Tag Archives: day hikes

Last Day on the Camino

Posted on November 12, 2019 by msraaka

The last day of our camino came too quickly. Still in Northern Spain, we had a lovely walk from Torres del Rio to Logroño, about 23k or 13.9 miles.  Once again, we had wonderful scenery, a well groomed trail with … Continue reading →

Posted in Spain, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Challenges on the Camino

Posted on October 13, 2019 by msraaka

Buena Vista The Camino is full of beauty, but there are several challenges, too. The biggest challenge—one that we didn’t have to face, is walking daily for around 40 days. I can’t tell you how that feels because we chose … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Spain, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Hiking the Val Gardena

Posted on September 17, 2017 by msraaka

Most Americans who travel to Italy don’t think about hiking here, but they should. Italy has more than 30 National Parks and even more regional parks — all with miles of hiking trails. Each time we visit this amazing country, … Continue reading →

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Lucca Side Trips

Posted on December 1, 2015 by msraaka

Most towns in Italy are conveniently connected by an efficient rail or bus system, which makes it easy to select a base town for your visit. We chose to stay in Lucca because it has a wide variety of both … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel, Tuscany | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Hiking Near the Cinque Terre

Posted on October 3, 2015 by msraaka

On the Ligurian Coast between Genoa and Pisa there are many scenic towns and villages. But the most popular destination seems to be the Cinque Terre—five picturesque hill towns that are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park. These … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, Liguria, Travel | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

September in the Aosta Valley

Posted on September 25, 2015 by msraaka

For this trip to Italy, we decided to visit Aosta Valley—the smallest of Italy’s twenty regions. This beautiful valley, in the northwest corner of Italy is bordered by the French & Swiss Alps in the north and the scenic Gran … Continue reading →

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Back to Bella Italia

Posted on September 21, 2015 by msraaka

Aosta Cathedral I’ve taken a bit of a break from writing while enjoying a lovely summer in the Pacific Northwest of America. But finally, we are traveling again and exploring new regions of Italy. Our first stop is the Valle d’Aosta, … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, Valle d'Aosta | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

A New Trail in Sonoma

Posted on February 26, 2015 by msraaka

Sonoma, California—one of my favorite small towns—is just one hour northeast of San Francisco. Located in the wine country, near its famous neighbor, Napa, low-key Sonoma is a popular destination for wine aficionados and city folks looking for a weekend … Continue reading →

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Reason Six: Day Hikes in Italy

Posted on November 6, 2014 by msraaka

How do you enjoy all of that gelato and not gain weight? It’s easy—spend some time hiking or walking the scenic trails in Italy. There are several dramatic mountain ranges to choose from—the Alps and Dolomites in the north, the Apennines … Continue reading →

Posted in Abruzzo, Amalfi Coast, Italy, Sardinia, Travel, Tuscany, Umbria | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Around Mont Blanc

Posted on September 4, 2014 by msraaka

Although the Matterhorn is the most famous peak in Switzerland, we were closer to Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps. This majestic peak is 4,810 meters (15,781 ft.) above sea level in the Graian Alps that border both … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Hiking, Travel | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments