mountain travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

Malyovitsa is a small resort 40 kilometers away from Borovets. Malyovitsa is a peak and ski resort in the northwestern part of the Rila Mountains in southwestern Bulgaria. The Rila Monastery is situated at its southern foot, and Malyovitsa Ski Centre — with two downhill tracks and two ski drags — is to the north. The Malyovitsa resort is situated at the foot of the peak.

Malyovitsa offers, mainly, beginner to early-intermediate skiing and boarding up to 1,700m altitude. There are several ski pistes and several sport equipment in the region.The first organized expeditions were made in 1921-22 by tourists from Samokov town.

Malyovitsa is a famous place of the Bulgarian alpinism and mountaineering, trekking and a natural base for alpine sports.The biggest mountain walls are situated here as well as the most difficult climbing route in the whole country. Wonderful mountain scenery can be seen from here. The accommodation facilities are not very well developed.

Telluride is a slice of paradise in the beautiful San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. Telluride and Mountain Village are great places for the whole family.

The main street is delightful for shopping, munching, and people-watching; you can sign up for a walking tour, or guide yourself with a map available from the visitor’s center.

It is best known for its world-class ski resort, which boasts 1,700 acres of terrain and three air gardens and terrain parks.

The resort has feature a new luxury hotels and residential property in the spectacularly beautiful setting of the Town of Mountain Village, above historic Telluride.

There are dozens of festivals held here annually, including the extremely popular Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Blues and Brews and more.

Slovenia has dozens of world class ski resort. Slovenian ski centers and winter resorts attract Alpine and tour skiers, cross-country skiers, borders, sledgers. The biggest skiing center is Maribor, which in an area 270 m above sea level beside the Drava River. Many tourists choose to spend their winter holidays on the snow, more than 40 km of ski tracks offers different winter adventures with all grades of difficulty at an altitude of 325 m to 1327 m above sea level.

 In January, Maribor hosts to the annual World Cup women’s slalom and giant slalom races – Golden Fox Trophy. This alpine skiing competition draws visitors from all over Slovenia and the world. The competition route is equipped with arena for over 25,000 viewers, a chairlift and everything else that is necessary for a ski resort hosting a first class competition. Also held here are two World Cup snowboarding championships – World Cup Telemark competition and FIS World Youth Championship race.  
 Skiing there is also possible in early spring, and particularly attractive is the night skiing which offers a magnificent night panorama of the city. In the summer time visitors are attracted by the waters and the sky above Slovenia, in spring and autumn by the colorful hiking and biking trails…

La Pleta is an luxury health hotel located in the heart of the Pyrenees, in the Baqueira-Beret Ski Resort. It’s one of Spain’s premier 5 Star ski hotel, member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. La Pleta is situated at slopes to height 1.750 m above sea level and only 3 hours from the Barcelona Airport. The hotel is surrounded by a picturesque mountain scenery that takes the breath away. La Pleta, by Rafael Hotels, is the Pyrenees top destination, ideal for making a trip to the mountain.

The hotel is renovated in 2004, guaranteed a tranquil and comfortable stay in the rooms or enjoyable suites. The property offers 71 rooms with spacious bathrooms and forms. They are equipped with the latest technology, such as the safety deposit box, mini-bar, hairdryer, satellite television and background music. The hotel’s facilities including the indoor swimming pool, gym and spa & beauty salon.

This typically alpine resort is the perfect base of the fascinating scenery that folds itself around waterfalls, forests and lakes. The hotel’s area offers the wide variety of attractions. There are 57 ski slopes for skiing and snowboarding, also you can go fishing in crystal clear mountain rivers, hike on hidden paths through an untouched nature, discover tiny, romantic villages on a mountain-bike.

Location: Stranja Mountain area, the town of Berkovitsa – at the northern foothill of the Mountain. It is at a distance of 89 km to the north of Sofia, Bulgaria.  Mt.Kom(2016) in the immediate proximity to the border with Serbia, and the Black Sea Cape Emine – the eastern end of the mountain and the country.
The middle of the route is around the Uzana Chalet. The total length of the gorge is 156 km. The Kom – Emine route is about 700 km long, 250 km of which run in the central Balkan Mountain (80 km across the Central Balkan Mountain National Park). The hiking tour takes normally between 20-25 days under summer ,1 month under winter conditions.

