Kimberly Kephart Travels

KIMBERLY KEPHART TRAVELS Fall in Northern Italy: From Harvest Festivals to Mountain Hikes Not me running straight into fall.... Hey Reader Have you ever pictured yourself in Northern Italy in the fall? Imagine golden leaves drifting across mountain trails, the scent of roasted chestnuts in the air, and villagers celebrating centuries-old traditions. It’s the season of cheese festivals, crisp wines, apple harvests, and the joyful Desmontegada (or Almabtrieb), when decorated cows return from...

Greetings from Italy, It's been a long summer over here in Vicenza, and I've got a few new posts on the blog for you to check out, but first: For those of you who don't know, I am hosting a Group trip to Jordan in 2026. If you’ve ever dreamed of Petra, a night under Wadi Rum’s stars, or floating carefree in the Dead Sea, now’s your moment. I've gotten a lot of questions about if it's safe right now, and word on the street is: Yes, it's safe. Flights are still going in and out of Amman. Find...

The In-Betweens You Don’t See Dear friends, Normally, this is the point in the week where I’d be dropping into your inbox with some travel/hiking inspiration. But today’s note is going to be a little different. All I want to do is dive into a gallon of gelato to bury my feelings. Because I’m human, and these past two months have been hard in ways I didn’t fully see coming. I'll get back to travel, but I need to get this off my chest. Writing about it helps me process what happened. People see...

Hey friend, I’m going to be honest: The Dolomites GET CROWDED! Think tour buses, selfie sticks, and people in sandals sliding around the trail. Yeah, Sandals! This summer the Auronzo Cadore officials instituted a new reservation system to access the Aurunzo tollway. This area has seen heavy traffic due to influencers showcasing the Cadni Di Misurina lookout point and wanting a slice of dolomiti heaven in Tre Cime Di Lavaredo. I talk about the madness I encountered when I went to this area...

Hey friend, I get this question all the time: "Where should I start if I’ve never hiked in the Dolomites before?" Totally fair — planning a hike here can feel overwhelming at first. With jaw-dropping ridgelines, rifugios on cliffs, and a region that is VAST! Here's where I think you should start: Pale di San Martino If you're looking for a beautiful area that is less crowded within distance of major sites and still feels epic, I always recommend the Pale di San Martino It’s one of those areas...

Hey Friend! This week, I’m taking you inside what it's like to stay in a rifugio and sharing exactly how you can plan your own stay in a mountain hut in the Dolomites. I still remember the first time I stayed in a rifugio, muddy boots, warm polenta, and a sunset I’ll never forget. Rifugi are one of my favorite ways to experience the Dolomites. My Favorite Rifugio in the Dolomites: Rifugio Scotoni in Alta Badia, Dolomites 🏔️ Meet Rifugio ScotoniTucked beneath the peaks near Lagazuoi, this...

Kimberly Kephart Travels www.kimberlykepharttravels.com The Mountains Are Waking Up, And So Should Your Travel Plans Ciao from Northern Italy! It’s that time of year again—when snow melts, wildflowers bloom, and the Dolomites come alive with possibility. If you’ve been dreaming about misty mornings in the mountains, soul-shifting sunsets from a rifugio, or tackling your first (or fifth!) long-distance trek, you’re in the right place. A View of the Puez Odle Group Across the Dolomites,...