Hiking Below and Beyond Mont Blanc: Switzerland, Italy and France

You will love this trip of a lifetime hiking through the Alps of Switzerland, France & Italy! The hikes are fun & challenging! The scenery is amazing everywhere! The food is delicious & the hotels are top notch! Everyone in the group is included & great friendships are made! This is THE bucket list trip! Just do it before you are too old to enjoy some great hikes, glaciers, ice mine, great cheeses, wine & chocolates! You will not regret it!

Our leader Marta Fernandez was phenomenal. She was organized and a true problem solver. Due to these skills she rearranged the trip events so that all could be experienced (due to limitations of weather). We had some difficult personalities and her patience with these individuals was admirable. I would book a trip with her in the future in a hearbeat

Hiking Below and Beyond Mont Blanc was one of the best Road Scholar programs we have experienced. The Alpine views from three different countries were stunning with the cable car ride to the top of Mont Blanc being an highlight. We especially enjoyed our stay in the quaint village of Cogne and learning the history of that area. The food was wonderful throughout and the hikes beautiful. Marta is an exceptional leader who helped our group gel, greatly enhancing the experience. We would highly recommend this program. Carol K.

This trip is designed for people who regularly take long hikes over rough surfaces with steep slopes and considerable elevation changes. For me, a casual hiker who does long distances on smoother surfaces, the lengths were fine but the steepness and the amount of elevation change were just too much. I skipped many of the hikes because they were too steep, and hence did not do as much walking as I wanted to. That said, we visited several fascinating small towns, ate a lot of excellent food, drank some nice wine, and enjoyed traveling with friends.

I loved Hiking around Mont Blanc - our guide, Marta, was fabulous - she had to change our itinerary based on weather several times but we had excellent hikes and really fabulous experiences. When we finally made it to the top of Mont Blanc & emerged from the cablecar to gorgeous sunny clear day, it was breathtaking!

I recommend this program to anyone who would like to hike moderate trails with breath-taking scenery. The program leader, Marta, was excellent as were the other participants!

An excellent combination of cultural experiences, educational sharing and physical activity. Traveling through three countries, with their differences, only added to the uniqueness of this program. The RS rep and the local guides were all top-quality. Hotels, food and transportation were prime. Especially enjoyed the many methods of local transportation used. A trip of total immersion. Highly recommend.

This program exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend it.

My husband and I just returned from hiking in the Alps (Hiking Below and Beyond Mont Blanc), and I have to say: WOW! Our small group of 14 travelers--expertly led by our guide, Christian Fuhrmann--hiked and stayed in Switzerland (Villars), Italy (Courmayeur), and France (Chamonix and Geneva). We were a very companionable group who came from all around the United States (California, Oregon, Connecticut, Maryland, Colorado, and Ohio), and I feel that I have made some special new friends. The hikes were challenging but well worth the effort as we came upon view after breathtaking view of the majestic Alps. On the way to a farm where cheese was made, we hiked through a beautiful meadow where placid cows grazed (their Swiss bells chiming in a way that made me think of "The Sound of Music" or "Heidi"...very nostalgic!). We went to Aosta and saw centuries-old, Roman-built walls and gorgeous churches and other historic sites. We took two gondolas up the mountain for a (much) closer look at Mont Blanc as well as a bird's-eye view of mountain climbers who were making the trek to the top of MB. In Chamonix, some of us we joined townspeople in a nearby park where a (free) Beatles tribute band performed (a fun treat). In every location, the food was delicious and accommodations were spacious, clean, and well situated. We had ample free time (that we mostly chose to spend with others in our group). There were additional guides who gave us city tours or who joined Christian in leading hikes. We laughed. We talked. We shared meals. We experienced a once-in-a-lifetime trip. And during all of that, Christian was the very best group leader. He really helped to make this trip very special for everyone. This was our 6th RS trip, and we had such a good time in Switzerland, France, and Italy that we are ready to book our next trip!

This was a trip of a lifetime, and it did not disappoint. Hiking the Mont Blanc region in 3 countries is spectacular. Countless glaciers to see. Carlota is an excellent leader. The hikes were challenging but all doable if you are an active person. Excellent hotel accomodations and food.

