I arrived in Baku right at rush hour last night. It was getting dark when I got to my hotel so my first impressions of Azerbaijan are crazy traffic, lots of police, and some amazing architecture. Today was my zero day before my tour starts tomorrow. Not zero in that I did nothing but that … Continue reading Caucasus Day 0: Baku
Author: alliwanders
Italy Day 4: Arona
Time to travel a little further afield - down the lake to Arona! My FB sources claimed it was a cute town so at 9am I hopped on the ferry to see it for myself. One of the ferry stops was the 12thC hermitage of Sta Caterina perched above the lake It was a 1h15m … Continue reading Italy Day 4: Arona
Italy Day 3: Stresa
One of Stresa’s grand hotels on the waterfront Looking to stretch my legs, I decided to follow an “easy walk thru charming villages” up the hill towards Mount Mottarone suggested by my town map. I gave it 4 miles, to just above the town of Levo, then turned around. It was steep (as always) up … Continue reading Italy Day 3: Stresa
Italy Day 2: Lake Maggiore
Stresa anchors the western end of beautiful Lake Maggiore. I spent the day on its waters visiting first the gardens at Villa Taranto, then 2 of the Borromeo Islands close to Stresa. Early bird beats the crowds! A leisurely hour’s ride on a ferry brought me to Verbania, and the 20 hectares garden: Villa Taranto. A … Continue reading Italy Day 2: Lake Maggiore
Italy Day 1: Stresa
I had a few hours before my train from Martigny, Switzerland to Stresa, Italy so I visited the Foundation Pierre Gianadda museum. I’ve seen posters all over the TMB advertising their Rembrandt to Van Gogh show so I thought it might be interesting. What a pleasant surprise. The art was good, a selection from the … Continue reading Italy Day 1: Stresa
TMB 13: Champex > Col de la Forclaz
Last Day on the TMB! And what a day it was. I guess Mother Nature didn’t want me to miss out on any experiences so she threw me a day of rain, mist, rocks and mud. I knew I wasn’t off to a good start this morning when I looked out my balcony and I … Continue reading TMB 13: Champex > Col de la Forclaz
TMB Day 12: La Fouly > Champex-Lac
Yay! No snorers last night. And besides the occasional visits to the facilities my roomies were very quiet. It doesn’t mean I slept well but when bedtime is 9pm - 6:30am one gets quantity over quality. The forecast today looks a bit like my elevation profiles :/) but I should be able to get to … Continue reading TMB Day 12: La Fouly > Champex-Lac
TMB Day 11: Chalet Val Ferret > La Fouly
It’s a bright, beautiful morning and it’s forecast to be much warmer than yesterday. Mother Nature is definitely playing all her cards: 50’s and overcast yesterday, clear and 70’s today, 100% rain tomorrow. It keeps a hiker on her toes! I took the bus again this morning to the end of the valley to start … Continue reading TMB Day 11: Chalet Val Ferret > La Fouly
TMB Day 10: Chalet Val Ferret > Courmayeur
I’m staying in Courmayeur again tonight so for today’s walk I decided to go in the reverse direction: I took the bus out to the last stop at Chalet Val Ferret and walked back, hoping I’d get the best of the views in this direction. The way I’m not going…will head this way to the … Continue reading TMB Day 10: Chalet Val Ferret > Courmayeur
TMB Day 9: Courmayeur
A rest day today and what timing! Thunderstorms during the night and it’s absolutely tipping down with rain this morning. The mountains which hug this valley town are shrouded in mist - not a view to be had anywhere. My room at the Hotel Croux is another perfect single - with a huge balcony which … Continue reading TMB Day 9: Courmayeur
