Choosing where to stay in Paris for the first time can feel overwhelming. Paris is a BIG city, made up of many different neighborhoods (also called arrondissements) with its attractions scattered throughout the sprawling city center. Every neighborhood comes with is pros and cons, which we will get to in just a little bit, and […]
Chamonix is one of the best places in the French Alps for a summer itinerary packed with cable car rides, glacier views, high alpine hikes, and jaw-dropping views of Mont Blanc. With 1 day, you can ride to Aiguille du Midi and see one of the most famous views in Europe; with 3 days, you […]
It’s no secret that Germany hosts some of the best Christmas markets in Europe. But unless you have tons of time, it’s best to concentrate on one region of Germany. This Christmas market itinerary focuses on southern Germany. Not only will you visit some of the most historic markets in Europe, but you will tour […]
Colmar is one of the most festive places to visit in Europe during the Christmas season. This small city is stunning year-round, with its colorful half-timbered houses, decorated storefronts, and cobblestoned streets. Add in twinkling lights, Christmas trees, garlands, and stalls selling mulled wine and holiday gifts, and you have one of Europe’s best destinations […]
Paris, the capital of France, is world renowned for its iconic landmarks, world-class museums, and picturesque streets lined with outdoor cafes and boutique shops. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Seine River, Champs-Élysées, and hilly streets of Montmartre are some of Paris’ most famous sights, but you can also explore its […]
Imagine watching the sun set over the city of Paris, with a glass of wine or cocktail in hand, from the vantage point of a rooftop bar. Paris, a city well known for its cuisine, famous landmarks, and culture, also offers quite a few elevated bars and restaurants where you can have a drink or […]
The Palace of Versailles is one of the most popular day trips from Paris. This opulent palace and its surrounding gardens are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. With that, crowds can be enormous. In this guide, we uncover the best way to visit Versailles, with tips on how to avoid […]
There are just a few buildings in the world that evoke the same sense of awe, wonder, and romance as the Eiffel Tower. For many, a trip to Paris would be incomplete without a visit to this iconic landmark. In this guide, we uncover the best way to visit the Eiffel Tower, with tips on […]
The Louvre is the largest art museum in the world and one of the top attractions in Paris. Planning a visit to the Louvre may sound complicated. With its massive size, long list of art exhibits, and tales of long lines, you may be wondering how to visit the Louvre and actually enjoy your visit. […]
Discover the best things to do in Chamonix, France in the summer. This guide covers the top cable cars, hiking trails, glaciers, and adventures in Chamonix, based on our firsthand experience hiking and exploring the area. Chamonix is one of the most spectacular mountain destinations in Europe, and in the summer, it’s an outdoor playground […]
The Grand Balcon Nord is one of the best hikes in Chamonix. This trail runs above the valley, offering sweeping views of Mont Blanc at one end and Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier, at the other. Tim, Tyler, Kara, and I hiked it in July as part of a five-day visit to Chamonix before […]
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 […]
The hike to Argentière Glacier is one of the best day hikes near Chamonix, with trails leading to multiple viewpoints of the glacier at different elevations. Depending on how you access the mountain, this can be either a moderate out-and-back of about 4.7 km or a challenging full-day loop of 14 km with over 1,100 […]
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 […]
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. […]
At 3,842 meters (12,605 feet), Aiguille du Midi is one of the highest places you can reach by cable car in the world and the closest most people will ever get to the summit of Mont Blanc without a rope and crampons. We’ve ridden cable cars across Europe from the Dolomites to Zermatt, and this […]
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 […]
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 […]