Mountains & Lakes
“No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced.”
– David Attenborough
Milford Sound & Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand
We have always gravitated toward the world's highest peaks, but whenever there is a glacier lake resting at the bottom, we feel an instant sense of arrival. That is exactly what happened during our first journey to Milford Sound a decade ago. Standing beneath those absolute, jagged mountain ranges rising sharply out of the water, you quickly realize why it is considered the world's top fjord.
Milford Sound
Lake Wakatipu
The Insider Tip: When planning your New Zealand adventure, make the vibrant alpine town of Queenstown your baseline. From there, you can easily craft day-trips to immerse yourself in the dramatic landscapes of Milford Sound, the deep waters of Lake Wakatipu, and the serene beauty of Lake Wanaka.
The Painted Fjords of Norway
Southern Norway's dramatic coastlines are a living masterpiece. Experiencing them from a cruise ship gives you the absolute best of both worlds: majestic, sweeping views from the water, and panoramic vistas from the mountaintops at every single port stop. We have never seen villages so colorful and artistic—they truly look like painted landscapes. Every element of the scenery—the crisp snow, the lush greenery, the iconic red and yellow homes—harmonizes perfectly where the mountains meet the brilliant, turquoise water of the fjord.
Nordfjord
Villages at Nordfjord
Sjkolden
The Insider Tip: In the village of Olden, take a local gondola lift up to over 3,000 feet. Standing at the top, looking out over the endless horizon, you will witness a breathtaking view you never thought could exist on earth.
Interlaken & The Alpine Magic of Switzerland
We chose a cozy Airbnb right on the edges of Lake Brienz as our home base to explore the absolute best of Switzerland in seven days. Here, the landscape feels like a friendly competition between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun to see who can be the prettiest. Swiss tourism has mastered the art of alpine travel; a seamless network of trains will carry you from Zurich straight into the heart of the mountains. Excursions to Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, and Grindelwald offer everything you’ve ever dreamed of—snowy peaks, the gentle echo of cowbells, and the famous red Swiss trains winding through the valleys like the "Little Engine that Could."
Lauterbrunnen
Muren
Grindewald
Jungfraujoch
The Insider Tip: The hiking trails around Interlaken and the Jungfraujoch (the Top of Europe) are unparalleled. Once you wrap up your Swiss itinerary, do not miss the opportunity to cross the border into adjacent Austria for a few days—it is incredibly close and well worth the extra time.
The Himalayan Paradise of Kashmir, India
Kashmir holds two beautiful nicknames: "Paradise on Earth" and the "Switzerland of India." You truly have to stand among its valleys to believe it. Three years ago, as part of a deeper three-month journey through India, Janet and I set out to experience its magic together.
Our absolute favorite memory took place in Sonamarg, where we embarked on a stunning four-mile hike toward the snowy peaks. It was here that our favorite photographs of the entire three-month trip happened, thanks to a young, local Kashmiri guide. Speaking fluent English, he used a modern camera to direct us like Bollywood movie stars, added iconic Indian music to the videos, and transferred them directly to our phones as we walked back to our car. It was a magical, unforgettable connection.
Pahelgam
Sonemarg
Sonemarg valley
The Insider Tip: The easiest way to navigate Kashmir seamlessly is to fly into Srinagar from New Delhi. We highly recommend booking a 5-to-7-day itinerary through a reputable agency in New Delhi, which provides your hotels and a dedicated, chauffeur-driven car to guide you smoothly to Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and the wooden Shikara boats of Dal Lake.
The Turquoise Wonders of the Canadian Rockies
Moraine Lake is so deeply beautiful that couples line up daily along the shoreline just to capture their wedding and engagement photos. For us, renting a canoe and paddling out toward the massive mountain shadows was one of the greatest adventures of our entire life. The contrast between the snowy peaks and the intense, turquoise water is purely hypnotic.
Moraine Lake
Lake Louise
Peyto Lake
The Insider Tip: Because of its viral fame, park security strictly limits the number of vehicles allowed near the lake. Pack your patience, arrive early, and always build a backup day into your itinerary just in case. Don't rush through the area; you need several days to explore nearby gems like Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, and Peyto Lake. Make the charming town of Banff your base, and if you have a few extra days, drive the famous Icefields Parkway up to Jasper to see an entirely new chain of majestic mountain lakes.