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Alpbachtal, Tirol in Summer – An Austrian Valley Adventure

The Alpbachtal valley in Tirol, Austria may be best known for its glorious ski season and access to the prime Ski Jewel resort that merges the ski area here with the neighbouring valley of Wildschönau, but that doesn’t mean Spring and Summer are limited when it comes to exploration, local life and adventure.

The beauty of Austria’s alpine valleys is that they are completely different places with the changing of the seasons. Which means one visit is never enough to know it in its entirety.

After spending winter in the snow dusted village of Alpbach as part of my year-long quest to uncover all angles of Austria, it was time to see the region as it sprouted a layer of green, and swap skiing and snowshoeing for climbing and biking. I also switched up village life and stayed in neighbouring Reith.

So whether you missed a ski season in Alpbach and can’t wait another year to get back, or loved the region in winter and now want to see it differently, here’s your chance to head back and mix up the adventure.

Agility in Alpbachtal: High Ropes Course in Kramsach

A rolling valley filled with dense patches of woodland, it was only right to get stuck into a small patch of Alpbachtal’s tree-filled basin. The first adventure was the High Ropes Course at the Outdoor Centre in Kramsach – a short drive from the main villages of Alpbachtal.

With a guide in tow, you get to put your balancing skills, adrenalin rush from heights, co-ordination and power of strength to the test. During a crazy couple of hours you tackle all kinds of wavering and wobbling apparatus and wire line obstacles, before whizzing through other parts of the forest on various ziplines, including one with a snowboard!

I love climbing but I have naturally poor balance, so even though this was my second time on a High Ropes Course in Tirol, it was still a good challenge where you not only need to rely on your own mental agility, but have good team work skills too (which also involves lots of laughter). It’s well worth the adrenalin rush, especially since we had to adapt some of the obstacles to complete them while slightly slippery from the rain. It’s all part of the fun!

Book your balancing adventure at High Ropes Course in Kramsach here.

Speed in Alpbachtal: Guided E-bike Tour in Reith

Staying in a different village means having new ground to explore, despite already having wander part of the parameters of the valley on a short snowshoe hike. So I swapped the means of exploration this time for two wheels and went out on a two-hour e-bike tour around the village up in the woodland and around the valley, via the village pathways with a guide.

If you don’t want to take a bike on some of the 250km of trails, there are over 900km of hiking paths and trails in this region for all levels of expertise.

The two main biking guides in Alpbachtal are: Aktivbiking in Alpbach and Bikeprofi 31 in Kramsach. 

Culture in Alpbachtal: Gasthof Kaiserhaus

Austria is known for its nationwide passion for inventing some of the best sweet treats and eating cake, and you haven’t got to the true sugary soul of Alpbachtal until you have indulged in some Prügeltorte. At the 500-year-old forester’s house known as the Kaiserhaus in Brandenburg, you to see the famous Prügeltorte cake being made as one guy spins the rod over the open fire and the other artistically builds the hollow roll of goodness with a special mixture.

Once you are filled with childlike smiles evoked from the smell of freshly baked cake and thus experiencing induced hunger, it’s only fair to take a seat facing the garden and stuff your face with a slice of said Prügeltorte (and a dash of fresh cream), which goes well with a fresh coffee.

This building is steeped in history, and was once a place where the emperor liked to go hunting with friends. So do the imperial thing (minus the hunting) and take a little walk after you’ve enjoyed the cake, because the nature here is pristine, and the gorge that surrounds the house is calling you…

Find out more about the Gasthof Kaiserhaus here. 

Nature in Alpbachtal: Die Kaiserklamm Gorge

The sound of fresh, rushing water and the sight of glimmering turquoise through the overgrowth, is enough to entice you into the Brandenberg valley – home to Die Kaiserklamm gorge that is said to be one of the most beautiful canyon landscapes in all of Austria.

Historically, the timber industry was at the heart of Brandenburg and its main source of income, where logs would be drifted down the raging eaters of the Ache River, to be collected at the widest point below and distributed out of the valley.

Now, people coming to enjoy the same protected hiking trails that the Kaiser once did around neighbouring Tiefenbach Gorge, but mainly come to marvel at the sheer size, scenery and serenity of the Kaiserklamm Gorge. There’s a one-kilometre pathway that takes you through cave-like tunnels and over bridges where you can get a view of the dramatic cliff-faces that guard the powerful waters of this nature hideaway.

It takes around 30 minutes to walk from one end of the gorge to the other, or you can tackle some of the many hiking routes around its wild and rocky landscape, which can be found signposted around the Kaiserhaus. Hike the ‘Erzherzog-Johann-Klause’ route for a six-kilometre wander through dense forest paths that lead to this dam where the logged trees were once collected.

Alternatively you can choose to rapidly traverse its emerald waters via water raft or tube, or cruise leisurely in a kayak.

Admission to the Kaiserklamm Gorge is free. 

Things to Know:

The Alpbachtal Seenland region is made up of 10 resorts: Alpbach, Brandenberg, Breitenbach, Brixless, Kramsach, Kundl, Münster, Radfeld, Rattemberg and Reith im Alpbachtal. This means there are plenty of regions packed full of activities from relaxing to high adrenalin.

Suggestions Excursions in Alpbachtal Valley

Museum of Tyrolean Farmhouses in Kramsach. Close to Lake Reintalersee is an area where you can explore 14 typical and traditional Tyrolean farmhouses – an interactive, open-air museum about the history of this region. (Admission is free with the Alpbachtal Seenland Card).

Lake Berglsteinersee. One of the many warm bathing lakes in Tirol where you can relax in nature and its fresh waters. In this region you can also visit Lake Reintal, Lake Krumm, Badl Breitenbach, and the lake in Reith where I spent an afternoon after some crazy adventure.

Wiedersbergerhorn Mountain Alpbach. Take the gondola to the top station and walk up to the peak (it takes around 40 minutes) or enjoy the panorama viewpoint across the valley below. The other gondolas are Reitherkogelbahn and Markbachjochbahn (in neighbouring Wildschonau) all of which are included in the Alpbachtal Seenland Card.

Rattenberg – Austria’s smallest historical town is known for its class blowing craft, while craft beer lovers can head to the one-man brewery in Inner Alpbach and try the unique beers brewed by local, Jos Moser.

If you are looking for a nearby city excursion, head to Kufstein (the second biggest city in Tirol after Innsbruck). To the north of Alpbachtal and on the border with Bavaria, you can lose yourself in narrow streets lined with traditional houses and climb to the medieval castle fortress that looks out to the mighty Alps.

Where to stay in Alpbachtal

There are over 600 accommodation facilities in the valley area from farmhouse holiday to 4-star spa hotels.

In Reith im Alpbachtal I stayed in Hotel Der Kirchenwirt – a large but homely, family run 4-star hotel in the very centre of this quiet village. The hotel is less than five minutes walk to the village lake in one direction and the Reitherkogelbahn gondola in the other. As is the Austrian way, it is not without a spa and pool to end the nature-filled days with some extra relaxation.

Previously in Alpbachtal I stayed at the Hotel Alpbacherhof, a spa hotel situated right in the very centre of Alpbach, and less than two minutes from the ski bus stop.

Alpbachtal Seenland Card

The Alpbachtal Seenland Card gives you access to: The three summer gondola cars, including the main one, Wiedersbergerhorn Mountain Alpbach, alongside free bus service in the region, free admission to the adventure wave pool, guided hikes and walks as well as discounts at shops, museums, excursions and more. It is free of charge at all accommodation partners when booking at least a one-night stay.

Further Information about Spring and Summer in Alpbachtal

Visit the Alpbachtal Seenland website for a complete list of activities and events, alongside costs and accommodation options.