I highly recommend this trip. I learned and had fun hiking, eating new food, seeing new places, making new friends. Our leader Marta was warm, friendly, caring, resourceful, efficient, and fun to be with. She went out of her way to make sure we experience everything we possibly can. Despite bad weather we encountered and numerous schedule changes, Marta kept a smile on her face. She's a positive influence on people.

Outstanding and well designed trip itinerary. The amount of hike (4-5 miles per day) is perfect for me. The accommodations and foods were commendable. The breathtaking scenery goes without saying. It is truly a memorable experience.

This program far exceeded my hopes and expectations. I learned so much about the culture as well as the geological history, and cultural history of the area. We hiked a lot (through stunning landscapes), but there were also interesting and fun activities sprinkled throughout the program. Marta, our group leader, was extremely well organized, personable, flexible, and fun. My fellow travelers were all interesting and great people to travel with. They really added an unexpected dimension to the trip. I highly recommend this program.

This was truly a trip of a lifetime! Walking through meadows, wildflowers, waterfalls, villages, Roman walls, forests, glaciers and mountains in three countries all while circling the incredibly stunning and powerful Mont Blanc was an out of body experience!

Road Scholar has done well to have solid tour leaders like Christian. He demonstrated excellent judgment when changes needed to be made due to surprising weather conditions. Because of Christian's experience our group remained safe.

The wildflowers on this trip were fantastic!! And the mountains are inspiring. Marta Fernandez is an exceptional group leader, I will be looking for her trips in the future. Barb S.

Marta was an outstanding Leader. She was able to modify the daily schedule due to some weather issues and we didn't have to miss any of the trip highlights. In fact, we experienced even more activities than were expected.

I loved everything about this program. The places were spectacularly beautiful. Local residents were friendly. The local guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and very interesting. The hiking was great...challenging enough and invigorating. The journey through history and different cultures was so interesting. I'm so glad I had this experience.

We had a terrific time with lively people with a flexible, knowledgeable, and helpful guide. This has a variety of activities and hikes. We really enjoyed the entire experience!

This was an extraordinary trip! Our guide, Marta, was superb: resourceful, welcoming, cheerful, informative, and resilient in dealing with changing weather or illness of a few members of our group. The accommodations were excellent and within easy walking distance of town centers and trails (if extra hiking was desired). The views were spectacular, and each location had its own unique charms. We especially enjoyed the chance to ride cable cars and other public transportation to the various hikes and viewpoints. The visit to Aosta was also informative and interesting. The itinerary had a nice mix of more strenuous hikes and slightly easier days; it is not possible to pick a favorite. None of the hikes were too difficult; the RS rating was appropriate. If you love mountains, hiking, and beautiful views, this is the trip for you!

This was a fantastic trip. Our tour guide, Marta was absolutely wonderful! She has a great personality, worked very hard to accommodate everyone in our group, and made sure everyone knew what to expect on any given day. She was always available for questions, offering suggestions and accommodating everyone's needs. She was the absolute BEST!!!

Terrific experience. Great hikes and scenery. Our leader, Marie-Paule, was excellent!

This was a great trip. Marie-Paule Nullens is a superb guide, making sure all was in place for each attendee. Everything went smoothly and it was an enjoyable group to spend time with. The lodging was superb and all of the places we saw and things we did were first rate. The views are amazing. I want to return some day. Beautiful trip.

As our first trip to the Alps and still in reasonably good shape, we wanted to experience them by hiking through the countryside. This trip got us into the backcountry with spectacular surroundings with the mileage and elevation to provide a satisfying amount of exercise. The towns we stayed in and visited were picturesque and historical. Our guide, Carlota, and our group of new friends were fantastic. Unforgettable and highly recommended!

Great trip...great itinerary, great guide. Eye-opening to compare the glaciers today with the glaciers of yesterday

Thank you for providing an experience I'll not soon forget. Our Road Scholar guide was very knowledgeable and a fun person to get to know. The local guides enhanced the trip with their stories. The scenery was absolutely amazing. It was one of the best trips I've had, and I've been a fair number places in the world. Hotels, restaurants, catered meals and transportation were all perfectly selected. I'll definitely travel with Road Scholar again and have already been recommending RS to my friends and family. Thanks again!

