Category Archives: Hiking

Day Hikes near Sulmona

Posted on May 19, 2014 by msraaka

The month of May is usually warm and sunny in Italy, but this year, it turned unseasonably cold the week we arrived in the Abruzzo Region. We decided to be flexible and were fortunate to fit in a few nice … Continue reading →

Posted in Abruzzo, Hiking, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

A Day Hike in the Pyrénées

Posted on March 13, 2014 by msraaka

The majestic Pyrenees create a natural border between Spain and France. The range stretches across the Iberian Peninsula from the Bay of Biscay, in the west, to the Mediterranean Sea in the east. From Bilbao in Northern Spain, one can … Continue reading →

Posted in France, Hiking, Travel | Tagged , | 4 Comments

A Day Hike on the Sauk Mountain Trail

Posted on July 26, 2013 by msraaka

July is one of the best times to hike the Sauk Mountain Trail, just east of Mount Vernon, Washington. After a long and cold winter, even July might be too early for this hike, if you want to reach the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Pacific Northwest | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Villas and Vistas

Posted on July 10, 2013 by msraaka

Italy has several beautiful lakes in the northern region, but the favorite seems to be Lake Como. This uniquely shaped lake looks like the letter Y, only upside down. We decided to end our stay in Italy by relaxing on … Continue reading →

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Around Vicenza

Posted on June 18, 2013 by msraaka

The Church of St. Mary of Mount Berico Vicenza, the city of Palladio, has a few villas and other interesting sites within walking distance of the town center. Just outside of the south-eastern city gates, there is an easy walk … Continue reading →

Posted in Hiking, Travel, Veneto | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Two More Hikes in the Dolomites

Posted on June 12, 2013 by msraaka

Top of Col Raiser For a change of pace, and some hikes with different vistas, we took the Col Raiser funicular on the north side of the (Val Gardena) valley. This funicular is a pleasant walk just east of Santa … Continue reading →

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Day Hikes in the Dolomites

Posted on June 11, 2013 by msraaka

The Dolomites are a huge mountain range in northeastern Italy, near the border of Austria. In 2009, this protected area of natural beauty was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once you visit this part of Italy, you’ll understand why. … Continue reading →

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The Dolomites

Posted on June 8, 2013 by msraaka

For the first week of June, we rented a car to explore the northern region of Italy called the Alto Adige. We headed northeast of Emilia Romagna past Lake Garda up towards the Dolomites, a dramatic mountain range that stretches … Continue reading →

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A Few More Hikes

Posted on April 22, 2013 by msraaka

Although the Path of the Gods is spectacular, our other two hikes were also scenic and fun. From the town of Minori, there are several hikes that lead to other towns. The first day, we walked uphill to Ravello, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Amalfi Coast, Hiking | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Path of the Gods

Posted on April 21, 2013 by msraaka

A dramatic name for a great hike on the Amalfi Coast… You can start this famous and scenic hike from several towns near Amalfi. Some people start in Praiano, on the coast or you can take a bus up to … Continue reading →

Posted in Amalfi Coast, Hiking, Travel | Tagged , , | 4 Comments