My time in the Alpbachtal valley was a part of my ‘Year in Austria’ project, as the UK ambassador for the Austrian National Tourist Office. I visited various destinations across the country (from my home base of Vienna) over a period of 12 months, showcasing a variety of regions and activities. Follow #YearInAustria for all the stories through the seasons.

The post Alpbachtal, Tirol in Summer – An Austrian Valley Adventure appeared first on Borders Of Adventure.

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How to Visit Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum in One Day

We planned lots of different day trips from Pompei, and one of them was to visit Mount Vesuvius and Herculaneum on the same day.... via Travel Blogs http://ift.tt/2HTxXgQ

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TravelCon Update!

Hey everyone!

As you (may) know, I’m hosting a conference in September called TravelCon.

For a long time, I’ve dreamed of organizing a conference in conjunction with our Superstar Blogging program. Something that would take everything we have online and bring it to life. I want to bring our students, other travel bloggers, and industry experts together to learn, network, connect, and, overall, have a ton of fun! I love the web, but in-person events are 10x better for learning and networking. This is where you can make the most lasting connections and relationships.

TravelCon is a three-day conference in Austin, Texas from September 20th to 22nd, 2018. It will feature keynote speakers, workshops, networking events, writing sessions, photography walks, and opportunities to pitch yourself to brands and tourism boards. This is a conference for people who want more than free stuff. This is the conference for people who are looking to get serious about turning their blog into a business.

With beginner and advanced sessions, we have tracks and tips for people at all levels of success. At this conference, you’ll learn what is currently working right now and what you can do over the long term to create the career you desire. I believe the best conferences have people of varying skill levels so everyone can interact and learn from each other. For too long, travel media conferences have been only geared toward newbies. This conference is really about leveling up, no matter where you are in your blogging journey.

Today, is the last day for early, early bird tickets! The prices go up tomorrow! The early, early bird ticket price is only $249 USD. Your ticket includes lunch each day of the event, coffee and tea, all keynote speeches, networking events, workshops, breakout panels, evening parties, and whatever other cool activities we add later! Tomorrow, the price goes up $50 USD!

And we only have a 140 tickets left!

So if you’ve been waiting, don’t wait much longer!

You can get your ticket and reserve your spot by clicking here.

Speakers

Here’s our awesome speaker list:

Kristin Addis

Be My Travel Muse

Gloria Atanmo

The Blog Abroad

Alex Baackes

Alex in Wanderland

Glory Ali

Muslim Travel Rock

Derek Baron

Wandering Earl

Nathan Barry

ConvertKit

Carol Cain

Gone Girl Travel

Liz Carlson

Young Adventuress

Chris Christensen

Amateur Traveler Podcast

Jason Cochran

Frommers

Dave & Deb

The Planet D

Brian Dean

Backlinko

Torre DeRoche

Writer, Love With a Chance of Drowning

Julia Dimon

Freelance Writer

Jodi Ettenberg

Legal Nomads

David Farley

Freelance Writer

Rachel Friedman

The Good Girls Guide to Getting Lost

Pat Flynn

Smart Passive Income

Brenda Gahan

Epic Signal

Adam Groffman

Travels of Adam

Matt Gross

Runner’s World

Pete & Dalene

Hecktic Travels

Dani Heinrich

Globetrotter Girls

Ryan Holiday

Writer, Ego is the Enemy

Steve Kamb

Nerd Fitness

Matthew Karsten

Expert Vagabond

Peep Laja

ConversionXL

Cory Lee

Curb Free with Cory Lee

Kristin Luna

Camels & Chocolate

Jaume Marin

Costa Brava Tourism

Liam Martin

Staff.com

Neville Medhora

KopywritingKourse

Chris Mercer

MeasurementMarketing.io

Angkur Nagpal

Teachable

Elena Nikolova

Muslim Travel Girl

Laurence Norah

Finding the Universe

Dan & Audrey

Uncornered Market

Cailin O’Neil

TravelYourself

Angie Orth

Angie Away

Sam Parr

The Hustle

Rolf Potts

Vagabonding

Mari Ramirez

CPA

Oneika Raymond

Oneika the Traveller

Kiersten Rich

The Blonde Abroad

Chris Richardson

Nomadic Matt

Annette Richmond

From Annette

Kristen Sarah

Hopscotch The Globe

Nadine Sykora

Hey Nadine

Brent Underwood

Brass Check

Ryan Whaley

Greendoor Media

Ernest White II

FlyBrother

Amanda Williams

A Dangerous Business

Siya Zarrabi

Good News from Around the World

Big conferences can often seem impersonal, which is why we’re focusing on small discussions, panels, workshops, and mentor sessions. We want you to walk away with actionable advice. We want you to think, “Wow! I learned so much!” We’re going to have writing, tech, video, and photography workshops were people will edit your work, solve your tech issues, and help you improve your photos and videos. We don’t want people to feel lost in the crowd.

There’s plenty of room in the travel sphere for an event where media professionals and bloggers can go to learn and share the nuts and bolts of the business — the real, nitty-gritty stuff that separates people from the pack and allows them to build sustainable, profitable, and impactful online travel businesses.

So let’s do this!

– Matt

P.S. – If you want to be a sponsor of the event, we have a few slots for brands at our expo center! Email me at [email protected] and let’s chat!

P.P.S. – Here’s the link to getting a ticket again! Can’t wait to see you there!

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14 Most Scenic Small Towns In Russia

Russia is a huge country. Spanning 11 time zones all the way from Europe and the Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad, to the furthest eastern part of Asia, this vast continent of a country encompasses republics, autonomous states, federal subjects, and regions each with different cultures, languages and ethnic groups. This country has come a long

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Visiting Hokkaido, Japan, in Winter

Ever thought of traveling to Japan in the winter? I suggest you consider the wild island of Hokkaido. I recently had the opportunity to return to Japan and explore the best of the Japanese winter. Did I enjoy it? I absolutely loved it!

How This Trip Began

ANA — All Nippon Airways — contacted me to work on a campaign promoting the airline. To experience the product, I would take a flight either to Japan or somewhere else they fly in Asia.

I have to admit, I was tempted to visit a new Asian country. Had I chosen a new country, it probably would have been Taiwan, and it would have been my 75th country. (What a lovely warm winter escape that would have been!)

But the more I thought about it, the more I yearned to return to Japan. I often cite Croatia, Italy, Thailand, Japan and South Africa as my favorite countries, and I’ve been to Italy and Thailand a million times, South Africa three times, Croatia twice — but only once to Japan.

Yes. I would choose Japan.

Where to go in Japan in winter?

I knew that for my second trip to Japan I wanted to get a bit off the beaten path, go beyond the typical Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Hiroshima itinerary that so many first-time tourists plan. This would hopefully help me evade the hordes of tourists, get to see a side of the country more popular with Japanese tourists than foreign visitors, and create some original content for you lovely readers.

I was down to two choices: Hokkaido, the northernmost island, and basing in Sapporo, or Kyushu, the westernmost island, basing in Fukuoka. Both islands are filled with great cities, natural wonders, their own signature ramen styles, and onsen towns.

But what I wanted was winter. Real winter. Snowy winter. Going to Fukuoka in winter would be like going to Atlanta in winter — all of the gloom, none of the pretty snow.

Hokkaido was clearly the winner. (And after talking to three of my Japan-based friends, Kyushu will definitely be my next Japan trip!)

Hokkaido in Winter

Hokkaido is Japan’s northernmost island. It’s home to lots of unique floral and fauna and has much more in common ecologically with the Russian island of Sakhalin than other parts of Japan. And most famously, Hokkaido is home to the city of Sapporo and its world-famous eponymous beer.