From Heidi country to the grandeur of the St Bernard Pass to the majesty of Mont Blanc, this varied program combines beautiful scenery, history, lessons about local flora and fauna, with hikes through alpine landscapes. This was our first group hiking trip and I wasn’t sure I’d be at the same level as other participants. I need not have worried. The guides were very supportive in their advice about maneuvering through mud, rocks, tree roots etc. I loved every minute and would highly recommend

Overall an incredibly worthwhile experience that exceeded our expectations. Whether it was hiking to see spectacular vistas, interacting with the guides to learn about local culture, or making friends with others in the group, every day offered something new and interesting. Recommend it highly!

The hiking was moderately difficult. It was wet and muddy in parts, but it was all extremely beautiful and fascinating.

Absolutely beautiful setting! All of our host hotels did a great job accommodating us. Our guide went above and beyond the call to make our trip interesting and lovely. We would have liked the hikes to have been a bit more active, at times, with fewer stops. Overall a very nice experience with lovely memories of this beautiful place I have always dreamed of visiting.

I can't let another day go by without giving Marta Fernandez our highest praise and gratitude!! My husband and I have been on a dozen trips, with a variety of travel companies over the past 20 years. Marta was the BEST leader we have ever had! She was organized, knowledgeable, flexible, upbeat, fun and encouraging. However, Marta's greatest strength was in the kind and compassionate attitude she demonstrated toward every single member on our tour. Marta is an exceptional guide and we thank her for all she did to make this trip such a memorable experience. Nan and Marc

This was a fabulous trip! Great leaders, beautiful landscapes every day, and a wonderful and congenial group. Please change the mileage per day expectation from 1 to 5 miles to 4 to 9 miles a day. We have 6,8, and 9 mile days. I highly recommend this Road Scholar trip.

My first Road Scholar trip was most enjoyable and well planned. I would recommend to anyone interested in this type of traveling venue.

As a group of well-traveled participants, we all agreed - it will be hard to find an organized program as spectacular as this one.

5 stars. Excellent in all aspects including the Group leader Christain

Immersing in this incredible natural setting, being with a watchful, fun and experienced guide and with people who appreciate the surroundings and history made for an amazing experience! Basking in the memories.

This was an excellent tour! The caring attitude of our guide, Carlota made me feel comfortable hiking and navigating all aspects of the tour. Our local guides gave informative lectures. The historical references connecting their families to the past added a personal touch to their talks. Our group grew closer day by day as we hiked on wildflower-lined trails with breathtaking mountain scenery. Even though I have returned home, my mind is still wandering in the Alps. Thank you, Carlota, local guides and the special participants who made this such a memorable trip!

This was a very good trip. It was just as advertised with lovely hikes in the Alps. Highlights included the ice cave, St. Bernard's Pass, the circular hike on Mont Blanc and the Aguille du Midi. Carlota, our trip guide did a great job of managing the different expectations and fitness levels of the group and individualizing our experience with her good advice for free time. The hikes were not as strenuous as we would have preferred, but Carlota was helpful in staying back with the slower hikers so that we could move along at a quicker pace. We're strong hikers that hike 3 to 5 miles every day. I would strongly encourage people going on this trip to condition themselves and be prepared for an occasional steep downhill, rocky path.

Five-star program made possible by our super guide Carlota Villate. She is not only experienced and very knowledgeable, but also guides with great passion, warmth, and kindness. Her energy and enthusiasm are boundless. The hikes were not as strenuous as I had imagined but included hiking in beautiful forests, by rushing alpine rivers, and waterfalls. They averaged about 6-7 miles on, more-or-less, designated paths. The scenery was breathtaking, especially the Swiss and French Alps with their jagged peaks. The non-hiking days were just as spectacular including the St. Bernard Pass, the Ice Cave, and especially, the Aiguille du Midi near Chamonix for which we took two sets of cable cars and went up 12,000 feet from where we had the clearest view of Mont Blanc (15,000 feet), and could even see the Matterhorn in the distance. All in all, if you are looking for a strenuous, every day, longer-distance hiking program, you might choose a more challenging trip, but if you would like a hybrid experience, where you do both hiking and visit spectacular places, then you should definitely consider the RS Mont Blanc.

