Explore Europe's Most Beautiful Surroundings

By Susan Breslow Sardone

An escape from summer's heat, these gently rolling hills, fragrant fields, sun-dappled lakes, and snow-capped mountains at the roof of the world await your discovery. After the snow has melted on the pastures, summer's lush greenery emerges and sounds of songbirds fill the Alpine landscape. It's also the moment when the region's picturesque places and sparkling lakes come alive again, ready to welcome you in the season of fun and festivity.

In Upper Austria, northern Italy, Germany's Bavarian and Black Forest regions, and across Switzerland, there's a town for every taste, from quaint mountain villages to glamorous international resorts. In sophisticated lakeside cities you can take a refreshing swim -- even drink the water -- and later rendezvous at a restaurant by the shore.

Easy access via international gateways makes travel effortless from one country to its neighbor. Clean, fast, modern trains offer impeccable cuisine, service, and world-famous panoramic views. You can circle most lakes on bike or on foot. At Lake Constance -- bordered by Austria, Switzerland, and Germany -- boats dock at sites around the lake that reflect the exceptional culture of each country.

The Sporting Life

There are activities for everyone, from beginners and spectators to championship-level competitors. Hiking the unspoiled Alps allows you to challenge yourself on endless trails. At trail's end, pamper yourself with comforting amenities.

You needn't scale the highest peaks to enjoy the freedom found in the silence of the woods, the romance of a walk under a full moon, or the pleasures of a picnic on a sunny meadow.
Like to bike? The home of numerous World Cup stops, bike shops, and monster downhills conveniently reached via trams, funiculars, and gondolas, the Alps give mountain bikers a unique opportunity to ride the world's most exciting terrain.

Hang-gliders, hot-air balloonists, and parasailers take to the skies for unparalleled Alpine vistas. On water, savor the thrills of sailing, canoeing, white water rafting, and windsurfing. On land, golf, tennis, and horseback riding facilities enable active vacationers to perfect their skills.
There's a Place for You

Spa resorts, with their soothing waters and healthful treatments, rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit. Inns, huts, and refuges also dot the Alps, offering lodging, friendly greetings, and hearty fare. Imagine yourself in a chalet? Interhome offers a choice of 20,000 vacation homes in 15 European countries that can be booked online.

Best of all, an Alpine vacation can be surprisingly affordable, especially with a package deal. And this year's introduction of the Euro has eliminated the confusion of exchanging currency in multiple countries. So reward yourself with an extraordinary Alpine vacation that adds European flair to the delights of summer -- and enjoy nature's bounty in the world's most beautiful surroundings.

Getting There

You needn't be a mountain climber to experience the thrill of crossing the Alps. At points where Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland meet, border crossings are often as smooth as traveling from state to state. Plus, you can do it your way: On foot or on skis, by train, bus, lake cruiser, bike, or rental car. And every time you cross, it's an opportunity to experience the food, culture, and people of another country.

Throughout history all types of individuals have made their way across these magnificent ridges. The Smugglers' Museum in Switzerland offers testimony to bygone days when border-hoppers frequently bypassed the law.

Efficient, clean, and modern trains are the main means of transportation between cities today. Rail Europe's Eurail Selectpass entitles passengers to unlimited first-class train travel within three adjoining countries. There are 17 to choose from, and each of the Alpine nations participates in this program.

For fun, bike or hike across borders; you can send your luggage ahead. If you care to drive, secure an International Driver's License before leaving home. Car-rental companies are located at airports and in key railroad stations, major cities, and resorts. Cruising by boat is perhaps the most romantic way to discover Alpine lands and culture. On a visit to Lake Constance, you can actually cross three countries in just two hours' time.

How can you keep warm in winter?

I remember the movie The Day After Tomorrow. Where the people were facing an ice age ahead, with temperatures so cold it could freeze your blood instantly.

Everyone was working hard on keeping warm. They were hiding in a library which was really convenient. You wouldn't run out of things to burn in a library that is full of books. In their effort to stay warm, they kept their fireplace ablaze by burning library books, feeding the fire continually for that much needed warmth.

A homeless guy who had to survive winter in the streets crushed up paper and stuffed his clothes with them for insulation. Insulate your clothing to keep the warmth in and the cold out. Crushing the paper trapped air. Air is a great insulator of heat. So that made a lot of sense.
When it comes to staying warm in winter, remember 2 things.

1. Generate heat.

2. Insulate to keep the heat in and the cold out.

To generate heat, most modern homes have a proper heating system. Just make sure you pay your heating bills. If you can't pay the bills, get your bills paid on your behalf. For example, if you are a U.S. resident, you can get free heating at http://www.cheapestsale.com/free-heating.html
If you use an old fashion log fireplace, stock up on plenty of firewood in case you get snowed in.
As for insulation, wear layers of clothing to keep warm. Start off with a base layer. The thermal underwear. Ideally, your thermal underwear should fit like second skin. The goal is to keep your body heat in. Pure cotton thermal underwear would probably work if the temperature is above 5 degrees celsius. Colder than that and you need something much warmer. Like wool.
On top of the thermal underwear, you might want to wear a wool sweater and thick denim jeans or wool pants. You might want to add on a warm jacket or even a trenchcoat over the sweater. Depending on the severity of cold you might face, you might want to add more layers. Don't forget your gloves, scarf, woolen hat, ear muffs, and boots. If it is really very cold, you might even need a ski mask.

Another trick that works for me and my kids is to apply a aromatherapy massage oil right after towelling dry after a hot bath. On a winter vacation, at the end of a day out in the cold, we were only too happy to get back to the hotel room where we would take turns in a hot bath. I would dilute 3 drops of mandarin oil in 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil like grapeseed oil or sweet almond oil and put in into the bath water. My kids loved it. I brought along some mandarin essential oil. I also made a massage oil by diluting 1 drop of mandarin oil to every 1 teaspoon of olive oil or sweet almond oil or grapeseed oil. After bathing each child, I'd rub him all over with plenty of this massage oil. When I ran out of mandarin oil, I used tea tree oil. The massage oil helped seal some warmth and moisture as the air was very dry.

Drinking a cup of ginger tea helps you body fight the cold too. Drinking plenty of hot soup at meals warms up the body beautifully.

Carry along a cashmere shawl, or at least a wool wrap with you so you can wrap that around you when you need additional warmth.

Finally, huddle up close to a loved warm so you can keep each other warm. That's how our ancestors survived the cold winters when they lived in caves. They would huddle close together near the fire to keep warm.

Keep warm in winter is a write up about various thermal underwear. You can find more underwear at http://www.buy-underwear.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janice_Wee

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