If you want to experience a real Japanese winter, Hokkaido is the place. It’s got mountains and national parks, onsen towns bubbling with sulfuric activity, world-famous ski resorts, giant fresh crab pulled from the sea, steaming bowls of ramen served with butter, and Sapporo’s very own snow festival.

In fact, it was the Sapporo Snow Festival that drew me in the first place.

If you’re a longtime reader, you know I can’t resist a lesser-known festival, whether it’s the Air Guitar World Championships in Oulu, Finland; Hemingway Days (and the Hemingway lookalike contest) in Key West; or dancing all night long with Vikings at Up Helly Aa in Shetland. I had to add this snow festival to my repertoire!

Visiting the Sapporo Snow Festival became the focus of my trip and ANA and I worked to arrange dates that coincided with the festival in early February.

Sapporo

Sapporo, with a population of nearly 2 million, is the largest city in Hokkaido. It’s youthful and unsophisticated, but easy to get around and welcoming. As soon as you leave the downtown core, it feels a lot more like the suburbs. And with its transportation connections, this is probably the best place to base when visiting Hokkaido.

The Sapporo Snow Festival, or Yuki Matsuri, takes place for a week every February. You’ll see everything from snow sculptures to ice carving, athletic competitions to music concerts, and tons of delicious food.

The TV Tower, in the background, is the best place to get a panoramic view of Sapporo!

I wasn’t there for the judging of the snow sculpture contest, which takes place at the end of the festival, but I got to see this magnificent dragon sculpture!

Japanese people LOVE all things French. In Tokyo you’ll see women toting Ladurée and Pierre Hermé macarons. And this very French hot chocolate stand offered just the right treat to warm my hands on a cold night.

I don’t know how famous this performer was, but she made the crowd go wild.

Eventually, I left the events of Odori Park for the Susukino neighborhood, famous for its dining and nightlife. Ice sculptures greeted me along the way — including a somewhat macabre sculpture with fish frozen in place!

Sapporo is one of Hokkaido’s three ramen cities! Sapporo specializes in miso ramen, but with a twist — they add butter and sweet corn. The butter is due to Hokkaido’s dairy production; the corn has post-WWII roots. Trust me, it’s delicious. The butter makes it smooth and rich, not greasy.

And the best place to get ramen is Ramen Alley, a tiny pathway in the Susukino neighborhood lined with ramen shops on both sides. Drop in wherever has an open seat! Coming into a tiny ramen shop from the cold, the steam from the soup fogging up the windows, and the employees welcoming you with a nod and a menu like any other local — that’s fabulous.

Pair it with a Sapporo Classic — this type of beer is only sold in Hokkaido, and it’s delicious!

I’m always on the lookout for good local coffeeshops, which can be a bit of a challenge in Japan as so many of them allow smoking. However, I was recommended a tiny smoke-free place called Baristart Coffee that I absolutely loved.

You get to choose from three kinds of local Hokkaido milk for your latte. The barista told me a bit about them and had me select the one that was best for me. And it was INSANELY delicious.

That latte was so good, I bought a travel coffee mug with their logo on it as a souvenir.

As one of the most popular beers in Japan, the Sapporo Beer Museum and Biergarten is a destination in its own right. It’s a 20-minute walk from the city center; you can also get there by a subway an 8-minute walk away.

I didn’t feel the need to visit the museum, but I did hit up the Biergarten right next door. The main reason? GENGHIS KHAN was on the menu!

  Genghis Khan is a selection of lamb and vegetables that you cook on a grill in front of you. While there are lots of different dishes from which to choose, most people go for the all-you-can-eat Genghis Khan and Sapporo Beer spectacular.

I got a single portion of the Genghis Khan, but truth be told…I could have definitely eaten more. Especially if I didn’t have a flight to Tokyo to catch in a few hours.

Word to the wise — they give you plastic bags for your coats. USE THEM. The whole room smells like smoky lamb and your coat will smell like it for weeks if you don’t wrap it up!

Noboribetsu Onsen

You can’t go to Hokkaido and only stay in cities! The landscape is what makes this region special. But if you enjoy the creature comforts (and warmth) or urban areas, I suggest exploring the wilderness in the form of a day trip. Noboribetsu Onsen, just an hour and 40 minutes from Sapporo, is a perfect choice.

Noboribetsu is the name of the town, easily located on the train line; from there, you take a 10-minute bus ride to Noboribetsu Onsen, the steaming, sulfuric onsen town. Japanese people come here for two things: to hike Jigokudani, or “Hell Valley,” and to soak their cares away in an onsen.

With jet lag waking me up at 3:30 AM, I got an early train to Noboribetsu (note that the bus from Noboribetsu to Noboribetsu Onsen doesn’t start running until 9:00 AM and you’ll have to pay for a cab — I paid 1700 yen, or $16).

My cab driver dropped me off at the Jigokudani so I could hike right away. It turns out that there are two other, more famous “Jigokudanis” in Japan. One is in Nagano, the other is in Beppu; both are home to snow monkeys that bathe in the hot springs. In Noboribetsu Onsen, though, you get to enjoy an incredible landscape.

Hiking this was hard! Like everywhere I visited in Hokkaido, there was a hard layer of snow on all paths and sidewalks, which meant I had to hold on tight to the railings. And of course you always get that one person who dresses completely inappropriately for a winter excursion…

Poor girl!

After that hike, I was in need of a hot soak and I headed to Onsen Tengoku (“Hot Spring Heaven”), a public bath with a collection of pools. This was a top recommendation from my Lonely Planet Japan, which I kept as a PDF on my phone, and I’m so glad I went!

This place is truly heavenly. There are so many kinds of pools and saunas, including an outdoor pool surrounded by snow. I went on the early side, 10:30 AM, and there were only five women or so there. Best of all? The hottest pool has a view overlooking hikers in the distance struggling to climb the paths as they hang on to the railings. Watching that while soaking in a bath? So incredibly satisfying!

(Note: you’ll want to research onsen etiquette before visiting one, as there are strict cultural rules from which you shouldn’t deviate. This is a good guide. Onsen are sex-segregated, you must be fully nude, and extensive washing is required before you get in the pools. Some more traditional onsen do not allow people with tattoos due to their association with organized crime. If your tattoos are on the smaller side, you may want to cover them up, at least while checking in. I have a small tattoo on my back and nobody noticed or cared.)

After that, it was time for an astoundingly fresh chirashi don (tip: you’re supposed to eat the lighter fish first, the fattier/heavier fish second, and the egg last because it’s “dessert”?) and a train ride back to Sapporo.

Otaru

Otaru is just 30 minutes from Sapporo by train and it’s a popular day trip. This city originally became popular because of its Western-style buildings along the canal, which at the time were rare in Japan. It’s the equivalent of seeing a cobblestone village in the States!

When I visited Otaru, it was a full-on blizzard the whole time, which put a bit of a damper on my visit. But that didn’t prevent me from getting some ice cream.

If there’s anywhere where you must stop in Otaru, it’s Kita-no Aisukurimu-ya-san (easy to pinpoint on Google Maps, and the doorway is pictured above). This ice cream shop specializes in unusual Hokkaido flavors. If you’re feeling daring, go for squid ink or uni (sea urchin)! Both flavors are light, delicate, and not fishy at all. There’s also purple sweet potato, melon, white peach, black tea, wine, and beer, among others.

Otaru is also home to several small museums and a number of gift shops. A quick browse of the latter and I didn’t feel like sticking around in the blizzard.

