Venice,Italy

Venice lies in the province of Venice, in the region of Veneto, in the Venetian Lagoon, and is - together with the lagoon - taken up on UNESCO's World Heritage List. It is a city built on 118 islands, the islands connected with each other through bridges. Unfortunately, however unique and appealing this is, research has proven that Venice is slowly sinking - and not only that. Recent studies have also found that Venice is slowly detaching from the main land, threatening to drift out onto the Adriatic if nothing is done to stop it. The question is if it can be stopped. The ethereal city of water and stone rises like a dream from the waters of the lagoon. Regional inhabitants founded Venice as a marshy haven from invading barbarians, and the city’s waterways became the heart of both its defenses and its eerie beauty. Ornate palaces line the Grand Canal, testament to the wealth and power of the Republic of Venice, which spanned nearly a millennium. St. Mark’s Square, designed to be approached from the water, has drawn a steady stream of awestruck travelers and artists for centuries. “A realist, in Venice, would become a romantic, by mere faithfulness to what he saw before him,” observed Welsh poet Arthur Symons. For modern visitors, part of the city’s unique appeal is its human scale and anachronistic carless infrastructure, with its narrow, mysterious streets and captivating canals, crossed by hundreds of gracefully arched marble bridges above and gliding, silent gondolas below. But La Serenissima, the most serene, has long struggled to maintain its moniker in the face of mass tourism, a declining resident population, and the physical decay of its buildings.

Nevertheless, Venice will continue to exist for a significant number of years, as it is "only" sinking 20 centimeters (7,8 inches) every century. Meanwhile, you might as well go over and enjoy.Venice at night: it doesn't really matter where you go, as long as you wander the streets after dark. The Veneto-Byzantine architecture, narrow streets and lights reflecting on the canals make it a spectacularly beautiful sight to see, and makes the perfect setting for a romantic dinner almost anywhere in Paris. The Chamber of Torment, also known as The Torture Chamber, and the prison cells of Doge's Palace, or Palazzo Ducale: the torture chamber is in its original state and holds one single device as it did back in the days.

Trolltunga,Norway

Trolltunga is one of the most spectactular scenic cliffs in Norway. Trolltunga  is situated about 1100 meters above sea level, hovering 700 metres above lake Ringedalsvatnet in Skjeggedal. The view is breathtaking. The hike goes through high mountains, takes 8-10 hours in total (to Trolltunga and return) and the ascent is about 900 meters.The hike is usually possible to do from mid June, depending on when the snow melts in the mountains. Normally one can hike to Trolltunga until mid September. Consider carefully whether you are in good enough shape and have the right equipment before setting out. Plan carefully and start early in the day. There is no mobilephone coverage along the route.
From Odda you can drive to Tyssedal on route 13. From Tyssedal follow signs to Skjeggedal. Parking in Skjeggedal after 7 km. Parking fee NOK 100 pr day in Skjeggedal. The hike starts at the beginning of the funicular Mågelibanen (not in operation) in Skjeggedal. Follow the path that starts on the right side of the funicular. The path is marked with painted red T’s in the terrain. There are some signs along the route.

 If you want to stay overnight in the mountain area around the Trolltunga we  recommend bringing your own tent.

All nature based activities are at your own risk. You will need sturdy hiking boots, bring extra clothing and be prepared for bad weather. Bring map and compass, food and drink. Respect the nature. Weather in the high mountains can change quickly - check the latest weather forecast before going to Trolltunga.

The Isle of Skye,Scotland

The Isle of Skye is a gem of an island, lying off the west coast of Scotland, with beautiful mountain scenery, interesting geology, stunning sea lochs and plenty of wildlife.Skye is the largest of the Inner Hebrides lying of the west coast of Scotland and its landscape is distinctly Highland with its lochs, heather-clad moors and towering peaks.

Despite its small size, Skye boasts an impressive 20 Munros, making the island a favourite with hillwalkers keen to tackle the heights of its Cuillin mountain range. The Black Cuillin is famous for its dramatic jagged ridge and the Inaccessible Pinnacle, a 150 ft rock making Sgurr Dearg the only Munro in Scotland with a summit that can only be reached by rock climbing.

Under the shadow of the towering Black Cuillin lies Loch Coruisk. With its reflective waters and mountain scenery, the loch is considered to be one of the most beautiful sights in Scotland.

Aside from the Munros, Skye features many other geological marvels such as the breathtaking landslip formation, the Quiraing, the astounding sea cliff of Kilt Rock on the rocky coastline of Trotternish, and strange rock pinnacles like the Old Man of Storr. The Faerie Pools of Glenbrittle are fast becoming a popular place for a swim thanks to its beautiful clear waters and spectacular surrounding scenery.

