Travel tips

Jul 5, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Following in the footsteps of a famous explorer at Yosemite National Park

Washington (dpa) - The legacy of John Muir can now be explored thanks to an interactive exhibition at the Oakland Museum of California that takes visitors through a simulation of the radical environmentalist's exploration of Yosemite National Park.

Diaries and original sketches help show how the 19th century researcher and environmentalist made the trip from Yosemite Falls to Mount Whitney and the exhibition also explains the important role Muir played in the creation of many of the United States' national parks.

'A Walk in the Wild: Continuing John Muir's Journey' runs from August 6 until January 22, 2012, with ticket prices ranging from 13.50 dollars for adults and 1.50 dollars for children under the age of eight.

New climbing route in Switzerland

Kerns, Switzerland (dpa) - A new freestyle climbing garden in the Swiss mountain area of Melchsee-Frutt opens this summer, offering climbers the opportunity of tackling a route on the Bonistock mountain.

According to the local tourist office at the village of Kerns in the canton of Obwalden, the route is equipped with bolts and cables and stretches for 80 metres around a crevice, along a rocky terrace and up an iron ladder to the mountain hotel in Bonistock. All equipment can be rented on site for a cost of 10 Swiss francs (12 dollars) for a half day and 15 francs for a full day.

Man-made reef in Orlando

Washington (dpa) - The addition of a new tropical reef at the Discovery Cove leisure park in Orlando gives visitors to Florida a chance to enjoy a breathtaking underwater world teeming with thousands of exotic tropical fish, sharks and rays.

The Grand Reef is approximately one hectare in size and is home to 125 different species of fish where tourists can go snorkeling and diving among canyons inspired by reefs from around the world. The more dangerous fish can be observed behind glass with tickets to the entire park costing a minimum of 199 dollars, depending on the season.

Photo exhibition shows how life used to be in the Austrian Alps

Tannheimertal, Austria (dpa) - A photo exhibition depicting life in the mountainous areas of Austria will be open until the end of the year in the Tannheimer Valley in Tyrol.

The work of artist Erika Groth-Schmachtenberger (1906-1992) shows how the population of the area's high valley went about their work and daily lives. The exhibition is open from Tuesday to Thursday between 15:00 and 1800 and on Wednesday and Saturday from 09:00 to 12:00. Internet: www.tannheimertal.com.