Where Else to Go in Hokkaido

I only had the briefest taste of Hokkaido on my trip, but I’d love to see more. Here are some other places worth checking out in Japan’s wild north:

Niseko

Looking to ski in Japan? Niseko is one of the best resorts in Japan! I’m not a skier, but I heard several skiers wax poetic about Niseko’s slopes. And it’s an easy journey from both Sapporo and New Chitose Airport.

One gentleman I met in a Sapporo bar told me that he loves Niseko because the snow is so intense. Between the proximity to the ocean and the cold currents coming down from Siberia, Niseko’s snowfall arrives in October and tops out at upwards of 11 meters of snow per year. That’s more than Whistler, Chamonix or Aspen. Plus, he told me, Niseko gets large, fluffy but dry flakes that are a pleasure in which to ski. (Niseko pic: MIKI Yoshihito.)

Hakodate

Hakodate is another of Hokkaido’s major cities, nestled into the southwest corner of the island. It’s five hours by train from Sapporo, so this is definitely not a day trip, but it’s famous for its low-key vibe, one of the largest fish markets in Japan, and unusual geography that makes it feel like San Francisco. (Hakodate pic: Jackie.Ick.)

Shiretoko National Park

If you really want to get off the beaten path in Hokkaido, head to Shiretoko National Park, in the far northeast of the island. This national park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, due in part to its unique wildlife. Come here to ride an ice-breaking boat, see adorable animals, and feel as far as possible from civilization. (Shiretoko pic: Hajime NAKANO.)

How I Got to Hokkaido: Flying with ANA

The best and most convenient way to get to Hokkaido is to fly. For this trip ANA flew me from JFK to Narita, then on to New Chitose Airport. There is a train station right in the airport and trains take you to Sapporo in 35 minutes.

I flew business class, which for me was a treat — I almost never fly business class long-haul! I liked how the seats had so much privacy, more so than other airlines. My seat was both a window and aisle seat.

And the food? Easily the best food I had on a plane, ever. There is actually a four-course menu served on each flight, and you can choose Japanese or international. I did Japanese on the way there and enjoyed plates of Japanese appetizers followed by the most wonderful marinated salmon.

Also, my throat was feeling scratchy and the flight attendants brought me green tea with honey, even though no self-respecting Japanese person drinks green tea with honey of all things! And they even drew me a cute little chibi character!

The big question, though — was I able to sleep? YES. ANA’s business class has lie-flat seats, which are pretty much the only way I’m able to sleep on a plane these days. In fact, unbelievably, I was able to nearly obliterate jet lag on both journeys this time around (!!) thanks to going to bed at the time of my destination.

The most remarkable thing, though? After my time in Hokkaido, I flew to Tokyo and based out of there for about a week before flying home to New York. My direct flight home was from Haneda, the smaller airport much closer to Tokyo than Narita. Haneda mostly hosts domestic flights, but ANA operates some international flights out of there, including to JFK. Because of that, I went door to door, from the Park Hyatt Tokyo in Shinjuku to my apartment in Manhattan, in less than seventeen hours.

Let that sink in. I went from breakfasting at the Park Hyatt Tokyo to sitting on my purple couch at home in LESS THAN SEVENTEEN HOURS. That includes an hourlong shuttle bus ride from the hotel to Haneda Airport, arriving exactly two hours before my flight, the 12.5-hour flight, and taking an hourlong Uber from JFK to Harlem through rush hour morning traffic.

Because of that, I feel like Japan is within much closer reach than I thought. I need to go back soon — hopefully to Kyushu next!

Hokkaido: The Takeaway

Travel decisions are often a gamble for me. Sometimes I hit it out of the park; sometimes I end up disappointed. I’m happy that Hokkaido was the former. Everything went so well!

Hokkaido was absolutely the right decision for my winter trip to Japan, and I only wish I had allotted more time!

I have almost nothing negative to say about Hokkaido, but I should let you know that it snows so often that sidewalks are covered in layers of crusted-over snow, which makes winter snow boots VITAL. Your leather fashion boots will not cut it here — get something strong and waterproof.

My friends with a baby asked me whether Hokkaido would be a good family destination, and I think it would be terrific, but there’s a caveat — if you come in winter, navigating those sidewalks with a stroller would be a challenge. Any other time of year, I see no downsides for families.

Also, Japan’s train stations are unheated once you go through the turnstiles, which isn’t a big deal in milder Japanese cities, but was extremely cold and uncomfortable in Sapporo. Don’t go through the turnstiles excessively early for your train if you don’t need to. If you make that mistake, like I did, get some hot coffee cans out of a vending machine, put them in your pockets, and use them as hand warmers.

But those are two very small drawbacks in the grand scheme of things. No matter what time of year you visit Japan, I highly recommend getting off the beaten path. Hokkaido is a fantastic place to do so.

Essential Info: I flew to Hokkaido on ANA from JFK Airport in New York. I flew via Tokyo Narita on the way there, then flew to Tokyo Haneda for a week in Honshu before flying back again from Haneda.

In Sapporo I stayed at the Sapporo MyStays Aspen Hotel, a very comfortable four-star hotel two blocks from the train station. I enjoyed my stay here and would recommend it, especially if you plan on doing day trips by train. It’s about a 15-minute walk or short subway journey to the Susukino neighborhood. Find deals on hotels in Sapporo here.

The Sapporo Snow Festival takes place around the first week in February every year and is free to attend. You can find out more information here. You can climb the Sapporo TV Tower year-round for 720 yen ($7) for adults and 100-600 yen ($1-6) for children.

In Noboribetsu Onsen, it’s free to hike the Jigokudani. Onsen Tengoku offers day passes for 2,000 yen ($19) for adults and 1,000 yen ($9) for children.

Even though Japan is a very safe country, be sure to purchase travel insurance before your trip. I use and recommend World Nomads for trips to Japan.

This campaign was brought to you by ANA — All Nippon Airways, who also covered the expenses of my time in Hokkaido and two additional days in Tokyo. I extended my time in Japan an additional five days at my own expense. All opinions, as always, are my own. 

The post Visiting Hokkaido, Japan, in Winter appeared first on Adventurous Kate.

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12 Top Tourist Attractions in Strasbourg

Strasbourg may be situated in France now, but its German roots are still very evident. This city boasts charming half-timbered houses, cobbled squares and one of the largest medieval quarters in Europe. Even its cuisine is an interesting blend of German and French influences. And this probably should not be too surprising. Strasbourg is located

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15 Most Charming Small Towns In Scotland

History and heritage sweep across Scotland from Highlands to Lowlands, from Orkney to the Hebrides. Centuries-old castles and ancient ruins dot the land, evidence of a past that encompassed internal conflicts as much as struggles against invaders, including Norse kings as much as the English. Glens and bens are the order of the day for

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Why You Should Stay in Pompei Instead of Doing a Day Trip

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The RTW Trip Giveaway: A Winner’s Update (Part 1)

What would you do with a free trip around the world? Last year, I gave away a trip around the world. After going through thousands of entries, in the end, Heather was the winner. Her story was powerful. She’s been on the road a little over a month now and it’s time to catch up with her and find out about her trip, how the budgeting is going (is she doing $50 a day?), and the lessons learned.

Nomadic Matt: Heather, congrats on winning! You’ve been on your trip for about a month. First, how did you feel about winning? Heather: Thanks, Matt! Winning was, in a word, surreal. I’ve never felt so dazed in my life. I’ve never won so much as a raffle prize before, so I didn’t actually believe you for at least a solid week. I kept thinking it was a dream, and I was scared to tell people in case it was. My little sister asked me if I was sure it wasn’t a human-trafficking scheme!

Overall, I feel so loved and supported by my friends and family and extremely, extremely lucky.

