Embark on a journey through some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes as we explore the best walks and hikes to take.
Great Smoky Mountains Park, United States
Long considered the ancestral land of the Cherokee Indians, the Great Smoky Mountains region is rich in natural diversity and steeped in history. It owes its name to the Cherokees who populated it, in reference to the veil of blue-gray mist that covers the highest peaks.
This majestic cordillera represents the southernmost point of the Appalachian range. Established in 1934, the National Park today covers a gigantic area of 202,500 hectares, making it the largest natural area in the eastern United States. Traveling the 1,448 kilometers of developed trails makes it easy to get up close to the park’s vast reserve of historical treasures and natural curiosities.
The Smokies are home to more than 130 species of trees, 1500 varieties of flowering plants, and 200 species of birds. Nestled in the heart of these mountainous landscapes and spectacular waterfalls, still-well-preserved remains bear witness to the lives of the pioneers.
There are log cabins, farms, mills, and barns built in the 18th and 19th centuries by European settlers. This immense and abundant forest offers walkers who venture there the opportunity to retrace the path initially traveled by the Cherokee Indians.
Quebec, Canada
Not far from the hub of Quebec City, you will discover true natural and cultural treasures as you let yourself be guided through this magnificent northern landscape.
The Saguenay Fjord estuary represents a unique ecosystem where fresh water mixes with sea water, thus giving rise to a very particular environment. Cities are concentrated on the seaside, where granite cliffs plunge into the St. Lawrence River.
The Saguenay National Park is crisscrossed by a very vast network of trails, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. You can see the High Gorges, granite peaks, splendid lakes, waterfalls, eagles, and even snow geese. Not far from there, you will enjoy relaxing in the comfort of a small French-Canadian inn.
Cinque Terre, Italy
Imagine that you are taking a magnificent coastal path, with the Mediterranean Sea on one side, the mountains on the other, and right in front of you, Italian fishing villages. Now multiply this experience by 5: welcome to the idyllic setting of the “five villages” of Cinque Terre.
Let yourself be guided through the numerous trails that run along the terraced slopes of the Riviera di Levante. You will discover small hamlets, recognizable by their pastel-colored facades and their contrasting shutters, below the ports that shelter brightly lit boats.
inFollow the ‘spath, which, under clear skies and with a breathtaking view of the sea, takes you past trattorias, an isolated abbey, or even a rocky promontory. Stop at the Splendido Hotel in Portofino. Don’t miss out on tasting Ligurian cuisine on the way, of which the famous locally grown basil pesto is well established.
It is the pride of many chefs and restaurateurs from the surrounding villages, each claiming to have the best recipe! Another specialty of the region is Sciacchetrà, a rare, fresh, and fragrant white wine from the terraced vineyards of Cinque Terre.
The cloud forests of Costa Rica
A cloud forest is a tropical forest nestled most often at altitude on the coastal mountains, drowned in mist almost all year round. As you travel through Costa Rica’s cloud forest, expect the ultimate encounter with nature of limitless diversity.
Exploration on foot will take you to the edge of rugged craters, waterfalls and lagoons, freshwater ponds, and peaceful coves. Cloud forest trees dominate, and wide streams flow through lush corridors.
By crossing the suspension bridges in the forest canopy, you will enjoy a high perspective of the great natural beauty of the place. Between the vibrant colors and sounds of nature, the sensory experience is intense and exotic! The accommodation offer in Costa Rica is varied; you can easily plan an additional day of discovery on this surprising land and thus recharge your batteries with enthusiasm.
Mark