Our Experiences in France
Chamonix is a picturesque town tucked away in the French Alps. Mont Blanc dominates the skyline, creating one of the most unique landscapes in Europe. Explore the hiking trails, stroll through the streets of Chamonix, journey higher into the mountains by train and cable car, and view the waterfalls of ice that pour down from the Mont Blanc massif. Here …
The Grand Balcon Nord is a scenic trail that overlooks Chamonix and its surrounding mountains. From one end of the trail, you can see the white peak of Mont Blanc emerging from the clouds. At the other end lies Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France. The Grand Balcon Nord hike is one of the best things to do …
The Walker’s Haute Route is a 14-stage trek from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. It is a tough yet rewarding experience through the French and Swiss Alps that crosses 10 mountain passes and offers incredible scenery along the way. It is a beast of a trek! It took us 13 days, averaging 16 km (10 miles) with 1,140 meters (3,740 …
Hiking the Walker’s Haute Route is more than putting one foot in front of the other on a hiking trail for panoramic views of the Alps. This journey takes you to remote mountain huts, to tiny hamlets on the mountainsides, and small villages in the valleys. We tried new foods (lots of cheese, meat, potatoes, and bread), did our best …
Hiking to the Argentière Glacier is a great hike to do if you are looking for an easy excursion with beautiful views of the French Alps. The trail leads to an active glacier, where you can stand in front its frigid wall and listen for chunks of ice breaking off in the summer sun. A cable car whisks hikers up …
The Walker’s Haute Route is one of the most rewarding and memorable multi-day walks in Europe. On this journey, hikers will cross 10 of the highest mountain passes in the Alps, while walking from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. It’s an extraordinary journey but not without its challenges. With 14 stages, multiple variations to the route, and a narrow window …
The Walker’s Haute Route is a multi-day trek from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland. On this walk, hikers will cross 10 mountain passes, walk through small towns and through rugged, remote landscapes, and get to experience a less touristy side of the Swiss Alps. There are several routes that take hikers from Chamonix to Zermatt. The “classic route” typically takes …
One of the best things to do in Chamonix, France is to ride the cable car to Aiguille du Midi. Once here, visit the viewpoints and exhibits at the mountain station, or continue the journey by riding the Panoramic Mont-Blanc to Italy. We have ridden cable cars to many mountain peaks in Europe and this is one of the best. …
There are several reasons why the hike to Lac Blanc is one of the best in Chamonix. For one thing, this alpine lake is beautiful. A series of gondolas and chair lifts lop off the first big climb, making this hike doable for most ages and ability levels. But one of the best reasons to do this hike is for …
After an easy, somewhat unexciting walk from Chamonix to Argentière, the hike gets to be a lot more interesting on this stage. It also gets a lot more challenging. Stage 2 of the Walker’s Haute Route is the first time you really get to test out your legs and enjoy the alpine views for which this trek is famous for. …
Stage 1 of the Walker’s Haute Route is the shortest, easiest day of the entire trek. It’s a mostly flat walk between Chamonix and Argentière and for most of this stage, you are either walking through town or through an evergreen forest. If you spent any time in Chamonix or Argentière prior to starting this trek, as we did, you’ll …
If you are planning your first visit to Paris, this Paris itinerary is perfect for you. With 2 days in Paris, you have just enough time to visit the highlights of this extraordinary city. Visit the Louvre, enjoy the views from the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, stroll along the Champs-Élysées, and explore the charming neighborhoods of Paris. In …
What should you eat while in Paris? Since French culture is deeply intertwined with food, the answer to this question is just as important as what you should see and do while visiting Paris. Dining on escargot and freshly baked bread, planning a picnic lunch in front of the Eiffel Tower, and dining at a sidewalk café are essential experiences …
Choosing where to stay in Paris can feel overwhelming. There are so many options! To make things easier for you, we have narrowed down the long list of hotels into just a few great properties, organized by neighborhood and budget. Overview of Paris Before we jump into the best hotels in Paris, here is a quick geography lesson. This is …
The Alsace wine route, located in eastern France, is a wonderful blend of fairytale towns and picturesque vineyards. 3 days on the Alsace wine route gives you enough time to visit a handful of these charming towns and to explore the countryside. About the Alsace Wine Route The Alsace wine route stretches 170 km, starting near Strasbourg in the north …
Colmar is a picture-perfect town located in the Alsace region of France. This small town, with its colorful, half-timbered houses, overflowing flower pots, and bustling street cafes, looks like it has been plucked right out of a fairy tale. With one day in Colmar, you have just enough time to explore the scenic streets, dine on Alsatian food, go wine …
When I first saw photos of the town of Colmar, it immediately got added to our travel wish list. With its colorful buildings, bouquets of flowers, and scenic streets, it looked like it was plucked right out of a fairy tale. With a little more research, I was thrilled to learn that Colmar is just one of many fairytale towns …
A trip to London, Amsterdam, and Paris…sounds nice, right? With 10 days you have just enough time to visit these three cities, although it will be a bit of a whirlwind tour. There is a lot to see and do here, and our London Amsterdam Paris itinerary will help you manage your time so you can have the best experience …
If you are planning a trip to Paris, how do you decide what to do? There are the places that people dream about visiting on their first visit to Paris, like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, but there are also neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try. This Paris bucket list contains 45 of the best experiences you …
On this Amsterdam Brussels Paris itinerary, visit three of Europe’s best cities. Start in Amsterdam, where you get to stroll along the canals and visit the world class Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum. Travel by train to Belgium where you will spend two days dining on chocolate, waffles, and beer and exploring the fairytale towns of Bruges and Ghent. And …