I’ve been trying to imagine what my mom would say if she were here to see this. I don’t have much of a frame of reference, since I only really started traveling after she passed. However, I’m sure she would be shaking her damn head at this trip! She would definitely think I’m crazy. And I know she definitely wouldn’t understand leaving my stable job to do this. In the end, though, I know she wouldn’t try to stop me or dissuade me. She would be happy for me; it just might not have been her first reaction. “Stop talking crazy” might have been the first thing!

Where are you going on this trip? I’m spending the next few months in South America. I originally planned to stay in Peru for three weeks, but I might end up staying for six because there is so much I want to see here! I chose to spend a lot of time in South America because it’s been my dream to backpack here for so long.

I also just love the huge diversity of life and cultures here, and the interaction between indigenous cultures and Spanish colonialism. There are also so many amazing sites (such as the Galápagos, the Amazon, Machu Picchu, etc.). There is so much to learn and soak in.

I leave for Lisbon on May 2nd, and then I want to see Morocco, Greece, Turkey, Kenya, and Tanzania before heading on to Southeast Asia. It was really hard to choose which countries to visit — my list was originally about 36 countries long! But my friends talked me down and convinced me that it was better to go in depth than to keep hopping around and tire myself out. I have the rest of my life to go and see the rest of the world.

I actually put my whole (hopeful) itinerary up on my new blog.

Where have you been so far? I spent a few weeks in Ecuador, including the Galápagos, before I moved on to Peru. I’m working my way south and east, eventually to Brazil.

The first week I spent in Quito being hosted by friends of my family. I mainly rested and planned the trip, including getting my visa to Brazil at the consulate there. I was so focused on closing up my life in LA and getting out quickly that I had put barely any thought into my trip. I just left. Taking the time to plan really calmed me. My hosts were really gracious and took great care of me.

After that, my sister came down and we spent a few days in Baños, Ecuador, which was fantastic! I jumped off a bridge and we went canyoning down some waterfalls. We also did a day tour of the Amazon. I had mixed feelings about the tour — I tend to hate planned excursions like that, and there was a part of the day that included an indigenous show that felt forced and disingenuous. It made me a little uncomfortable.

I also spent 10 days in the Galápagos, which was insanely beautiful. It was hard on the budget for sure, but the islands are so well protected. Now I’m in Cajamarca in the north of Peru enjoying the Carnaval celebrations. It’s madness. I’m really not much of a partier. My host is so generous and accommodating, so I’m really enjoying my time here.

How’s your daily budget going? Any big surprises? I’m definitely running a deficit right now, because of the trip to the Galápagos, but I knew that going in. (Some other expenses too, such as paying for the visa to Brazil ($160), contributed to that as well.) Everything is super expensive on the island. Last-minute cruises for four days are about $1,000, and eight-day cruises start at about $1,700. I opted out of a cruise and decided to do the self-tour, which was a bit more challenging but still an amazing experience. Hostels on the island are basically $20 everywhere, which is about twice as much as on the mainland. But I did find some ways to save money. For instance, I found a restaurant on Santa Cruz Island that served a great $5 lunch.

I’m feeling OK about the splurge, though, because I’m saving in other ways. For instance, I bought my flight out of South America to Europe on points. That saved me about $700. I plan on buying most of my flights on points. I’m also doing a lot of Couchsurfing in Peru (and Peru is cheap overall).

Not counting the Galápagos, in the first month, I spent about $600, including my hostels, food, activities. Hostels are generally costing me $10 a night, and meals are rarely more than $10 each; lunch is usually much less. In Baños, for instance, we met the owner of an arepas restaurant and just ate lunch there every day. Now, in Cajamarca, between Couchsurfing and the cheap cost of living, I would be surprised if I’ve spent more than $30 in the past five days. Breakfast is $1-2, and we took a 30-minute ride bus outside of the city, which cost 5 soles, or about $1.50, each.

Also, looking back on my journal of expenses, I would say I’m spending too much on transportation. I would attribute this to taxis. When I’m out and about, sometimes people tell me it’s unsafe to walk and I should take a taxi. Or, for instance, when I was staying with my family friends in Quito, their house is pretty far from the city, so I would find myself taking a taxi rather than walk the 40 minutes to the bus stop. If I’m feeling unsure about the situation I’m in (at night or if I don’t see many solo walkers around), I take a taxi. So I think I could cut back or find other ways to avoid feeling unsafe.

The first month is always an adjustment. How are you going to stay on budget in the future? I’m a huge planner, and taking the time to think through my “must haves” really helps. I’ve also found that not rushing and going slow helps cut down expenses. I’m trying to take my time and stick to the activities I will really enjoy. For instance, paying an admission to see a cathedral almost never makes my list. A lot of guides online mention churches as the must sees. I ignore them completely, unless there is something different about them. For example, I paid for a tour in Lima to see the catacombs but, other than that, I’d rather use the money elsewhere.

What are some of the lessons you’ve learned so far? I am learning how to not stress about plans or money, which was something my mom was always trying to teach me. I’m literally living my dream, and it’s foreign to me not to have something or someone to worry about. “If you’re gonna worry, don’t pray. If you’re gonna pray, don’t worry,” is what she would always say. I was never very good at it (to her dismay), but I think she would be happy with how I currently am. My belly is always full and I’m seeing something new every few days. What more could I ask for? Next up, to work on my patience…

What’s the worst thing that’s happened? Do you think it could have been prevented? Yes! My phone got pickpocketed! It was completely preventable. I was in Baños and I needed a rain jacket because it rains every other second there. I wasn’t used to the pockets and my phone was hanging out slightly. I was just completely comfortable — it’s very safe there, so I didn’t think I had to worry. I noticed it was gone almost immediately. I was pissed because I just paid off that phone so that I could take it on the trip! Sigh…

Finally, what’s been your favorite moment so far? My favorite moment is a tie between jumping off the bridge in Baños and snorkeling with sea lions and turtles in the Galápagos. Both moments were surreal.

In the following months, Heather will be navigating South America, Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. As she keeps going, we’re going to follow along to get more details about her trip, experiences, roadblocks, budgeting, and everything in between! You can follow her journeys on her blog, Confidently Lost, as well as on Instagram. She will also be sharing some of her experiences here!

The post The RTW Trip Giveaway: A Winner’s Update (Part 1) appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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12 Top Tourist Attractions in Leipzig

Leipzig is an historic city at the confluence of three rivers in eastern Germany. Just 160 km (100 miles) from Berlin, Saxony’s largest city was an important trade city during the days of the Roman Empire. The city is famous for its musicians: Bach, Wagner Mendelssohn and a boys choir that originated in the early

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Travel Burnout is Real. Here’s How to Deal with It.

Imagine that you’re finally on the long-awaited trip of your dreams. You planned everything perfectly — the carefully spaced itinerary, the comfortable and ideally located accommodation, the highly recommended restaurants, the Instagram shots that will make your friends jealous.

You go on the trip, and it’s wonderful. Then somewhere around the third or fourth day, things change.

You suddenly lose the desire to explore.

You’re tired, irritable, and cranky.

You find yourself annoyed and frustrated by local peculiarities that you once found charming.

You’re struck by an urge to stay in your room all day.

You spend more time browsing your phone in Starbucks than exploring your destination.

That, my friends, is travel burnout. It happens to me all the time — most recently, in Kyoto.

The narrow non-sidewalks annoyed me. The tourist crowds annoyed me. I found myself standing in front of the gate to Yasaka Shrine, one of my favorite temples from my 2013 trip to Japan, and I couldn’t even muster the energy to walk inside.

Plus, it was a gloomy winter afternoon and I knew I wouldn’t get photos as good as the ones I got in 2013. How amazing is that light?!

Myths About Travel Burnout

There is a lot of misinformation out there about travel burnout. Let’s start by evaluating the myths.

