Trekking Great Sand Dunes National Monument, Colorado

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A photographer works to get the last light in Sand Dunes National Monument, Colorado.
Photo: Nate Burgess

Sunset, Tamarindo, Costa RicaExposed:

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The sun sets over the beach of Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Nikon D200, 1/350, f10, 100iso
Photo: Elizabeth Cox

Halstatt Lake, Salzkammergut, Austria

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Halstatt, Salzkammergut, Austria
Nikin D200, 1/80, f4.8, 100iso
Photo: Ryan Kirkland

Lightning strikes the Arizone Desert

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Lightning strikes the desert in Arizona. Lightning is common during the summer monsoon season.
Nikon D700, 15s, f4.5, 200iso
Photo: Nate Burgess

Tuna at the Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo, Japan

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A Tuna awaits processing at the Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo, Japan
Nikin D200, 1/3, f5.3, 100iso
Photo: Erick Pound

Sunrise over Monument Valley, Arizona

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Sunrise over the Monument Valley, Arizona.

From Vienna it’s a two and half hour to the transfer at Attnang-Puchheim where your train will take you south to the Salzkammergut area of Austria.  Although this area is not home to the grand Alps that we often associate with the Austrian Alps, the cliffs rising directly out of glacial lakes makes this area an adventure seekers dream.  The draw of this region attracts events like the Red Bull X-Alps competition.  This competition is held every year and requires participants to travel 850KM from Krippenstein to Monaco.  Even if you don’t have the time for a trek across half of Europe there is still plenty to do.  Each summer the Salzkammergut Mountain Bike Trophy race is held starting and finishing in Bad Goisern.  If you can’t make it for the race or just want a little more space you, can ride each course. They range from 14.7 mi to 129.7 mi. so make sure you’re biking legs are in shape.  Each course is included in the map on this site, but individual Google Earth and GPS files are available from http://www.salzkammergut-trophy.at/show_page.php?pid=284.  If you would like to explore more biking tours, you can download them from http://bike-gps.idrz.de/.

Although mountain biking may seem like the permier activity, in reality there is much more to do.  SCUBA diving oppertunities are all around, including the gorgeous Hallstatt lake.  On the the shore of Hallstatt lake is the town of Hallstatt.  Although it has become rather touristy lately, this town is worth the trip as the view of the town situated on both the shore of the lake and the base of a cliff is simply stunning.  From here you can charter a guide to take you onto the lake for a great day of diving (http://www.hallstatt.net/publisher/articleview/action/view/frmArticleID/121/?lang=en-iso-8859-15).  If you would rather a view from above there are numerous options for that as well.  For those not willing to go over the edge there are cable cars that offer some ‘life list’ views, while those craving a loftier feeling can take a para-gliding ride with a licensed instructor (http://www.aufwind.at/aufwind/content/TxtB_1664/view).  Other great adventures include ice caves, innumerable hiking & biking trails, and plenty of kayaking or conoeing trips.  Regardless of how you plan your travel, there is plenty of sights to see.