My Top Three Travel Secrets

I've been tagged.

Donna Hull over at My Itchy Travel Feet hit me with a tag and told me to reveal my three top travel secrets.

Three?

Only three?

Where to start! I found little secret spots wherever I traveled. But o.k. then, I will limit myself to only three. On second thought, do I really want to reveal "my secrets"? They wouldn't be secrets anymore, would they?

Then again, it's pretty hard too to come up with three secrets; after all, we live in a travel-crazed world. Everybody seems to have been everywhere. Barbara at the Hole in the Donut did a clever thing; she kept her secret spots to herself but revealed three little known secrets for booking last minute accommodations and transportation around the world without breaking the bank.

Anyway, here are my Top Three Travel Secrets:

#1 Alpine Hike in Safien, Switzerland

I mentioned Safien earlier when I wrote about the "Seelenfenster". Safien is a scenic drive up a narrow and rugged valley, through tunnels and stretches of one-way traffic because it is too steep and narrow for a two-lane road.

They advertise just about every activity they have to offer. From white water river rafting to skiing, from horseback riding to lama trekking - but they keep the secret of the brilliant spring flower meadows to themselves.

As soon as the snow recedes, the meadows explode into brilliant carpets of spectacular flowers. Mauve, yellow and white crocuses rush bravely toward the spring sun, followed by the crimson alpine roses, primulas, forget-me-nots, violets in pinks and blues, soldanella, columbines, campanulas, anemones, sweet alyssum, sedums, the dazzling gentian and saxifrages just to name a few. Large arrays of medicinal plants rarely seen elsewhere can still be found up here.

The best time for spring flower sighting is between mid April to mid June, though Safien is worth a visit any time of the year.




# 2 La Gomera - Island of the Mountains

I came for a day and stayed for a week.

La Gomera is the second smallest of the seven Islands that make up the Canary archipelago. I fell immediately in love with its wild and dramatic beauty. Deep, rugged canyons with bizarre rock formations and lush valleys intersperse with evergreen forests of needle, laurel and heather trees. Luscious banana plantations and palm trees thrive in the Mediterranean climate. Goodies grow happily and in abundance in the fertile volcanic soil on terraced fields. The diversity of the landscape couldn't be more varied. The colours - from the sky to the sea, the rocks to the greenery and flowers seemed to be so much more intense than everywhere else I've been.

Each turn brought another fascinating viewpoint. Sparkling white washed hamlets dot the slopes. No wonder the Eldorado for hikers and courageous bikers is a UNESCO heritage since 1986.

Gomera is part of Spain, though geographically closer to North Africa - but don't call them Spaniards, not even Canarians. They are very proud of their heritage and see themselves as Gomerans. I loved their aloofness toward strangers. I was invited numerous times to eat and drink amongst them and was treated as if I were a neighbour dropping by for a chat - no fuss, mo muss. They don't give a hoot if you like them or not.

The climate is that of eternal spring. I seriously contemplated a move, instead, I ended up in the harsh climate of Canada - maybe that is what triggers my memory of this precious little Island so often.

Traditions and folklore are taken seriously and the whistle language El Silbo is kept alive. Only here will you find the whistling language in which the Gomerans once used to communicate with each other across the valleys.





#3 Fall in Eastern Canada

Ok, that's not really a secret. But it is an exceptional yearly recurrence. Even if you know about it, to experience the fall colours in Eastern Canada (and New England) close up is a spectacle you won't forget. Photos don't do the flamboyant colours justice - believe me. On a rainy day, I drove along a northern Ontario highway when suddenly the sun appeared from behind and shot her light into the grey sky in front of me. The colours of the foliage burst to life and I had to stop on the side of the road as not to collide with other drivers. I watched the breathtaking drama for quite some time - I don't use that word lightly - but the scene literally took my breath away.

To enjoy that glorious fall spectacle from Ontario all the way to Nova Scotia and down to New York you can take a drive, though I would recommend a train ride for the scenery is just too precious to miss.


And now comes the best part. I can tag five more members of the blogging community!

• Mridula from Travel Tales from India
• Vamsee over at Let's Go For A Vacation
• Lakshmi, the Indian Backpacker
• Cairo Tyo0 at Wandering the World
• Zoë, the Quirky Traveller

There - it's your turn!

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