When they were served a hot entrée of salmon, I got a plate of 4 cheese slices. While they delighted in a plate of black rice topped with fish, I got a plate of black rice topped with a spring of watercress. On our last night of the trip, when they enjoyed chicken and ratatouille, I got a small, cold salad. So this is the way it is for many vegetarians on a Road Scholar trip. And, it is not the fault of Road Scholar who, as an organization, have no control over the restaurants who serve us. Our guide, Carlota Villate, did her best to negotiate a nice meal for those of us who were vegetarians. I understand that. However, we vegetarians subsidize the meat eaters because we pay the same price for our meals as they do, but we almost never get anything that resembles a vegetarian entrée. We vegetarians have the same dietary needs as every other adult. We require a certain amount of protein everyday that meat eaters require. I have taken 8 Road Scholar trips. And this last one, “Hiking Below and Beyond Mont Blanc: Switzerland, Italy and France” was amazing. And, due to the efforts of our guide, Carlota Villate, and our local guides this trip was unforgettable! Before I explore the possibility of another trip, I’d appreciate it if Road Scholar would look seriously at the inequality in the price we vegetarians have to pay for meals that are “non-meat and non-meals”!

This was an exceptional program. The scenery was breathtaking! One was submersed in the Alps with every turn on the hiking trails. The food was amazing. Hotel accommodations were 5 star. The history of the area was well explained by experienced guides. This was a trip of a lifetime!

There are not enough stars to give to this program and the wonderful group of people participating. Everything was a highlight! Group leader Christian was energetic, engaging, resourceful, kind, & hilarious! He's an endless font of knowledge on nearly any topic suggested by our surroundings - and from now on, any time I am in a photo I will think of him - and chocolate! Our local guides were delightful & informative; each place we stayed was great. The food was plentiful & tasty; the beer & wine were a nice addition. But oh, the scenery, and oh, the people!! Anyone who enjoys hiking needs to hike *somewhere* in the Alps, at least once, and this was a lovely trip to do so. The views were spectacular and we had perfect weather nearly every day! The people - what can I say? I have never seen 20 people gel so quickly into a family-like group. I give the credit to Christian's gentle coaching the first couple days to be sure not to sit with the same people all the time -- and to the group's cheerful willingness to follow his suggestion! I was in heaven the whole time - in attitude as well as altitude. This was pure joy -- GO!

This trip exceeded our expectations in terms of beauty, education, physical activity and fun. Christian was the perfect leader and our group a reflection of the effort he put in to keep us engaged and interested. I would encourage anyone who likes to hike to consider this trip.

A wonderful trip - great lodging, good food, pleasant transportation, get exercise in beautiful surroundings, and enjoy new friends who share your interest in hiking.

Hiking Mont Blanc Below and Beyond was pure joy! This was my 4th Road Scholar trip, and, easily the best --- location, activities, trip leader, local guides, group members, meals, and more! A 5-star rating on every dimension. Travelers always say it’s not the places you visit, it's the people you meet along the way. That couldn’t have been more true than on this trip, not only the group itself, trip leader and local guides, but also ALL the hotel and restaurant owners, wait staff, and so many random people I met hiking, on trains and buses, in city squares, restaurants, and more. Our Trip Leader, Christian Fuhrmann was the ideal ever-ready bunny! There was no end to his energy, enthusiasm, and passion! He worked all day behind the scenes coordinating with others to provide us with a seamless experience! He gave and gave, and the only thing he asked for in return was that we smile pretty for group photos, which he also took for us! I would also rave about the high caliber of our local hiking guides, each of whom was experienced, skilled, knowledgeable, warm and personable. Mireille brought new meaning to "local pride" during our time in Gryon where she still lives and generations of her family lived in buildings that still bear their heritage today. Valerie brought local dried meats and cheeses from her town to our trail-side picnic, what a treat! Claire arranged a special visit to the congressional building in Chamonix where we viewed wall-size paintings by the famous mountaineer-painter, Gabriel Loppe. Mimo led at a perfect pace while sharing his alpine knowledge in a way that was deep in detail, wide in scope and yet accessible to us all. Claudia made 25 BC Roman era buildings come alive as she guided us around Aosta, rich in ruins and relics. They all enriched our experience in ways words can't capture. But, what's the top-most highlight for me is the image of breathtaking mountains that surrounded us for the entire duration of the trip!

