Showing 1-16 of 16 results
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The mountain clothing you’ll need for treking the Tour de Mont Blanc
Blog: Heather on her travels - 30 October 2011
Forgive me if you’re a seasoned long distance walker who already has all the gear to set off on a mountain trek like the Tour de Mont Blanc. If you’re an occasional walker like me, however, you may find it useful to know which pieces of mountain clothing are worth the investment and which will [...]
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Visit the French Alps on a Small Group Tour This Summer
Blog: Video Diary of an American in France - 15 October 2011
Are you starting to think about your summer vacation? Then you have to check out our French Alps Tours. This year it will take place again in June. With enough interest, we may offer it in September too. Wander the Medieval town of Annecy, nicknamed the Venice of the French Alps, and take a boat ride [...]
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My second year on the Tour de Mont Blanc – video diary 2011
Blog: Heather on her travels - 11 October 2011
Last year when I walked part of the Tour de Mont Blanc with my friend Julia, I kept a video diary, filming at the end of each day my impressions of the things we had seen on that part of the walk. I really enjoyed putting it all together and re-living the highs and lows [...]
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Ponies of the French Alps
Blog: Video Diary of an American in France - 11 October 2011
Here’s a video for you animal and horse (or pony) lovers. We ran across these gentle beauties on a motorbike ride one day. I immediately fell in love and had to take video of them. They were all fat and happy and had plenty to eat which made me happy too. I hope you find [...]
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The French Resistance Museum and Cemetery in Thones – Haute-Savoie, France
Blog: Video Diary of an American in France - 25 September 2011
The World War II invasion and occupation of France is a painful memory for those who lived through it, and for the French people who studied its history. It is not a simple history of France versus Germany and France lost. It tells a story of neighbor against neighbor in towns across France. To gain [...]
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Chambery, France: Top Six Places to Visit
Blog: Video Diary of an American in France - 12 September 2011
It occurred to me that I’ve never written about Chambery, the city where I live. Actually, I live in a tiny town just outside of Chambery but no one has ever heard of it so I say I live in Chambery. Let me introduce you to my town. Chambery is a city of about 50,000 people [...]
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My Tour de Mont Blanc diary Day 2 – Col de Balme to Champex
Blog: Heather on her travels - 11 September 2011
We awoke to bright sunshine and blue skies at Refuge Col de Balme and the dramas of the day before, our exhausting walk and the encounter with a herd of sharp-horned mountain cattle, were all but forgotten. Rather than take the route to Trient as advised by our TMB guidebook, both the Monsieur from the [...]
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Visiting and Wine Tasting at Chateau de Lucey in Savoie, France
Blog: Video Diary of an American in France - 8 September 2011
On the tour of the French Alps which we led in June, we stopped at Chateau de Lucey to do some wine tasting. For about 3 Euros each you can taste 8 – 10 wines and see the cellars. The tours are in French and it is by appointment only. I’ve done quite a bit [...]
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My Tour de Mont Blanc diary Day 1 – Flégère to Refuge Col de Balme
Blog: Heather on her travels - 4 September 2011
We started this year’s walk on the Tour de Mont Blanc at the spot where we had come down from the mountain last year – the top of the Flégère chair lift above Chamonix. Last year we had descended in brilliant sunshine but now there was a light drizzle that we hoped would soon pass. [...]
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A tale of two Refuges – on the Tour de Mont Blanc
Blog: Heather on her travels - 30 August 2011
The mist was swirling in as we reached Refuge Col de Balme, our first stop on the Tour de Mont Blanc trail, with the clouds blowing over the high passes as dusk was falling. Our way had been blocked by a herd of sharp horned cattle, their large bells clanging from the leather collars around [...]
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The Art and Beauty of Chambery, France: The Towns of France
Blog: Video Diary of an American in France - 18 September 2010
Chambery is a charming town and is known for its decorative ironworks which can be seen throughout the city, as well as its Trompe L’oeil paintings which can be found on the streets and in the Cathedral.
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Tour de France 2010 – Live from Chinaillon, France
Blog: The Indie Travel Podcast - 14 July 2010
Yesterday the Tour de France passed through Chinaillon and we managed to take a little Tour de France video as the cyclists tore past.Tour de France 2010 – Live from Chinaillon, France is happily produced by The Indie Travel Podcast, proud winners of Lonely Planet's "Best Podcast" -- Check out our free podcast in iTunes, free online travel magazine, or
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Visit to a French Fromagerie (Cheese Making Farm) in the French Alps, France
Blog: Video Diary of an American in France - 7 July 2010
I love cheese but I’ve never had the opportunity to see how it’s made. So we stopped at a Fromagerie (Cheese Making Farm) on a motorbike ride one day. This farm made goat cheese. We were fortunate enough to arrive during feeding and milking time and watched the antics.
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Saint Hilaire du Touvet Funicular Near Grenoble
Blog: Video Diary of an American in France - 17 April 2010
For about 11 euros you can have a thrilling ride on the St. Hilaire Funicular a few minutes drive outside of Grenoble. The history of the Funicular is almost as interesting as the ride itself.
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Chambery Carnival: Festivals of France
Blog: Video Diary of an American in France - 7 April 2010
Chambery also has a Carnival Festival every February but it is primarily oriented for the children’s entertainment. In fact, the children spend part of the school year designing and decorating some of the floats in the parade. They also ‘perform’ in the parade. You’ll see quite a few chimney sweeper costumes in the video.
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Savoyard food specialities to enjoy from the French Alps
Blog: Heather on her travels - 10 May 2009
If you’ve been ski-ing in the Alps recently you’ll have enjoyed, like me, some of the food specialities of the region. It’s simple mountain fare, with various combinations of melted cheese, charcuterie and potatoes, guaranteed to pack in the calories you’ve burned after a muscle aching day on the slopes. Although we were in a self-catering [...]
Showing 1-16 of 16 results
