the stories | blog
Follow me as I adventure around the world to explore a variety of cultures.
A desert oasis strategically designed along the Oman boarder surrounded by sharp, jagged mountains and scorching, dry heat is pretty hard to believe. Well, with a quick 128 kilometer drive (around 80 miles) from the center of the glamorous and booming city of Dubai such an idea exists.
This past week I had the pleasure of traveling from Dusseldorf to the beautiful city of Hamburg for the Social Travel Summit with trivago. For those who are not familiar, the Social Travel Summit is a conversation style conference where some of the world's leading industry representatives, bloggers and destinations gather to develop "best practices and collaborative success in travel marketing and publishing."
After a long couple of days surfing (note: in my case "surfing" = having a love affair with being drowned by waves of arctic temperatures (loved it by the way)), the idea of an afternoon wine tasting naturally sparked my interest. What better way to learn about Portuguese culture than to taste some of nature's magic water with a group of Scandinavians. Sounds horrible, I know.
I officially survived my first German winter. As expected, the lack of sunshine was quite depressing but I did not let it hinder my spirits. Now that it is officially spring & ski season is coming to an end, it is time to switch the gortex in for a bikini. That's why I will be spending the next 7 days swell searching in Ericeira, Portugal with Lapoint Surf Camp. By the looks of the weather & this video I am in for one hell of a treat.
It's a country, a city, a tax haven & a tech hub. The little country of Luxembourg has been on my list for quite some time now. I figured Skype, Amazon and Paypal have offices there - it must be something worth seeing. The perfect weekend trip was filled with 24,753 steps of walking, a lot of (coffee) drinking, and even better company.
A picture is priceless, no matter the colors, composition or flow - the photographer is the only one to experience and capture that particular moment (what a pity, right?)
Elements of the earth can not be documented in a photograph. We can not physically feel the wind, touch water, or breath in fresh air. But hey, at least we try. Cheers to Thomas Cook for the healthy competition.
Potentially the worst ski video ever created. My GoPro faces the deliciously fresh powder for about 90% of the video, while the other 10% combines my squealing, screaming, and complaining.
Well, it isn't a secret that 50 Shades of Grey premiered this past weekend. Although I will admit I did read the trilogy, this 50 shades refers to a much different reason for helicopter rides, ropes, poles, gloves, and whatever other innuendos you can think of when referring to a ski trip to the swiss alps.
This year marks the 10th anniversary for skiing in the city that fills my heart with more pleasure than one can imagine. Year after year the feelings are always mutual - Zermatt provides fresh snow, sunshine, and an even better atmosphere (food, drinks, accommodation, etc.) and I take full advantage of the situation at hand - call me selfish.
Perhaps I am a creature of habit, but every time I come back for more there are several variables on the “Zermatt Checklist” that must be checked off to really feel satisfied.
Zermatt is not only the highest ski resort in Europe reaching climax at 3,883 meters, but there are over 360km of pistes to explore. Even though I was only in Zermatt for a long weekend, I was able to explore all of the ski areas. It was romantic; Zermatt was a little shy at first, keeping the sunshine all for himself - but after getting to know each other again he really let everything hang out (the views were that good).
[ ski areas: Schwarze Paradise / Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, Gonergrat (a long train ride to the top is well worth the view on a sunny day - Rothorn / Sunnegga ]
Italy is right next door, so just cheat on Switzerland for the day and ski down the 17km piste to Cervinia. Grab an amazing bowl of pasta and a crispy margarita pizza. I always go back to Zermatt at the end of the day, so no one would even notice I was gone (minus the food belly from all of those carbs).
Enough Said. There is even a blob to jump on.
Loosen up a bit before you get down to the town at Hennu Stall. Funny story in fact - 10 years ago, I remember skiing down the home run witnessing 200 skis parked outside a little chalet bar 5 min ski down to town. I always wondered why people were dancing on tables, falling over, taking shots out of skis, and then skiing home with their little ski bunny. I understand it all now, and finally got to take part in the fun. No comment, just experience it. The music is great, the drinks are better (cash only - 50 Euro credit card minimum, by the way)
This quaint, classic swiss restaurant has their wine list written on a chalk board and locals come for the night without an ounce of rush. The tomato cheese fondue made love to my taste buds. Between the soft yet crispy bread, mixed with the cheese melting in my mouth my taste buds were exploding with endorphins. I could have done it over and over again (with no regrets).
As if I wasn't satisfied enough, I splurged and got the Toberlone dark chocolate mousse (you know the saying ‘once you go black…’)
Those calories aren’t going to burn themselves… After dinner take a stroll through the old town. We always look at all of the hotels being built and write them down for the next time. The new, Hotel Omnia embodies contemporary elegance with one of the best views of the Matterhorn (absolutely stunning), and the recently renovated Hotel Beausite eludes classic swiss beauty with a mountainous flare.
