Christmas in the

French Alps

Tour Information

Christmas in the French Alps

TOUR INFORMATION

You are travelling to Europe – a wonderful assembly of diverse countries that have, over

hundreds of years, evolved and formulated their individual and often unique customs,

styles and quirkiness. We want to (and sometimes have to) fit into the region’s natural

patterns and irregularities. Much will appear so very different from ‘home’ – and surely it

is exactly those very differences that inspired you to go there in the first place!

To help you, the following pages contains additional information specific to your tour

including brief introductory information regarding the major sites and regions you will be

visiting.

We would like to wish you a wonderful trip through Europe and a safe return home.

Best wishes and Merry Christmas from the Albatross Team

Christmas in the French Alps

Please see below a light overview of some of the regions and towns you will be visiting.

Paris To many, Paris is the romantic capital of Europe - and to some, the romantic capital of the world! And who could blame them: From the animated discussions and laughter at the pavement cafes, through to lovers strolling along the Champs Elysees and on to the grand structure of the Eiffel Tower, and other famous buildings. A beautiful city situated on the River Seine, Paris has many fine buildings and monuments, ranging from the well-known sights of the Eiffel Tower and the cathedral of Notre Dame to modern buildings such as the Pompidou Centre and the glass pyramids in front of the Musée du Louvre. Each area of Paris has its own particular character and appeal: the classical architecture of the Right Bank, with its perspectives down long, broad boulevards; the narrow streets of the Marais lined with museums and small shops; and the traditionally bohemian Latin Quarter. Paris boasts a wealth of famous museums from the large collections of the Musée du Louvre and the Mused d'Orsay, to smaller museums dedicated to specific artists, such as the Musée Rodin and the Musée Picasso. The city also attracts visitors for its famous restaurants and cafés, and for its reputation as one of Europe's fashion capitals, the home of haute couture. Make sure you spend free time strolling amongst the broad boulevards, shops and museums of Paris. Perhaps also visit the village-like Montmartre around the hilltop Basilique du Sacré Coeur. Getting around the city is very easy using the extensive metro system. Maps of the city and the metro system will be available at your hotel reception. Geneva Once home of the Red Cross, Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland. Geneva boasts an array of attractions that make it one of the best known cities in the world from the charming Old Town to the Flower Clock; but the star attraction is the Jet d’Eau located on the lakeshore. Jet d’Eau (literally meaning ‘water jet’) is a must-see for anyone visiting Geneva, whether this is your first time to Geneva or not. The elegant water fountain shoots 500 litres of water per second, 140 metres high at a speed of 200km/h! Originally built to release the pressure of the hydraulic plant, the Jet d’Eau has since become a symbol of strength for Geneva. Located at the foot of the Alps, Geneva is the perfect base for exploring surrounding areas by boat, bike or foot. Les Houches Set deep in the heart of the mighty French Alps in the Chamonix Valley lies the quaint family-orientated village of Les Houches. Located just 6 kilometres from the world skiing and mountaineering capital of Chamonix, Les Houches is surrounded by dozens of world class ski resorts. At the foot of Mont-Blanc, Les Houches is positioned at an altitude of 1000 metres offering an extraordinary panoramic view of the peaks surrounding Chamonix. Les Houches has some of the best winter activities available including night skiing, an outdoor ski rink, indoor climbing, as well as incredible downhill ski runs.

Albertville Positioned on the Arly River in France, Albertville is known to be a ‘mountain and sky region’ located in the Savoie region of the Rhone-Alps. With a dramatic mountainous back-drop, Albertville offers easy access to outdoor activities including mountain-biking, horse-riding and walking tracks. Based around a neo-classical town hall from the late 19th century, Albertville is recognised to have a rich and architectural heritage. Albertville is best known for hosting the Olympic Winter Games in 1992. Conflans Located just uphill from Albertville, Conflans offers outstanding views over the neighbouring hills and countryside. The streets of Conflans are lined with medieval buildings and houses dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries and the main square is adorned with flowers. Annecy Labelled the ‘Venice of Savoie’, the lakeside town of Annecy is set against a picturesque mountainous backdrop. Located in Haute-Savoie in the Rhone-Alpes region of France, Annecy is a charming town made up of cobbled stone streets, softly curving architecture, beautifully painted half-timbered houses and small azure canals. Points of interest include the Pont des Armours (the lover’s bridge), the Imperial Palace and the baroque Cathedral of Saint-Pierre which was built at the beginning of the 16th century by Jacques Rossel. Megeve Located in the shadows of Mont Blanc, the commune of Megeve was once a famous haunt for French Aristocracy, now one of the most famous and fancy ski resorts in the world. For those who do not ski, there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy – including ice-skating, horse riding and hot air ballooning. The centre of Megeve is paved with cobble stones and all motorised vehicles are completely banned. A well-kept secret in France, Megeve is ideal for food lovers with up to 90 restaurants, cafes and patisseries lining the streets. Chamonix One of the oldest ski resorts in France, also the site of the first Winter Olympics in 1924, Chamonix is one of the most popular ski destinations in the world. Located in the Chamonix Valley in the north-westerly part of the Alps, Chamonix is surrounded by a dramatic backdrop of rock and snow towering over the village. The Chamonix Valley offers exceptional viewpoints of the surrounding landscape either by a few hours on foot or just a few minutes by cable car. During the summer months, Chamonix is also a magnet for alpine mountaineers, hikers and enthusiasts. Aiguille du Midi Just a 20-minute cable car ride from the centre of Chamonix to the Aiguille du Midi, the highest of the Aigulles de Chamonix, you can stand on top of the world at 3,842 metres.

For those daring enough, a recently completed glass bottomed observation platform can be found at the top which will make you ‘feel’ as though the whole world is dropping away beneath your feet! Regular walk-ways and platforms are also available for astounding views of the Matterhorn, Monta Rosa and the Grand Combin in the French, Italian and Swiss Alps. Milan Milan - famous for football and fashion, the La Scala Opera House, Galleria Vittorio Emmanuel the incredible gothic cathedral (Duomo) and shopping in Armani, Versace, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci flagship stores on Via Montenapoleone, part of the Quadrilatero d’Oro (Golden Quad). Powerhouse of Italy, trend-setting shopping capital, and scene of Europe's most important modern furniture fair, Milan (Milano) has much to recommend it. Milan has a wide range of important art galleries, museums, and churches including the extravagantly pinnacled Duomo, the Brera Gallery (containing works by Italian artists of the 14th to 20th centuries), and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana (with works by Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Raphael). In addition, Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper dominates the Dominican monastery refectory next to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Milan is also the world capital of furniture and homewares (the beanbag is a Milanese brainchild), and a hub for risk-taking contemporary art.