Travel news, information on the best places to visit in Italy, where to go for vacation suggestions of travelers, personal trip experiences, and HIKING: follow me on my exploration of the most exciting adventures
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The Grand Saint Bernard Pass is a breathtaking mountain pass that connects Switzerland and Italy. Situated at an elevation of 2,469 meters (8,100 feet), this historic route has been used for centuries by travelers, traders, and pilgrims.
Some incredibly amazing natural hot springs in Italy are situated near the majestic Mont Blanc mountain. These hot springs are located in Pré-Saint-Didier and I often go there to unwind and rejuvenate.
As a great lover of thermal baths, I have come to appreciate the many benefits that they offer. Not only are they an excellent way to relax and unwind, but they also have healing properties that can help to improve one's overall health and well-being. Whether you are looking to soothe sore muscles, relieve stress, or simply enjoy some time in a peaceful and serene environment, the thermal baths offer something for everyone. In this article, I will tell you about a very popular thermal complex I visited a year ago.
When I moved to Biella I looked for the possibilities to have my favorite relaxation mode and visited some thermal baths in Lombardia and Valle d'Aosta. One of my pupils (I’m a Russian Language teacher) knows about my ardent love for thermal baths and told me about this marvelous place. Well, I had to go there… My cousin came to visit me, and we left in the direction of Mont Blanc.
Bridging the Supernatural: I was looking down from the bridge. A man passing by in his car turned back and came to me. What are you doing here, my lady? Are you okay? Please don't jump off the bridge...
Varallo is one of my favorite towns to visit when I need a walk. There are interesting tourist attractions, like Santo Monte di Varallo, but the town itself is very nice and beautiful. It is too far from the town where I live, more than an hour on the mountain roads by car. It's not that I don't like this journey, but it's still quite tiring. I think Formula 1 drivers would be no better than me if they had to travel around these curves for two to three hours at a time.
After visiting the town, I decided to take a walk in a valley that I had never explored before.
As you can see, the weather was not very good. Luckily, it wasn't raining. There are infinite hiking trails everywhere in this zone. On my map, I found a circular route (I always prefer circular routes) that passes two footbridges: From Barattina to Ponte della Gula. When you see the road to Cervarolo, before the bridge, there is an antique footbridge.
In the Alps, there are many ancient bridges, even from the Roman era. I don't know, maybe even earlier. But I must say that these have another interesting history: they belong to the descent of the Walser people in the 12th century and, therefore, are decidedly medieval...
To see all the photos of this walk, ⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎ Continue Reading This Story Here: ⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎
Spring hiking and discovering the first flowers is truly a magical experience. It's a great way to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. So, lace up your boots and go explore the great outdoors with me!
Spring is finally here, and that means it's time to hit the trails and discover the first signs of new life popping up in the great outdoors. As the snow melts and the days grow longer, the forest floor comes alive with the vibrant colors of spring flowers like Primula vulgaris and Hepatica nobilis.
As we age, it becomes increasingly important to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle. One of the most accessible and enjoyable forms of exercise for seniors is walking. The combination of physical activity and the great outdoors can provide numerous health benefits and a sense of well-being.
Drawing from expert advice from the CAI (Italian Alpine Club) and doctors, we explore the art of walking for health and happiness, particularly for those in their golden years.
The regions of Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta in Italy are known for an impressive quantity of castles and other kinds of fortifications. Many of them are visitable: some are managed by the state or region, others are private, and many are ruins, but loved by tourists. The downside is that many interesting places are normally closed. Some of them open on Sundays in the summer, thanks to volunteers. It's important to find the website of the castle and contact the responsible person to ensure that your desired place is open.
There was one castle that had been on my list for a few years, but it was always so easily accessible that I never found the time to visit. Once, when I passed by, it was even open, but there were too many people waiting for the visit... I'm not a fan of crowds.
To see ALL THE PHOTOS of this walk, ⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎ Continue Reading This Story Here: ⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎
Hiking is good for emotional health. You feel awe and wonder when you're surrounded by nature's beauty. It makes you appreciate and be grateful. The sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world awake.
A hike is a great way to escape the stresses of modern life. It's easy to slow down, breathe deeply, and let go of worries and distractions in nature. You can feel calm and relaxed when you feel this peace and stillness.
