Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Rob Alter

Chamonix provides skiing in a variety of central areas, which are linked by an efficient bus service, and because the resort shares its peaks with neighbouring Courmayeur, a full lift pass gives skiers access to nearby Italian slopes as well. Beginning with Les Houches and le Touchet, beginners can enjoy a broad variety of nursery slopes to find their rhythm before progressing to tougher pistes.

Intermediate skiers can make steady progress in the well-known Vallée Blanche (with a guide) and enjoy the variety and scenery in Flégère before moving on to off-piste, red and black runs. Advanced skiers can hone their skills at the Grands Montets in Argentière, at Brévent, Flégère and le Tour, while all the runs offer some of best powder skiing available in the country.

Not forgetting snowboarders; there are drag lifts in the beginners’ areas, and plenty of on and off-piste terrain for intermediate and advanced boarders at Brévent, Flégère and le Tour, providing opportunities for jumps and gullies.

Chamonix is also a part of France’s mountaineering heritage, perfectly situated for hikers and climbers to explore the local terrain. The untouched countryside, red squirrels, chamois and deer, and magnificent views across Mont Blanc, provide a harmonious atmosphere. Chamonix is also well-equipped with sporting and leisure facilities, including exciting nightlife, and comes highly recommended as one of France’s best-loved places to ski.

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Pindos massif composed of several separate mountain units (Smolikas, Tymfí, Aigo, Lakmos, Athamanon, Oros Iti, Karava and others). The highest peak is Smolikas reaching an altitude of 2637 meters. It is the second highest mountain in Greece, after Mount Olympus.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by dementia_inc

The Pindus mountain features two national parks that protect the original and almost intact nature. National Park Vikos-Aoos stretching over an area of ​​3360 hectares, was founded in 1973 and occupies an area around the Vikos gorge, characterized by its vertical walls, which often reach heights up to 950 meters. The gorge is 12 km long considered one of the greatest natural wonders. There are just several tourists here, so be aware of the fact that during the trip you can meet only a few people. The best time to visit the gorge is the beginning or end of summer, when water flows quiet.

There are two major rivers Aoös and Vikos, powered by a water from melting snow. They flow along the hiking trails, which are inaccessible when the snow is melting. A unique natural phenomenon in the area is 405 m deep Cave of Provatina and the nearby Chasm of Epos, where is an underground lake in a depth of 469 m. This area also includes Astraka plateau and Tymfí massive.

The larger Pindos National Park, which history dates back to 1966 is a home to the bears and wolves, deer, wild boars, chamois, wild cats and also snakes.

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Abruzzo National Park is surrounded by the mountain peaks, reaching an altitude of 2000m. Among the mountains the river Sangro creates the way through the narrow gorges to wide open valleys and occasionally through small villages.

Local information centers offer a multimedia presentation, about all the peculiarities of the surface and beneath the surface of Abruzzo National Park.

Walking through the park is a very nice rest. I recommend the route number 11, which leads to the Valle delle Rose. The trip takes less than 5 hours and you will surely see the red mountain goat, or deer.

Very nice is also a trip along the trail BN1, which leads to a beautiful viewing point from which you have open views across the valley Pescasseroli. It is a 50 minutes walk from the town Pescasseroli.

The settlement Barrea has a lot to offer as well. It covers the lake Barrea, several churches, and Nature Reserve Lago di Pantaniello.

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Lake Bohinj, Slovenia by Nigel Swales

The lake itself is more than 4.2 kilometres in length but only one kilometre in width. It is fed by the Črno jezero via the large stream of Savica. It is also believed that there is a subterranean source of water, which feeds Lake Bohinj. At the easternmost part of the lake, the water flows out via the Jezernica Creek before finally making its way out to sea.

There are many different species of marine life that call Lake Bohinj home. The most common of these include the brown trout, European chub, burbot, minnow as well as the Arctic char. There are also eight different seas of mollusks that live within the lake and a number of different algae species, which can be found along the shores.

Lake Bohinj is a popular destination during the summer months. Countless people make their way to the region every single year in order to swim and partake in a number of different water-based sports. For most visitors, the lake is a popular day trip and a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of city living. It is also a great base for hiking around the area.

Lake Bohinj in winter, Slovenia by Mari (Maria Giovanna Colli)

Of course there are also some interesting aspects along the shores of Lake Bohinj that are a must-see attraction. The most important of these is the legendary statue of Goldhorn chamois who was immortalized in a popular poem authored by Rudolf Baumbach. There are also a number of hiking trails that lead out into the countryside and up into the mountains. If you do not feel like walking, then you can simply take the cable car to the mountains to visit the Savica Waterfall.

There are also a number of festivals and events that take place in the area at a reasonable time of the year. The biggest event around Lake Bohinj is the International Wild Flower Festival, which occurs the last week of May. There are parades, great food, flowers everywhere during the festivals which is definitely an interesting and unique place to visit Slovenia.

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When the High Tatras National Park was first established, it was the first national park of its kind in all of Slovakia. Shortly after its establishment, Poland followed suit and established a similar protective area on their side of the border. Today, both the Polish and the Slovakian portions of the High Tatras National Park are considered a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Štrbské Pleso, High Tatras National Park, Slovakia by Petr Vilgus

So the most interesting species that can be found within the High Tatras National Park include many different plants which can only be found along the highest summits of the mountains in the region. There are also a number of rare animal species which call the national park their home including the eagle, bear as well as the marmot. But perhaps the most precious of all species that lives within the High Tatras National Park is that of the chamois which lives in complete isolation among the glaciers of the park; there are more than 1000 chamois currently alive there.

The High Tatras National Park is also a home to some of the tallest mountains in all of Europe. One of the highest peaks that can be found within the mountain range is that of the Gerlachovský štít which stands at an amazing 2655 meters above sea level. There are also more than 100 different lakes and waterfalls that can be found throughout the High Tatras National Park. The largest, as well as the deepest lake that can be found within the mountain range is that of Veľké Hincovo pleso covering an area of 20 hectares, 53 metres deep. The highest situated lake is that of Modré pleso which is situated 2192 meters above the sea. Then of course there are also Popradské pleso and Štrbské pleso lakes which are located at lower altitudes, and as a result are some of the most visited lakes in the mountains. Zelené pleso lake is considered to be the most beautiful place in High Tatras mountains as well as in all of Slovakia.

Zelené pleso, High Tatras National Park, Slovakia by Michal Kabát

It is interesting to note that while there are a number of excellent caves that can be found throughout the High Tatras National Park, there is only one which is open to the public today. Anyone choosing to visit the mountain range can stop by and also check out this cave known as Belianska jaskyňa. It can be found in the resort of Tatranská Kotlina.

Due to the altitude of many of the summits and peaks of the High Tatras National Park, many of the hiking paths throughout the uppermost regions of the Park are closed between November and June. This is done so for safety reasons on account of the extreme winters that can be experienced in the mountain range, but also to protect the nature and animals in the park. For the remainder of the year, one can visit just about any part of the mountain peaks with the help of mountain guides and officially marked routes.

There are many towns and resorts to stay at when you choose to visit the High Tatras National Park which includes that of Štrbské pleso, Starý Smokovec, Tatranská Lomnica as well as Ždiar. Tatranská Lomnica is also home to the only museum dedicated to the park; which first opened up back in 1957. You can also visit cities of Poprad and Kežmarok that are found nearby.

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