Kom- Emine is an arena of marathon, the official record for the time being 5 days and 17 hours. It is the completing part of the European Transitional Pedestrian Route- Emine. All the normal daily hiking tracks facility. Bathing in the Black Sea is mandatory, regardless of the season and the meteorological conditions.

Today Kilimanjaro is an exotic destination, which is threatened by degradation from climate change. Every year travel industry sends about 30, 000 climbers toward Kilimanjaro’s summit.

To reach the great summit, there’re six routes established, some of them however demanding mountaineering routes. The most difficult and also short used route is the Marangu, the others routes take a little longer to reach the summit.

While climbing in the moors there’re weird plans such as olonnade-like, eight-foot lobelias and clusters of tree-size senecio kilimanjari, or giant groundsels, with clumps of cabbage-shaped leaf clusters atop withered-looking trunks.

The population of Kilimanjaro is called Chagga — which are the people who can carry up to 50 pounds on their head. WOW. Kilimanjaro has two main climbing seasons: January through February and mid-June through mid-October, typically the most stable weather periods. Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain rise in the world, and includes the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 meters providing a dramatic view from the surrounding plains.

Glaciers, waterfalls, wild mountain streams, mountain lakes, Alpine moors, Alpine flora and traditional agriculture have made it into a high valley of spectacular beauty. Lauterbrunnen is a small unspoilt village in Switzerland nestled between the towering walls of a sheer-sided valley that is famed for its waterfalls. This Alpine valley – Lauterbrunnen is situated in the impressive glaciated valley with the beautiful mountain ranges of Jungfrau, Shilthorn, and Breithorn on its doorstep. It is the departing point to the famous car-free resorts of Wengen and Murren, as well as the Jungfraujoch -Top of Europe (the highest train station in Europe) and the Schiltorn/Piz Gloria (made famous by James Bond).

The Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the most scenic areas on the face of the earth. Lauterbrunnen is tucked into a deep, long valley of rocky cliffs and green pastures. The valley has 72 waterfalls, including the Staubbach Falls and the equally famous Trummelbach Falls, a series of 10 falls inside a mountain gorge that require a descent by undeground funicular. In Lauterbrunnen itself, the Talmuseum has exhibits on iron mining and other aspects of the valley’s history.

Trummelbach Falls is unique, in that seven of its 10 cascades are inside a mountain. A lift takes you up inside the mountain, and you start climbing up to the cascades. The tunnels and stairs that lead to the cascades are dimly lit and damp, with water dripping everywhere. Add the deafening roar of water and the constant vibration in the rock, and considering we were the only two there, it was downright spooky. 20,000 litres of water flows through Trummelbach per second! Switzerland is incredibly beautiful – lots of perfectly kept chalets with flower boxes under each window, the Swiss flags over the balcony, firewood stacked neatly in the back and cows bells ringing in all directions.
For hikers, skiers, and alpine sightseers with limited budgets, Lauterbrunnen has much to offer–including a valley location that makes it a convenient touring base for the Jungfrau Region, especially when traveling by car.

The river Weisse Lutschine flows through Lauterbrunnen and overflows its banks about once a year. The source of the river comes from melting snow high in the mountains, thus making it a very pure and clean source of water. It is common practice in the camp sites to chill drinks in the water.

One of the greatest morning scenes in Texas, USA, is found just south of the Guadalupe Mountains, where the first rays of sun transform the dramatic eastern escarpment of El Capitan into a brilliant copper-orange curtain of light. The Guadalupe Mountains are part of one of the finest examples of an ancient marine fossil reef on Earth. Geologists come here from around the world to marvel at this extraordinary natural phenomenon, which formed approximately 250 million years ago in the geologic period know as the Permian. Today, El Capitan is the most distinct landmark within Guadalupe Mountains National Park, with trails around the base and near other mountains providing great views of the mountain.

El Capitan stands at the southern edge of the Guadalupe Mountains. The mountain is visible for tens of miles, and can be seen from such distant locations as Carlsbad, New Mexico. The mountain is composed of Capitan limestone, which formed from the skeletons of small aquatic creatures that lived during the Permian Period. During the 1800’s, settlers used the mountain as a landmark for navigation. El Capitan, used as a signal peak for hundreds of years by travellers in the area, is a stunning peak rising quite abruptly out of the Chihuahuan Desert floor in West Texas.