The Fairy Pools is located in Cuillins Hills, Isle of Skye, Scotland. The Fairy Pools are a series of clear, cold pools and waterfalls formed as Allt Coir’ a’ Mhadaidh tumbles down from the foothills of the Black Cuillins into Glen Brittle. Park at the Forestry car park and follow the signposted path opposite the parking area. To reach the pools take the right fork on the path after a hundred yards or so, and follow the trail for about 10 minutes to where the ground rises in a small plateau. The location of the Pools beneath the looming bulk of the Cuillins is wonderful, and the drama of the waterfalls and the sinuous beauty of the rock formations carved by the falling water give the Fairy Pools a magical feel.

Skye’s scenic landscape also provides a home for an abundant array of wildlife. Red deer, Scottish wildcats, pine martens and mountain hares roam the hillsides while around the coast you are sure to spot seabirds, seals and, if you are lucky, otters. In summer, why not take a boat trip, where you may catch a glimpse of dolphins, sea eagles and golden eagles?

Mt. Roraima,South America

The incredible top of Mount Roraima, the 1.8 million year old sandstone plateau. It is also called Roraima Tepui or Cerro Roraima. The geological marvel is one of the oldest formations on Earth, a natural border between Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana in South America. The mountain is part of Venezuela’s Canaima National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Angel Falls is also part of this beautiful park. Roraima’s highest point is Maverick Rock at 2,810 meters (9,219 feet). For nature and landscape lovers, Mount Roraima is said to have some of the most fascinating hiking trails in the world.Arthur Conan Doyle populated the tepui Roraima with dinosaurs, strange vegetation and animals in his book, The Lost World, based on the accounts of British explorers Everard IM Thum and Harry Perkins who were the first Europeans to ascend Mount Roraima in 1884.

Subsequent explorations and modern day climbers and trekkers find no dinosaurs, fossils or traces of prehistoric life on the top of the tepui, but they do find a fantastic world of cystal valleys, gorges, sandy beaches, mists and fog, fissures, rock formations, pools and waterfalls. Mount Roraima is the tallest of the table mountains called tepuis and is located in the southeastern corner of Canaima National Park, near the borders of Brazil and Guyana.

This is the land of tropical savannahs, cloud forests, tepuis, rivers and waterfalls. Roraima is one of the most recommended climbs in South America, and most people allow eight days for the trip. However, this allows only one day on the top of the tepui, which isn't enough time to properly explore all the nooks and crannies. Unfortunately, backpackers are limited by what they can carry.

Mendenhall Ice Caves,Juneau,Alaska

Mendenhall, the famously 12 mile long, 150 foot deep and half mile wide glacier melts as you watch it, and moves as much as 60-70 feet per year. The massive glacial geography and its changes over time are a sight to be seen. But it’s real beauty lies beneath. Beneath the seracs of “ice peaks” all over the glacier. Beneath the trails that wind the non-touristy western half of the glacier. Under the white outer-coating of the glacial ice itself–a beautiful if only superficial “cover”–one finds a brilliantly colored world of ice caves unlike anything I’ve found anywhere else in nature.

Neither raging nor deep, there are two waterfalls that slip down the side of adjacent Mt. McGinnis in Juneau, Alaska. These gentle streams belie their real impact on the glacier. As one follows the flow of water down the mountain, it slips under the edge of the glacier where, over thousands of years, it has carved massive caves through the ice. Known by most of the locals but far, far off the tourist track, these caves were an extraordinary experience–the kind that will live with you for the rest of your life. There’s simply nothing else like it.

The path to get there is not so much difficult as it is technical–requiring balance and calculated movements more than muscle or raw perseverance. Park at the head of Western Glacier Trail. Hike the trail out to the viewing platform atop the small knoll. There’ll be a sign pointing to it. But instead of continuing along Western Glacier Trail, you’ll take the unmarked trail from the viewing platform down towards the glacier. This path is technical and moderately arduous, but not overly long. It’ll wind through Juneau’s beautiful rain forests and take you through some areas where you will need to climb over large rocks (no climbing gear is needed–the rocks are easy, just tall). From here, you’ll begin the final descent onto the glacier itself. You WILL need ice cleats or, at minimum, crampons. Climb the glacier for a while and behold the majestic beauty of the ice upfront. You can see holes that go all the way through the glacier with constantly streaming flows of water–a reminder that the massive ice is moving and melting all the time. But before you leave, do not miss the ice caves beneath the glacier. Climb the left side of the glacier along the edge, and follow the sound and sight of the waterfalls coming down Mt. McGinnis. There are other ice caves to be found, but this is the only one I had the time for on my journey. But at several hundred yards deep before the cave opening gets to be so small you can no longer go any deeper inside, it won’t leave you disappointed.