Mountain tips

Austria, with its pristine Alpine landscapes and well-maintained network of mountain huts, offers some of the best hut-to-hut hiking experiences in the world. This guide dives into the heart of Austria’s majestic mountains, exploring routes that promise adventure, breathtaking vistas, and a taste of the unique Alpine culture.

ATIRA. When the inhabitants of this valley talk about sustainability, they use terms such as ‘Amur’ (love), ‘Teritore’ (territory), ‘Insegnamënt’ (education), ‘Respet’ (respect) and ‘Ambiënt’ (environment). ATIRA, which means ‘immediately’ in Ladin, was born out of this deep sense of responsibility. These words do not need translation, but rather actions, even small ones, concrete and immediate. ATIRA is a series of meetings and excursions that take place every Monday during the summer season, with the aim of making residents and visitors aware of issues that are crucial for the sustainable development of the territory and important for the community. Accompanied by local experts, the excursion participants will not only learn fascinating facts about the mountains, but also how to actively contribute to the protection of the territory. With ATIRA you become a guardian of the Dolomites.

Thinking about travel to Europe this summer? I’ll whisper this two-word, game-changing suggestion in your ear: Swiss Bliss. Switzerland is a spectacular vacation escape, promising plentiful pampering, playful diversions, culture (music festivals, art experiences, unique museums—from sports to science, film to food) and stellar gastronomy. Taste Chasselas wine; its white grapes are grown in the terraced Lavaux vineyards along the south-facing northern shores of Lake Geneva, where vintners produce artisanal batches that are rarely exported, so 98 percent of their singular sips can only be savored within the country. Discover abundant natural beauty and peaceful hideaways. Hike Alpine mountains. Swim in glistening lakes. Picnic amid wildflower meadows. For high-speed outings, ample opportunities abound: boating, road cycling, mountain biking, paragliding, skydiving and white-water rafting. Transportation within this tidy nation, especially via its SBB trains, is smooth and swift, accessing scores of destinations. (For itinerary details and surprising delights: My Switzerland Tourism.) Internationally renowned for training extraordinary hoteliers, hospitality is a revered profession, which adds smiles to your stay. Choose from a wide variety of accommodations—campgrounds to chalets to castles. If your vacay preference tends toward one-of-a-kind, five-star hotels, this article shines on three favorites, which are among French entrepreneur and winemaker Michel Reybier’s impressive collection of wellness-promoting properties.

Often packed with as many visitors as there are roadside hawkers, Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s most-loved destinations, offering a cool respite from the beaches and busy cities further south.

Set in the heart of South Africa's Western Cape, Stellenbosch is widely regarded as one of the top wine regions in the world. Famed for its full-bodied reds and crisp chenin blancs, the region is equally acclaimed for its jaw-dropping landscape of lush vineyards set against towering mountains. Equally rich in wine and natural beauty, Stellenbosch offers extraordinary experiences that cater to both the wine aficionado and the enthusiastic traveler alike. Here’s some of the best things to do on your visit to this remarkable region.

Located in the eastern reaches of Sub-Saharan Africa, the verdant nation of Uganda has cemented itself as one of the region’s foremost destinations for ecotourism, with no shortage of fascinating native species to discover during a visit. While birds like the broad-billed roller, brown snake eagle and red-chested sunbird serve as a prominent draw for avian aficionados, the country is best known for its large population of mountain gorillas—and for those hoping to marvel at these gentle creatures in the flesh, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge serves as the perfect base.

The pool was empty – perhaps because at about 22C, the water was too cold for Italians. It was also about to close. Whatever the reason, we had the glorious Biolago di Pinzolo, a spring-fed, plant-filtered swimming lake, to ourselves. As my son and I swam, we could just make out the tiny red-roofed hermitage of San Martino on the forested slope above, where, according to legend, a hermit survived on bread provided by a tame bear.