1. You can’t get travel burnout on a short trip.

Think burnout only happens to backpackers on months-long trips? Nope, not at all. Even if you’re only traveling for a few days, you can easily get burned out if you pack too much into your time frame or you have a bad mindset or

2. You can’t get burnout in an “easy” destination or somewhere that’s within your culture.

Not true at all. Even traveling across the country — to Seattle if you’re from Boston, or to Bristol if you’re from Leeds — can be overwhelming. It doesn’t matter where you go; it can happen anywhere.

3. Travel experts don’t burn out.

Hi. Raises hand. It happens to me and pretty much every professional travel blogger I know. Google around and it won’t take you long to find posts with bloggers complaining about working too much, being tired, and needed to make a change because their travels aren’t fun anymore.

4. Burning out is the sign of being a bad traveler.

Absolutely, completely false. Be kind to yourself. Having a cheat meal doesn’t make you bad at fitness, losing your temper doesn’t make you a bad parent, and getting burned out doesn’t make you a bad traveler.

5. With careful planning, you can avoid travel burnout.

Sure, carefully planning your travel is a way to ensure the best trip possible. And while you might be able to reduce the chance of burnout, unfortunately there’s no way to guarantee it won’t hit anyway.

When I was in high school I had to take a life skills class that covered topics like alcohol abuse. I can still remember all the factors that affect how intoxicated a person can get: How much they drink. How fast they drink. Their past drinking experience. How much they’re eating. Their moods and feelings. Whether or not they’re taking other drugs or medications.

Well, let’s translate that over to the travel world. What affects how burned out a traveler can get? How long they’re traveling. How fast they’re traveling. The ease of travel in this destination. The financial stress of this destination. Whether they’re working while traveling. Whether any disasters happen during their trip. What they’re missing at home.

And while you can attempt to plan, there are too many factors in the air. What if you get to Colombia and realize that you vastly underestimated the language barrier? What if a relative at home gets some bad news while you’re away and you wish you were there? What if you take every precaution but get pickpocketed on the subway anyway? You can’t plan for everything.

How to Deal with Travel Burnout

If you start feeling burned out, the chief way to survive is to reduce stress

Let go of the idea of perfection. You’re never going to do everything that you want to do. Make peace with that.

Spend a day at home. Spend a morning or even a full day in your hotel room. Order room service. Have a Bruno Mars dance party. Sing “One Sweet Day” at the top of your lungs in the shower. Or, you know, watch some Netflix like you would at home.

Go dwell in a familiar space. My go-to? Starbucks. Nope, it isn’t an indie cafe with artisanal pour-overs, but you know what? It’s familiar. It’s easy. They have wifi.

Create a routine. If you have a few more days in your destination, become a “regular” at a place, whether it’s a restaurant or coffee shop. Have your own order.

Work out. If you’ve got a gym or pool at your disposal, get yourself a workout. If not, try a 7-minute workout or do some yoga or a boot camp over YouTube. If you’d rather care for your mind, do some guided meditation using an app or YouTube.

Connect with loved ones. Just talking to someone you really enjoy could lift your spirits. It might be a good time for a chat or Skype call with those you hold dearest.

Spend time in nature. Even if it’s just a long walk on a beach or sitting in a public park for a few hours, being in nature could do a lot to rejuvenate your spirits.

Slow down your travels. Can you rebook anything? See if you can pare your trip down to the essentials, whether it’s axing day trips or cutting back on the sightseeing. Give yourself more time to explore without an agenda.

Jodi, Brenna and Kate in Chiang Mai in 2015 — via ThisBatteredSuitcase.com

  Finally — Know When It’s Something Worse.

I had a breakdown in fall 2015 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and it was one of the lowest points of my travels. It couldn’t have been more ironically timed — I was in one of the most Western-friendly cities in Asia, I was surrounded by friends, I was making excellent money, and I had just finished what I now consider one of the happiest, more carefree periods of my life.

Yet I woke up one morning and suddenly felt paralyzed. Forget going out and exploring — the idea of walking to an unfamiliar coffee shop or restaurant suddenly filled me with fear. It felt like the world was pressing in on me.

Was there anything to fear? No. Nothing. But fears are seldom rational.

Everywhere I went, I felt like people were staring at me, laughing at me. I couldn’t muster the nerve to do anything remotely touristic and I stayed ensconced in the Nimmanhaeman neighborhood, not wanting to step beyond the limits of digital nomad land.

One of those nights my friends and I went to get Thai barbecue at an enormous gymnasium-like complex. I looked at the endless rows of buckets filled with vegetables and protein, of tables filled with do-it-yourself grills, and the enormity of the task made me want to sob.

So what did I do? I ate breakfast at The Larder every day, occasionally hung out with my friends, and spend a lot more time holed up in my room. I booked an expensive flight home early via Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. I turned my focus toward moving to New York.

I needed to go home then — it was the best thing for me, and it helped me regroup and focus on my new goal. Just going home alone brought my nerves from a 9 out of 10 to a 4 out of 10, and in time it continued to decrease.

To this day, I don’t know why that anxiety erupted at that time. It happened because it happened.

If you need to go home, go home.

Most of the time, you won’t need to go home. Having the travel blues is something that you can bounce out of within a few days, and if you cancel your trip before making an effort, you could end up regretting your decision.

But if you’ve tried the above suggestions, your mental health is still suffering, and you can’t stop thinking about going home, canceling a trip might be the right thing to do. There are some things more important than a trip. You’ve only got one life.

What’s your favorite way to deal with travel burnout?

The post Travel Burnout is Real. Here’s How to Deal with It. appeared first on Adventurous Kate.

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14 Most Charming Small Towns in Ireland

Ireland is possibly the homeland of the charming town, famous for a particular, uncapturable Irishness that seems to enchant every visitor. From the warmth of the local people themselves to the quaint architecture and stunning locations, Ireland’s small town game is strong. There’s history here too: millenia-old monasteries seem to mark the beginning of many

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12 Top Destinations Around the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro

The Bay of Kotor, known also as simply Boka, is a bay in the heart of the Adriatic Sea in southwestern Montenegro. The Bay of Kotor is an incredible travel destination for a number of reasons, but its biggest draw is its magnificent scenery. Although it is not technically a fjord, it resembles one, with

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10 Things to do in Seoul in Winter

It can get pretty cold in Seoul during the winter months. Once the Siberian winds begin to blow from the north and the wind chill reaches... via Travel Blogs http://ift.tt/2EQcR4p

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Winter in Banff National Park, Canada – Seven Months of Snow and Ice Adventure

I’ve wanted to explore and stand before the incredible Rocky Mountains for as long as I can remember. So I went straight into the minus degree heart of winter in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, to take in a minuscule portion of their 3,000 mile North American stretch.

From travelling for weeks in Nepal and trekking Everest Base Camp in the Himalayas, to moving to Austria and living amongst the mighty Alps, the affectionately known Canadian ‘Rockies’ would complete the desired peak trio of my mountain loving heart.

It’s a mere 90 minute drive from Calgary airport before you are reduced to being a tiny spectator looking towards the grand stage of Banff National Park, where winter puts on its finest show. A seemingly never-ending showcase of snow-capped peaks with unbeatable panoramas from over 2,000m high, corridors of glacier walls, frozen lakes and waterfalls that become a canvas for play, and a dense wilderness full of diverse wildlife – this is THE season to be here.

One where snowfall and crystallised layers can last for up to seven months of the year.

One of the world’s most stunning mountain destinations, Banff is famous for good reason. Aside from being a spectacular hinterland mass of 6,641 square kilometres, it is Canada’s first designated National Park after explorers stumbled upon a hot spring in a cave and decided that beauty needed to be shared and saved.

