![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260503_145034-1038x576.jpg "Semmering Railway")
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
Tag Archives: Hiking
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260402_113543-1038x576.jpg "Punakha Dzong")
In the Land of the Thunder Dragon
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).
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260409_160254-1038x576.jpg "View of Kathmandu from Swayambhunath")
Katman-hin-du and Namo-Buddha
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
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260408_093905-1038x576.jpg "Tiger's Nest")
A highlight at the end
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
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260407_083119-1038x576.jpg "Phobjikha Valley")
Beautiful Phobjikha
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
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/shuk-drak-goenpa-1038x576.jpg "Shuk Drak Goenpa")
The spiritual heart of Bhutan
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
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260402_093848-1038x576.jpg "Dochula Pass")
Chortens at various locations
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
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260401_103732-1038x576.jpg "Tango Monastery")
Tango in Thimphu Valley
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")
French Riviera and Provence
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.
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/20251002_125839-1038x576.jpg "Pont du Gard")
2000 years of history
Today was my last full day in Provence – and I did not even spend it in Provence, but in the neighboring region of Occitania. The reason for this was that today was, in fact, the synthesis of the two previous days: Romans + Bridge = Pont du Gard. Continue reading 2000 years of history