13 independent reviews for Guided walking vacations in the French Alps
Reviews for Guided walking vacations in the French Alps
Kerry Longman review 4 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The scenery on the daily hikes, especially the hike to the end of the world.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just come, engage, and enjoy!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Benefited locals through increased tourist spending on local foods and hospitality. Minimal environmental impact by being mostly on foot and leaving no waste. The guide Bruno showed great respect for conservation.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fabulous! Really wonderful hosts provided incredible meals in a very comfortable group setting in the chalet.Jeannie Clark review 6 Aug 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Getting a close up photo of a marmot and an ibex. Also the food was amazing!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Get yourself a little bit fit before you go if possible.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We shopped at the excellent local market on our day off - so we bought from local producers. We also visited refuges along our walks, spending money.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Tiring, challenging, fabulous.Chuck Miller review 6 Aug 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
What an amazing week we had in Samoens at the Grand Ourse Chalet! Chris and Karen are such great hosts and prepared fabulous meals for the group daily. We had so much fun getting to know the other guests on our trip throughout the week. Our guide, Bruno, made each day of hiking very enjoyable, he is so knowledgeable about the region, geology, the wildlife and flora and fauna. And as a bonus he took us rafting down the Giffre River on his day off, thanks Bruno! The views on the walks are spectacular, the many high mountain refuges we stopped at for a beverage/lunch were welcome for our weary feet, and did I mention the food!! Thanks Chris and Karen for an unforgettable week!2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Bring layers, a thirst for adventure and a hearty appetite!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely! We supported the local economy, shopped at local shops, and picked up any trash on the trails (very little to be found).4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Five Stars! Great location, amazing meals, fantastic service, a fun knowledgeable guide and many fun guests to enjoy the week with.Glenys Gibbs review 9 Jul 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Superb hospitality from Chris and Karen Incredible walking2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Prepare for tough walks3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent from start to finishAlison Sadler review 18 Jul 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Coming up to the edge of the Brèche du Dérochoir, after the refuge de Sales, and seeing the Mont Blanc range closer to, and the towns thousands of feet below in the valley.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be flexible if necessary; pay attention to the dynamic of the group3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I think it only benefited local people to the extent that we contributed a small amount to the local economy, but I don't think it reduced environmental impact4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Probably the best walking vacation I've ever had - spectacular scenery; the perfect combination of hard physical exercise and pampering that you know you've earned.Lesley Hadfield review 17 Jul 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The guided walks2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you are unsure whether this vacation is for you - just do it3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentDenise Hellier review 28 Aug 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I am not very good at filling in questionaires. But I do want to say that our stay in the chalet was absolutely 5 *****. We were cared for beautifully in a warm and friendly ambiance with delicious, generous and creative meals, including wine. There was plenty on offer at the chalet....tv, games, hot tub. Our guide, Bruno, was fantastic. He understood our capacity but gently challenged us each day so that we felt a huge accomplishment by the wnd of our stay.I cannot recommend our tour operator enough. A memorable week.Geoff Wright review 24 Jul 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The views from the walks2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Make sure you buy good quality walking boots3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Julie Whyte review 28 Aug 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The walking was amazing. Every day was so different and we saw the most amazing views.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you love walking in stunning alpine scenery, traveling with like minded people and returning to a lively chalet with a great 3 course meal exchange night -this is a perfect vacation.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Obviously tourism supports local communities but I am not sure hiking in pristine alpine settings helps reduce environmental impacts or supports conservation,4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
In one word 'excellent'.Jane Berrisford review 26 Jul 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The fabulous scenery and super guide made this a truly memorable vacation. We were treated like royalty by the vacation company and would recommend this vacation to anyone.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
On my day off from walking I tried paragliding and white water rafting....Just do it !3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, by undertaking the extra activities I helped support local business.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Thank you for finding me this vacation - it was all wonderful !Jane Keates review 29 Oct 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The views on the last two days over Mont Blanc and its surroundings2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for all kinds of weather ...3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Food and drink sourced locally, though I suspect the hot tub on the balcony was perhaps not particularly environmentally-friendly!4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Most enjoyable: good and plentiful food, friendly and helpful staff, a very good and considerate guide...Cathy Buffini review 4 Aug 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Many! The variety of walks we were introduced to, the splendour of the landscape, the fabulous food and attention to detail by the vacation company - La Grande Ourse Staff.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Ensure you are fit enough for each level of walk. My 'Two Peak' Group managed all the walks but the pace was slow, and 'stop-and-start'. However, a key theme of the vacation was to appreciate the flora and fauna which was a really fresh and new perspective for me. It helped me 'slow down' and marvel at the detailed wonder of nature.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We visited local restaurants on our 'free day' took part in local outdoor activities, shopped locally. Our walks were sensitive to the environment - we even picked up a little litter with our wonderful walking guide Bruno! Recycling in the chalet kitchen could improve4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Absolutely fabulous. A really unique combination of healthy outdoor walking activity emersed in glorious nature and really high-level restaurant standard food and all-round excellent customer care. I am already strongly recommending it to family and friends. Thank you for giving me this option. I had not discovered it myself.Aida Warah review 27 Jul 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
One hiking trail, La bourgeoise, made me extremely happy. It was exactly what I had in mind and what I needed in this trip.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be in good shape; the ascent in some of the trails may be demanding. Do take a waterproof jacket.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
To some extent only. No visible efforts towards those goals were apparent to me. for example, the facility had no recycling policy.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I am very pleased. Overall very good.Holiday Reviews
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