Holidays provide us with the much-needed relief and relaxation that we need to unwind. If you are planning to make the most of your limited holiday time you would want to look for places and destinations that can help you do more. Summer has always been one of the best seasons for most people and families to spend their time leisurely and enjoy moments together. However, you must choose the right destinations that would provide you with more experiences and options as you go about spending your summer holidays.
While most people visit the Alps for winter holidays it can also be a great destination for those who want to make the most of their summertime. There are plenty of destinations where you can head for summer holidays in the Alps. However, before you head to the Alps for your summer holidays you need to focus on what you can do when you are going there. Here are 8 things you can do when you are spending the summer holidays in the Alps…
#1 Put On Your Hiking Shoes
If you are planning to get out in the open and explore the terrain you want to focus on the Alps which can provide you with plenty of diversity. Unlike the beach holidays where you put up your feet and watch the ocean, here you will need to put on your best hiking shoes and get going. You can head to any of the eight countries that the Alps cover and you will find plenty of hiking trails that provide you with different sets of challenges. You can also go hut-to-hut hiking with your family where you get to stay in cozy high-elevation huts, eat delicious local food and explore local flora and fauna. You can look for some popular hiking trails like Walker’s Haute Route, Tour du Mont Blanc, and Alta Via 1.
You may even find self guided Tour du Mont Blanc options that allow you to explore at your own pace while soaking in the breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a beginner, the Alps offer a perfect blend of adventure, natural beauty, and cultural experiences.
#2 Go on a Rail Tour
Those who don’t want to put their physical strength and stamina to test can make use of the railway tours in the Alps. This is another great way to explore the Alps during the summer season. There are plenty of rail tour options that you can find especially when you are in Switzerland. You can opt for the grand train tour of Switzerland by taking the Bernina Express Rail Tour that initiates from Milan, Italy. Also, you can opt for other trains like the Glacier Express, Golden Pass Line, Gotthard Panorama Express and Voralpen Express. Taking the train route is a great way to cover more area and enjoy the Alps in the summer season.
#3 Pedal Your Way through the Alps
If you are not much of a hiker, but don’t like being in the comfort of a train you can opt for some mountain biking adventures. The European Alps provide one of the best terrains for mountain bikers looking for some adventure as they traverse through the rugged mountain patches and slopes. The French Alps are one of the top spots for those who are looking for some extreme biking adventure. However, that is not the only place that can provide you with great fun and help you enjoy the benefits of cycling. While Chamonix and Alpe d’Huez offer excellent mountain biking adventures, you can also look out for Dolomites and Aosta Valley in Italy, Solden in Austria and Verbier and Grindelwald in Switzerland that provide you with the best terrain to test your mountain biking skills.
#4 Go Village Hopping
While village hopping isn’t an adventure activity it can still provide you with the best summer holiday experiences in the Alps. This may not be possible during the winter months because of the snow and bad weather. However, with the change of the weather, reliable sunny weather, and lack of snow you can travel and hop through some of the most scenic villages and towns in the Alps. Some of the popular ones that you can try are Chamonix in France, Grindelwald in Switzerland, Tyrol in Austria, Aosta in Italy and Ljubljana in Slovenia. If you are into photography this would be the right time to capture some of the best landscape shots to capture the essence of Europe or learn landscape photography tips from a local photographer.
#5 Try Out Different Foods
If you don’t like counting calories, the Alps during the summertime is a great place to try out different local food items. The summer season makes it convenient for many travelers to visit Europe and explore different parts of it. Hence, you can find many restaurants and cafes that serve delicious local food that can help you go on a gastronomic ride that will stay in your memory forever. While you are in Europe you can enjoy food items like fondue, tartiflette, diots, crozets, raclette, and other food items. You can sit out at various local cafes and restaurants that can help you try different food items.
#6 Discover the Lakes
While you are traveling through different countries in the Alps you can also spend quality time with your family exploring the hidden beautiful lakes. This is another great way to explore the terrain and visit some of the best-kept secrets of Europe. If you are in Italy you can visit Lake Como, Lake Braies, Lake Dobbiaco, Lake Garda, and Lake Arpy. In France, you can visit Lake Annecy, Lac, d’Aiguebelette, and Lac de Madine. In Switzerland, you can spend time exploring Lake Lucerne, Lake Geneva, Lake Thun, Oeschinense, and Walensee. You can also find many accommodations close to these lakes to help you spend more time as you explore the local area.
#7 Do Adventure Activities
The Alps are the best place for adventure lovers especially when the temperature is warm and sunny. You can look out for various locations where you can go rock climbing, white water rafting, quad biking and even paragliding. This would provide you with enough opportunities to be with your family or friends and push your stamina. Even if you haven’t tried any of these adventure activities before you can find local tour operators that can help you get the best deals and provide you with instructors and guides to train you to improve your skills.
#8 Go on a Shopping Spree
Europe has some of the best brands you can find globally. Hence, when you are here with your loved ones you can try some of the luxury shopping brands that would provide you with the right experiences you want. France, Italy and Switzerland can provide you with innumerable iconic brands that have a global presence. Also, you can go shopping for local brands that are hard to find elsewhere. This would be a great way to collect items and even food products that are available only in a particular region. This would help you get the best products that you can buy for your family back home.
