I arrived in Hamar, a town tucked along the shores of Lake Mjøsa, just a 90-minute journey from the bustle of Oslo, via the Vy train. My base was the Scandic Hamar, a centrally located hotel that serves as a perfect jumping-off point for the region’s vast trail network.
While traveling through the French West Indies, my final night in St. Martin culminated in one of my most memorable dining experiences at Le Pressoir in Grand Case.
Just a few paces from where I sat, the sand – soft and golden – invited me down for a morning swim. The beach at the 4-star Grand Case Beach Club on St. Martin stretches in a graceful crescent, hugged on both ends by steep, rounded mountains cloaked in green vegetation.. The Caribbean water shimmered, impossibly clear and calm, revealing the sandy bottom even from the shore.
I arrived in Jotunheimen full of excitement and much anticipation. In Norse mythology, this is Jotunheim – an ancient land of myth, and the untamed realm of giants. Towering peaks, icy winds, distant dark lakes. A realm still both evocative and strangely beautiful.
If I want to immerse myself in nature, Holmenkollen is my go-to retreat, offering stunning views overlooking Oslo and its picturesque fjords.
Towering jagged peaks rise like formidable granite columns, overlooking a pristine white sandy beach that seems at first to fade into low lying clouds further beyond the shoreline and the incoming receding waves. The Lofoten Islands of Norway have many transcending scenes, which continue to grab the attention of the seasoned travelers who are willing to explore this enchanted archipelago.
Voss, Norway is an ideal winter destination for families and recreational skiers. I enjoyed the well-maintained, forgiving snow-covered slopes, yet always had the option of more challenging terrain.
After flying into Manchester and spending a few days in Shrewsbury near the English/Welsh border, my driver collected me to begin my journey to the land of my father’s forebears in North Wales. Soon, the gently rolling green pastures gave way to purple heather-laden mountains rising in the distance.
I finally had the opportunity to embark on this once-in-a-lifetime journey, exploring the Galapagos Islands aboard a luxury motorized yacht that took me and nine other passengers on an island-hopping adventure.
Overlooking the lake and surrounded by dense jungle is the luxurious La Selva Eco Lodge which appears as a welcoming retreat within the rainforest. With much anticipation I am introduced to my experienced local guide, Rodrigo, who will take me on what will be exciting wildlife encounters and discovery of unique features of the rainforest during my four-day visit.