2. November 2019 • Katja Laurien
One of the things I enjoy most about travelling is the fact that it makes me value my own country a lot more. As a nature lover I always used to consider myself to be very unfortunate to be born in the Netherlands. It’s one of the few countries people would definitely not travel to just for the nature. We don’t have the azure blue waters of the Mediterranean countries, we don’t even come close to the mountains the Alps (let alone any mountain) and our forests have nothing more to offer than any other European forest.
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12. September 2019 • Katja Laurien
For many, the Simplon Pass is no more than just a beautiful gateway between Switzerland and Italy, but there’s more to it. The pass actually has many hiking trails to offer. Finding a suitable day hike was not as easy, due to the huge choice. Eventually, I did get to make my decision: The round-way up to Spitzhörli (2737 m) it was going to be! The hike takes about 4.5 hours without breaks and leads up to the top of the Spitzhörli from where you can enjoy a wonderful view.
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30. August 2019 • Katja Laurien
Most people know the Swiss canton Valais for the Matterhorn, but believe me, there is so much more out there. One of my favourite highlights is the Aletsch Glacier. It’s the largest glacier in the Alps which of course promises some spectacular views! It’s 23 km long, situated partially in the canton of Bern, the other side being in Valais. In Bern you can see the glacier from the Jungfraujoch. I’ve seen the glacier from both sides, but to be honest with you, I much preferred the Valais view.
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17. August 2019 • Katja Laurien
Today I want to introduce to you the hike between Ernen and Mühlebach. In fact, it’s only a short 30 min walk (one way), but it has quite a bit to offer: wonderful mountain views, two charming authentic Swiss villages and a suspension bridge.
The suspension bridge between Mühlebach and Fürgangen Ernen and Mühlebach are both two picturesque villages which make you feel like travelling back in time.
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10. August 2019 • Katja Laurien
If you ever have to travel between the Swiss cantons Bern and Valais, consider not taking the “quick” car transport at Lötschberg, but the slightly longer, ever so beautiful route over the Grimselpass. Not only can you enjoy the wonderful view, but you might even decide to take a detour and hike around while you’re already there.
View from the top of the Grimsel pass I can highly recommend hiking to the Oberaar glacier (Oberaargletscher).
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3. August 2019 • Katja Laurien
Who says a beautiful hike with breathtaking views has to be difficult? Sure, in most cases hard work gets rewarded with the best views, but there are some exceptions, such as the loop walk from Fafleralp in the Lötschen valley (Lötschental).
The hike takes about 3-4 hours with a minimal elevation of around 300 m. Most parts of the hike are straight and very easily accessible. There is a possibility to continue the hike to the Anenhütte, which we didn’t do as we had a 2-year old hiking along with us (I guess that’s proof enough how easy the hike actually is).
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30. July 2019 • Katja Laurien
The Binn valley in the Swiss canton Valais is beautiful but rather unknown. But only because the crowds don’t flock into the valley doesn’t mean it’s not a wonderful place which offers some great hikes - especially if you’re a fan of rivers, streams and waterfalls.
One of the many streams you'll pass on the way to the Mässersee The most common hike is the one to the Binntalhütte.
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3. July 2019 • Katja Laurien
Skadar Lake is one of Montenegro’s five national parks and only 30 minutes away from the capital Podgorica. Many people come for a day trip to the lake, do a boat trip, walk around the tiny village and go back again. In my opinion, the lake has more to offer. It’s worth spending a couple of days around the lake to explore more of it. You can take Virpazar as starting point, as it’s easiest to reach and has most of the tourist facilities (but please, don’t expect too much, it’s tiny).
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25. June 2019 • Katja Laurien
If you don’t intend to walk the Peaks of the Balkans you might wonder where Vusanje is and what you should do there. In fact, it’s a bit of the same story as with the entire country, Montenegro. When I told my friends and family I was going to Montenegro nearly everyone looked at me puzzled, wondering what the heck I was going to do there.
