Photo on the Map – Camera & Carry On

Our Favorite Metropolitan Hikes in Europe

Michael — Mon, 18 Jul 2016 01:46:14 +0000

What's the first thing you think of when you picture a great hike? Mountains? Wildlife? Being out in the middle of nowhere, traversing rugged terrain, mud on your face, blisters on your feet, and the sent of poop in the air?!?! Well, maybe not all of that, but probably something close. One thing I've come to learn is that there are many great "hikes" that are a short jaunt, subway, or bus ride from your hotel. Many bustling cities have exciting treks that offer stunning sea views alongside incredible city architecture. I call these "metropolitan hikes," and Europe is full of 'em! Below are my absolute favorites! (I tried my best to mark exact locations on the maps below)

Oia to Fira (Santorini, Greece)

Santorini never seems to disappoint, and the trail that leads from Oia to Fira won't either! It was a little tricky to find the starting point, but once you're on the trail it's 6 miles of pure splendor. Many hikers tend to start in Fira and walk towards Oia. It's a bit easier to find the path coming from Fira, but since we were staying in Oia, we did it backwards. Either way, have your camera ready to capture the bluest blues and whitest whites in Greece.

Path of the Gods (Amalfi Coast, Italy)

Whenever someone tells me they're visiting the Amalfi Coast I always tell them the same thing: find the Path of the Gods. You may plan to spend your time on beaches and boats, but make sure to build in a day to gaze above it all. The Path of the Gods is an old donkey path above orchards, farms, and the sea. While we traveled along this path, we were also greeted by many, and I mean many, goats!

Slieve League Lookout (Ireland)

Slieve League is the tallest sea cliff in Ireland. The 1,972 ft drop will land you right in the Atlantic. That's nearly three times the height of it's more famous cousin, the Cliffs of Moher! To get the best view of Slieve League find this lookout point. A fairly short walk from a parking lot will have you among the vast meadows and dramatic drop-offs of Ireland's coast. And if you're lucky, you may find a delicious ice cream truck waiting at the end.

Cap d'Ail Coastal Path (Nice, France / Monte Carlo, Monaco)

Ah the magical coastal path between France and Monaco. While Shannon and I were in Nice we thought it'd be fun to take a quick side trip to Monte Carlo. Although Monte Carlo was interesting, it was the walk back to France that really made the day. Like all of these metro hikes, there's no shortage of views, but the Cap d'Ail Coastal Path also offers a number of secluded spots to sunbathe or take a dip in the Mediterranean. To get here we took an easy bus ride from Nice into Monte Carlo, found the path, walked to Mala Beach, then took the bus back to Nice.

Mt. Salève (Geneva, Switzerland)

From Geneva take the #8 bus for about 12 miles, all the way to the end... welcome to France! From the bottom of Mont Salève you can either hike or take a cable car to the top. Once up there you'll likely find a plethora of paragliders (people running off the mountain with a parachute on their back), perhaps the best view of Lake Geneva, and on a clear day, a view of Mont Blanc.

Path Around Toledo (Spain)

A common day trip from Madrid is the old world town of Toledo. Toledo is known for it's history and craftsmanship. Whether it be steel, plaster, or food, these Spaniards know what they're doing. If you want to get a look at the town as a whole, cross the moat and climb up and around. There's a quazi path/sidewalk that hugs the town from a far, and provides a really nice overview.

Cinque Terre (Italy)

Ah the famous Five Lands of Italy! Hardly a secret, but never to be missed. Unfortunately massive flooding destroyed many of the walking paths several years back, but even still Cinque Terre is a great area to explore. We took the train from La Spezia, and between the 5 towns, as most do. Along with the beautiful cliffside dwellings, make sure to catch a glimpse of Il Gigante in Monterosso.

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Photo on the Map: Tulum, Mexico

Michael — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:18:57 +0000

Shannon and I never thought we'd identify as "cruise" people, but a few years ago, on a whim, we thought we'd try it out. After coming back from our first big-boat adventure, I now feel 100% confident with my initial, uneducated judgement – we are NOT "cruise" people. That being said, we were really happy we took some time away from eating, grazing, and gazing to take an excursion to the ancient Mayan ruins in Tulum, Mexico. I really loved the juxtaposition of this historic sight and those crystal clear Caribbean waters. It was great to spend a few hours there to learn about the history of what once was.