Would highly recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys hiking beautiful alpine valleys and seeing breath taking mountains. Great hotels and food. Three countries on one trip! Well paced and very enjoyable. A trip you will never forget! Wonderful group leader.

There are not enough words to express how much I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. There are so many parts of it that I could address, I would go well beyond 2000 word limit. From the moment I arrived at the hotel, and met our tour leader, Christian, and 20 fellow travelers, I knew I was in for a great adventure. Christian was the ultimate guide… So knowledgeable about every aspect of our hiking adventure…. from the history of the area, geological formations, stories of the glaciers, interspersed with his wonderful sense of humor, and overall care for our group…. he did an amazing job and set the tone for our group. It amazed me, how a group of 20 strangers became like family, in just a matter of a couple days. Christian and our group camaraderie set the frame around the beautiful sites Through which we hiked. The meals were delicious, each local tour guide was knowledgeable and a delight. I especially enjoyed fondue at the mountain top restaurant, and the polenta demonstration from Filippo in Cogne. People, hospitality, views, locations, were all top-notch, and have created a memory of a lifetime for me.,

Spectacular scenery, good hikes, and fun people made this trip a wonderful experience. Very nice hotels and good food. The itinerary is varied and each day was interesting.

Best Trip Every!!!!

The Mont Blanc trek is one of the great walks of the world and something I had always wanted to tackle. Alas, at age 75 I needed to be satisfied with a modified trip and this Road Scholar version was all I had hoped for and more. What wonderful Alpine hikes that exceeded my expectations! Our group leader Marie-Paul was outstanding in all aspects. And she has a lovely sense of humor! She truly looks after each traveler. I loved how organized this trip is and how I had no worries throughout the trip!! We seemed to put in more miles than advertised and this I loved. You need to not mind being part of a large group (19 in ours) and having meals without menu choices. Still the food was very good for the most part (We had chicken twice, salmon a few times.) This is not a foodie's trip, rather decent food is provided. If you like to walk/hike and you enjoy the company of like-minded people, then this trip offers you just that plus spectacular settings and hikes that will leave you awestruck. Make sure you have a good set of walking sticks.

This was a wonderful excursion through an unforgettable landscape: great leader and guides, good food, challenging and exciting hikes, and a variety of interesting activities.

Wonderful trip!!! Everything I hoped it would be and more!! We saw so many beautiful views of the Alps from the hikes to different areas in the many valleys of the Alps.

Hiking through the spectacular scenery of the Alps was amazing! Our guide, Christian Fuhrmann, was extremely knowledgeable about the areas we visited and was very nice and easygoing. The hikes were manageable for me. They were mostly about 5 miles long with one day about 8-10 miles. The weather was fantastic, except for one day of rain when we were hiking through the vineyards of Montreux. Aiguille de Midi is spectacular. I especially liked our hike to Col de la Croix by Villars where we experienced typical Alpine views of mountains and cows with their jingling bells. Overall it was a great trip and the other participants were very friendly.

This was one of our favorite Road Scholar hiking trips so far. We loved the combination of hiking, incredible scenery, history, picturesque villages and towns, camaraderie with others in our group, and even the great variety of transportation (buses private & public, trains, gondolas, cog trains!). Christian was an excellent group leader, very friendly and caring, and a great storyteller. Our hiking guides in each country were also wonderful. We highly recommend this trip.

This program has beautiful mountain scenery, just-challenging-enough hikes in varied, beautiful places, plus thrilling cable-car rides, great local guides and staying in mountain resorts as well as a delightful village in Alpine Italy.

