I think I’m in love…
…with the Matterhorn.
It’s my third visit to Zermatt, and I’ve finally seen the Matterhorn. (And now I finally get why this town is so popular.) Here’s a little before-bedtime review from my hotel balcony.
Gooey Cheese, White Wine, and Good Friends
Join me and my TV crew in Zermatt as we enjoy a simple (yet delicious) Swiss meal: melted Raclette cheese, boiled potatoes, pickles, some cute little onions — and Fendant, a lovely white wine.
All Alone…Enjoying the Grandeur of the Alps
These days in Europe — even at 10,000 feet above sea level — you’ll find tourist crowds. But a traveler can almost always find a way to be alone with the wonder of the moment…as illustrated in this clip, atop the Schilthorn in the Swiss Alps. Join me for a magic bit of peace and quiet on the scalp of my favorite Alp.
Climate Change in the Alps: Snowmaking Machines
As a traveler, I see signs of climate change everywhere. Europe is grappling with unpredictable weather in lots of different ways — and in the Alps, that means artificial snow.
It’s summer here now, and this area is filled with hikers. But in the winter, this is ski country — and the local economy depends on ski tourism. All across the Alps, ski slopes are being plumbed for artificial snow. Take a look with me now at some of the reservoirs that supply water to this mountain’s snowmaking machines.
A round-trip flight to Europe emits roughly as much climate-changing carbon, per passenger, as six months of driving. I own a tour company, and we profit by taking about 30,000 people to Europe each year. Standard accounting practices allow our company to ignore the environmental cost of being in this business — but we believe it’s more honest and ethical to pay our share of that cost. So, at the expense of our profit, we’ve made a yearly commitment to invest $1 million in a portfolio of nonprofits that are making a big difference.
Don’t Overlook the Italian Alps
Hello from the Alps of northeastern Italy! I’m here in the Dolomites with my friend Stefan, just grabbing a sunny day and making the most of it. The wonders of nature are so accessible here — we just rode the Seceda lift up, and here we are.
I’m here to film three new episodes of Rick Steves’ Europe about the Alps — Italian, Austrian, Swiss, and French. Stay tuned for more.
Stefan runs the Hotel Cavallino d‘Oro in Castelrotto (a.k.a. Kastelruth), where I like to stay when in this region.