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Jaws, Is That You? Photo on the Map: Cape Cod, MA

Shannon — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 18:54:44 +0000

There's something eerily alluring about weekending in a place that openly advertises its shark-infested waters. Souvenir shops abound with half eaten baseball hats and tee-shirts. And then there's the local news headlines like Great White Spotted Just Feet From Shore. Did I mention "Shark Week" is filmed here? Jaws fans flock to Cape Cod's beaches in search of a thrill, and some for respite from hot & sticky summer days in the city of Boston. It's like skydiving, or week old leftovers - a little flirt with danger to get the blood pumping. Sharks like that.

I mostly spent the day with my head in a book, but from time to time would gaze beyond the pages of my novel to the beach goers below; a touch of anxiety in my heartbeat. Happy-go-lucky teenagers bounced around on a tube pulled by a 20 foot motorboat, kids made sandcastles, and seagulls circled in the sky. Just checking. Choppy waters and laughter tend to make a swell setting for a horror film plot to unfold. [Da nun. Dan nun...]

Alas, no dramatic sequence ensued. THAT would've made for quite the vacation memory. Instead I lolled around sand dunes fit for a Nicholas Sparks romance, soaked up a tad too much sunshine (they call me 50 shades of Shannon now), and relaxed more than I deserved. The Cape is the Northeast's answer to NYC's Hamptons, where the wealthy wasps spend the warm months, and families visit for the day to get their lobster roll fix and splash in the deep blue. Have you been to Cape Cod? Or more exciting still, had a brush with white death? [Muwahahaha]

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Photo On the Map: St. Croix, USVI

Shannon — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 17:43:04 +0000

I didn't anticipate cacti in the Virgin Islands, or a 5:45 am sunrise for that matter. I found both in Point Udall on St. Croix, holder of the title for easternmost point of US territories. Things aren't often what we expect. Sometimes they're much more. Eyes wide, I soaked in every sparkling, minute detail of the Caribbean blue at Isaac Bay. What is it about turquoise water that makes my heart go pitter-patter? Cliché as it is, views like this never get old. I've seen so many picturesque beaches, seascapes, and scenic hikes... but somehow it's always like the first time. Big breaths, smiles, sunshine, a light breeze, laughter: such things make for a day filled with "happy."

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Photo on the Map: Salzburg, Austria

Shannon — Tue, 12 May 2015 15:49:13 +0000

Youuuu-hooooo.... Alpine mountains... I see you! When in Salzburg, Austria, there are just a few things you must do: 1) prance around the Mirabell Palace Gardens singing "Do Re Mi" from The Sound of Music, 2) fill up your cup at the Augustinerbrau beer garden, 3) admire ornate, hand painted signs in the old town, and 4) expose your retinas to the stunning panoramic view from the Festung Hohensalzburg (aka fortress) that sits high up a hill overlooking the town and river. The birthplace of Mozart retains a comfy, cozy, artisan feel with pretty shops, oma und opa eateries, and smiling faces. It's no wonder flocks of tourists pass through these parts by the busload. But you'd never know it from up here - just a soft breeze and occasional church bell to tickle my eardrums. Even on the ground, quiet corners abound and it feels like a little slice of a simpler time. Lovely indeed.

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Photo On the Map: London, UK

Shannon — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 15:37:19 +0000

When I look at this image, an archived reel in my memory bank begins to play. Shift your focus. Notice something? An umbrella, perhaps? I recall a torrential downpour, a desperate, soggy attempt to enjoy tea and a stroll at Harrod's, and a tidal wave of epic proportions generated by a swiftly moving double-decker bus. Oh, what a day. The kind that makes you question any goodness in this life, but ends in laughter over one too many tea cakes. Life's like that sometimes. To this day, it goes down as one of my most helpless. There are a few places that always make the list of top places to visit for London: The Tower Bridge, Big Ben & Parliament, Piccadilly Circus, The Eye, and Buckingham Palace. Three visits to London and I've yet to see the talked about changing of the guard. I was close, oh so close, camera in hand a ready for the big event! I'd seen the horses trot past, had my camera poised, and in perfect synchronization, the raindrops began to fall. A parade of water droplets put an end to the act before it began. Before weather ushered us elsewhere, I stole a few shots, this becoming an instant favorite of mine. Like a tiny, toy soldier, fastidious and sure, poised for duty. On this day, he'd go about his business without the transitional fluff, and waterlogged me would miss out, once again. You'd think in our two month stint in London I'd have attempted another go. Deflated, jaded, a little less enthusiastic, I never did. I'm okay with that. Another time, perhaps? I've a fondness for London and welcome the thought of returning. On the list it shall stay, to be crossed off one of these days...

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