I give this trip only 3-1/2 stars. The group leader, Carlota, was terrific in all respects, and the hiking was superb. We especially loved Cogne, a beautiful gem of a village in a remote corner of Italy. However, we were disappointed in the itinerary with respect to Covid precautions. Most of the dining was indoors, sometimes in crowded restaurants without open windows or apparent ventilation, when the weather would have allowed for outdoor dining. In Chamonix, the outing to see Mont Blanc up close involved taking jam-packed cable cars on which most passengers did not wear masks. Finally, while the food in Italy was excellent, the meals elsewhere were below average with a couple of exceptions.

This tour provides a wonderful look at mountain areas surrounding Mont Blanc in Switzerland, Italy, and France. During the twelve activity-filled days of the tour you will gain a sense of culture and history of the region while enjoying beautiful vistas.

If you have always wanted to walk in the Alps and view the majesty of these wonderful mountains this program should work perfectly for you.

If you like to hike in beautiful mountains, eat great meals, meet fun people, and see lovely little towns, you will really enjoy this program.

This was a super program. We visited vineyards and interacted with the wine man, visited an historic pass and museum, had authentic fondue, visited a small goat farm, had a polenta demo, went to historic Roman ruins, and took a gondola to the base of Mt Blanc with open-ended timing. The program had excellent leadership, stayed in first-rate hotels (no match boxes), and transportation was excellent. One caution - don’t skimp on preparing for the hikes and elevation. Some of the hikes were challenging.

Stunningly beautiful locations in the Alps. The hiking trails were well chosen and the trip leader, Marie Paule, was knowledgeable, caring and a delightful company. We saw Mont Blanc from many angles, learned about the challenges mountaineers faced historically and now; and the disturbing impact of the Climate Crisis on the glaciers. The food at hotels where we stayed as well as in the towns we visited was delicious and the quality of the hotels picked was excellent. Of all the trips I have done with Road Scholar, the Mont Blanc one rates among the top 3. There were 17 people in our group from different parts of the US. Meeting new people and learning about each other has always been my favorite thing to do. Everyone got along splendidly to make the trip memorable. However, Road Scholar had booked a small van to transport us from Geneva to Villars and then onwards to Cogne and Chamonix. It was just too small to hold all the luggage and some suitcases had to be put on the passenger seats. In addition, the driver was reluctant to load our bags into the van! So, we had to pitch into do that work. With this age group, Road Scholar should not expect that out of us. The Trip Leader had to convince Road Scholar to get us a bus which finally happened in the last leg of our journey. Barring this unpleasant experience with the van, it was a terrific trip.

Magnificent scenery, experience, group dynamics and leadership. This was a trip of a lifetime. GO, go, go if you want to experience the European Alps!!

Visitors will be interested in the adventures you provide.

This trip many times can be rigorous with steep descends and ascends many days. At least half the time , you are in one group. If you are not in very good health physically shape, have knee problems, have difficulty making long ascends and descends with rocks,, this trip is not for you. Sticks are definitely recommended. Pack for all weather possibilities. I took an early September trip and the weather in Switzerland was in the 80’s while in the Alps of Chamonix-Blanc we had both rain and snow. The trip brought me a sense of accomplishment,, beauty on trails amazing, wonderful variety of excellent food , experiences,and accommodations. Nice to have at least one dressier tops because the top restaurants and closing dinner night.

My wife and I very much enjoyed this trip. FYI, except for one hotel, none had bar soap for shower or sink, no washcloths and only a few had cellphone plans that worked FROM Europe.

What a great program! Every trip with Road Scholar exceeds my expectations, but this one tops them all! I cannot find the words to describe the breathtaking beauty of the Alps (it may literally take your breath away at 12,700 feet altitude!), and no camera can capture it in a picture. And what a great group of people! I was very lucky to have a very energetic roommate who made this trip even more fun. Meeting interesting people is the best part of travelling with Road Scholar. Our wonderful group leader Carlota took good care of us, and thanks to her the organization was flawless. I highly recommend this program to all hikers!

I lived in Geneva for five years (a long time ago!) but saw beautiful things and places on this trip that I had never before seen. It was truly one of the best trips ever.

We participated in a dozen programs with Road Scholar in the past years and found this program to be one of the best.

This was a great hiking experience! Seeing and experiencing Mont Blanc was all I hoped for!

I recommend this program to all my hiking friends.