That was back in 1885, with Banff now a highly protected ecosystem (one that runs from the Yukon to Yellowstone National Park in the US). While we must not forget that the First Nations people long occupied the area for over 10 thousand years prior to this, the dedication given to Banff today for it to survive for thousands of more years to come means experiencing a real adventure into one of the planet’s best wilderness arenas.

Winter in Banff is about pure adventure and the adrenalin of nature. It’s about seeing Alberta outside of its capital, Edmonton and the wild hinterlands that compliment the flat prairies of the province.

Winter in Bannf is Canada in one of its most magnificent and unfiltered forms… Even if the bears are sleeping.

Winter Adventure Activities in Banff

Ice Climbing on Banff’s Waterfalls

The Canadian Rockies are considered by many to be the ice climbing capital of the world, so I went straight out into the adrenalin action the morning after arriving for some beginner lessons. Armed with a pair of ice axes and fixed into some ultra sturdy crampons, it was time to tackle nature’s best wintertime climbing wall – a frozen waterfall.

It was a short 15 to 20 minute climb up a short forest track to a waterfall that stands just outside of Canmore – the neighbouring town to Banff. Here I was taught the basic skills for ice climbing, with the help of the accomplished climbers from Yamnuska Mountain Adventures.

It’s exhausting in the way that is exhilarating for the two hours you try and mercy with the strength of nature, but you soon get into a groove of how to swing your ice axe with a momentum that comes from the lower arm and elbow in a swift motion.

The crunch and clunk of gripping your feet into the ice using the toe spikes of your crampons becomes second nature as you find a way to scramble up a jagged veil of thick, glistening blue toned ice. All before lowering yourself down it with the top rope belay.

If you can, while taking a few seconds of rest balancing in a small ice grove, take the time to look behind you a little. The Rocky Mountain panorama is always hugging you while you explore these mighty details that are burrowed within its basin.

Skiing in the Rocky Mountains – Banff Sunshine Village Resort

To finally say, “I’ve skied in Canada” is a dream come true, since it’s all a part of the mountain obsession. Banff Sunshine Village Resort is a short drive from Banff town where you have three mountains with the most fresh, powder soft snow and incredible views at you disposal. Not only that, but by staying in the Sunshine Mountain Lodge at the top of the main cable car line, you can step out of the door and STRAIGHT into the ski action. It really adds to the excitement, being one of the first to makes some S’s in the now, as well as shaving time off the ground-village-to-higher-altitude hop.

The three peaks are easy to navigate when it comes to knowing your skillsets and what level of slope you want to take on from the 3,358 acres of skiable terrain. I was here to get back to basics after some ski trauma with a bad instructor, and Ellen from Sweden (who, of course, has winter sport skills in her blood) had me back to my ski-pro-in-training self in no time at all. I can’t recommend her enough for beginner training here.

Canada works differently to Europe where a Green run is European Blue, Blue is a European Red, and here Black is split into two levels (Double Black being the most extreme). Sunshine Village resort has 137 runs (longest is 8km), 12 lifts and is split into a rough terrain of 20% beginner (green), 55% intermediate (blue), 25% advanced (black).

As a beginner skier looking to move to intermediate level, Lookout Mountain was great for both gentle, scenic runs and steeper slopes to carve out some better technique. On one side of the mountain, I practiced on the wider and steeper inclines (like the long Green run: 34) where you were nothing but a speak on white with a wide open view, before moving on the forest lined and wilderness runs on the other side, with names like ‘Miss Gratz’, ‘Pilgrims’ and ‘Cottontail’.

‘The Eagles’ is the peak between Lookout mountain and Goat’s Eye Mountain, and is home to the Eagle Basin and the ‘Delirium Dive’ extreme freeride zone where it mandatory for all riders to be equipped with an Avalanche Pack. Goat’s Eye, while sporting a long Blue Run (71), is the place for those seeking Black and double Black adrenalin routes. However, the runs from Lookout mountain eventually connect with the basin of Goat’s Eye, so not all is lost when taking on lighter runs, since you will get to sample it in some form. For more Green and blue runs aside from Lookout Mountain, Mount Standish is the area to explore.

Banff Town and Banff National Historic Sites

As the point of the ‘discovery’ of what became Canada’s first national park, the Banff Cave & Basin is one of the National Historic Sites worth visiting. It may be a tiny cave hole with a strong sulphur stench that radiates from the aqua pool of water, but it has huge significance.

You can learn more about the history of the region in the neighbouring exhibition space of the Banff Park Museum, before continuing to the other hot spring and layers of woodland outside.

I even had the chance to practice curling and help build an ice palace during the setting up of the winter festival that is held here.

Banff town is small enough to be explored on foot, or a scenic drive where you can reach tucked away viewpoints such as ‘Surprise Corner’ that looks over the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel – the first hotel to be built in Banff that almost looks like the town’s very own Hogwarts.

Other National Historic Sites, including the Cosmic Ray Station on Sanson Peak, Skoki Lodge, Abbot Pass Hut and Howse Pass, require varying degrees of hiking and backcountry access, which is all a part of the wilderness fun and pristine seclusion.

You certainly need more than one winter in Banff to see it all. Maybe a lifetime. Banff is a playground that serves to reminds us that as much as we try and conquer nature, it will always dominate. And in its protection we are shown how this patch of earth once existed, untouched… long before we did. 

Coming up: Winter in Lake Louise. Stay tuned!

Things to Know:

About Banff

Banff town: It is located in Alberta’s Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately 126 km west of Calgary. It extends to Lake Louise and eventually connects to Jasper National Park further north.

Banff Sunshine Village Resort

The Sunshine Village Resort in Banff boasts the longest non-glacial ski season in all of Canada – open for around seven months from November until May.

At an altitude of 7,200 feet, fresh powder snow is guaranteed almost daily. The resort is open from 9am until 4pm, with gondola hours from 8am until 5:30pm with extended weekend hours.

For more information on planning your ski trip pre-arrival and on the day at the slopes, download the Banff Sunshine Village App for iPhone and Android.

Want to Join a Small Group Tour in Banff? Travel with Discover Banff Tours!

I was whisked around this incredible space by Discover Banff Tours, who specialise in private and small group tours to get you right into the very heart, history and culture in Banff. That means avoiding the crowded tour buses and masses of people when exploring the Banff landscape, instead being one-on-one with the guide or in a small setting. Bannf is so large that it may be hard for you to find things on your own, or navigate the enormous space and long drives. Plus, Discover Banff Tours know the secrets, the best viewpoints, and where is best to visit at a particular time. A special shout out to my guide, Noam, who is also a chief wildlife spotter!

You can book packages from single to multi-day excursions for wildlife tours, to go and discover lake Louise, tackle the Johnson Canyon Ice walk in the narrow ice laden canyon, snowshoe in the Vermilion River Valley or to the 40-meter deep gorge of the Marble Canyon, get your crampons some action on the frozen creek bed of the Grotto Canyon Ice walk, or book stunning heli-sightseeing and heli-skiing days.

Visiting Multiple Sites in Banff? Get the ‘Banff Alive’ Pass!

A National Park Pass is required to enter Banff National Park, with a one-day pass costing 9.80 CAD per adult. This money goes towards the protection and conservation efforts of the park.

If you are looking at doing a variety of activities and planning to visit multiple sites, also consider getting yourself a Banff Alive Pass (for Banff and Lake Louise) for discounts and easier access.

