RT2015

Hi all,

Having just returned from my first trip to Europe I am already excited about coming back. I am tossing up between Europe again next year and South America, but think it will be Europe, hopefully for four weeks. I did six weeks this year but can't do that again next year.

My main priority this time is hiking somewhere super high! I did some treks along the Cinque Terre and the Dolomites from Ortisei, which were wonderful, but merely whet my appetite for more adventurous things. I am considering via feratta routes in the Dolomites, or perhaps the Alps. I don't really want to be caught in hiking traffic jams so will that rule out Chamonix/Mont Blanc? I know there are other countries nearby with good mountains (Slovakia?) but I would like to see some extra high ones seeing as I come from Australia where we don't really have them!

I would love some suggestions.

I would also love to see some of Italy again (am in love with the place), but also want to check out a new country, such as Slovenia. Lake Bled looks stunning. So perhaps I could head there after the trekking, for some more, easier hikes. From there I would like a city and maybe a couple of days on the coast. It would be great to fly home either from Rome or Paris (I did both cities this year and while I want new experiences I would also love to see these again - like I say, I can't get enough of Italy! And Paris was just so cool and fun ... I thought perhaps flying into Munich would be good for the Dolomites? But destination will depend on where I do my challenging hiking ...

Thanks,
RT

Andrew

I love Slovenia - beautiful little country. Ljubljana is like a fairy tale town, at the center, anyway, with cute little bridges, beautiful architecture, and a castle on the hill.

I loved the Cinque Terre, too, but it is incredibly crowded and touristy. By comparison, Slovenia will seem empty. It seems not to get that many American tourists.

Lake Bled is stunning - but it is pretty small. It's a long-developed vacation resort area. Nearby Lake Bohinj is much different - a lot bigger and much less developed, more of a "back to nature" experience. I didn't do any serious hiking while I was there, but I have no doubt there are hiking trails in and around Bohinj. There's also the huge Triglav National Park nearby.

You can also drive over the Vrsic Pass and into the Soca Valley - the "Julian Alps" driving loops. More hiking opportunities but, again, I didn't do much.

You can read my 2011 trip report regarding (mostly) Slovenia and see lots of pictures by clicking on my name/profile.

RT2015

Thanks Andrew, I will take a look.

I loved the Dolomites for many reasons, including the lack of American and Australian (where I am from) tourists. I have nothing against either but it was refreshing to mix with more 'local' tourists.

So perhaps I would do Lake Bohinj instead ... I probably wouldn't drive as I would likely be on my own. Happy to drive with company but coming from the other side of the road, it is always much more reassuring to have a navigator!

So much to think about ... and to try to stop myself feeling guilty for all this self indulgent travel when there are so many other things in life to pay for also!

sandralist

There is no reason to rule out the Aosta for fear of traffic jams, especially if you are not driving. Only the tunnel gets traffic jams during the ski season. Most of the Valle d'Aosta is empty, and the hiking is beautiful and the food/wine is wonderful. When I was there I don't recall running into another English speaker. You can reach most of the Valle d'Aosta without a car. And you can take the Montebianco 5 stage cable car ride if you are really feeling adventurous and want some peaks. But you can also do beautiful rambles through the various Alpine valleys of the Aosta region, with cows and butterflies and millions of tiny flowers.

RT2015

Thanks sandralist, you are helpful as always! So do you think this side of the Mont Blanc is better to stay than Chamonix? Can you climb high peaks from here or is it mostly valley walks? I love your country!

suhi2000

Hi
Here you will find some of most scenic walk in Slovenia.
http://www.slovenia-trips.com/eng/hi...taineering/pic

If you cross the border, there are some Italian mountains which are realy uncrowded (between Slovenia and Dolomites).

Slovenian mountain track are very vell marked and Bohinj is probably the best place for start. Also Bovec with stunning river Soca, Kranjska gora or Kamnik, just 40min drive from Ljubljana with bus.

If you come in summer time you can go in Istria (Croatia) and from there with boat to Venice and then explor Italy.

Aosta is definetly much more pleasent in compare with Chamonix. From Slovenia, Austria is also very close.

If you want somethink diferent then look at Bulgaria (Pirin and Musala mountain) or Romania (transilvania and maramures). Very cheap, very untouch, very authentic and definetly with no US and AUS tourist.

Edward2005

You need this book: "100 Hut Walks in the Alps: Routes for day and multi-day walks".

The alps has a network of mountain huts which connect hiking routes throughout the region. You can hike hundreds of miles and never come out of the alps while sleeping in these huts each night.

http://www.amazon.com/100-Hut-Walks-...iking+the+alps

sandralist

I am biased toward Italy, and Chamonix is much more developed than most of the valle d'Aosta. I am not a climber, but there are high peaks in the valle d'Aosta, some so high you would need a guide. it is a trade-off though between wanting to do high-peak climbs and wanting to enjoy the mountains away from tourists, because peaks like Montebianco and the Matterhorn (which you can reach from the Italian side) can only be attempted in a very brief weather window period, and are internationally popular with tourists.

But I agree with suhi2000 that if you want high peaks and no crowds and if you like Italy and want to see Slovenia, you can combine it all with a trip to the Julian/Carnic Alps. But you would need to do some careful planning if you were not going to rent a car.

http://www.alpifvg.it/en/localities.html

RT2015

Thanks all. Edward2005 I have just ordered the book.

I am also biased towards Italy Sandralist after my recent trip!

Perhaps I can do Carnic Alps and then be able to see Italy again while also easily access a neighbouring country. I have to admit I am leaning towards the Valle d'Aosta, because I would love to see the Mont Blanc region. However it looks like it will take quite a bit longer to get over to Slovenia or Croatia after that. I would also love to go Positano!

Priorities are some hiking/climbing on challenging routes for about a week, and then I would have around three weeks to have some relaxing beach time (preferably somewhere I could also walk - like what I did at the Cinque Terre this year - and a couple of cities. I like the idea of Berlin or Budapest, but I would also like to go back to one of either Paris or Rome! (Especially if I was there in sales time haha)


Thanks,
RT