The area around Zermatt in Switzerland is both famed for its water and formed by it. The Zermatt region is well-known for the quality of its drinking water, as well as for the number and beauty of its streams and lakes. Zermatt boasts over 50 lakes and nearly 1,000 springs! Indeed the original name of the region meant “meadow in …
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Wildflowers of Switzerland’s Zermatt – More Than Just the Edelweiss
Switzerland’s Zermatt is easily accessible to both the serious walker (who will enjoy the 400km/249mi of trails) and the less fit visitor (who will enjoy the mountain railways which give easy access to some areas). For such an accessible region, it’s an alpine flora treasure trove for even the most serious botanists. As a bonus, this beautiful area also enjoys …
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Breaking in Hiking Boots – Make Sure They Don’t Break You!
Do you even need to break in your boots these days? The answer is, maybe. If you have lightweight Gore-Tex fabric or similar walking boots, you may be able to wear them as soon as you get them out of the box. However, if you have a new pair of leather boots then you probably will need to break them …
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How to Buy the Right Backpack for your Day Hike
After boots, one of the other important items for a walker is the backpack. A poorly-fitting or poor quality rucksack can make walking a miserable experience, so it’s worth taking the time, and spending the money to make the right choice of backpack for your walking holiday. If you don’t have to be self-contained and can rely on a roof …
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Hypothermia: What is it and How to Avoid it
When you walk in the hills you should be aware of the symptoms and treatment of hypothermia. Even more importantly, you should know how to avoid it in the first place! What is Hypothermia? Sometimes called “exposure” hypothermia can be fatal. If a person is hypothermic their core body temperature drops lower than 35 C. There is a range of …
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Dolomites, Italy; the stunning wildflowers of Seiser Alm and Schlern
Hardly the last patches of snow on the Italian Dolomites Seiser Alm are melted away, when the great flowering begins. The grass still pale and straggly is transformed into a glimmering sea of purple hue by countless spring crocusses, and the violet tinted spring anemones, still wrapped in their silky little pelts, stretch in between already out towards the warming …
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Planning a Walking Holiday in Europe? Let Us Help!
Planning a walking holiday in Europe is an exciting proposition. But excitement can quickly give way to information overload as your research a myriad of walking tour operators, mountain regions, hotels, and transport connections. Although search engines will give you a lot of information – that’s not quite the same as useful information. Trying to find the best walking tour …
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St. Peter’s Anglican in Zermatt – An English Church, An Alpine Sanctuary
If you’re strolling around Zermatt, you will immediately notice St. Peter’s, a cosy, country-style church up on the hill with Matterhorn looming in the background. Go inside to see the plaque-lined walls that honour past mountain climbers and outside to visit the Mountaineer’s cemetery. You can also go inside if you’d like to attend a worship service, talk one-on-one with …
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Now for Something Completely Different… Build your own Igloo
If you are looking for a unique way to spend an outdoor winter holiday, why not embrace the traditions of the Inuit people, and build or even sleep in your very own igloo! “The interior of an igloo is like its own little world — a green yellow light seeps in through the walls and absolutely no sound penetrates from …
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Tobogganing – a Wintertime ‘Rush’ for All Ages!
If you are planning a winter holiday in the Alps, you do not necessarily have to only ski or snowboard. In fact to experience the exhilaration of going down a mountain at high speed, you don’t have ski or snowboard at all. You can experience this exciting, family-friendly activity, fit for all ages, at a multitude of winter holiday destinations; …
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Snowshoeing – a Primitive Winter Pastime is Revived
In our last blog post, we discussed how a growing number of winter resorts are additionally catering to those looking for a more serene outdoor experience away from the flurry and fast pace of skiers and snowboarders. Snow shoe hiking or snow shoeing is one such activity that allows you to escape the crowds. Not only can you access specially …
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Winter Walking in the Alps
In the Alps, more and more ski resorts and surrounding villages/towns are realizing that not every outdoor fan is interested in downhill and cross country skiing or snowboarding. A niche market is developing for people who prefer a gentler winter experience, away from the crowds. Your mind might automatically think snow-shoeing, but there is also an increasing number of winter …
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