Part 1: Trip to the Alps - July '10

[DavidB]

Here's the story of our trip to The Alps earlier this month...

Day 1 - We set off departing the UK in the evening via the Channel Tunnel. We'd opted for a long haul drive through the night so that we'd arrive early morning on Day 2, the French motorways were quiet and we finally threw in the towel at 1am.



Day 2 - We woke at 4am after our short sleep in the MINI convertible at a French service station. The previous night's long drive meant we only had a short distance to cover before we had arrived at our hotel 'Auberge du Manoir' in Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc. Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in Western Europe, standing at 15,782ft.



After having a look around Chamonix we decided to jump back in the MINI and drive to the Grand St Bernard Pass in Switzerland, crossing the Col de Forclaz (5,010ft) on the way...



The Grand St Bernard Pass (8,113ft) connects Switzerland and Italy - today we'd only be driving the Swiss side (read on for info on the Italian side). The scenery, in places, is stunning and the road great fun to drive although much of the time we were held up - at this time of year on the Swiss side the traffic is fairly busy and constant.







Day 3 - On our third day we took a trip on the rack and pinion train which climbs nearly 3,000ft taking you to the Mer de Glace, the longest Glacier in France. After the 20 minute train ride it's then a 45 minute walk down to the Ice caves.









More shortly...

[Solarin]

Looks like you had a fantastic time, and some great photos there

Were they taken with your G9 (or was it G10)? If so, very impressive for a non SLR!

[Yvonne]

Fabulous photos, as always David

I'm feeling giddy from looking at that walkway though! One day I will get my photos of Sigiriya Rock in Sri Lanka scanned in and post them up - there was only a rope and a few iron uprights separating you from a drop down a sheer rock face How I climbed across it, I will never know!

[*Vikki*]

Great write up David, it was the best Holiday I have ever had Great company and a gorgeous MINI to enjoy. More fun than Florida! Great pics like Mike and Yvonne said, really want a camera like that now as its easier to hold than a big slr.

[chiliredone]

Lovely

I'd love to go back at a time of year when theres not huge lots of snow like when we went in March The scenery changes so much

[Sarah]

Great photos Reminds me of when I went to Switzerland in the summer, the scenery is stunning

[FatihV]

fabulous photos and write up David. !

Alpen Roads are so nice to drive MINI.

also loved the hotel photo in Chamonix.

[*Vikki*]

You will have to put part two up soon