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The Harder the Hike, The Better the Wine Tastes

The Harder the Hike, The Better the Wine Tastes

We set off in the bus to another awesome promonotory from which to view the Alps and this beautiful countryside. Winding our way through a mountain village, we took a turn and then began winding up steeper and steeper hills. The bus could barely make it around the hairpins, and […]

The Alps Were The Place To Be Today

The Alps Were The Place To Be Today

Spending a day up here, walking through fields of green over cowtrails, and meeting a farmer who makes the famous Plaisentif cheese, (only available after Sept 21, but we got it early), and having lunch in a mountain hut. It was a day of Alpine smells, tastes and views. Then […]

Eataly Raises the Bar in Foodie Cred

Eataly Raises the Bar in Foodie Cred

Before we left on the trip, I had heard about Eataly, one of our stops here in Torino. I was not prepared to love it as much as I did, since this place has more foodie cred than anywhere I’ve ever been. It’s a cavernous building, about the size of […]

Torino’s a Architectually Rich City, and Fun Too

We left France early and drove through the 11 km Mt Blanc tunnel, and it was sunny as we drove the winding road to Torino. This is a delightful city, about 900,000 inhabitants, settled 2000 years ago, and full of porticoes, students and wide open piazzas. Carol our guide pointed […]

Le Dru Challenges Climbers in the Sea of Ice

Le Dru Challenges Climbers in the Sea of Ice

This is much steeper than it looks! After watching these ice hikers, we went back down and ran to catch a train. It was the cog mountain railway that took us up a steep grade to the other side of the mountain, to the Mer de Glace. Chamonix, we learned […]

Walking the Knife Edge on Mt Blanc

Walking the Knife Edge on Mt Blanc

Today I was humbled by the towering edifices which nature has plunked down here in Northwestern France. We got up early and drove to the famous ski town of Chamonix. Our destination was that big ole mountain we saw from the air yesterday: Mount Blanc. In front of the cable […]

Only the French Admit to Still Smoking

Only the French Admit to Still Smoking

There was a telling moment as we were touring a chalet at La Ferme de Marie, an upscale hotel chain with outposts here in Megeve, Province, Lyon and other French cities. Our tour guide was showing us the upstairs bedroom of a beautiful large wooden beamed chalet that was available […]

Dipping and Swooping Amidst Mt Blanc’s Glaciers

Dipping and Swooping Amidst Mt Blanc’s Glaciers

After a hike in the clean Alpine air, strolling up through the mountains outside of Megeve, we all felt renewed and refreshed. We were relaxed and happy…so what else but to have another giant meal? No, this one wasn’t as spectacular, just the usual two courses and wine, and we […]

Is This a Luxury Prison, Or Is There a Switch?

Is This a Luxury Prison, Or Is There a Switch?

I awoke to a totally darkened room here in my luxury off-season room in Chalet Alice. What gives? Try as I might, I see no way to lift up these metal shades that have clamped down, blocking my Alpine view. Whoa, it’s like a very well-appointed prison, no way to […]

Romanee Conte, 2000 Vintage…Nearly Priceless

Romanee Conte, 2000 Vintage…Nearly Priceless

We visited the cellar at this Relais and Chateau property, Domain du Mont d’Arbois in Megev, and I asked if he had any Romanee Conte. “Oh yes,” said Francois, “more than a few cases.” This wine is the ultimate treasure for wine lovers. It’s so rare and is only made […]

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