2009 L’Esprit des Montagnes
European Alps Hiking
& Cultural Tours

What makes our tours exceptional?

•  Small groups
• Close to nature
• Exquisite lodging
• Unique regions
• Regional cuisine
• Culturally rich
• Affordable
• A real vacation

Custom & extended tours available! Tell me what you want…..I’ll design, reserve, facilitate 2009 offers something for all levels and interests.
Please contact us for more detailed information of each tour.

Choose from the following:

• The Magic of Monte Bianco
• Le Queyras Wildflower Tour
• Italian Langa Wine & Cultural Tour
• La Vanoise Wildlife Tour
• Self Guided Tours
• Custom Tours & Extended Tours
• Presentation Schedule
• Photo Gallery Slide Show

The Magic Of Monte Bianco

Sunday, July 5 – Sunday, July 12, 2009
$2,195

At some point in every mountain lover’s life, they must visit Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco as it is called in Italy.  Personally I fell in love with the Italian side of Mont Blanc the first time I visited it and have now found the perfect place from which to base a magical day-hike tour.  If you’re looking for a trip that offers greater comfort, fabulous cuisine and extraordinary views, this is your trip of a lifetime!

• Private rooms and bathrooms
• Optional hot thermes & massage
• Includes a full breakfast buffet and dinner
• Includes ground transportation during the tour
• Optional telepherique tour to Chamonix over Mont Blanc
   
• Easily accessible from Geneva or Torino
• Enjoy the comfort of the same beautiful hotel for the duration of the week
• Visit different vistas daily
• Appropriate for all hiking levels

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Le Queyras Wildflower Tour

Sunday, June 21 – Tuesday, July 1, 2009 $2,995

A hill-walkers dream!  This day-hike tour provides it all:  four culturally rich authentic villages, beautiful lodging in private rooms and bathrooms, a light day pack is all you need, the full range of hiking choice, some swimming pools and view balconies, incredible cuisine, an active, relaxing and stunningly beautiful vacation all rolled into one!  Did I mention the wildflowers?

• Appropriate for most hiking levels
• 11 days of day-hikes
• Private rooms and baths in hotels
• Breakfast and dinners
• Ground transportation during tour

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Italian Langa Wine & Cultural Tour

July 1-4, 2009
$ 995

Spend 3 days exploring the richness of the exquisite Langa, in the foothills of the Piedmont Alps. Base out of a small vineyard B&B near the town of La Morra. Days begin with a generous buffet breakfast Easy hill walking or cycling will be options, as we explore the art, history, castles, food and wines, ending the day at one of the famous "slow food" restaurants. How could life get any better?This tour maybe added on as an extension to either Le Queyras Wildflower Tour or the Magic of the Monte Bianco.

La Vanoise Wildlife Tour

Available as a custom or self-guided tour in 2009
$2,295 for custom tour

If you love hiking this is your tour.  We spend 13 amazing days in early September wandering among the waterfalls, glaciers, peaks and valleys.  This is the largest bouquetin preserve in the world, with rich viewing opportunities of chamois, eagles, golden bearded vultures & marmots.   Our tour ventures around the large protected glaciated mass of La Vanoise, often venturing up scenic valleys and high lookouts along the way.  This one is for those of you who truly love wild places.

• Lodging is in mountain huts ranging from  2-6 per room
• Bathrooms are mostly in a common area with some private rooms/baths
• Breakfast and dinner included
• Daily hikes vary from hut to hut wearing a 20-30# pack to optional light pack hikes
• Appropriate for intermediate to advanced hikers with some mountain experience

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Self Guided Tours

Perhaps your schedule doesn’t fit into one of the tours or there’s a special hike you’ve always wanted to do or you truly love the peace found hiking alone or you have a piece of time in Europe and would love to fit in a bit of hiking while there.  Let me help you to custom design your precious time in a manner that directly fits your time and needs.  Once designed, I provide you with needed books, maps and materials, I make your reservations for you, provide you with a suggested packing list and other helpful travel information. 

*Most packages run $500 plus costs & deposits

You’re ready to go!

Possible routes include:

• Tour du Mont Blanc
• Tour de La Vanoise
• Tour du Queyras
• La Grande Randonnee 5

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Not done... Still more places to visit?

Let me help you design your extended tour.  Link together
Your hike, then meet up with friends or family….
Fit in that visit to Paris, Nice, Torino, Provence……..
Go to the beach, attend an opera, see an exhibit.
The choices are limitless.
Find places you didn’t know existed.
Let me help you put your time into an interesting, balanced package 

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Photo Gallery Slide Show

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