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Chamonix - A Dream Holiday Come True
Chamonix. What else comes
to mind if not visions of snow-capped mountains? Situated on the tallest
peak in the Alps- the Mont Blanc- this enchanting French town is just 15 km
from the Swiss and Italian borders. Chamonix has come a long way from when
it was first discovered in the 18th century by two Englishmen, William
Windham and Richard Pococke. Despite many changes since then, Chamonix has
still managed to retain much of its traditional quaintness, with a beautiful
mix of buildings from the baroque to the modern.
Of course coming to Chamonix means being prepared for robust activities-
what more would you expect being on a mountain? If you’re looking for winter
activities, this town, where the first official Winter Olympics was held in
1924, is just the place to be.
Traipsing In A Winter Wonderland
 During wintertime, skiing would probably be at the top of the to-do list-
what better way to feel the rush of alpine air than by zooming down Europe’s
highest mountain? Its most challenging route- the legendary Vallée Blanche-
beckons to skiers of all levels. Or take a ski tour around the Chamonix
valley for a bit of sight-seeing with a difference.
You must not spend all your time just skiing though as there really is a lot
else to look forward to - hang-gliding, glacier-climbing. snowboarding and
even mountain climbing are some of them.
Being in Chamonix, you could definitely pretend you are in an enchanting
Never Neverland especially if you are there in the winter when everything is
blanketed with snow. No need to rush to make sure you can get snow - winter
activities begin in December all the way up to May.
Romping In The Summer Months
However the coming of summer doesn’t mean a shortage of activities either.
In fact most tourists choose to go during the summer months when it is
warmer but the air still crisp. With the snow gone and the rivers thawed
out, you could go white water rafting, canyoning, hiking... The list is
endless and even includes ‘safer’ sports such as golf and tennis.
The Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) is beautiful and provides adventure in any
season. Winter or summer, it flows through the valley and provides a lovely
view for you to walk, hike, or just admire, from the up above.
Way Above The Mountaintops.... A Breathtaking
Experience
Take a ride on the Aiguille du Midi cable car for a jaw-dropping view of
Mont Blanc. Be prepared though as this could be a daunting experience- it is
after all the highest mountain in Europe and being suspended in mid-air,
thousands of feet off the ground, could prove a challenge in itself. It is
most rewarding though, and you can ski down after conquering the ride.
Or choose to take the train up the Montenvers Railway, the first custom
built tourist attraction in the valley which started operating in 1908.
Also, do take a ride on the world’s longest and highest tramway, the Tramway
du Mont Blanc. All three options promise you a splendid view of the world
below and are definitely worth taking the time for.
Like Something Out Of A Fairytale
However you should also take some time off to explore the charming town of
Chamonix itself. What was once the Charmonix Palace is now a beautiful
Alpine Museum. A visit to this museum will reveal the changes Chamonix has
undergone since it was first discovered in the 18th century. If you are in
town between the months of July and August, you should also taste a bit of
the classical and jazz concerts of the Semaines Musicales du Mont-Blanc at
the Grand Salle of the Majestic.
Chamonix is the largest town on the Alps and a beautifully charming one at
that. Its lovely buildings and architecture combine with a strong streak of
sophisticated culture for which it is so famous. Being located on the
borders of both Switzerland and Italy also means you could just hop over for
a day trip. In fact with so much to do, you just may not want to go back at
all!
Book Chamonix
Hotels here
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