Around Easter 2026, I treated myself to a very special trip (that was originally already planned for 2020): a visit to the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan (with a few days in Nepal before and after).
In late summer 2025, I enjoyed three weeks at the French Riviera and in Provence, with a side trip to Monaco. On the way there and back, I also travelled through Italy and Switzerland, respectively.
The Lofoten Islands were on my travel bucket list for quite a while. In early summer 2025, I finally made it happen: I spent a week taking the train up north (with stops in Germany, Denmark, and Sweden). Then, I spent two weeks in the Lofoten Islands and Vesterålen.
In early autumn 2024, a (to me) previously unknown European mountain range was on my agenda: the Pyrenees. I explored both the French and the Spanish side, and I also spent some time in Andorra.
After quite a long time, I finally visited Switzerland again in early summer 2024. This time, I also explored the Swiss Alps in depth (or should I say: heights?).
Unbelievable, but true: From October 2023 to February 2024, I went on a round-the-world trip for the second (!) time. The main focus was New Zealand, but I also visited the South Pacific and Southeast Asia.
The Corona pandemic really put the brakes on my travel plans: For two years I traveled (almost) exclusively within Austria. Only in early summer 2022, I slowly started to travel again (within Europe).
In the early 2010s, I traveled extensively in Europe. However, especially in the second half of the decade, I was criss-crossing the globe on my travels a lot, even by my standards.
A term abroad in New York (including a trip through California before the start of the term) awakened my wanderlust. As a result, between 2003 and 2009, I traveled extensively overseas –including an eight-month round-the-world trip. But I also spent some time abroad in Europe.
As the readers of this blog may have noticed, I do like trains. Today, I not only travelled by train, but also explored a (very special) railway line on foot: I hiked the (Lower Austrian section of) the Semmering Railway Trail, from Semmering to Payerbach-Reichenau. Continue reading The Semmering Railway by foot→
We spent the last two days of our vacation back in Nepal, specifically in (and around) Kathmandu. Since both Hinduism and Buddhism play an important role in Nepal, we visited both Hindu and Buddhist temples – sometimes even both at once. Continue reading Katman-hin-du and Namo-Buddha→
The last stop on my Bhutan trip was the same as the first: Paro. And once again, a real highlight was on the agenda there. Continue reading A highlight at the end→
Although we missed Phobjikha’s main attraction, the black-necked cranes, by a month or two, I was captivated by the sheer scenic beauty of this valley. Continue reading Beautiful Phobjikha→
The last two days were dedicated to the Bumthang district, considered the “spiritual heart” of the country: It is home to Bhutan’s oldest temples, and is also believed to be the birthplace of Buddhism in Bhutan. Continue reading The spiritual heart of Bhutan→
Today we drove over the Dochula Pass, which is about 3,100 meters high, into the Punakha Valley. At only about 1,200 meters above sea level, this is almost a “real” valley (unlike Thimphu Valley, which is about 1,000 meters higher). Along the way, we saw numerous chortens and, of course, another dzong. Continue reading Chortens at various locations→
We spent the last day and a half in Thimphu Valley, where Bhutan’s capital city of the same name is located. However, the biggest attraction (in my opinion) was not the city itself, but rather the Tango Monastery, which is located a little further north in the valley. Continue reading Tango in Thimphu Valley→
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/20250915_133329-1038x576.jpg "View of Monaco")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/20250611_102153-1038x576.jpg "View from Reinebringen")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20240929_143951-1038x576.jpg "Vall d'Ordino")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240626_085529-1038x576.jpg "Grindelwald")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240107_121025-1038x576.jpg "View from Avalanche Peak")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/trips2020-23.jpg "Travelling in COVID times")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/trips2010-19.jpg "Europe and the wide, wide world")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/trips2003-06.jpg "Trips 2003-08")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260503_145034-1038x576.jpg "Semmering Railway")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260402_113543-1038x576.jpg "Punakha Dzong")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260409_160254-1038x576.jpg "View of Kathmandu from Swayambhunath")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260407_081629-1038x576.jpg "Phobjikha Valley")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260408_093905-1038x576.jpg "Tiger's Nest")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260407_083119-1038x576.jpg "Phobjikha Valley")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/shuk-drak-goenpa-1038x576.jpg "Shuk Drak Goenpa")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260406_111747-1038x576.jpg "Trongsa Dzong")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260402_093848-1038x576.jpg "Dochula Pass")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260401_103732-1038x576.jpg "Tango Monastery")
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20260331_113540-1038x576.jpg "Paro Dzong")