This ‘ticket to adventure’ as they call it covers all kinds of adrenalin thrill and entry to sites including:

Banff Gondola to Sulphur Mountain with the 2,900ft ridgetop boardwalk

Banff Sunshine Village Sightseeing Gondola – Banff’s longest and biggest gondola up to 2,164m ands from the village ride up to over 2,400, for a 360 view of the Rockies

Banff Hot Springs (and spa)

Buffalo Nations museum and Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies.

Cave and Basin National Historic Site (birthplace of Canada’s National Park system with Banff being the first)

Discover Banff Tours sightseeing tour

Mt Norquay sightseeing chairlift for sightseeing at 2090m

Lake Louise sightseeing Gondola and heritage walk from Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

You can pick up your pass from the following tourism offices:

Banff:

224 Banff Ave in the Information Centre

327 Railway Ave in the Banff Heritage Railway Station  and Information Centre

Lake Louise:

201 Village Rd by the Samson Mall in the Information Centre

Where to Stay in Banff

Banff Town:

In Banff town I stayed at the new 4-Star Moose Hotel, located right in the very heart of Banff town on Banff Avenue. Being on one if the main roads means you are only minutes away from downtown Banff and all the amenities including restaurants and bars. A cool coffee shop, the Whitebark Café, is located right next door for coffee enthusiasts like me (it’s hard to find good coffee in these parts!).

Using timber and stone throughout, Moose has the design philosophy to bring nature and the outdoors in. Facilities include a Spa and various pools including private outdoor hot pools with a prime view of the Rocky Mountains.

Banff Skiing:

The Sunshine Mountain Lodge at Banff Sunshine Village Resort stands 7,000 feet high, up away from everything, and ensures you are the first to ski on fresh snow every morning. Mountain views, warm interiors, a spa and games room, alongside and a selection of upscale and casual dining on site like Eagle’s nest and Chimney Corner for breakfast, ski-day lunches and dinners means having everything you need up in the wilderness.

Quick eats, café and grill bars can also be found in other on-site lodges such as Goat’s Eye Grill, The Lookout and Alpine Grill.

Further information on Planning a Winter in Banff

Visit the dedicated Banff and Lake Louise website for more details on planning your activities, accommodations, where to eat and general park planning in winter and all-year-round.

I undertook this trip with the help of Banff and Lake Louise tourism and Travel Alberta tourism, in the hope to inspire you to visit Banff in winter and be inspired by this absolutely incredible and pristine part of Canada.

All opinions remain my own; all images required very little edits; and this landscape really is the dream it appears. Mountain lovers – this really is one for your list.  

The post Winter in Banff National Park, Canada – Seven Months of Snow and Ice Adventure appeared first on Borders Of Adventure.

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12 Top Things to Do in Siena

Siena may have been descended from the ancient Etruscans, but it embraced its glory days during the Middle Ages. This was a time when architecture and art flourished. Located just 70 km (43 miles) south of its one-time rival Florence, this Tuscan town is a magnet for travelers who want to absorb outstanding medieval architecture

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I Still F*ing Hate Koh Phi Phi

Yeah, I used the F word. That’s how much I hate Ko Phi Phi.

I was supposed to visit Ko Phi Phi in 2005, but the deadly 2004 tsunami destroyed the island. Thousands were killed and injured on the island. The entire coast was devastated, with Phi Phi one of the hardest it. It was one of the biggest natural disasters to ever hit the country. Determined to get there and wanting to contribute to the rebuilding, I made it my first stop in Thailand when I quit my job to travel the world in 2006.

Construction was all over the place, tourists were returning — some also helping rebuild — and the government was promising to make the island more sustainable. Spirits were high. Naturally, it wasn’t like the postcards. The inner beach was littered with coral swept in by the sea, but just outside town was beautiful Long Beach, an undeveloped stretch of white sand and turquoise water. I didn’t fall in love Ko Phi Phi, but I thought that if they limited development as they said, this place wouldn’t be half bad.

Fast forward two years.

I returned (twice) while living in Bangkok to discover that they hadn’t kept their promise: the island had become overdeveloped (again). Hotels were everywhere. Boats seemed to endlessly ring the island, ferrying an endless queue of tourists. There were bars on the beach; the little street stall food court near the dock was gone; and resorts, tourists, and loud music were inescapable. Ko Phi Phi had become an overpriced party island. Long Beach was still the only haven, but tiny guesthouses had popped up, chipping away at paradise. You could tell it wasn’t going to be too long before it was wholly consumed by the development sprawl creeping out from town.

Fast forward another two years.

Everything that was bad about the island had multiplied 10 times. Maya Bay, a location made famous by the movie The Beach, was bursting at the seams. The island tours were filled with swim spots where you only saw dead coral. Long Beach, though still beautiful, now had resorts, and a thin layer of boat fuel coated the water.

I left disgusted.

It was crowded, dirty, filled with drunk tourists, terrible food, unfriendly locals*, and an environment destroyed by development.

Fast forward to last month, when I went back to the island once again.

“I thought you hated this place,” a reader I ran into said to me. “Why are you here?”

“I’m here to update my guide. I need to see this place with fresh eyes.”

He laughed. “Mate, nothing has changed.”

He was right. It’s safe to say that the next time the guide needs updating, I won’t be checking up on Ko Phi Phi. I hated it more than ever.

Maya Bay has been destroyed even more, partially cleared to put in little huts, a snack bar, bathrooms, and even a smoking area. Trash is everywhere.

Ko Phi Phi charges 20 baht to visit (a conservation fee, they claim, though it’s obvious they are just conserving their bank balance), Long Beach has been fully developed with large resorts and hotels, music blasts throughout the island day and night, prices are high for no reason other than people will pay up, and the inner beach, still littered with coral, is now filled with bars, end to end. In the morning, there’s more trash than beach. There were booze cruises, pricey boat trips, a McDonald’s, and more restaurants serving Western food than Thai food. The town’s buildings are so tightly packed that one loses any sense of being on an island.

They literally paved over paradise:

(That is me standing at one end of the island looking out to the beach across the way.)

As far as I’m concerned, Ko Phi Phi has lost what little soul it had left. It is an ugly, overpriced destination living off the fact people go there because….well, I guess you’re supposed to go there?

I’ve been living in or visiting Thailand for thirteen years. I’ve been all over the country. Ko Phi Phi is one of those places that takes the worst of Thailand tourism and puts it all in one overpriced location. This place has nothing to offer you can’t get on another island. Thailand is full of beautiful, picturesque tropical islands like Ko Mak, Ko Jum, Ko Chang, Ko Adang, and Ko Lanta. Those are the ones you see on postcards, the ones that spur the imagination and entice adventure. And if you want to party, you will find parties equally as good — at cheaper prices — on Ko Chang, Ko Samui, Ko Phanang, and Ko Tao.

I can’t really figure why people go there. I asked people I met. “I hear the parties are good and I wanted to see Maya Bay. I dunno. It’s famous for a reason, right?”

If you’re looking for a beach paradise, there are better islands. If you’re looking for a party, there are better islands. If you’re looking to scuba dive, there are better islands. If you want great seafood, there are better islands. If you’re looking for an inexpensive place to go, well, this place is definitely not it.

Phi Phi has no redeeming qualities.

And I don’t see myself ever returning.

The island can’t support the number of people it gets anyway. Give nature a break. Save your bank account. Find a nicer place. Go elsewhere.

Please avoid this hellhole.

*I don’t fault the locals. If you dealt with the obnoxious party tourists I saw on that island every day of your life, you wouldn’t give a f*ck either!

Note: I know they have recently decided to close Maya Bay in the off season to give it a break. It’s the step in the right direction but I don’t think it will change much. They already developed the island. They need to remove all the structures there, limit the number of people who go, and give nature a time to heal. Given the government’s track record on following through with environmental promises, I won’t be holding my breath.

Photo Credit: 1

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