El Capitan is composed of Capitan Limestone, which is the Permian-aged limestone reef deposit. A reef is a submerged resistant mound or ridge formed by the accumulation of plant and animal skeletons. The Capitan Limestone is a massive, fine-grained fossiliferous limestone that formed by growth and accumulation of invertebrate skeleton of algae, sponges, and tiny colonial animals called bryozoans. These skeletons were stabilized by encrusting organisms that grew over and cemented the solid reef rock, unlike modern reefs built by mainly a rigid framework of corals.

The fauna in this area is characteristic of that of the Chihuahuan Desert but with more trees. The trees along the road way in this area consists of One-seeded, Alligator and other Junipers, Pinon Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Scrub and Live Oaks. There are actually Douglas Fir in the higher elevations. Hwy. 62/180 runs through the middle of these mountains. The mountains themselves are actually an old Corral Reef dating from back when this area was under the ocean. Therefore the majority of the rock in this area is fragmented limestone.
El Capitan is guarded by cliffs on three sides, and those faces are rarely climbed due to the unstable condition of the rock and the sheer nature of the peak. Hikers can scramble up to the summit by first climbing to near the summit of Guadalupe Peak and scrambling down to the south to the Guadalupe Peak-El Capitan saddle, then up the backside of El Cap.
This El Capitan is not to be confused with its El Capitan cousin in Yosemite – El Capitan of Guadalupe Mountains National Park is comparable in stature and sheerness.

Mountain range Vitosha is the closest mountain range in the territory of Sofia, Bulgaria city. On 5 kilometers from the center of Boiana. The waterfall of Boiana stored a river a beautiful waterfall in the mountain range is most great. The Boiana river is below tame, but Up starts to rage on and be changed on an enormous waterfall.

The waterfall is high 15 undergrounds. If you look overhead over him, you will see the full view in Sofia. The sight is amazing and fair. When rising you need on it to know that it is little aggressively! Be prepared! At the waterfall everything has in sight set relatively its nature, not dirtied. It is much placid and calm, only for walkabout besides. The self-noise is being heard It Water falls. It is particularly beautiful in the spring, when the snow tapered. The water is huge and is being discharged Aim As well vehemently down. Do one walkabout You see alone this nature element. A fantastic point for time off and outing is Vitosha to you except this range.

The Boiana waterfall is again an interesting object in the winter. It is known as an entity for an arctic clambering. The water freezes over and loiters about as two arctic natural languages. To the supporters of the strong aces this clambering will be much interesting. Rise more frozen ice is real shiver. The waterfall is easily accessible from to “The Kopitoto”. The drive to there is for nearly 1 hour, as the bigger part is equal in the way. Other way that is has as well got from for the river Boiana, it’s longer but easy. This is one of the things of the nature, that a human bows down!
Boiana Waterfall – it will foot the hint to you with is beauty its pure nature as well!

The Jungfraujoch is the lowest point on the mountain ridge between Munch and Jungfrau, at 3471 m. It is just above this location that the mountain station of Jungfraujoch is located, which at an elevation of 3,454 metres is the highest railway station in Europe. Whether you just want to enjoy the unique alpine scenery or make the Jungfraujoch the base for your climbing tours, you will find the dining opportunity that suits you best.

The Jungfraujoch is not only one of Switzerland’s most attractive excursion destinations and vantage points. It has also proved to be an excellent location for a wide variety of research projects. The high altitude, clear air and easy access by mountain railway are ideal conditions for a wide range of scientific work. Astronomers, geologists, physicists, meteorologists and hydrologists – they all make an essential contribution towards our understanding of the environment.

