Maipú | Vineyards and boozy tours | Fruity, dry, red, white, sweet, sparkling — wine is delicious, and the best way to discover what this powerful pot

village - Fernwayer Travel Stories & Experiences

Argentina

Fruity, dry, red, white, sweet, sparkling — wine is delicious, and the best way to discover what this powerful potion has to offer is to take a bike tour through the vineyards (yes, on a bike). Mendoza is the best place to choose one of the hundreds of tour operators. 

Mendoza is the most popular wine-growing province in Argentina. And Bodega Tempus Alba has a perfect climate for growing high-quality grapes, and the majestic Andes Mountains provide the backdrop for some of the most beautiful pictures of vineyards to be found anywhere in the world.

Whether you're biking or not, a proper tasting tour will give you enough wine to come home tipsy. That's why I recommend eating well before your tour and taking a break when the magic of wine goes to your head.

I also spent some time hiking in the area, exploring the small villages in the area, and eating the best Argentine empanadas around. A trip for the senses, for sure.

Vineyards and boozy tours

Colombia

France

Thousands of winter sports enthusiasts (like me) visit the French Alps every year – and for good reasons. Whether you're an experienced skier or a rank beginner, there are many different slopes for every level and preference (and you can rent your gear there as well). 

Since I go there every year, I can tell you my favorite region: Serre Chevalier. There are many tight, open trees, gullies, canyons, and some long steeps. This makes Serre Chevalier a paradise for skiers and snowboarders, which means you can go in a huge group and take everyone’s preferences into account.

On most of our stays, we sleep in bed and breakfasts in Villeneuve, as from there, it’s just a short ride to the slopes! And there are some excellent French restaurants in the village – an essential part of skiing is eating well to recover the energy spent on the slopes. Recommended time spent: At least 3 days!

Skiling in the Alpes

Georgia

On this picture you can see a Great Caucasus. It was taken in Bakuriani village near the Borjomi municipality.
Absolutely stunning view - highly recommend.

Greater Caucasus

Greece

Pyrgos is a trendy hilltop medieval village. It’s full of little winding, narrow streets constructed haphazardly on the hills alongside multi-colored houses and doors. We lose our way several times and keep looping back to the same point .. using that as an excuse to check out yet another local art gallery constructed unobtrusively into the hillside. 

During the 15th and 16th century, the locals defended themselves from pirates by erecting kastelias .. fortified buildings. Pyrgos has the best example of these medieval buildings on the island. It also has the oldest churches.

We stop at a home with a large blue door .. and the views are stunning but give an impression that Santorini is flat and covered by vineyards instead of being a caldera. 

The one fascinating feature of homes here is a long, deep chimney for ventilation. And the strong winds make howling noises through the chimneys.

In Pyrgos, we visited vineyards ... but that’s a different story.

Old Blue Doors

United States

Guatemala

‘Lake Como surrounded by volcanoes’ is how Aldous Huxley described Lake Atitlan. 

The lake is surrounded by 11 ethnic towns and villages and we rented kayaks to explore the villages. We passed several fisherman in their cayucos and saw some birds but peacefulness was the prevailing sentiment.

We met an 82 year old woman weaver and her daughter in San Juan village who use only natural dyes for weaving their huipiles. While we caught only one word in four, we enjoyed a vigorous conversation on which animal and plant dyes they use to create color.

San Pedro village had very happening cafes and bars. Guatemalan coffee is as good as the best we have had with its high elevation and warm humid climate creating a well balanced coffee.

The Tzumen ‘Ya’ Museum was interesting to learn about the culture and lake formation.

Village Hop on Kayaks

Iceland

Continuing my recommendations for a stunning drive to the South of Iceland -

1. From Dyrhólaey to Vik: Stop at Dyrhólaey for its sea arch and basalt blocks - turn from the Ring Road to the right to road 218, and drive that road to an end, you should see puffins at Reynisfjall cliffs, at Arnardrangur "Eagle rock” (very picturesque with Reynisdrangar and Reynisfjara in the background), at low tide, you can walk along the black beach and discover little caves and rock formations, and finally, the little village of Vik with its stunning black sand beach and sea stacks, worth visiting both at sunset and sunrise.

2.  From Vik to Stokksnes Headland. You will want to stop for pictures of the moss-filled lava flows on the sides of the highway. Go to Skaftafell Glacier National Park for a glacier walk. Then pause at Fjallsárlón glacial lagoon, a nice precursor to Jökulsárlón. I’ve always found sitting on the lagoon and watching the icebergs (barely) floating by absolutely therapeutic.

Icelandic Road Trip - Part 2

United Kingdom

Mexico

Oaxaca is the most diverse state in Mexico, with the richest history of indigenous peoples and consequently the most fascinating and vibrant folk art in the country. In Oaxaca are so many different indigenous groups spread across numerous villages, and each of them is known for their unique works of art, from rugs to pottery, flowers, and paintings.

Street art in Oaxaca tells stories about Mexico, their struggles for independence and economic development, and against military dictatorship and US American influence. You can learn a lot from indigenous rights to natural disasters through street art in Oaxaca by walking through the streets and analyzing each mural.

For art lovers only

Norway

I am sitting at a window ledge table in the kitchen of an authentic rorbu, a fishing hut on stilts. 

It’s after midnight during Midnattsol, but it’s hard to tear myself away from the view. Yesterday was bright and sunny, but today is stormy and the sea is asserting itself. 

This rorbu is located at the very end of the peninsula so there’s no escaping the force of the wind and the water in any of its rooms. The landing area has been left untouched – fishermen used to haul in their catch here via massive doors opening out to the sea – the old floorboards have gaps and you can see the sea underneath and hear the waves lashing on to the rocks. 

Reine is a scenic fishing village with bright red wooden huts steeped in tradition, once housing the fishermen who made their winter pilgrimage to the world’s most fertile cod fishing grounds. 

In summer, all that remains are the empty fish drying racks between houses, a reminder that – despite the stunning beauty, it’s a very harsh life.

Stay in a Rorbu

Peru

My enduring memory of this visit was watching a group of women unraveling their yarn 🧶 with hands moving so fast it was mesmerising to watch. 

Chinchero is a small Andean village near Urubamba. A handicrafts market is held here thrice a week - and it’s a great place to meet the local people. 

Or to haggle for textiles. Or vegetables. Or a 🐓. To learn how to distinguish between the various Andean tribes based on their different, wildly colorful hats. To catch a weaving demonstration at a local workshop. And marvel at how every color in the wool comes from a natural dye source. 

And my favorite: To make an old lady laugh by showing her pictures on my viewfinder of her own toothy grin from different angles.

Spinning a Yarn

My sister and I flew into Las Vegas to then see the Grand Canyon. We woke early to get picked up at our hotel and the tour took us to the Hoover Dam, a stop on Route 66 (where the Cars movie took place), and finally the Grand Canyon. We did an easy hike but it took about 4 hours. We stopped multiple times for pictures. It was amazing. The pictures don’t do it justice. 

My sister and I wish we had spent more time there and maybe hiking a different trail.

Argentina

Mendoza Province

Vineyards and boozy tours

France

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Skiling in the Alpes

Georgia

Samtskhe-Javakheti

Greater Caucasus

Greece

Decentralized Administration of the Aegean

Old Blue Doors

Guatemala

Sololá Department

Village Hop on Kayaks

Iceland

Southern Region

Icelandic Road Trip - Part 2

Mexico

Oaxaca

For art lovers only

Norway

Nordland

Stay in a Rorbu

Peru

Cusco

Spinning a Yarn

United States

Arizona

Grand Canyon Excursion