Past Blast: The Matterhorn

View from Zermatt

While Americans may become familiar with the Matterhorn via an amusement park ride, the 14,690 ft summit is actually one of the most dangerous peaks to climb in the Alps. Alas, we only hiked from the nearby Swiss town of Zermatt to the glacier at the Matterhorn's base. The four-sided peak has a way of repeatedly dramatically-revealing itself, both in the winding streets of Zermatt and the other nearby Alpine villages, and as the trails make their way past small streams and ski slopes.

Zermatt- nestled in an Alpine valley

While the hiking itself is nice and quiet, there is an almost-constant rumbling of mini-avalanches down the steep faces of the Alps. Kind of neat to watch small streams of snow pour over the top edges and appear to be a short-term waterfall. Our day of hiking was filled with sunshine, and was only missing a yodeler or two to complete the Swiss experience.

Know where to go

The Freshmaker

Past Blast: Prague

Týnský chrám at night

Charles Bridge, with Prague Castle above

Prague, one of the highlights of eastern Europe, is the Czech Republic's capital city. Sitting upon 9 hills and stretching across the Vltava River, it is sort of a colder version of Rome. In fact, the Holy Roman Empire once ruled from here, and King Charles IV built his famous namesake bridge in the 1300s.


There is plenty to see, and as long as you don't mind hiking a bit, it's all quite accessible. The Jewish quarter has cramped cemeteries and synagogues to visit; one temple's interior is entirely covered with the names of the 77,200 Prague Jews who died in the Holocaust.

Prague Castle; feels like LOTR

Prague Castle [Pražský hrad], noted by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest castle complex,  has a commanding view of the entire city. Most of the complex is open to tourists, including St. Vitus' Cathedral and its royal tombs. The castle itself gives you a real feel for the gothic late-middle-ages, and has balconies to admire the city below.


A treat on my visit included a taste of Absinthe, at the time not allowed in many European countries [let alone the US] due to its high alcohol content and alleged hallucinogenic properties. Prague is also home to many quality and economically-priced beers. According to my journal, we enjoyed 0.5L mugs of a local Pilsner for the equivalent of $1. So while you may be doing a lot of walking, there will be plenty of opportunities for refreshment.

View of Prague from its hrad

Past Blast: Lucca

Not pigeons... SQUAB!

Probably a piazza up ahead! 

Near the Italian west coast in Tuscany, Lucca [loo-ka] still retains its medieval fortress walls surrounding the dense urban core of the city. You'll notice that streets seem darker, buried between taller buildings due to lack of space. After visiting the hilly towns of Tuscany, Lucca feels more like a Chicago landscape- it sits on a flat plain. So there isn't any up-and-down hiking to be had.


Since the streets are so narrow, the piazzas tend to attract more than their share of crowds. Lucca still retains the original Roman grid plan in the center near San Michele in Foro, literally 'Saint Michael in the Forum'. Plenty of tourists, saw players, and pigeoni to be found here. Be sure to visit the Piazza Anfiteatro, which still retains the shape of the original Roman amphitheater. And a note on that saw player video [below]: either all saw players look alike, or I also saw him in Florence and back home in Rome.

Peace & Quiet

Somebody likes making stencils... customize your own!

Past Blast: Cefalù

A piazza on the Mediterranean

Located in the center of Sicily's north coast, Cefalù is a small yet frequently touristed city. It has an odd mix of buildings, thanks to the Normans [French] stopping by Sicily on their way back from crusading in the 11th century. Although the medieval and modern day Cefalù are directly on the sea, the remains of the original ancient Cefalù sit on an impregnable rocky hill overlooking the bay. There are a series of winding paths atop the hill, and the ruins are perfect for soaking up some Sicilian sun.

Hills, beaches, sea... it's all good

Just looking at any of my Sicily pictures can take me away from a dreary, breezy midwestern autumn day. The entire week we were there, it was 70+ degrees and sunny. Despite mafioso risks, Sicily is a must-visit for all at some point.

A view of the new from the ruins

Taste of Rome

Nothing too crazy today, just an old video I shot on a typical walk from our Hotel in Rome to our studio... The school recently purchased a newer studio, as well as student apartments, so soon this route will be outdated. However, I'll still remember when the walk was uphill- both ways. And watch out for motorini!

Past Blast [literally]: Mt. Vesuvius

Mt. Vesuvius

Growing up I had access to a large collection of National Geographic VHS tapes. Aside from having one of the greatest intro-title songs ever, the videos were chock full of history and science. One of my favorites dealt with the ancient city of Pompeii and current archeological discoveries there. I remember the quiet pans on the video, showing Vesuvius overshadowing the ruins of Pompeii. So while my class abroad only spent a day in Pompeii, I made sure to get back and climb to the top of the volcano myself.

The steaming gun

A little background: Mount Vesuvius [Italian: Monte Vesuvio] is located east of Naples [Napoli], Italy. Well-known for its 79 A.D. destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum, its most recent eruption was in 1944 when US troops were occupying the Italian peninsula. Over 3 million people still live near the officially active [albeit 'green level'] volcano.

Naples in the distance

There are a number of buses that leave from Naples for Mount Vesuvius, which is now an Italian National Park. They drop you off at the foot of a path that winds around the outside of the cone, providing views of the Bay of Naples. It was cool and crisp the morning I was there; kind of eerie with its moonish-landscape of rocks and ash. At the top of the path you can see into the crater, which looks like the ash is feeding down into a funnel. White wisps of steam still make their way through the rock and dissipate into the air, letting you know there's still a hot magma connection deep beneath your feet.


If you're ever in bustling Naples and have a spare morning, I recommend visiting this quiet crater.

Past Blast: Assisi

Previously, in Italy:

Piazza del Comune, city center

This week's mini-tour occurred on one of our Architecture Class' frequent field trips in Italy. Assisi, home to St. Francis, sits on a mountainside in the Umbria region of central Italy.


Its central piazza still has a Roman-era temple front nestled into its street wall. Of course the pagan structure has since been converted into a church. Hello, photo op.


I also dug up a short video taken at noon- when the many bell towers in Assisi let you know it's time to grab some lunch. One thing we don't have in the States is this daily, sometimes overpowering ringing of bells. Too bad.



A couple more random photos: once the morning fog lifted, it was a perfect day.

Arcade, Basilica di S. Francesco d'Assisi

Overlook, Basilica di S. Francesco d'Assisi

Past Blast: Neuschwanstein Castle

Previously, in Germany:


A trip post-College but pre-Real-World included a Mike's Bike Tour in Bavaria near Neuschwanstein Castle. Despite an overcast day and my camera not zooming, the castle still provided a dramatic approach:





The castle was built in the late 1800s by a crazed Ludwig II... and is best known America-side as the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty castle. "I can't believe somebody built that" is a common reaction.