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These new hotels also build genuine connections between their guests and their local communities.

Taking her cue from old-fashioned promotional posters, a California artist unveils an ongoing series of hilarious lockdown-inspired posters.

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On the world’s via ferratas—or “iron roads”—you can scale cliffsides, brave suspension bridges, and take in some spectacular scenery, all while being clipped to safety.

Wandering Chef: Sarah Grueneberg in Venice and Trentino

Croatia’s oldest and biggest national park, Plitvice is a four-season playground known for its pristine forests, stunning waterfalls, and dozens of turquoise lakes. To see it all, trek along the wooden pathways that twist through bright-green vegetation and past water rushing down limestone and dolomite rock. Along the way, keep an eye out for the park’s signature blue butterflies and the trout that populate the shallow waters. Though you’re unlikely to encounter them, protected species like brown bears, gray wolves, and Eurasian lynx also roam the forests around Plitvice. If you need more than one day to explore, overnight at one of the many nearby lodgings such as Bear’s Log, with cozy wooden interiors, an outdoor Jacuzzi, and terraces overlooking the verdant landscape.

An Alpine Adventure awaits and is only a quick day trip from Venice. Working with a private driver, our small group of family and friends traveled to this breathtaking region for amazing sight seeing and a little hiking. It was a quick day trip but truly unforgettable. If you are prone to motion or altitude sickness, come prepared, the roads are winding and you spend more time driving then hiking....

High above Trieste’s coastline is a narrow ribbon of jagged rocks eroded by rain and wind, plunging fearlessly into the sea. Called “carso” in Italian, this landscape of limestone and dolomite conceals an underground world of vast caverns and grottoes, carved by the waters of the Timavo River, which runs below ground for much of its course from Slovenia to the Adriatic Sea. Above ground on the plateau lie acres of evergreen forests and flower-strewn ravines. The land is peppered with large sinkholes, called “doline,” that have been caused by collapsed cave vaults. Here, the warm sea breeze meets the chilling, northeasterly bora wind, producing a convergence of Mediterranean and Alpine climates. Oak and spruce mingle with citrus and olive trees, while the landscape is blanketed with vineyards. Only one body of water flows above the plateau—the Rosandra Stream. Slicing through the deep gorge of the Val Rosandra near the Carso’s eastern border, these waters once supplied the ancient Roman colony of Tergeste via a seven-mile-long aqueduct. The Park Val Rosandra is an 1800-acre nature reserve located just southeast of Trieste. The park’s hiking paths offer visitors frequent breathtaking vistas, including a 118-foot waterfall, the ruins of the Roman aqueduct, and a stunning panorama of the gulf of Trieste in the distance. To reach the park, take bus #40 or 41 from Trieste to the town of Bagnoli, where you will find the park’s entrance.

A huge dolomite rock rising up from Hotel Gellért at its base marks one of the earliest inhabited parts of Budapest. The citadel atop the hill was built by the Austrians in the mid-1800s to better control the unruly Hungarians after squashing the revolution (it was later used by German SS troops in World War II). Other monuments dot the verdant landscape atop the hill, which is now surrounded by posh residences. The walk up from the hotel is steep but worth it for the view once on high.

A 2010 renovation transformed a traditional lodge into a 12-room inn that’s both cutting- edge and cozy. Built by the former Olympic skier Gerardo Mussner in 1963, the hotel is now run by Gerardo’s daughters. His wife, Helga, serves South Tirolean dishes such as almond-crusted venison. In 2010, the hotel was reimagined with larch wood, glass, and local stones that match the mountains. The curved roof stands out against the peaks. A 758-mile network of 12 ski areas, Dolomiti Superski is just five minutes away. The closest section, Val Gardena, hosts two Alpine Ski World Cup events in December. From $2,284 per week. 39/471-795-274. This appeared in the November/December 2012 issue.

Hiking the Dolomites is nothing short of magical. Hiking 8miles of intermediate terrain in around 4 hours still wasn’t enough to soak up the 360 degree beauty that is this UNESCO site. Highly recommend stopping by the visitor center and getting a suggestion from the knowledgeable team in Sëlva for the level of difficulty of hike you’d like to make - as their are easy to novice paths all throughout the mountain range. The gondolas in several locations will help kickstart or wind down your path depending on the area of the range you’d like to explore. My crew started in Sëlva, hitched a gondola ride at Funivie Ciampinoi and hiked through Alpe di Siusi ending in Santa Cristina Gherdëina, landing us in some incredible rolling hills as well as high peaks and proximity to the towering alps. There are several restaurants throughout the trails to stop and nosh or sip before you continue your journey. What seems like endless “wow” moments of spectacular views around each corner, wild horses, picturesque fields peppered with cabins and wildflowers galore left me in a lovesick stupor. Skiing is great and all, but in my book nothing can quite top my list of favorite places on earth quite like the Dolomites in June.