First at 2060m is starting point for many good trails. In summer the cable car starts running from May 18th all the way to First, but most trails are likely covered in deep snow another couple of weeks. The 50 min walk to Bachalpsee (a lake) is supposedly great and the views seen from available post cards seem fabulous (mountains reflecting in the lake). Walking down between the stations Schreckfeld and Bort is a steep tarmac trail taking close to 1 hr. You get there via Europe’s highest railway station inside the ice! (No civil engineering challenge is too great for the Swiss. The more difficult, the better they like it!)
Walking some sections of the journey, up or down, is perfectly feasible in summer, and can also save plenty, with fares from intermediate points along the route considerably lower. The undiscounted Good Morning ticket from Grindelwald is Fr.103, from Lauterbrunnen Fr.102

A lot of winter resorts offer an winter bike – more whole world competitions stage themselves. What a human made in today’s time, satisfies its emotion from adventures. One of the pleasures to be a mountainous bicycle in the winter. Ride bicycles instead of skiing-sport be much in extreme know. Winter bike is offbeat by rubbing along, the rate that you can develop, is bigger from this in the summer for example. The terrain is more smooth, and the strips and the skiing-ways are with a large rock. The operation is different on the bicycle naturally and this initiates danger by fall. Bicycle Quality needs to be good. The atmospheric conditions are much important. To be still a professional contestant you to need to manage the bicycle. Despite sport appears connected, he is risky and claims good equipment – of joints, a hard hat, a mail and gloves. The wear of the winter season is very important.
Ride your mountain bike in the winter? In the Adirondacks, are you crazy? Well maybe, but I’ve been riding year – round now for seven or eight years and have enjoyed many great winter rides. You just have to change your outlook slightly from summer riding. First, you don’t need many miles of trails, just one or two close to you. Well-traveled snowmobile trails or unmaintained town roads are great for winter riding. Limit the rides to one-three hours, to keep warm and still get plenty of exercise. The weather conditions will determine where and how you ride. For the benefit of all riders, please ensure that your bicycle is in good working order. Along with your multigear bicycle please bring water bottles, a snack, spare inner tube, air pump and change for refreshments at our scheduled rest stops. Cycling skills do vary within the club, but at a minimum it is recommended that a rider should be able to maintain an average pace of 20 kph for up to a 50 km ride.
Many of the industry’s biggest names, such as SRAM, Mavic/Adidas Cycling, Cannon dale, Giant Bicycles, Maverick, Ciclo Tech, Cycle Source Group, Fuji Bicycles/SE Racing, Kinesys, Primal PI, Bicycle Safety Inc. 3rd Eye Mirrors, Princeton Tec, Titus Cycle, WTB, Quality Bicycle Products, and Bicycle Retailer & Industry News have made the commitment to showcase their brands and products at Winter bike. In the country this does sports Solicit Through 1995 year. Winter bike was practiced in all skiing-resorts in USA now. Where the snow is hard, tenderized there are suitable tracks and skiing-tracks. If you love the challenges, the unusual year-sport – this adventure is to you!

Verbier is a resort town in the east central part of the Switzerland. It is dominated by chalet-style houses and mid-size hotels, giving it a traditional Swiss feel that is at odds with the multi-story hotel blocks and modern atmosphere typical of many major French resorts. This is the French-speaking region of Switzerland, but thanks to its standing as one of the most popular Alpine destinations for British tourists, Verbier also hangs out an “English is spoken” plaque for its visitors.The quaint Swiss town resting in the saddle of majestic mountains nearly 5,000 feet above the valley floor. The principal activity at Verbier during the winter is skiing. The ski area is one of the largest in Switzerland, extending as far as Thyon and up to the Mt Fort glacier. Much of the best skiing is off-piste, making the resort best suited for experienced, or at least enthusiastic skiers. The best sector for beginners is Savolyres. There is less infrastructure for snowboarding, but advanced boarders should consider a trip to Verbier for the magnificent off-piste possibilities. The Swiss ski resort of Verbier is part of the Four Valleys Ski Area with access to 412km of downhill skiing, with 47 individual pistes, served by 92 ski lifts.

For experts prepared to hire a guide in order to explore off-slope, Verbier is one of the big names. With its Four Valleys lift network and a claimed 250 miles of slopes; Verbier would seem at first sight to rank alongside the French mega-resorts such as Courchevel or La Plagne for slope skiers, too. But it doesn’t; the Four Valleys is an inconveniently sprawling affair, while Verbier’s local slopes are surprisingly confined. Verbier sector is anywhere accessible with a standard Verbier pass, 33 standard ski runs, 2 snow parks, 1 “Jardin de Neige” (an area which is relatively flat and is made for small children initiating skiing), 4 cross-country pistes and 2 walking areas.

