![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/20261012_145648-1038x576.jpg "View over Erice")
The dark clouds have not quite cleared away yet. That is why I played it safe today and put outdoor activities on hold, opting instead to stroll through a few charming small (or larger) towns. Continue reading (Small) towns in western Sicily
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/20261009_144736-1038x576.jpg "Cefalù")
Between Rain and Sunshine
At my first “real” stop in Sicily, in Cefalù, I was finally caught by the rains that had already been forecast for Rome. Even so, it could definitely have been worse, and I made the most of the sunshine in between. Continue reading Between Rain and Sunshine
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/20261009_075520-1038x576.jpg "Ferry ride to Sicily")
By train across the Strait of Messina
I generally enjoy traveling by train. However, this particular trip had a very special feature: a ferry crossing on the train. Continue reading By train across the Strait of Messina
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/20261008_165619-1038x576.jpg "View of Forum Romanum and Colosseum")
The long and short of Rome
As the saying goes: All roads lead to Rome!
This time, that held true for the journey to my next vacation as well.
In the process, I ended up spending both less and more time sightseeing in Rome than I had anticipated:
- Less time, because I had originally planned a stay of (almost) two days and one night, but had to reduce this due to construction work on the railway line I was about to take, as I wanted to avoid multiple, cumbersome transfers.
- More time, because the torrential rain that had been forecast for the entire day took a little longer to arrive than expected.
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260625_144626-1038x576.jpg "View from Rüfikopf towards Rüfispitze")
Lech, or: Magnificent mountain views on the Green Ring
Similar to the White Ring for skiers, Lech also has the Green Ring for hikers: a circuit through the mountains around the three villages of Lech, Zürs, and Zug. I have picked out a few highlights from this Green Ring over the past few days. Continue reading Lech, or: Magnificent mountain views on the Green Ring
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260625_092544-1038x576.jpg "Spitziger Stein Reservoir and Widderstein mountain")
Wait, isn’t that Widderstein?
Today I took a trip to Warth, and from there I made a large loop through the mountains between Warth and Schröcken. Continue reading Wait, isn’t that Widderstein?
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260624_093944-1038x576.jpg "Lake Formarin and Rote Wand")
Lech, or: Finally Lake Formarin!
Lake Formarin was actually already on my wish list during my last stay in Lech. However, with heavily overcast skies (and the possibility of rain), I deemed the (even then) rather expensive hiking bus not to be worth it. This time, however, I treated myself to the Lech Card, which includes all hiking buses and mountain lifts. Therefore, with brilliant sunshine, nothing stood in the way of a hike. Continue reading Lech, or: Finally Lake Formarin!
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260623_113557-1038x576.jpg "Lindau Harbour")
Taking a break in Lindau
Today was another travel day. Actually, the distance between my two accommodations was only about 15¾ (!) kilometers (as the crow flies). Unfortunately, there is no direct road from Kleinwalsertal towards the Arlberg region. Using public transport made things even more complicated. To break up the long journey a bit, I made a short stop in Lindau on Lake Constance. Continue reading Taking a break in Lindau
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260622_103225-1038x576.jpg "View of Schwarzwasser valley and Ifen from Grünhorn summit")
Hiking, not swimming
The summer heat has also arrived in Kleinwalsertal, albeit probably on a different level than in the big city. However, since I can certainly go swimming in Vienna, but mountains are rather scarce there, I decided not to visit any open-air swimming pool. Instead, I took the bus to Baad, the last village in Kleinwalsertal, and explored different side valleys from there. Continue reading Hiking, not swimming
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260618_134408-1038x576.jpg "View of Fellhorn and Kanzelwand from Rote Wand viewpoint")
Ri(d)ght(e) at the border
Although I spent the last two days in Kleinwalsertal, I often hiked right along the border with Germany: This border runs precisely along the mountain ridge around which the hikes of the last two days revolved. Continue reading Ri(d)ght(e) at the border