Category: Outdoors
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Hiking to the Kofel, Oberammergau’s Signature Mountain
Towering over the village of Oberammergau is the Kofel, a Matterhorn-shaped mountain with an elevation of 1,342 meters (4,400 feet). The name Kofel means “cone-shaped mountain” in Celtic, and so hints at the different peoples who once passed through this mountainous part of Germany. The Bavarians we’ve met in this picturesque town are well-versed in the art…
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A Peek at Linderhof Palace
Schloss Linderhof is the smallest of three castles built by King Ludwig II in Germany’s state of Bavaria in the mid to late 1800s. Simultaneously referred to as the “Fairy Tale King” and “Mad King Ludwig,” eccentric Ludwig is perhaps best known for having commissioned Neuschwanstein Castle, the so-called “Cinderella” or “Disney Castle.” King Ludwig…
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An Afternoon at Claude Monet’s Garden in Giverny, France
Artist Claude Monet‘s name is synonymous with his dreamlike paintings which were inspired by his graceful gardens in Giverny, France, where he lived for 43 years. In 1980, Monet’s home and garden were opened to the public allowing Monet’s canvases to come to life. Today, visitors to Giverny can see the Japanese-style footbridge that spans the…
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Vientiane, Laos: An Afternoon at Buddha Park
Marry Buddhism, Hinduism and a touch of whimsy, and the result is Buddha Park – a sprawling green space dotted with more than 200 concrete sculptures near Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. Hopping out of a minivan shared with French and Swiss travelers we’d met at Vientiane’s bus station, we expressed relief that we…
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Sunrise, Sunset on Santorini
From blue hour strolls in Firostefani and Imerovigli to sunsets at Skaros Rock, we discover the peace and magic of Santorini at dawn and dusk.
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Savoring the Sunset at Greece’s Meteora Monasteries
A sunset tour of Meteora uncovers hidden hermit caves, charming monastery gardens, and enticing landscapes bathed in a golden glow.