What science says about the impact of hiking on our psychological well-being
Research shows that spending time in nature has a significant impact on the brain and emotions. Nature activates parts of the brain linked to pleasure and reward, increasing happiness and well-being. Exposure to natural settings has also been shown to decrease activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for rumination and negative self-talk.
Being in nature can also help regulate emotions. Studies have demonstrated that spending time in green spaces can reduce anger, fear, and stress while increasing feelings of relaxation and tranquility. Nature serves as a natural stress reliever, enabling you to reset and recharge. =>>> Continue reading
Are you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or disconnected from your inner self?
Consider heading out into nature and embarking on a hike! Not only is hiking a great way to exercise your body, but it also has numerous benefits for your psychological and emotional well-being.
Image Source: FreeImages
The Connection Between Psychological and Emotional Well-being and Hiking
Being in nature and away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life allows you to disconnect from technology and connect with yourself. The peace and tranquility of the great outdoors can help reduce stress levels and promote a sense of calmness and clarity. In addition, hiking provides an opportunity for solitude and reflection, giving you the space to process your emotions and thoughts.
Spending time in nature has been shown to improve mood and increase feelings of happiness and well-being. The physical exertion of hiking releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. These feel-good chemicals can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, leaving you feeling more positive and uplifted.
When you prioritize self-care, you're showing yourself love and respect. What better way to practice self-care than by getting out in nature and going for a hike? We talk about the wonders of self-esteem today.
Let's talk about the amazing benefits of self-care, self-esteem, self-love, and hiking! Taking care of ourselves is so important, and it's not just about physical health, but also mental and emotional well-being. When you prioritize self-care, you're showing yourself love and respect, and that can do wonders for your self-esteem. And what better way to practice self-care than by getting out in nature and going for a hike?
Hiking is not only a great form of physical activity, but it also allows you to connect with the beauty of the outdoors and clear your mind. The combination of physical activity and being in nature can have a powerful impact on your overall well-being. So, let's lace up our hiking boots and hit the trails, while also showing ourselves some love and care along the way!
As I have mentioned many times before, I am a woman in my 60s who enjoys walking solo. This habit originated many years ago when I used to accompany tourists daily. During my days off, I wanted to have the freedom of not being responsible for other people. That's why, when I relocated from the south to the north of Italy and my health declined, it wasn't difficult for me to choose to walk alone instead of joining hiking groups.
There are several advantages to organizing myself in this way: I can go out whenever I want, walk at a comfortable pace, take breaks every few steps to catch my breath, capture photos, and admire the flowers and plants. If I come across someone on the street, I stop to have a conversation—I enjoy listening to the stories shared by locals. There is no pressure to reach a specific destination—I walk until a certain time and then head back.
Hiking is a popular recreational activity that involves walking or trekking through natural landscapes, often on trails or designated paths. I like to visit interesting historical places like castles.
Discovering Italy by walking has become a national sport in the country. It is said that more than 39% of vacationers prefer walking, reaching not only the usual tourist attractions on foot but also the most distant refuges, hotels, and last year, I went for a walk in a place situated very far from the “normal” streets. I don't know how my poor car made out of that adventure alive because the road was completely bumpy. You could only get through with a tank, in my opinion.
There were few parking options on-site, but almost all of them were occupied just by early morning. I passed near a building that was a hotel and a restaurant. In the afternoon, on my way back, I thought about eating there, but it was all booked and they didn't accept me. It was full, and those people—by the way, many of them were well-dressed, not hikers, (!) and there were even those with walking problems—came up till there for lunch!
I swear, I was really… mmm… surprised. While walking, you meet a lot of people. In the mountains, it seems to me, you find more people than in the city, especially if the weather is good and it's a weekend. I think it’s because hiking promotes mental well-being by reducing stress, offering a chance to escape the routines of everyday life, enhancing mood, and providing a sense of tranquility and mindfulness.
This year I decided to explore the castles.
There are really MANY castles where I can get in 1–3 hours by car. This is convenient. Because not all the places you want to visit can be reached by train or on foot. Sometimes they are far away, and I can't walk a long way and then return to the train station. One of these places is the Castle of Graines.
