Pinning For Annecy & The French Alps

Saturday 31st

We drive to Dover for the short Channel crossing to Calais. Upon arrival, we proceed to Laon for our overnight stay at
the Ibis Hotel. (Dinner tonight will be a set 3-course menu and includes tea/coffee).

Sunday 1st

Continuing through the Champagne Region of France we journey south to the heart of the French Alps for five nights
in the mountain village of La Clusaz.

Monday 2nd

Today we enjoy a day at leisure in our resort. Monday is market day, so we can browse the delightful alpine market in
the morning. In the afternoon we can relax in the town or, you might decide to take one of the numerous gondolas or chairlifts
to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the mountains.

Tuesday 3rd

This morning we embark on an excursion to Annecy. Often described as the ‘Venice of the Alps’, this beautiful
lakeside town is blessed with charming canals and narrow streets waiting to be
explored. On Tuesday these canals and streets are lined with a bustling market.
Our 90-minute guided walking tour gives us an insight into the history of this
popular summer resort. Afterwards, we have some free time for lunch in one of
the many waterside restaurants, before we enjoy a 1-hour circular cruise on the
lake itself in the afternoon.

Wednesday 4th

Today we journey to the chic mountain resort of Chamonix. We spend
the day here enjoying the relaxing town centre and taking in the numerous sights,
including the impressive Aiguille du Midi. After free time for lunch in the town, we
board the Train du Montenvers for our return journey up to view the impressive
glacier known as the Mer de Glace. Departing from Chamonix, this famous rack
and pinion railway brings us to the Montenvers site at 1,913 metres for an imposing
panorama of the Mer de Glace glacier. At the summit, we can descend via cable
car and walk within the glacier itself. (Please note: this requires a significant
number of steps and is not suitable for those with walking difficulties).
In addition, we can visit the museum at the summit known as the Glacorium,
which charts the evolution of the glacier over the centuries.

Thursday 5th

Today we drive through the majestic Alps to the lakeside spa town of
Evian – famous for its mineral water – where we spend some time at leisure.
We then travel to the lakeside village of Yvoire on the shores of magnificent Lake
Geneva. This charming medieval village has hardly changed over the centuries,
with beautifully decorated houses and gardens, and lots of shops and cafés to
explore. We take a circular cruise on
Lake Geneva from Yvoire’s pretty port.

Friday 6th

After breakfast, we return north
to Reims for our final night at the
Mercure Reims Parc des Expositions
Hotel.

Saturday 7th

Departing Laon, we return to
Calais for our sailing to Dover,
returning to Henley during the evening.