Europe has a brilliant mix of vibrant destinations, with mesmerizing views, rich culture and world-class coastlines that make it a great choice for summer vacations. There are so many wonderful destinations to choose from in Europe to suit your interests, from the adventurous types to sun seekers; those wanting the soak up the culture and history, and people looking for energetic nightlife. These are six of the best places for a summer break if you’re planning a getaway to Europe.   Santorini Santorini is one of the most breath-taking locations in the world. Once a volcanic island, it’s... Read More

Hiking is a popular activity around the world. It’s a great way to get exercise while enjoying spectacular views, natural scenery, and observing wildlife. The incredibly beautiful country of New Zealand offers a huge selection of outstanding hiking trails. Before starting out on any hike, always ensure you are prepared. Hiking boots are essential, along with several layers of appropriate clothing and a hat. Take plenty of drinking water, emergency food supplies and a medical kit. Don’t forget that your skin can lose a lot of vital moisture during long hikes, so always bring a good moisturiser... Read More

While I love pulling up in a vehicle to a campsite and unloading right there, there’s something extra rewarding and enjoyable about backcountry camping where you have to park at a trailhead and hike your gear in. If you’ve never gone backpacking or camping in the backcountry, it can seem daunting, so we’ve made a handy guide for getting started! Pack Light While you may think you want that cozy blanket or two hardcover books to read now, once you’ve been carrying them for a few hours you’ll regret it. No matter how far you’re hiking, packing light is very important. Your pack should... Read More

You know what I love? Camping. You know what I don’t love as much? Paying as much as I would for a hotel room for a night! Luckily, there are plenty of free campsites in and around the front range, and we’ve compiled some for you to get you started!   West Magnolia Ridge 602-610 County Highway 132-W Nederland, Colorado GPS: 39.946961, -105.517587 Elevation: 8711′ If you can brave rough camping accessed by a currently washed-out road, you’re in for a treat. This site is near Nederland and many hiking trails with sweeping views of the forests and mountains. Pets are allowed, and... Read More

Discover the 10 Best Hikes in Boulder Outstanding hiking trails await you in the city of Boulder, Colorado.  Featuring incredible scenery, Boulder’s tracks provide unforgettable challenges for novices and experts alike.   Before starting out on any hike, always make sure you are prepared for the elements. Well-fitting, broken-in hiking boots are essential – along with several layers of appropriate clothing and a hat. Make sure you take enough drinking water, snacks, emergency food supplies and a medical kit. Don’t forget that your skin can lose a lot of vital moisture during long hikes,... Read More

That summer feel is in the air, and many of us are itching to get outside after a long, cold winter. Lucky for us, there are so many wonderful events being hosted in the Boulder area! Here are 6 events you can’t miss this summer: 1. Boulder Plein Art Festival From June 3-June 10, join artists and enthusiasts in paint-outs as they paint beautiful landscapes, cityscapes, and teach workshops. This event is open to the public and you may participate for $35 an event. This fee covers water, sunscreen, and on-site food, but these events are BYOP (bring your own paints). Or attend one of the workshops... Read More

Looking to relax? Get out in nature? Get some delicious fresh-caught fish for your table? If you’re fairly new to fishing or usually drive a long way to get your fix, I’ve got some good news: you can find great fishing spots right here in Boulder County! 1. Wonderland Lake Size: 34 Acres Depth: 13ft at max depth Species: Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Carp, Bullhead Location: Trailhead off of Broadway and Sumac Boats and Wading prohibited 2. Viele Lake Size: 6 acres Depth: 15 feet at max depth Species: Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Carp, Pumpkinseed Sunfish,... Read More

Spring is in the air, and with all the snowmelt beginning to rush down from the mountains, it is peak waterfall season. As the weather gets warmer, the time is now to hit the trails and see some beautiful natural wonders. Lucky for you, there are plenty within an hour or two of Boulder that will make the trip totally worth it. 1. Eldorado Falls For a lovely hike close to home, head to Walker Ranch and the Ethel Harrod Trailhead. Take a nice moderate 1.25-mile hike down about 500 feet through pine forests until you hear the rushing water of the South Boulder Creek hitting the rocks. These cascades... Read More

When you look out over the mountain peaks that make Colorado one of the most beautiful places to live in the country, you may see certain summits that tower over the others, snowcapped even late into the summer. Many of these are known as 14ers, and their height reaches over 14,000 feet above sea level. There are 58 of these massive peaks in Colorado, the most of any state in the country, and conquering them is a rite of passage for any outdoor enthusiast. But don’t think you can just hop on a trail and summit a 14er—these monsters take more preparation than you might think. Here’s a handy... Read More

I love the outdoors. The purity and sanctity of nature is something many of us take for granted, and nothing is more disappointing than seeing trash on the bank of a mountain stream or finding plastic in the underbrush of a backcountry trail. Our planet is in danger, and it’s up to us to do our part and make a difference in protecting it so future generations can enjoy the beauty of untouched nature the way we have been able to. But how to even begin? The internet is flush with examples of people who live a zero-waste lifestyle, who started recycling companies at age 7, who invented tools to... Read More

