Travel Tips for a Holiday in the French Alps

The series of Alpine mountain ranges located in the Rhone-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur regions in France form the world-renowned French Alps. Unsurprisingly, due to its magnificent peaks and huge areas ideal for snow activities, skiing is one of the top reasons tourists flock to the region every year. However, as a responsible tourist, you should observe the following pointers to ensure your safety and enjoyment during a visit to this lovely area.

Avoid the Crowds

There are more than 30 ranges and summits in the French Alps, with a number of picturesque resorts - such as La Tania and Les Menuires - which attract both amateur and experienced skiers to practice their skills or simply have a good time. This is why choosing when to book your holiday in the Alps is a crucial decision. While it makes sense to plan a holiday around the Christmas or New Year breaks, you need to be realistic about the crowds you should expect during those times. If you absolutely must have that Christmas ski holiday, book as far as three months ahead to get the best possible deals and accommodation. However, if you are open to a later travel date, early March typically gets the least crowds, as it's right after the winter break and still a few weeks behind spring.

Make Sure You Have Proper Equipment and Attire

Safety should be your top priority when skiing in the French Alps, even if you are already an experienced skier. Always wear protective gear, from sturdy helmets to goggles and gloves to keep you safe and protected when you're out in the elements. And don't think that just because the temperature is below zero and there is foot-high snow everywhere you don't need to wear sun block anymore - it can still get you! If you're planning outdoor activities, make sure you apply sun block before going out.

Explore Other Places of Interest

While skiing is the primary activity people enjoy in the French Alps, there is an entire range of summer and winter activities that you can try and plenty of places of interest for you to explore. During winter, there are the obvious choices of skiing, snowboarding, and even more adventurous options like snow diving and sledging. But in the summer, the landscape changes magically and offers an entirely different kind of experience. Walking becomes a popular outdoor activity, and just exploring the mountain trails on a guided tour can provide great pleasure. Other popular activities include hiking and mountain biking, which is more ideal for more uphill terrains. When it comes to places of interest, Palais de l'Isle is a must-visit landmark in the town of Annecy. The 12th century edifice has been used as a prison, mint, and courthouse throughout the centuries. There are plenty of other places of historical interest to explore as well.


Danielle Hodges is the Marketing Manager for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service offering bonded holidays in the French Alps, staying in a catered or self catered chalets in fantastic destinations. For a luxury or good-value break and the best catered chalets call Ski Amis. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danielle_Hodges

Why Going Biking In The Alps Is the Perfect Family Holiday

Whatever the time of year, the French, German and Swiss Alps are one of the most picturesque regions on Earth. Whether you visit in winter, when the snow-covered slopes bring out all manner of winter sports aficionados, or in spring or summer, when the meadows are in bloom, you are guaranteed unspoilt scenic beauty, along with a wealth of activities.

This is perhaps the main reason why taking a holiday to one of the many destinations in this area is the perfect alternative to the summer beach holiday break. Families in particular may find biking in the Alps to be an excellent option for a different kind of summer break, a realisation more and more holidaymakers have been coming to over the past few years. Detailed below are a number of reasons why taking your family on holiday to this part of Europe in the warmer months can be an excellent idea.

Active, Fun and Safe

Cycling has traditionally been a favourite activity among children and teenagers, and going biking in the Alps as a family allows them the opportunity to indulge in some 'grown-up' activity, down real roads and tracks, all while remaining in a controlled environment and under the supervision of their parents. As well, an afternoon of cyclo-tourism along Alpine roads and mountain tracks provides plenty of opportunities for quality family time, which parents and children alike are likely to relish and remember much more than they would a standard beach stay. Cycling can also constitute an excellent way to ensure children stay active during their holiday break, partaking in physical activity rather than simply lounging in a beach towel all day long. Active breaks have been proven to be better for concentration levels, memory and overall mental health, so a spot of cycling and enjoying the mountain air could work wonders ahead of a child's return to school!

More Affordable

Aside from the social aspect of the holiday, a period biking in the Alps is also likely to be more affordable for a family than trying to book a room or villa at one of the typically overcrowded European beach resorts. Even if the family do not bring their own cycles, and opt to rent from one of the numerous outlets scattered throughout the region, the cost of the equipment, bicycle and accommodation is likely to still be lower than an equivalent package in a seaside resort. Add in the fact that the Alps have much more to see and do than the average beach town, and it becomes easy to ascertain why biking in the Alps should be taken into serious consideration as an 'alternative' programme for a family summer holiday.

Liz Olkowicz is the Business Development Manager for Ski and Summer Morzine, a tour operator, based in Surrey, offering tailor-made holidays. If you're looking for a thrilling active holiday, biking in the Alps could be the sport for you. Morzine is the perfect location from which to explore the French Alps on a mountain bike, so for a great-value Alpine holiday, call us.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liz_Olkowicz