If you want to add a little history and culture to your Swiss Alps hike, try the hike to Berggasthaus Aescher, a 170 year-old cliff-side restaurant.

It’s well worth visiting Balaton Uplands National Park, barely 90 minutes from Budapest, to see rare geology, take some easy day hikes, and view handsome architecture. Plus, you’ll experience a special local culture and great wine.

For some great day hikes in the Alps, try the valley trails on the Italian side of the world-famous Mont Blanc. There, you’ll find plenty of options that take you to stunning views and to gourmet mountain restaurants offering local dishes and wine.

The picturesque village of Ortisei sits in stunning Val Gardena, in northern Italy. With foothills rising up to the meadows and jagged peaks of the UNESCO-listed Dolomites, it’s a great hiking base. Plus, Ortiesi has a rich cultural heritage and an iconic building style that make it a compelling destination.