Iceland is a country filled with take-your-breath-away landscapes that vary from massive blue glaciers to black sand beaches and colorful moss-covered lava fields to misty waterfalls. Since our first trip to Iceland four years ago, it’s become a country easily accessible to travelers with many of them taking advantage of Icelandair’s free stopover. Most explore […]
Adventure and Wine on the Rheinsteig Trail
The Rheinsteig Trail runs for 320 kilometers from Bonn to Wiesbaden, passing by castles and through vineyards on the east bank of the Rhine River. The perfect combination of adventure and wine, the German National Tourist Office invited me to hike part of the long distance trail to celebrate the Rheinsteig’s 10-year anniversary. Tim is […]
Mount Etna: Europe’s Tallest Active Volcano
I might be a bit obsessed with volcanoes. And not just any volcanoes; its the active ones give me a real thrill. It’s why I couldn’t resist climbing Stromboli to get up close with spewing lava and why the one thing I just had to see when I visited Sicily was Mount Etna. After all, […]
Hiking Stromboli: One of the World’s Most Active Volcanoes
Volcanoes fascinate me. Last year I was thrilled to be in Iceland when Bardarbunga started erupting and I got a thrill when I could see the explosions of lava shooting in to the air during my few nights in Myvatn. When I heard that you could trek up one of Italy’s three active volcanoes at […]
Best Grand Canyon Hikes
Each year more than five million flock to the Grand Canyon to see the staggering views. But forget the tour bus and don’t be satisfied with simply peering over the rim on your Grand Canyon trip. The best way to experience the Grand Canyon is from below the rim. With more than 500 miles logged […]
15 Reasons to Go to Friuli Venezia Giulia Right Now
Everyone knows any Italy itinerary should include visits Rome, Florence, and Venice. You might even know some of Italy’s “off-the-beaten-path” (that really aren’t so off-the-beaten-path anymore) destinations like San Gimignano, Bologna, and Cinque Terre. But I’d bet that unless you live in the Friuli Venezia Giulia like we did, you’ve probably not heard of or […]
France’s Ardeche is for Adventurers
Mention the South of France and I know I immediately picture the yachts moored at the most exclusive beach clubs in St. Tropez and haute couture on the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival. But the South of France isn’t all yacht parties and champagne until the wee hours. The Ardeche has a decidedly […]
7 Things to Do in the Westman Islands
Icelanders sort of shake it off if you tell them they are brave. But truth be told, they are. They essentially live on a rock with active volcanoes on and below it. Eruptions typically occur every two to three years and sleeping giants could cause mass devastation at any moment without warning. And that’s exactly […]
Climbing the Via Ferrata du Pont du Diable
I was about to trust my life to some metal cables anchored to a cliff face high above the Ardeche River. I don’t have a fear of heights – I’ve flown a stunt plane and mastered a knee hang on the flying trapeze, after all – but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that […]
Hiking Iceland’s Smoky Valley
Plumes of steam rise up around me like smoke rising from a fire. One step in the wrong bubbling pool, and the soles of your shoes could literally melt. But not to worry; the dangerous pools are marked with signs and so long as you stick to the well-trodden trail, Reykjadalur is a beautiful spot […]