This is more or less the look I get when I tell people I go to Montenegro The same happened when I told the lady working in the hostel in Kotor that I was heading towards Vusanje.
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22. June 2019 • Katja Laurien
While travelling in Montenegro I was told by a local that Kotor is referred to as the Gateway to Montenegro. I didn’t even need an explanation, I immediately saw why people would say this. Kotor is the “jewel” of Montenegro, the one place you have to have seen when visiting the country. For many people, myself included, it’s the reason to visit the country in the first place.
When I first decided to visit Montenegro in 2015 I based my decision on one single picture of the view over the Bay of Kotor.
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3. May 2019 • Katja Laurien
You’ve never heard of Raron? This might be Switzerlands newest place to be! Well… For some maybe. It’s small, it’s beautiful and far away from where all the other tourists are. If you’re looking for the most jaw-dropping views, the highest peaks and the best after-ski bars, don’t waste your time and stop reading. Raron is not yours. But if you’re looking for an authentic and charming Swiss mountain village, Raron is your place to be.
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30. April 2019 • Katja Laurien
Gosh, wouldn’t it be awesome to be the only tourist on earth? Even better: the only person on earth? But only while travelling. Whenever I travel, I just want all the beauty to myself, especially when it comes to nature. For some reason I feel disturbed whenever I have to “share” nature with other people.
Unfortunately, this is pretty impossible. Especially when you’re enjoying nature in the midst of a city.
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18. April 2019 • Katja Laurien
Montreux has been on my bucket list for quite a while now and finally I made my way to this wonderful city. I had high expectations of the city with its amazing view over the lake and surrounding mountains. In order to make sure I could enjoy the city as much as possible, I choose a rather sunny day.
On my way to Montreux I was excited. The sun was shining, the weather was sweet.
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12. January 2019 • Katja Laurien
Switzerland is so small, but so packed with breathtaking nature and beautiful cities. Most people seem to come to Switzerland for Zürich, Luzern, Genève, Zermatt or the Jungfrau Region. These are already a lot of destinations for such a small country. But still there are some hidden gems, such as Ticino. Ticino is an Italian speaking Swiss canton, along the Italian border. The Italian influence gives this Swiss canton a pleasant Mediterranean flavor.
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11. January 2019 • Katja Laurien
The Jungfrau Region is probably Switzerland’s most popular hike and ski region. Therefore, it is kind of difficult to find out where to go, the options seem to be endless. I was fortunate enough to spend seven months in the midst of this breathtaking region, in the charismatic village Grindelwald. In those seven months I intensively explored the region and found out the most beautiful hikes. In this post I made a quick overview of the highlights and popular hikes.
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29. October 2017 • Katja Laurien
Macedonia: To go or not to go? Before going I was a bit in doubt. I had already spent a week in Albania and the locals kept asking why I was going to Macedonia if I already had been in Albania. According to them everything was more beautiful on their side. The only thing they admitted to be equally beautiful was lake Ohrid, which they share. Knowing that the ties between Albania and Macedonia are not particularly strong, I supposed their opinion was biased.
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16. October 2017 • Katja Laurien
When I told people I was going to Albania almost everyone asked me what the heck I was going to do there. Unfortunately, most people still associate Albania with a rather unattractive and dangerous country somewhere near the Balkans. Nothing could be less true! Albania is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever been to and the people are among the friendliest I have experienced.
This is the reason why I decided to come back to Albania.
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20. September 2017 • Katja Laurien
Malta. Doesn’t the sound of it immediately make you think of azure blue water, sunny weather and dazzling cliffs? That is exactly what it is! In July I spent a week on Malta. Since I was visiting a girl I had met in Mexico, I didn’t do any research before arriving. I expected her to tell me where to go and what to do and she did a great job. But truth to be told: Malta is so incredibly small, you don’t need to be fully organized in order to see the most important spots.
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