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Switzerland/Italy/France

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

Program No. 15870RJ
Explore some of the world’s most picturesque vistas as you walk amid wine regions in Switzerland, pristine glaciers in France and quaint Italian villages in the European Alps.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
13 days
Program Begins
Cogne
Program Concludes
Geneva
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
26 ( 11B, 7L, 8D )
Activity Level
Come alive in these hills! You'll walk through some of the world’s most picturesque vistas in Switzerland, Italy and France. Explore charming villages, grand castles and chalets. From Swiss glaciers to Italy’s Grand Paradiso National Park to Mont Blanc, savor the beauty and fascinating human heritage held within this mighty mountain range. It will be music to your soul.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Walk through the Great St. Bernard Pass, an ancient Alpine pass that has been used since the Bronze Age and was used by Napoleon’s army.
  • Absorb the beauty of Mont Blanc on walking excursions near Chamonix and from atop a neighboring mountain peak reached by cable car.
  • Take a field trip to Aosta, the “Rome of the Alps,” founded by the Romans in 25 B.C.
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Marta Fernandez Rodriguez was born and raised in Madrid, at the very center of the Iberian Peninsula. When she was very young, she fell in love with the sea, so it’s no wonder that she moved to London — the capital of an island nation. Marta has been leading adventures for 20 years all over Europe, especially in Spain, Ireland and Scotland. Her passions include hiking, skiing, yachting and traveling.
Born and educated in France, Christian Fuhrmann earned his bachelor’s in economics. He spent a year in military service in Tahiti before turning to a career in leading adventures. He has led mountain-trekking excursions in the Pyrenees, Germany, Martinique, Mauritania, Egypt, Crete, Morocco, Cape Verde, the Canary Islands, and throughout France, including Corsica. Christian is passionate about mountain biking, skiing and kayaking, as well as photography and reading. He speaks French, English, German and Spanish.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Hiking 2-12.5 miles daily; trails and dirt roads are well-marked and are generally in forested or alpine areas. Terrain will consist of areas of tree roots, rocks, potential slippery areas, and some steep ascents and descents. Many of the hikes will take place at elevations between 3500-7200 feet. Elevations visited up to 12,700 feet. Hiking experience is necessary for this program and participants should be confident in their ability to navigate uneven terrain. Sturdy hiking shoes are required. Collapsible hiking poles are recommended.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call 800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.