With pistes above 2500 metres, skiing and snowboarding is assured throughout the season. There is an airport within two hours drive, so ski weekends, snowboard breaks and short ski holidays to Verbier are perfectly feasible.

A chic retreat, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain is situated high overlooking Paradise Valley and the mountains beyond. This boutique property has an exhilarating atmosphere with its modern architectural design, huge infinity pool, Asian-inspired Spa and minimalist ‘elements’ restaurant with Jade Bar overlooking the glittering Valley.The Sanctuary Spa features Asian-inspired design and philosophy and includes indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a fitness center with movement studio, meditation garden, a therapeutic Watsu pool and an outdoor lap pool. The resort also offers Arizona’s largest infinity-edge resort pool, 6 newly resurfaced tennis courts and hiking and biking trails.Sanctuary offers 98 luxurious mountain and spa casitas that make the most of the spectacular mountainside setting with breathtaking panoramic views. Features range from outdoor balconies and kitchen alcoves to wood-burning fireplaces and private outdoor soaking tubs. For a private getaway, choose one of the luxuriously appointed Mountainside homes or Spa casitas.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
98 casitas, 4 private residences
4 Private Mountaintop Homes
12 One-Bedroom Spa Casitas
12 Deluxe Spa Casitas
37 One and Two Bedroom Mountain Casita Suites
37 Deluxe Mountain Casitas
AMENITIES & SERVICES
At the hotel: Concierge, 24-hour Front Desk, Gift Shop, High Speed Internet, Laundry Service, Non Smoking Rooms, Parking, Room Service, Turndown Service, Valet Parking.

In your room: Luxurious, soft-textured Frette linens and robes, Exclusive Erno Laszlo signature in-room amenities, Slippers, In-room coffee service, Designer furnishings customized for comfort, Roomy desk with comfortable chair, Oversized chairs and sofas, Hair dryers, AM/FM radio, Alarm clock, Dual-line phone, Voice-mail, Dataport, CD player, 32″ remote control, elevision, DVD rental, Iron and ironing board, In-room private bar, Newspaper delivered daily, Nightly candlelight turn-down service, In-room massage available.

DINING

Elements has changed the view on dining in the Valley. Nestled exclusively on the North slope of Camelback Mountain, elements offers a breathtaking view of Paradise Valley, a premiere enclave of Scottsdale, Arizona. Executive Chef Charles Wiley presents his signature cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. Selected as one of “The Ten Best New Chefs in America“ by Food & Wine Magazine, Wiley has earned international acclaim for his innovative cuisine.

ACTIVITIES

On-site: A vast infinity-edge resort pool (the largest in Arizona), 25-yard outdoor lap pool, 2 heated mountainside swimming pools, 5 championship tennis courts, Spa/Fitness.

Nearby: Golf courses, Hiking trails & nature walks, Bicycling, Desert horseback riding, Desert jeep rides, Hot air ballooning, Visit prehistoric Indian ruins, World-class shopping, Art galleries / museums.

SPA & FITNESS

Sanctuary Spa – 12,000 square foot indoor and outdoor Spa. State-of-the-art fitness center, weight room and movement studio.

An intimate retreat, Sanctuary Spa offers a menu of Asian-inspired treatments in 14 indoor & outdoor treatment rooms. Enhanced by modern architecture and the breathtaking setting, the Spa’s relaxing meditation garden, reflecting pond and Watsu pool provide a tranquil experience. Spa services and classes in the state-of-the-art fitness center and movement studio include Pilates, meditation, Yoga, fitness & nutrition consultations, and more.

