Grindelwald, Switzerland
Outside of Interlaken, Switzerland is the small village of Grindelwald that is great for TravelEurope . The city was made famous by the novel Heidi and the view of the Swiss Alps and traditional alpine houses are like no other Swiss city. Imagine hiking in a green, lush valley guarded by towering, snow-capped granite cliffs high above.

There are several hikes that vary in length and difficulty, and the city's tourist office has ample maps on all of them. Overnight camping is permitted and highly recommended. For an amazing view of the range of Alps, take the gondola ride that goes to a little hut at the top of a hill with a spectacular view (or hike the steep trail beside it). A train out of Interlaken is necessary to reach Grindelwald; the cost is about $6.
By ET

Cong, Ireland
From the quaint town of Cong, in County Mayo, there is beautiful abbey. You will find an ancient river behind the ruin so prepare for a historic walk. Pass by the monk's fishing house over the bridge, and turn right along the river. Be sure to wear shoes that can withstand mud if it has been raining. Go through the tunnel and prepare to walk a mile through a storybook forest. There you will find the Pigeon Hole cave where tradition holds leprechauns are said to hide out. When you reach the cave, head down the steps. When you get to the bottom it is fun to throw rocks into the deep, dark crevises of the cave. You will hear a big splash of the underground river below.

Chamonix, France
Glacier or Summit? Glacier or Summit? That's the wonderful, tough choice for hikers in Chamonix, France - whether to do some ice climbing along Les Bossons Glacier or to reach for the summit of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the French Alps at 4,500 meters. Start off by taking the funicular tram from the village of Chamonix up to the ridgeline, where hang gliders launch off cliffs, and the trail starts. Trails wind on for kilometers along clear, easy paths, with constant views of the Alps across the valley, and the glacier spreading out below. A Refuge, run by an Alpinist mountaineers club, is several hours along the path, and is a gorgeous, cheap, and somewhat bare and cold, wooden cabin in which you can spend the night. Though Chamonix is famous for pristine outback skiing, the summer offers perfect hiking opportunities, from day hikes to peak bagging.
By JB