On holiday, August 2009

We are off on an adventure. We will be visiting the European cities of Amsterdam, Geneva and Nice.
The main part of the trip is a two week, guided hike on the GR5 (Grand Randonnée 5). We begin in the alpine region of the Mont Blanc range. We wind through valleys, cross meadows, and explore the national parks of the French Alps. Our efforts are rewarded with a finish on the shores of the French Riviera.
This will be strenuous hiking over varied terrain (max. elev. 9,566'). We will be hiking with a small group and a guide. Other than a day pack (lunch, clothes for weather changes, etc.) our luggage is shuttled to our evening destination. We spend the evenings in small inns/hotels in alpine villages where we have dinner and breakfast the next morning. We trek six to nine hours a day.
This year we are using the adventure travel company Mountain Travel Sobek. We have used them many, many times and they do an outstanding job. This trip is called “France: Hiking the GR5 - The Alps to the Sea.”
Other excellent travel companies we have used in the past are REI Adventures, Bicycle Adventures, Backroads, and the gay adventure travel company, Alyson Adventures.
We will be back posting in September.