Fuchs is a popular bakery in town and one can not go to Zermatt without getting 2, maybe even 3 of these soft donut balls. They are fluffy, doughy, not too sweet, but just sweet enough. Get them in the morning while they are fresh.
Everything tastes amazing.
Maybe it is the eating, skiing, drinking, or the hiking - but I think it is safe to say Zermatt has my heart and every time I come back it keeps getting better and even more exhausting. Either way, I hate to say goodbye.
Speak soon,
Per
Black crows. Commonly and usually associated as rats with wings. Picking up the leftovers, hassling over every last crumb of a granola bar at the beach, or a lost bite of a gyro sun dried with the hustle of an overpowering city. Give the definition some slack, as that is just one girls wild interpretation of such creatures. Though, the black crows I am referring to are quite the contrary.
They are the eyes of the valley. Why yes, they often snaggle around for the last bite of baguette atop Brévent, or at the mid station in Grand Montets. But when the black crows are out, so are the blue bird skies, and the free bird souls. Perhaps we are all the same as the black crows - analyzing the weather, scavenging the mountain for what it is worth; Rinsing every fresh line dry until the storms come again, and sharing stories at the local watering hole.
It is quite difficult to compare Chamonix to the other ski resorts of the world. There are no covered or heated chair lifts for miles, ski in ski outs are for the extremists, and how does one even determine what après ski bar to go to? Would you walk into Elevation in your moon boots and Bogner jacket? You could, but Probably wouldn’t.
The latest season's Patagonia only, S'il vous plaît.
Just as a background story I skied Chamonix for the first time 4 years ago with my mother - the peaks alone got me hooked. I didn’t even explore past the McDonalds on Avenue Michel Croz because I didn't even think anything worth going to was past this way (I just to happen to miss all of the best après ski bars) Eh. You live and learn, right? One year later I found myself getting dropped off by some handsome british transfer driver asking me “Is this your address?” My response: “Eh. I am not exactly sure… this is what they gave me? I guess I will find out” I went to ‘study french’ in a town that echoes swedish and english over a lick of anything french. Although, Insted the school I studied at was phenomenal. Skiing and Studying - genius beyond the SEO search value. In the two months spent there I learned how to drink a lot of beer, eat even more baguettes, say cheers in swedish, and attempt to keep up with the ski bums.
The following year, same time, same place - I arrived fairly more confident of my location for an ‘internship’ with a startup (talk about a resume builder) and while the season started out slow, I made some friends, drank more beer, and learned what the mountains had to offer. Patience.
This year, I booked a 4 day stay in the city that stole my heart - and it is safe to say nothing has changed. The swedish ski bums still affluently populate the city / bar / restaurant scene, the snow was dumping, and the black crows are still flying high. Touche chamonix, touche.
I personally always forget to use the extraordinary guides of the internet (lonely planet, checkin, tripadvisor, pinterest, etc.) I usually prefer to ask my friends where to go when traveling. So if you are also one of those people who are horrific travel planners - as in aimlessly wandering in a city until you see a menu with a typeface you like, and a crowd that looks enthused this one is for you.
No Limits at Chambre Neuf, Chamonix
*Don't shower beforehand, and wear your ski clothes.
Soup at Pâtisserie Richard Chamonix
If you want to buy food their are plenty of grocery stores (Petit Casio) scattered around town (next to the Rossignol store, and across from WESC) and Super U located across from Moncler -ish. The beer is on the first floor, and the food is cheaper than the other places.
Until next time, Chamonix. For those who are there - enjoy it.
Speak soon,
Per
IGO Adventures is the type of trip that anyone looking for adventure, community and mindfulness would be interested in trying out. This is my experience with IGO Adventures.
My nano retreat experience at the J Hotel outside of Stockholm hosted by Stina, a day focused on disconnecting & reconnecting with oneself.
Summer sailing in Svalbard on-board Duen III with Pukka Travels. Glaciers, Old mining towns, wildlife in one of the most northern destinations to travel to on planet Earth.
Winter may have been long, dark and cold but it sure was easier when spending time with incredible people from all over the world. This is The Pukka Philosophy.
A review of the Kimpton Carlyle Dupont Circle Property in Washington D.C. An incredible location, friendly staff & top of the line amenities.
A 72 hour post-Galapagos retreat to the Chilcabamba Mountain Lodge in the Highlands of the Ecuadorean Andes. Fast wifi, horseriding & views for days.
A quick story & a few snapshots from watching the Northern Lights dance across the September sky in Tromsø, Norway
When a little goes a long way. A little explanation about why Pukka Travels did an ocean clean up in Tromsø where the whales feed in the winter.
From Boston to Nantucket, the perfect long labor day weekend exploring and celebrating a marriage in New England
A 48 hour RV trip through Lofoten, Norway. A magical place with sky high mountains, secluded bays & an infinate amount of places to explore.
