Outdoor Adventures: 2004
A good European trip includes more than a series of castles and museums. Europeans are into outdoor adventure, and many American travelers are finding fun ways to get wet, windblown and out of breath too. Any tips on outdoor thrills for mild-mannered back door tourists not packing ice axes? Share your favorite outdoor activity.
The Dolomites
For the great outdoors see the dolomites they are beautiful.Stay in one of the small villages like Castelrotto not boring and distant Bolzano. You will need a car to get there. Then hike,bike take pictures or just relax in the beauty of these mountains.I did in August.
JS
CA USA Mon 09/06/2004
Amazing adventure in Spain: ENGLISHTOWN
If you're open, gregarious and willing to try new things, I suggest you try the ENGLISHTOWN talkathon program in Spain! Its amazing -- for 7 days if you agree to live and converse with Spanish clients in english you get a holiday for free in either a quaint village or a 4 star hotel. I had a lovely time, met great people and will be continuing my travels with them!! most of your time is spent outdoors walking around. The website is www.vaughanvillage.com for more information. Enjoy Spain everyone!!!
EnglishGAL
madrid, Spain Thu 08/12/2004
Outdoors
Reit im Winkl, Bavaria, Germany (5 minutes from Austria) has cross-country and down hill skiing in winter, mountain biking and hiking in Summer and no American tour buses. Only Germans so come prepared (German phrase book and a willingness to communicate.) There are some hotels and almost every house has a room to rent. Most places take only cash. You could stay here a month and only meet 3 Americans (myself, my husband and another guy). Bike rentals and ski rentals are availible in several stores. No buildings of historic interest, only people(pop.3500). This is where Germany vacations!
DeAnn Hertzog
Reit im Winkl, Germany Mon 08/09/2004
GERMANY
Germany-Definately visit Mozel Kern and the castle Berg Eltz! It's a beautiful hike to the castle from the train stop in Mozel Kern to the castle..
Berlin-and definately go on the Insider Bike Tour when in Berlin..it was the best thing we did since its such a large city. we saw so much and learned so much from the guide..and afterwards we were able to go back and visit the sites on our own and at our pace.
Insidertours.com
Amy
USA Sat 07/31/2004
Walking Hadrian's Wall
Has anyone walked Hadrian's Wall? I am thinking about a mid-Sept. 2004 visit, but don't know if I should go solo and work out the luggage transfer on my own or sign on with a tour company (found quite a few via www.hadrians-wall.org and www.nationaltrail.co.uk) and let them deal with the logistics. Thanks!
Amy
USA Mon 07/12/2004
Isle of Skye, Scotland
There are many different outdoor opportunities on the Isle of Skye, from day hikes to tours. There is good hiking throughout the Red and Black Cuillins in the southwest portion of the island. Two unique rock formations on the Trotternish peninsula make for good day hikes, the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing.
I would also highly recommend the Bella Jane boat tour (www.bellajane.co.uk). This boat drops its riders off at Loch Coruisk, which is only accessible by boat and foot. This beautiful lake is surrounded by the Black Cuillin mountains. Riders can travel round trip or hike out over the mountains.
Will
Vancouver, WA USA Thu 06/17/2004
Excellent biking in southern Spain
I had a great experience on a biking trip through the Andalucia region of Spain last year. Went with a small outfitter called AdventureBug - there were only 5 of us on the tour, the leaders Matt & Julie Butler believe in getting up close & personal with the locals and show you places with no traffic and amazing scenery. It was consistent with the Rick Steves Back Door philosophy, and the price was right (under 800 euros for a week)!
Jeff
Waterford, CT USA Sun 05/09/2004
Fun in Venice
Feeding the piggeons in Venice was SO much fun in St. Marcs Square. What you do is you buy a bag of corn for $1.00. Before you even get a chance to open the bag, pidgeons come to you. They will land on your arms and your head and you can feed them from your hands! I could feed the Venician pigeons for hours!
Casey
Minnesota USA Fri 04/30/2004
Great Hiking in Italy
If you want some great hiking, come to Cinque Terre, Italy. We are here right now, in Vernazza. You are able to hike from Monterosso to Riomaggiore. That's from one end on Cinque Terre to another. My parents and I hiked from Corniglia(another village in Cinque Terre) to Vernazza. It's pretty tough hiking in some parts, but it's a wonderful view of the Mediterranean. So, if you are planning to come to Italy, Cinque Terre is a wonderful place to hike.
Casey
Minnesota USA Tue 03/16/2004