, take Hyde Park Road towards Ski Santa Fe. There are numerous year round hiking trails along the way as well as sledding at Hyde Park. At the ski area you can opt for skiing or hiking Windsor Trail towards lakes and outstanding views.
Day Trips within 2 hours drive:
Valles Caldera
Los Alamos
Red River and Angel Fire
Taos: Be sure to visit the Taos Pueblo, the multi-storied adobe buildings have been inhabited for over 1000 years! Take time to speak with the residents to hear their personal stories.
Santa Fe Restaurants:
El Farol: Historic, dinner and Flamentco!
The Shed, Mexican, Plaza area.
Casa Sena: Continental, Plaza area.
Osteria: Italian, Plaza area.
Rooftop Pizzeria, on the Plaza.
Coyote Grill, Southwestern, Plaza area.
Breweries:
Santa Fe Brewing Co., Southend of town.
Second Street Brewery, Railyard area.
Spas:
Ojo Caliente, southend of town.
Ten Thousand Waves, Hyde Park Road.
Switzerland
Santa Fe NM
Santa Fe NM
It is terribly difficult to think about Switzerland and not immediately want book a flight! Enviably photogenic, historic, progressive and brilliantly efficient. Combine with France, Germany, Italy and Austria.
Zurich: Located on Lake Zurich, see the old town "altstadt", strolling through cobbled streets and alleys, indulge in Swiss chocolate and cheese fondue!
Hotels: Hotel Adler and upscale Hotel Storchen.
Wengen and Murren: From Zurich, be whisked away by so ever timely trains through tunnels that open to one incredible view after another. Take a train to the Jungfrau Region for car free villages, downhill skiing, winter walking, snowshoeing, climbing and hiking. See the stars blanket the night sky and view the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. Take an iconic train ride to the Sphinx Observatory the highest train station in Europe.
Hotels: Wengen-Hotel Bellevue.
Murren-Hotel Alpenblick.
Zermatt: Historic mountaineering ski village overlooked by the "world famous" Matterhorn! Skiing, snowboarding, climbing, hiking, winter walking and ice-skating. Stroll the pedestrian and horse drawn sleigh Bohnhoffstrasse lined with shops, hotels and restaurants.
Hotels: Hotel Alpenroyal and Hotel Beausite.
Combine with Saas-Fee or Geneva.
Kandersteg: Cuckoo clock village with over 100 kilometers of Nordic skiing, limited downhill skiing, ice hockey, hiking, winter walking and horseback riding. Peaceful and authentic.
Hotels: Belle Epoque Hotel Victoria and Hotel Blumlisalp.
Sils Maria: Set in the Engadin Valley, 10 minutes from St. Moritz but a world away. Peaceful lake setting with an elegant character. Cross-country skiing across frozen lakes, hiking, horse drawn sleighs and ice-skating.
Hotels: Hotel Maria and
Of course there is more to Switzerland than mountains, Lake Geneva is historic and sophisticated, listen to jazz at the Montreux Jazz Festival every July or travel to the Italian speaking city of Ticino on Lake Lugano.
Austria
Santa Fe NM
Norway, Sweden and Finland
Austria is small yet grand. It is all of Europe in one country. Upscale, elegant, for those passionate for art, history and lovers of the outdoors. Easy to combine with Switzerland, Slovenia, Germany and Czechia.
Vienna: Austrias' capital. Rich in history , art and music. UNESCO listed Schonbrunn Palace. Lipizzan horses, Christmas markets, St. Stephens Cathedral, the Museum Quartier, and not to miss, the Rathausplatz ice skating rink!
Hotel: Schlosshotel Romischer Kaiser.
Salzburg: Historic old town with winding cobbled car-free streets.
Hohen Salzburg Castle looms over the city above Salzburg Cathedral, Amadeus Mozarts birthplace and Schloss Mirabell.
Hotels: Hotel Elefant and Raddisson Blu Hotel Altstadt.
Hallstatt: A fairytale-like, carfree village located on Lake Hallstatt. Sixteenth century alpine houses and alleyways set in a UNESCO World Heritage region.
Hotel: See Hotel Gruner Baum.
Innsbruck: Castles, Palaces, museums. Skiing, snowboarding, ice climbing, and hiking. Wander the old town, Altstadt, with 800 years of history. Visit the Hofberg Imperial Palace, Innsbruck Cathedral and local culture at the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum.
Hotels: Hotel Maximilian and Hotel Goldener Adler located in the pedestrian zone.