For nearly 20 years, the sparsely populated western slope of northwest Colorado has harbored one of America’s most exclusive—and little known—sporting communities. Simply put, Elk Creek Ranch is a 25,000-acre sportsman’s playground like none other.

There is a wild and wonderful water world in the north-eastern corner of Spain. The Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici national park, in the central Pyrenees north of Lleida, is characterised by more than 200 lakes fed by melting snow and ice, plus rivers and streams, gorges, waterfalls and marshes. (Aigüestortes means “winding waters” in Catalan, and Sant Maurici is the biggest lake.)

For the uninitiated, the Bicycle Day international holiday might suggest a celebration of bicycles and riding bikes. But that’s only part of the story.

One of the most incredible bird scenes in Europe took place as I hiked through the Bielawa nature reserve in northern Poland, about 40 miles north of Gdansk. I had left the village of Sławoszyno via a dirt track and was heading towards Kłanino, the open countryside and fields disappearing from my sight as the hedgerows grew taller either side of me. As I stepped forward, a gap appeared in the hedge and in front of my eyes a flock of nearly 100 cranes, which had been silent, took off across the field, honking with their red-tinged heads and faces, and feathery wing feathers flapping. I could almost touch them. The 19,000-hectare (47,000-acre) park is a mix of forest, wetland and coast. Rita

I’m lying on my back. Directly above me is “a vault of heaven” with great wooden beams. I’ve never woken before under such a high ceiling – but then I’ve never gone to sleep in a church before.

In a landscape sparsely populated with people but covered in spruce forests, taiga, tundra and lakes, a singular physical force reigns supreme – the 20,310ft imposing elevation of Denali, the mountain that dominates its eponymous national park in Alaska.

If you ever need a reason to travel, consider the splendor of waterfalls.

Seeking an authentic experience in the Norwegian fjords? The Nordfjord region epitomizes the beauty and cultural richness of the Norwegian fjords, offering everything from breathtaking natural landscapes to immersive cultural experiences.

Late last year, my family and I spent two weeks traveling through India's southern state of Kerala. We spent a week by the beach in Kovalam, Christmas Day aboard a private houseboat, and two days seeking refuge from the blistering heat in the mountain town of Munnar.As Business Insider previously reported, travelers are continuing to splurge on big trips — think international destinations and unique experiences — and this hill station situated in India's Western Ghats mountain range did not disappoint.

Welcome to Santa Barbara, where the sun, sea, and mountains create a coastal paradise like no other. The Chumash people initially inhabited the town for thousands of years before Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century. Today, Santa Barbara still reflects its Spanish colonial heritage with Mediterranean-style buildings and red-tile roofs, which perfectly complement the natural backdrop of the San Ynez Mountains. 

Green is the overwhelming color on Washington's Olympic Peninsula.

When the chairlifts have made their last run of the winter, ski resorts throughout the country begin preparing for spring and summer activities. For many ski areas, spring and summer business equals winter numbers as guests come to take scenic chairlift rides, mountain bike or enjoy a variety of adrenaline-pumping water rides. In addition, spring and summer mountain concerts are always a popular attraction and draw some of the biggest names in the music industry. The following ski resorts welcome guests throughout the year by offering fun on and off the slopes.

As a travel writer constantly on the move, my adventures have taken me to the far corners of the globe, from the rugged terrains of Tanzania to the mountains of Bhutan. Yet amidst my travels, one constant remains: the search for that seamless trip to and from the airport.

Birds are a big thing in Oman’s Musandam Peninsula. As you walk along, it’s not unusual to catch sight of the flick of a sapphire-blue tail, the glimpse of scarlet-red feathers cloaked by a wing or the pop of banana-yellow on a crooked beak. It’s as if the sky has reacted in rainbow protest to the dusty beige of Oman’s landscape. Here, you wake up to a cacophony of twittering and cooing: Indian Rollers, Bulbuls and Sunbirds forming a dawn chorus.