We are taking two boys ages 11 and 12 to Venice and ? first two weeks of June next year. We wanted to include a mountain experience, but have been to the Berner Oberland several times. What is the Chamonex/ Mont Blanc area like in early June? Is it picturesque? I've done some research, but would like your opinions. Thank you for your help.<BR>

Robbie<BR>Equally picturesque in a completely different way. Which sounds unbelievable once you've been to the Berner Oberland but true in my mind. Chamonix has only a single massif to rival the Eiger the Monck and the Jungfrau, that being Mont Blanc, but is in a valley with rivers of ice on one side and bright jagged peaks of granite on the other. There are wonderful hikes that can be taken between the lifts that originate in town, but I fear you will be snowbound in early June. We were there in late June and still walked partially on snow between Plan Praz and La Flegere. The gondola ride to Aiguille du Midi is as spectacular as the Schilthorn. The train to Mer de Glace and the rooms carved in ice are fun. You should have a great time. Have a dinner at the Hotel de l'aiguille du midi in Les Bossons.

Frank, thank you for the helpful info.<BR>Any suggestions on lodging?<BR>Robbie

Hello Robbie,<BR>I was in Chamonix 3 weeks ago and it was great !!! Snow cap mountains and the Mont-Blanc is magnificiant !!<BR>We also took the Mont-Blanc Tunnel.. it's an 11 km tunnel and once you're out of the tunnel you are in Italy<BR>It's a great place<BR>Enjoy your stay<BR>Lucie from Canada

We were in Chamonix in early June with our 12-year-old and 14-year-old. We all loved the Aiguille Du Midi -- it was one of the highlights of our trip. We loved walking around the town.<BR> We stayed at the Hotel Vallee Blanche, which was nothing fancy, but in a good location right on the river (which was very loud!). Our room overlooked the river, had a double bed for us and a pull-out sofa for the kids. The bathroom was very tiny (one of the smallest on our European trip). We didn't eat at the Irish-style pub (yes, Irish) restaurant there, just didn't look that good. The best thing about the place was the price -- 88 Euros for a quad.<BR> There is a small park nearby that has a luge (not ice-based), but it was closed until late June.<BR>Pam B.<BR>

I forgot to mention a beautiful hike we took near the entrance to the Mont Blanc tunnel. Park in the gravel just before the tunnel, walk up the steps and you'll see the path. We didn't make it all the way, (it's a steep hike and we still had to drive all the way to Sirmione), but the views we got of Chamonix in the valley were breathtaking. We also came upon a waterfall and river that was spectacular because of the melting snow).<BR>Pam<BR>

Go to Chamonix. It is one of the most beautiful places in France. You won't regret it. You just have to post your car at the hotel en you can see everything on foot. The town is not big but very typical for the region. Do not forget to go eat cheesefondue (fondue savoyarde) somewhere.It is the sp&eacute;cialit&eacute;.And like in the other messages is said, you must see l'Aiguille du Midi by cablelift (= the top of the mountain next to the Mont Blanc). When you take the cablelift back to the valley, you step out at the first station and you go down by foot (take the left path)than you will see a beautifil gletscher and Chamonix in the valley. Go also see the mer de Glace (= gletscher where they make every year a new tunnel in and you can visite the inside of the gletscher. It is fantastic, believe me. Have a good trip in Europe.