AREA ATTRACTIONS

Camelback Mountain hiking – adjacent
Scottsdale Fashion Square – 3 miles
Old Town Scottsdale – 4.5 miles
Biltmore Fashion Park – 5 miles
Phoenix Zoo – 8 miles
Heard Museum – 10 miles
Phoenix Art Museum – 10.5 miles
Taliesin West – 14 miles

Salt Lake City’s Wasatch Mountains are home to 7 world-class mountain ski resorts, all within 30 to 45 minutes from the Salt Lake Valley. An abundance of beautiful sunny days, various terrains to suit everyone’s needs, and quick access up the canyons, makes Skiing Salt Lake a very wise choice for your next ski vacation.
Here is list of mountains around Salt Lake City for Skiing:

Snowbird:

* 85 runs, 2500 skiable acres
* 29 miles from airport, in Little Cottonwood Canyon
* small slopeside pedestrian village
* look for Kids Ski Free deals
* Mining Camp fun park
* combined Alta-Snowbird pass gives skiers 4700 acres
* many programs for kids including nursery and child and youth night-time programs
* condo lodging
* flagship accommodation: Cliff Lodge & Spa

Alta

* skiers-only!
* 115 runs, 2200 acres
* 33 miles from the airport
* handful of lodges, condos, restaurants
* ski into neighboring Snowbird (with the right pass)
* ski school, day care, Children’s Ski Adventure Center

Brighton:

* 66 runs, 1050 acres
* 35 miles from airport, at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon
* combined Sol-Bright pass adds Solitude resort
* popular with teens and ‘boarders
* known for terrain parks
* voted #1 for Child/Family Friendly Terrain by local parenting magazine
* skiiing, boarding, any day, all season: kids under 10 ski free
* many lessons available, including Kinder Lessons for ages 4 to 7
* affordable slopeside Brighton Lodge has 20 rooms

Solitude:

* 64 runs, 1200 acres
* 28 miles from the airport, in Big Cottonwood Canyon
* Ski School with kids’ programs
* attractive “village” has ski-in, ski-out condos and inn, restaurants, grocery store, ice-rink, Club Solitude club-house with heated outdoor pool and whirlpools, theatre that shows family movies, games rooms, and lounge

The Canyons:

* Utah’s largest ski and snowboard resort has 152 runs, 3700 skiable acres, 8 mountains
* 33 miles from SLC airport, 4 miles from Park City’s historic Main Street
* kids programs include all-day daycare for ages 2-3 with 1 hour lesson
* teen clinics, terrain park clinics
* slopeside Grand Summit Resort Hotel is a AAA Four Diamond-rated property with outdoor heated pool, gourmet dining, etc. Nearby “ruggedly elegant” Sundial Lodge has rooftop hot tub, outdoor heated pool, lodgings from studios to multi-bedroom condominiums. Both offer ski-free packages.
* surrounding village has food, shops

Park City Mountain Resort:

* so close to Park City that “Town Lift” is actually in the historic part of town
* over 104 runs, 3300 skiable acres, 6-pack lifts
* 37 miles from SLC airport
* Fast Tracks passes skip lineups, and are free w/ 4+ multi-day tickets
* 4 terrain parks, Olympic Superpipe
* Kids Mountain School
* many services, & lodging options

Deer Valley:

* 90 runs, 1750 acres
* chic skiers-only spot with top-of-the-line services
* 36 miles to airport
* childrens’ ski programs, age 3 and up; teen ski programs; child care, 2 months to 12 yrs. old
* Tricks n’ Turns (TNT) terrain park for family fun, with features for novices

The seven ski spots around Salt Lake City are so close that if you want a low-cost mega-snow vacation can stay in a motel in Salt Lake City (as low as $39) and ski / snowboard at a different spot each day. More information about each one of the resorts you can find here.

As a hikers’ paradise, you will find more than 80 miles of trails that meander through woodland canyons and lush riparian springs, or zigzag up steep switchbacks directly into the park’s rugged wilderness. Many trails are available for horseback riding if you bring your own stock. The park is a wonderful place to look at fossils and learn about Permian Age geology, enjoy bird watching and wildlife observation, delve into nature photography, or enjoy unlimited opportunities for stargazing under ancient night skies.
As part of the nation’s rock collection and an outstanding outdoor laboratory, Guadalupe Mountains National Park offers limitless opportunities for everyone to learn about its unique resources. Professional scientists and amateur naturalists alike will find the rewards of the park to be many.

More than 300 bird species are known to frequent Guadalupe Mountains National Park; there are more than 40 species alone that nest in McKittrick Canyon. With several unique life zones and a myriad of habitats, the park is a birder’s paradise.