City Go

Mount Vesuvius is a volcano located in the Gulf of Naples, 9km away from Naples, the only active volcano in continental Europe. It is 1281 metres high (2010). Its most famous eruption was in 79AD and destroyed two major Roman cities, Ercolano and Pompeii.  Today it is part of a natural park, with a visitors' centre and several walking trails. The better known and most used trail is trail n. 5, heading to the crater. It is about 1.6 km long and takes about one, one and a half hour up and back to the parking lot, although I suggest taking more time to appreciate the views and nature. The crater has no lava, just a little steam. Opening hours: 9 am to 5 pm Entrance fee: €10 (bring change as no cards are accepted and the ticket officer can be very unhelpful and rude if you don't have change); How to go: Take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii Scavi (line 3) and then the EAV bus just across the train station (€3.10, you can buy the ticket from the driver, get...

The Tramuntana mountain, classified in 2011 as World Heritage by UNESCO, ranges from Andratx to Cap Formentor, a distance of about 90km. Its highest peak is Puig Major at 1445 metres. The mountain has several picturesque small villages which are worth a visit for their cultural and historical value.  ( Back to Mallorca ) During my two days on the mountain I was able to visit the following: Valldemossa Valldemossa is a pretty rural town with picturesque streets flanked by shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes. It's dominated by the 14th-century Charterhouse where Chopin and writer George Sand spent the winter of 1838. Cap de Formentor Cap de Formentor is the most northeastern point of the island of Mallorca presenting a dramatic scenery of unusual rock formations emerging from translucid turquoise waters. Sanctuary of Lluc The sanctuary is surrounded by pine trees, in a very peaceful and relaxing surrounding. It was built on the si...

Port d'Andratx is both a picturesque fishing village and one of the classiest marinas in Mallorca. Around the marina, very popular with the yachting community, there are several restaurants, bars and cafes, the perfect place to relax and enjoy the surrounding scenery. There are also two small beaches with crystal clear waters. Port d' Andratx has a working fishing industry that supplies the local businesses. The presence of fishermen in the evening, from whom you can buy the fish directly, gives this small town its charming character. How to go : Bus 102 from Palma de Mallorca Back to Tramuntana

Cap de Formentor is the most northeastern point of the Island of Mallorca, where the Tramuntana Mountain range meets the Mediterranean.  The 13.5 km winding road that connects Port de Pollença to Cap Formentor is scary and can be crowded at times but the dramatic scenery to be found makes it well worth the drive. On the way to Cap Formentor, there are cliffs 400 metres tall, almost inaccessible beaches with turquoise waters, unusual rock formations and pine woods that guide you halfway to the end of the cape where a lighthouse stands. On the way, there are several viewpoints where it's possible to stop a car for a couple of photos or just to enjoy the scenery. The lighthouse was inaugurated in 1863 and at the time it was only accessible by sea or by a mule track. This isolation came to an end in the 1930s when the asphalted road was built and today there's a shop and a restaurant for a well deserved light meal after the thrills and scares of getting there. ...

The Lassithi Plateau lies at an average altitude of 840m and is famous for its white-sailed windmills, used to irrigate the land. Unfortunately, in recent years many of these windmills have been being abandoned, replaced by more modern irrigation methods. Exiting Lassithi Plateau towards Heraklion there's an area with stone flour mills dating back to the 1800s, which operated until the end of World War II. The Plateau has been continuously inhabited since the Neolithic, except for about two centuries starting in 1293, during the Venetian rule, when due to constant revolts the natives were forced to leave. In the plateau, there are many caves of archaeological interest like the Dikteon Cave where it is said Zeus was born. More on Lassithi: Dikteon Cave Monastery Vidiani   W indmills of Lassithi Plateau How to go: Public transport to Lassithi is scarce, so the most convenient way to go is by car or on an organised excursion.

The Dikteon Cave is located near the village of Psychro, at an altitude of 1025 metres, on the northern slopes of Mount Dicte, which dominates de Lassithi Plateau. To reach the cave there's a steep path upwards of about 1 km, which you can do walking or riding a donkey (€5). In the cave, there's a trek down a steep set of stairs, 100 metres into the mountainside. As you walk into the cave the temperature drops several degrees. It consists of five chambers and at the bottom, there's a small lake surrounded by large stalactites and stalagmites. Behind this lake, there's a small chamber where according to legend Rhea gave birth to Zeus to protect him from his father, so for centuries this Cave was a place of worship and offers, where only a few could enter. Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (3 p.m. Nov.-Mar.) Entrance fee: €6 How to go:   Public transports to the Lassithi Plateau are scarce, so the best way to go is either by car or on an excursion. ...