As the weather gets warmer, the itch to take to the hills gets stronger; but springtime camping comes with its own challenges and unique experiences, so its important to be prepared. We’ve compiled a list of the most important tips to keep in mind when heading out to camp this spring. 1. There Will Be Mud Between snowmelt and April showers, there will most likely be wet and muddy patches you’ll need to contend with. Waterproof footwear, canvas tent footprints, rain tarps, rain jackets, and heavy-duty tent pegs that won’t pull out of the wet ground are a must for keeping yourself dry and comfortable. 2.... Read More

Spring is in the air, and with warmer weather comes one of my favorite times of year: Farmer’s Market season! If you’ve never shopped at a farmer’s market before, you may not be as excited as I am. Luckily for you, I’m here to tell you why you should be! Get Seasonal The food you buy at farmer’s markets is fresh and local, so the selection changes based on what is ready to harvest. This is a great excuse to try new recipes and eat like our ancestors did. Variation is good for your body and keeps cooking exciting! Support Your Community Farmer’s markets specifically... Read More

1. Bolder Boulder When: May 28 Where: Downtown Boulder Price: Packages vary, see website for details Get your fitness on at the BolderBoulder annual Memorial Day 10K! This year the race turns 40 years old, so it’s a great time to come for the first time or return for a day of entertainment, exercise, and engagement with the community. Local businesses will be featured at the expo, live music and entertainment will greet you at the finish line; it’s easy to see why this world-recognized community event draws upwards of 50,000 participants each year! Learn more at: http://www.bolderboulder.com/ 2.... Read More

We as a culture are constantly on the move, and guidebooks or websites aren’t always something we have access to. Apps that help to facilitate our adventures in the great outdoors can be the difference between going and staying home, because they provide helpful information and a more user-friendly interface than old school maps. The problem is that there are hundreds of outdoor apps on the market: so which ones are really worth it? We’ve compiled some pros and cons of five of the most popular outdoor apps to help you be in the know. 1. AllTrails With a catalogue of over 50,000 trails in both... Read More

While the saying “it’s about the journey, not the destination” is definitely a good one to take to heart, it’s not always 100% true; especially when the destination is a waterfall. We’ve found five waterfall hikes near Boulder that will really make you excited about the destination. 5. Alberta Falls Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, these falls are some of the easiest to reach at the end of a gently rolling 1.7-mile roundtrip loop. Take the kids for a picnic by these scenic falls, dip your feet in the snowmelt, and snap a selfie with the cascading water in the background. 4. Bridal... Read More

One of the wonderful things about Boulder culture is that everyone loves to be outside all the time. Unfortunately, that makes for crowded trails and busy trailheads. Part of the experience of the great outdoors is solitude with nature, and that can be a challenging thing to find in Boulder. Lucky for you, we’ve found some less-trafficked diamonds in the rough to feed that need to be alone in the wilderness. Anemone Hill Anemone Hill is a perfect solution for the introvert hiker who doesn’t want to drive far. This pleasant 2.4-mile out-and-back hike shares a parking lot with Mount Sanitas,... Read More

Boulder residents are nothing if not adventurous, and with a slew of jagged peaks, soaring canyons, and other beautiful natural features just begging to be conquered, rock climbing is a popular pastime. We found five great places to get in a killer climb for those adventurous spirits. 1.  Eldorado Canyon Eldorado Canyon, a state park just south of Boulder, offers hundreds of routes up 700-foot cliffs. Climb along south-facing routes in the springtime, and beat the heat in the summer by finding shaded routes. This park can get crowded on weekends, so go early to get your climb on! 2. The Flatirons You’ve... Read More

If you don’t mind a bit of a drive out into the Indian Peaks Wilderness deep in Boulder County, there is a beautiful hidden gem of a trail waiting for you. Blue Lake and Little Blue Lake is a 6.3 mile out-and-back trail near Nederland, and offers one of the most rewarding hiking experiences in the area. Our Ratings: Crowd: 4/5. The Indian Peaks Wilderness area itself is very crowded, especially when it comes to parking. We ended up adding over a mile to our trek because we had to park so far away from the trailhead. But once you get on the trail, many hikers stop at the Little Blue Lake, which... Read More

As spring nears and the snow melts (we can hope!), it will soon be time to trade skis for spokes and take to the mountain biking trails. Not sure which trails are worth the trek? Never fear—we’ve compiled five of the best bike trails in the area to get you started. 1. Sunset Trail East, Erie CO For those looking for a gentle start, this 1-mile beginner loop in Erie has high ratings, views of the plains, and nice easy switchbacks for a pleasant afternoon ride. This singletrack trail offers connections to Sunset West, County Road 5, and other trails and roads for those who want to keep on going. 2.... Read More

If you’re like me, you like getting outside with your furry best friend. But sometimes it’s hard to know what trails allow four-legged adventuring companions and which frown on it. Here at AboutBoulder we’ve compiled a list of the best dog-friendly hikes in the area so you’ll never have to leave your pup behind again! Royal Arch Trail This challenging 3.4-mile loop will gain 1,358 feet and provide you and your pooch with a killer workout. The trailhead begins in Chautauqua and splits off at the flagstone staircase—just follow the signs. Ascend through pine forests and wildflower meadows... Read More