Chamonix in Summer

20 Best Things to Do in Chamonix, France in the Summer

Julie France 4 Comments

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 …

Grand Balcon Nord Hike

Grand Balcon Nord Hike: Best Direction, Hiking Stats, Photos & Tips

Julie France 7 Comments

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 …

Walkers Haute Route Planner

How To Plan Your Walker’s Haute Route Experience

Tim France, Switzerland 2 Comments

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 …

Haute Route Photos

Walker’s Haute Route in Photos

Julie France, Switzerland 4 Comments

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 …

Walkers Haute Route

Walker’s Haute Route: 21 Important Things to Know & FAQ

Julie France, Switzerland 7 Comments

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 …

Walkers Haute Route Trail Sign

Walker’s Haute Route Stages: An Overview of All 14 Stages

Julie France, Switzerland 21 Comments

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 …

Aiguille du Midi Chamonix France

Aiguille du Midi + Panoramic Mont-Blanc: The Ultimate Guide

Julie France, Italy 22 Comments

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. …

Haute Route Stage 2 Photo

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 2: Argentière to Col de Balme to Trient

Julie France, Switzerland Leave a Comment

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. …

Chamonix France Summer

Walker’s Haute Route Stage 1: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc to Argentière

Julie France, Switzerland 2 Comments

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 …

2 Days in Paris Itinerary

2 Days in Paris Itinerary: Best Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Julie France, Itinerary 14 Comments

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 …

French Macarons Foods to Eat in Paris

10 Foods to Eat in Paris and Where to Get Them

Thomas France 4 Comments

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 …

Where to Stay in Paris

Where to Stay in Paris in 2023: Best Hotels and Neighborhoods for Your Budget

Julie France 12 Comments

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 …

Alsace Itinerary

3 Days on the Alsace Wine Route Itinerary

Julie France 7 Comments

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 …

One Day in Colmar

One Day in Colmar: Best Things to Do, Where to Eat & Where to Stay

Julie France 7 Comments

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 …

London Amsterdam Paris Itinerary

10 Day London Amsterdam Paris Itinerary

Julie England, France, Itinerary, The Netherlands, United Kingdom 64 Comments

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 …

Paris Bucket List

Paris Bucket List: 45 Must-Have Experiences in Paris

Julie France 43 Comments

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 …

Brussels Belgium

10 Day Amsterdam Brussels Paris Itinerary

Julie Belgium, France, Itinerary, The Netherlands 79 Comments

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 …