France Travel Guide

Posts Tagged ‘location’

If you appreciate the great outdoors, then be sure to head to Chamonix, which is in the Haute-Savoie region of France.

This lovely alpine town and ski resort boasts a wealth of beautiful mountain scenery, fantastic skiing opportunities, sporting and leisure activities, as well as some great shops, restaurants and bars, nightlife and other tourist attractions.

Chamonix, which is situated at the base of Europe’s highest mountain Mount-Blanc in the French Alps, has long been a skiing destination. In fact, the first Winter Olympics in 1924 were held in Chamonix.

Chamonix is a superb destination, whether it’s for an annual family vacation or just a weekend break. What’s more, it’s an ideal location to take a holiday all year round. It doesn’t matter whether it is winter or summer in Chamonix, there is always plenty of things to see and do.

This area is also ideal for a holiday property rental, as there is a great selection of self-catering accommodation here.

Not surprisingly, in the winter Chamonix is a skier’s paradise. While in the summer there are numerous activities on offer here, such as hiking, climbing and mountain biking.

While you are in Chamonix (and you don’t fancy doing any climbing yourself!) you should take a trip on the Aiguille du Midi cable car, which you get from the centre of Chamonix. From the top station (3842 metres), the views of the Swiss, French and Italian Alps are simply stunning.

If you’ve got the time, be sure to check out the Montenvers Train, which climbs to the famous Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier.

The skiing here in Chamonix is first class. There is a fantastic mix of slopes for everyone, including beginner’s slopes, gentle runs, down-hill pistes and cross-country ski pistes.

There are five main ski area in the Chamonix valley. They are Les Houches (which has trails through the forest), Le Brévent (which is the closest ski area to the centre of Chamonix), Domaine de Balme (which is at the end of the valley), La Flégère (which is popular with snowboarders) and the well-known Agrentiere/Grands Montets (which is good for experienced skiers).

Even if you’re not a skier, but a keen on other sports, there are some great activities to be enjoyed in the summer months. There are hiking trails, mountain biking tracks, areas for mountaineering and climbing and you can try your hand at paragliding, too. Chamonix even has a golf course.

But if you don’t want a sporting holiday, there are numerous things to do in Chamonix – and that’s not just admiring the gorgeous scenery around this area.

It offers much more than just skiing here. The town offers a warm welcome to its visitors, whatever your age and interests. There’s a good selection of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as a good outdoor market on Saturdays. You will find this very useful to stock up on your food etc during your self-catering holiday.

Everything here is well thought out. The town also boasts a cinema, a bowling alley, a sports centre, an ice rink and other attractions. For example, visit the Alpine Museum, which will give you an insight into the history of Chamonix.

All in all, Chamonix is a charming place to spend a great holiday, whatever the time of year. Whether you’re interested in just spending some quality time relaxing and enjoying the amazing views or if you’re planning an adventurous holiday, you will have fun in Chamonix!

France and Italy are probably the most visited countries in Europe. Both these countries are rich in culture, history and offer unparalleled gastronomical delights. Perhaps the best known and some of the most beautiful places here are the French and the Italian Riviera. The coastlines in both these countries have long sandy beaches with crystal clear water, sunny weather, charming fishing villages and quaint little markets.

To truly experience France and Italy would mean that you would have to stay away from some of the large touristy cities and explore the hidden treasures in the Riviera which is where you would be able to experience the laid back and relaxed lifestyle of the locals and feast your eyes on some of the most breath taking views.

French Riviera:

The French Riviera is known for its elegance and chic sophistication with sea side resorts that can make you feel basked in luxury just by the sheer beauty of the place. St. Tropez is one of the most locations in the French Riviera, the playground of the rich and famous. Here you would find yourself lost in a maze of outdoor cafes, cobble stoned streets, colorful little markets and chic beaches like the Pampelonne beach.

Cannes, which in synonymous with film festivals is another location you must consider visiting. There are several offshore islands off Cannes like Isles de Lerins which are perfect for day excursions if you want to just relax and soak in the sun on the beautiful sandy beaches. There are so many such hidden islands here that perhaps the best way to visit them all is by a French Riviera Yacht charter. Having a French yacht will allow you to visit some of these hidden jewels in luxury.

Some of the other locations to include in your itinerary are Portofino, San Fruttuoso and Camogli.

Italian Riviera:

The Italian Riviera is a pristine stretch of coast line that can perhaps only be described as “picture perfect”. The Riviera has several locations that offer a rich experience for all the senses, full of color and beauty.

Elba is the most visited island in the Riviera and for good reason, the coastline here offers several beautiful beaches, some of which are so well hidden that you would not find any visitors there. To explore some of the many untouched islands here Italy yacht charters are the best options. The island of Giglio has beaches that would leave you stunned. With its historic connections and the enchanting markets there is something for everyone here.

Porto Santo Stefano was once a small fishing port situated close to Porto Ercole. Both these ports are still kept well hidden from the throngs of tourists that are otherwise seen in most of Italy which gives you the opportunity to seek refuge in solitude at these beautiful ports.