Looking to escape? Here’s a recent trip local readers took to the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. Check it out, then find more reader travel inspiration at www.mercurynews.com/tag/wish-you-were-here/.
SWITZERLAND, FRANCE, ITALY: Alamo resident Kathleen Dunlap, 67, had the adventure of a lifetime with her son, Doug Dunlap, 36, as the two spent 10 days hiking the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. While Kathleen was not excited by the idea of carrying 80-pound backpacks and camping or sleeping with strangers in huts and sharing bathrooms along the way, she found an alternative: a lodge-to-lodge trip along Mont Blanc with hotel stays each night.
Curated by Berkley-based company, Backroads, the trip began in Geneva, where Kathleen and Doug spent two days exploring the International City of Peace. On Day 3, they took a train to the Lavaux vineyards where the wine was delicious and views were breathtaking, Kathleen said.
On Day 4, it was time for their adventure in the mountains to begin. They met their Backroads group in Geneva, then traveled to Chamonix in France to begin a six-day journey through Mont Blanc.
“It’s located in a stunning valley,” Kathleen said. “Our warm up hike was up the side of the valley facing Mont Blanc. It was a short, hot, hard hike, but we were rewarded with jaw-dropping views of Mont Blanc with each step and we were aghast in the knowledge that in just a couple days we’d be at the peak of Mont Blanc (15,774 feet). We stayed at the glorious Grand Hotel des Alps in Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc.”
TRAVEL TIPS: “Every meal was amazing, but the best was the raclette at the tiny Refuge du Montenvers,” she said. “It is nearly impossible for the average person to book this gem. It is way, way up, in the shadows of Mont Blanc, above Chamonix with views overlooking the Mer de Glace with mind blowing views. We stayed in the Alexandre Dumas room (“Count of Monte Cristo” author).
“The next day we hiked a very long balcony trail that finally led us to the tram that took us to the top of Mont Blanc (15,774 feet). From there were we took the famous Chamonix panoramic gondola over the peak and the glacier and into Italy. We hiked the Italian side of Mont Blanc for the next two days with base camp in the lovely Courmayeur.
“We had gorgeous curated hikes each day for guests of most every level of hiking fitness. We generally hiked 10-12 miles per day. There were plenty of alternatives for less active guests. The lunches each day were spectacular!
“Glorious trip all around. Definitely recommend it to anyone- especially hikers!”
Kathleen shared her hiking itinerary below:
DAY 1 – 3
Grand Hotel des Alpes
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes France
DAY 3 – 4
Refuge du Montenvers
Chamonix Mont-Blanc France
DAY 4 – 6
Le Massif Courmayeur
Courmayeur Italy
Join the fun! Send a photo of yourself on your latest adventures — local, domestic or international — to jmastrodonato@bayareanewsgroup.com. Tell us where you are, who everyone is and where they’re from, and share a travel tip or two to help fellow readers go there, too.