Kitzbuhel: Skiiing, hiking, Ice skating at lake Schwarzsee, Medival Old Town. 1964 winter Olympics venue.
Hotel: Alpenhotel Kitzbuhel am Schwarzsee.
Zell Am See: Lakeside village setting, hiking, snowshoeing, snowboarding and downhill skiing.
Hotel: Landhaus Marlies.
St. Anton: World class skiing, snowboarding, winter walking, hiking, apres skiing nightlife. Attractive village. (Always one of my favorite ski villages) Hotel: Hotel Karl Schranz. Combine with a day trip to Lech/Zurs.
Lech/Zurs: Upscale traditional ski villages.
Horse drawn carriage rides, downhill and cross-country. Reliable snow. Winter walking, Snowshoeing and Hiking.
Norway, Sweden and Finland
Norway, Sweden and Finland
Norway, Sweden and Finland
If you are seeking a winter wonderland you cannot go wrong with Sweden, Norway and Finland. Museums, parks, historic islands and Northern Lights. Combine with Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Stockholm Sweden: Be sure to check out the Royal Palace in the heart of the Medieval quarter, Gamla Stan.
Must see: The Vasa, a Swedish warship built between 1626 and 1628. The ship had a short life, sinking after sailing 1300 meters into her maiden voyage in 1628.
Hotel: Hotel Sven Vitappare, in the Gamla Stan,probably one of my favorite hotels ever! Housed in a 17th century building, with a narrow stairway, and sloping wood floors.
Abisko Sweden: If the Aurora Borealis is on your bucket list; make your way up to the Aurora Sky Station in Lapland. Absolutely illuminating!
Norway: From progressive Oslo to the Fjords and islands. Towering mountains, waterfalls, the Midnight Sun and Northern Lights.
Travel along the water on the Flam Railway through Alesund, Trondheim and Bergen.
Tromso: The Northern Lights capitol of Norway, 217 miles above the Arctic Circle. Dog sledding, snow shoeing and an Aurora Cruise. Learn about the Sami culture and enjoy a brisk outing reindeer sledding.
Lofoten Islands: A remote wilderness reached by boat year round. Ski from summit to sea, snow shoeing, hiking, climbing, Aurora viewing and the Midnight Sun.
Hotel: Lofoten Ski Lodge.
Finland: Helsinki, the capitol of Finland is the perfect combination of urban and outdoors. World class ice rinks, 200 km of cross country ski trails, snow shoeing, walking and Finnish Saunas.
Hotel: Hotel F6 and Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa.
Levi, For Skiing, snow shoeing, lively nightlife and aurora viewing.
Rovaniemi : The home of Santa Claus! Take the overnight train from Helsinki for a magical experience.
Yllas: The last great wilderness. Skiing, Sami culture, reindeer sledding, dog sledding and snowmobiling to see the Northern lights.
Most of Finnish Lapland can be reached easily from Helsinki by plane or train.
Turkey
Norway, Sweden and Finland
Turkey
A year round destination, Turkey is full of wonderful surprises. Whether you seek history and culture, sailing, hiking, ballooning beaches or mountains. Easy to combine with Greece, Jordan, Egypt or Israel.
Istanbul: Straddling Europe and Asia. History, culture and architecture, carpet shops and awesome food. Mosques, the Bosporus and of course...The Grand Bazaar.
Stay at special hotel Empress Zoe or for a more luxury experience The Seven Hills Hotel.
Fethiye: Located on Turkeys SW Turquoise coast on a Mediterranean bay! Crystal clear blue water, sailing, swimming, scuba diving, day trips to Lycian ruins, nearby islands and Butterfly Valley Nature Preserve.
An exciting way to see the coast up close is to take a Turkish Gulet cruise. Choices would include a sunset cruise or trips ranging from 4-14 nights.
Finally, if you love hiking, follow the Lycian Way. A 540 Km trail from Fethiye to Antalya.
Fethiye can be reached by the Dalaman Airport. Flights arrive from Istanbul and many Europen cities.
Cappadocia: Cave hotels, underground churches and cities in a "fairy chimney" world. Activities include horseback riding, air ballooning, photography, dining under the stars and hiking.
For a special stay, check into the hotel Cappadocia Cave Suites.
Ephesus: An ancient city in the central Aegean region. Its history ranges from classical Greece to the Roman Empire having historic as well as religious significance.
It is the former site of "Artemis", one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.
Selcuk is considered the gateway to Ephesus or you may chose to stay in the coastal resort of Kusadasi.