Ten Mountains For The Amateur Mountaineer

by Kraig Becker on

A lot of adventure travelers also happen to be armchair mountaineers. They follow the worlds top climbers as they make bold attempts on impossibly high and remote mountains in all corners of the globe, and they cheer them on as they stand at the top of the world. Many of them secretly wish they could go on their own expeditions to these distant peaks, but for a variety of reasons, they never have the opportunity.

It turns out there are a number of great climbs that can give you the feeling of your own big mountain expedition, without the big mountain expense and the need to give up several months of your life. Forbes Traveler has put together a list of ten such mountains each of which will challenge the heartiest of travelers, while delivering a true mountaineering experience.

Several of the mountains on the list are icons that are already popular with amateur climbers. Mountains like Mount Blanc on the border Italy and France. The 12,000 foot peak is considered the birth place of modern mountaineering, and is one of the classic climbs of Europe. The 19,340 foot Mt. Kilimanjaro is also considered a classic climb, taking trekkers to the highest point in Africa.

The other mountains on the list, while possibly lesser known, offer unique mountain experiences that are sure to thrill any adventure traveler and would-be mountaineer. These peaks can be climbed in a matter of days, rather than weeks, and they won’t leave your pocket book quite so empty as say an Everest expedition, which can cost upwards of $50,000 and require two months of time on the mountain.

So, if you hear the call of the mountains yourself, and you can’t resist the lure, strap on your crampons, grab your trekking poles and head to any one of these peaks for an adventure of your own.

The Westin does Angels & Demons in Rome

by Annie Scott on

Come out of hiding, closet Dan Brown fans. Come out of hiding and get thee to The Westin Excelsior in Rome!

In conjunction with the release of the new movie of Angels & Demons, The Westin Excelsior Rome (above) has partnered with Sony Pictures to create a lavish Angels & Demons Experience package that will run until early 2010.

The Angels & Demons Experience includes:

  • Luxury accommodation in a double room
  • The official Angels & Demons private or group tour
  • 20% off at the hotel’s restaurant and bars
  • 20% off the Angels & Demons theme menu at the Doney restaurant

Does the music on that website remind anyone else of Flight of the Navigator? Just checking.

“With the movie set primarily in Rome, this is the ideal opportunity to offer movie lovers and others a truly special and unique way to explore the city and get to know some of the movie’s original sites,” says Mary Goss Robino, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing Partnerships for Sony Pictures. “We are delighted to be working with Westin Hotels & Resorts on this once in a lifetime package.”

I enjoyed the book (What? It argues that science and religion don’t conflict — interesting stuff!), and I bet the locations you’ll get to on your four hour private or group tour will be pretty great. If I remember correctly, you’ll be visiting Santa Maria del Popolo church, Piazza del Popolo, Saint Peter’s Square, Santa Maria della Vittoria church, the Pantheon, Piazza della Minerva, Piazza Navona, and Castel Sant’Angelo, as well as the Pope’s private chambers at The Vatican and Switzerland (that’s where CERN is). But, you know, no guarantees on those last two.

The Angels & Demons Experience packages are available for booking now, starting at €326 (about $443.76), and Angels & Demons the movie is coming May 15th!
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Stinky London, Rude Paris, Romantic Venice

by Tom Johansmeyer on

If you need a sense of authority to trust a publication, you can’t do better than one from Australia. So, when the Sydney Morning Herald says that Brussels is boring, you have to believe it. Likewise, Paris is overrated, and the food sucks in London (duh).

Well, if you think the folks down under have credibility problems, fear not. It was reporting on a TripAdvisor poll of nearly 2,400 travelers, so it’s really TripAdvisor users who had an epiphany on the quality of London‘s cuisine.

Bad news for London: it also has the worst-dressed locals and is the most expensive. Oh, and it’s the dirtiest.

Sorry, guys.

Meanwhile, we needed a poll to tell us that Paris was the least friendly (though I’ve never had a problem there) and the second most expensive. Yet, Paris is top for grub and fashion, and London leads in nightlife, public parks and free attractions.

Need a romantic getaway in Europe? Venice still wins.

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Photo of the Day (5.1.09)

by Aaron Hotfelder on

I agree with one of the commentors on this flickr photo from TysonWilliams. This pic, taken from the platform in Florence’s train station, is a “wicked vanishing point shot… nicely executed.”

Admittedly, I had to think back to my sixth-grade art class to remember what a “vanishing point” was, but after I did it made a lot of sense.

Want your photo considered for Gadling’s Photo of the Day? (It looks great on a résumé.) Upload your best shots here.

Create a custom experience at the Palazzo Sasson

by Tom Johansmeyer on

It doesn’t take much to make Italy enticing. The prospect of staying at the Palazzo Sasso in Ravello, though, will effectively deprive you of your free will. This twelfth century palace has the laudable goal of treating you to the same standard as its original inhabitants.

Yeah, I can live with that.

Of course, times are tough, so everybody’s upping the ante. For the Palazzo Sasso, this means that booking a King Sea View room (or one in a higher category) will get you the bonus amenity of your choice! There are plenty:

  • One spa treatment (massage, manicure or pedicure only)
  • A 20 percent discount on all lunch charges in house
  • Parking in hotel garage for entire stay
  • Mini-bar usage for entire stay
  • A guided walking tour of Ravello (approximately two hours)
  • One transfer to Amalfi and back from the hotel
  • Internet access for entire stay
  • Laundry service for entire stay (excluding dry cleaning)
  • In-room movies for entire stay
  • Fresh flowers and fruit upon arrival

If you can’t find something on this list to enhance your stay, it’s because you hate comfort and convenience.

As always, there’s a catch. You have to stay for at least three nights from June 1, 2009 to October 15, 2009. Rates vary from €198 to €2,200, depending on how high-maintenance you are.