Among the highlights of Ticino is the wild and romantic Verzasca Valley, with the famous Ponte dei Salti stone arch bridge of Lavertezzo, the rustic houses in Sonogno, and the many hikes along the river, across alpine pastures, or steeply up to one of the panoramic peaks. Read more
Via the 1700 m high Kantara Pass, I travelled eastwards from Ioannina into the fertile plain of Trikala. I left the mountains behind to marvel at one of Greece’s most unusual places: the unique rocks of Meteora with their monasteries suspended between heaven and earth, mass tourism and seclusion, money and God. I chose Kalambaka as my base for exploring. The mighty sandstone conglomerate cones are a challenge for climbers, but I found my joy in solitary hikes along old shepherd paths between the rock formations and through blooming valleys. Spring is a particular pleasure, as the air is filled with the sweet scent of emerging plant life. Passing Agias Trias, known from the James Bond film ‘For Your Eyes Only’, the path leads me up to this viewpoint. Trias, known from the James Bond film ‘For Your Eyes Only’, the path leads me up to this viewpoint.
I got up early to tackle the steep climb up the eastern foothills of the Taygetus Mountains, whose peaks rise to over 2500 m, to reach the former Byzantine ‘great city’ of Mystras in time for sunrise. Soon, the sun’s first rays illuminated a magnificent scene: the ruined city and the Laconian plain with the famous city of Sparta on the Greek Peloponnese peninsula. The Taygetus Mountains offer numerous impressive hikes, which can now be combined with medieval history and culture – impressive frescoes and buildings have been preserved or restored – as well as enjoying Greek hospitality.
On the last foothills of the Taygetus mountains towards the plain of Sparta in the south of the Greek Peloponnese peninsula lies Mystras, the former Byzantine fortress. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the city had up to 40,000 inhabitants; today, significantly fewer people live in the neighbouring village. The buildings are scattered across the entire mountainside right up to the castle. Many restored frescoes and churches from the Byzantine period are still preserved.
From the Cova volcanic crater at 1700m above sea level, a path winds down to the northwest coast of Santo Antao through one of the most fertile valleys of the Cape Verde Islands. Water flows through the valley all year round, even outside the rainy season, and accordingly, the diversity of tropical plant life is immense. Mangoes, papayas, bananas, and grapefruits grow here, as do sugar cane, squash, and cassava. Magnificent blossoms form colourful fountains amidst the lush green.
The steep north-east coast of Santo Antao enchants with its raw wildness, yet it offers no safe harbours against the wind and waves crashing here from the open Atlantic against the westernmost island of Cape Verde. Therefore, ships must drop anchor off the coast and transfer the cargo onto small rowing boats. Read more
The valley mouths by the sea are the starting point for unique mountain paths through the wild, rugged mountains of Santo Antao, the westernmost island of Cape Verde. From sea level, the trails lead up over 1,000 metres to the peaks. At the town of Ribeira Grande, the valley of the same name and the Ribeira da Torre meet.
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