SWITZERLAND, FRANCE, ITALY: Alamo resident Kathleen Dunlap, 67, had the journey of a lifetime together with her son, Doug Dunlap, 36, as the 2 spent 10 days mountain climbing the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. Whereas Kathleen was not excited by the thought of carrying 80-pound backpacks and tenting or sleeping with strangers in huts and sharing loos alongside the best way, she discovered an alternate: a lodge-to-lodge journey alongside Mont Blanc with resort stays every night time.
Curated by Berkley-based firm, Backroads, the journey started in Geneva, the place Kathleen and Doug spent two days exploring the Worldwide Metropolis of Peace. On Day 3, they took a prepare to the Lavaux vineyards the place the wine was scrumptious and views had been breathtaking, Kathleen stated.
On Day 4, it was time for his or her journey within the mountains to start. They met their Backroads group in Geneva, then traveled to Chamonix in France to start a six-day journey by means of Mont Blanc.
“It’s located in a stunning valley,” Kathleen stated. “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.”
Alamo’s Kathleen Dunlap together with her son, Doug Dunlap, at Mount Blanc in Chamonix, France (picture courtesy of Kathleen Dunlap).
TRAVEL TIPS: “Every meal was amazing, but the best was the raclette at the tiny Refuge du Montenvers,” she stated. “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” writer).
“The following day we hiked a really lengthy balcony path that lastly led us to the tram that took us to the highest of Mont Blanc (15,774 toes). From there have been we took the well-known Chamonix panoramic gondola over the height and the glacier and into Italy. We hiked the Italian aspect of Mont Blanc for the following two days with base camp within the beautiful Courmayeur.
“We had attractive curated hikes every day for friends of most each degree of mountain climbing health. We usually hiked 10-12 miles per day. There have been loads of options for much less lively friends. The lunches every day had been spectacular!
“Glorious trip all around. Definitely recommend it to anyone- especially hikers!”
Kathleen shared her mountain climbing itinerary under:
DAY 1 – 3
Grand Lodge 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
