JeanneB

Thanks so much for the encouraging words. I'm more sold than ever on this itinerary.

Would the weather up there require full parka year round? I'm thinking about the packing. If we do both the mountains and Provence---let's say late May/early June---would we have to pack both cold and warm weather clothes? That could present a packing problem.

TuckH

Of course it's going to be cold in the higher elevations - you'll be encountering snow along the roadsides.

Also, you'll be going up Mont Blanc...

JeanneB

Sorry to be so demanding, but it sounds like we would want layers and boots. I'm assuming Provence would call for light summer clothing by then. Right?

I hate heavy suitcases. Gotta ponder this.

TuckH

No heavy suitcases. A sweater and maybe a windbreaker. Long pants of course. No boots; sturdy walking shoes.

JeanneB

That sounds doable. Thanks.

Celticharper

I've only been to the french alps in July and it got cold on the top even then, one year the Galibier had huge snowdrifts still by the sides of the road in July.But you should be fine by dressing in layers. I'd suggest a wintersilks type of lightweight silk turtleneck as a first layer, that with a sweater and windbreaker will be fine. This won't take up much room and will keep you warm and comfy.

I found the wintersilk brand of turtlenecks recently and they worked perfectly in Amsterdam in February. You don't need to go all out with parkas and such, if you get a little chilly on top of Mont Blanc you'll only be uncomfortable for a little while. It's not worth lugging a parka for a few hours, we did it wearing a turtleneck, pullover, and a rain/windbreaker and we were fine, as long as I kept the hood up and the neck snapped snugly I was not uncomfortable.

Have a great time, I'm green with envy, we aren't going back to France this year and I'm missing it already.

Celticharper

Oh and sturdy walking shoes are fine,you certainly won't need boots. When you get to the top of Mont Blanc you are on a series of observation platforms, not the mountain itself, so any type of good walking shoes and socks will be all you need.

JeanneB

So much helpful information on this thread. Thanks, celtic.

I have the wintersilks and they pack beautifully. I don't have a "windbreaker" hooded jacket. I may do some shopping around. Right now should be a good time to buy.

Is Provence still "coolish" in May. (I've always imagined the weather as similar to California---mild days, cool nights.) I prefer 3/4 sleeved t's. Would that be hot for May/June?

Celticharper

Even in summer Provence gets cool in the evenings so 3/4 sleeve t's would be perfect with a light jacket or sweater for dining at the sidewalk cafés and your after dinner promenade in the evening. Though you also want to pack something lighter if it does get uncomfortably hot during the day as well.

The "windbreaker" that I'm talking about is usually found in a sporting apparel store. You want something that says "windstop" or something similiar on the label that indicates it has the specific characteristics of wind blockage. It is usually a lighter weight jacket whose fabric is designed to eliminate the cold wind from passing through, as opposed to a sweater which might be heavier but lets all the cold air through the weave. This is a lot easier to pack and much more versatile than a heavy jacket, you might find it the perfect piece to have with you if you have a few chilly days, for in the spring you can never tell what the weather will be.

JeanneB

Oh my. I just read this old report on white-knuckle driving in the Alps.
I believe it covers the exact area Tuck suggested.
http://tinyurl.com/6rskpu

Now, I'm no wimpy driver. But that report scared me to death!
***Flashback to terrified Billy Crystal in "City Slickers":
<i>&quot;I'm on vac-a-a-a-tion!</i>&quot;.***
If I had to back up on a steep drop-off...well, if the cliff didn't get me, the heart attack would.

So what do you suggest? (This assumes going FROM Provence -- fly home out of Geneva.)
---Is there an &quot;easier&quot; route...worth seeing? (drive from Lyon...maybe Grenoble? Or even Turin?)
---Could we train up and still see these wonderful vistas? Could we get on/off at some of the Alpine villages (I'm really taken with the idea of the summit lunch stop with magnificent views).
---There's an EasyJet flight from Nice to Geneva. Could we use local trains in the mountains?

Sorry if I'm being a ninny. I'm a good mountain driver, but this sounds out of my league.

TuckH

&gt;&gt; I'm a good mountain driver...I'm no wimpy driver &lt;&lt;

Stick with it Jeanne - you can do it!

This lady (DeborahAnn) was not &quot;a good mountain driver&quot; and admitted as much. She was a &quot;wimpy driver&quot; having to cling &quot;close to the big old mountain like it was a security blanket&quot;.

Furthermore she was talked into getting a larger sized car, something I've warned about here on Fodor's. A tight turning radius is very important.

In all my many, many hours and kilometers, I've never come upon a scene (one car having to back up to let another pass) along the road such as was here described.

Oh yes - in rural England and Scotland there are some one lane roads where this happened - but never at a hazardous location.

JeanneB

But I failed to mention that I suffer from a fear of heights. :-&lt;

This is just something I'll have to ponder. Would appreciate help in knowing what the alternatives are. If they don't provide the vistas and &quot;charming stop&quot; opportunities, that will be weighted against my fear.

JeanneB

On another note: do you think shoulder late April/early May is too early in the season for this trip?

TuckH

Have you done a Google Image Search of say &quot;Col du Galibier&quot;? Maybe that'll help resolve it for you.

And Yes, late April/early May would be too early IMO.

JeanneB

Earliest = mid-late May? Or is that still iffy?

I googled, but only did the map version. Will go look at the satellite image. {{{scary}}}

TuckH

What are your &quot;alternatives&quot;?

The premise of this discussion, from your opening post, is that you want to see Alpine villages. It seems to me that, by definition, to do that you're going to get onto some high narrow roads. You could travel the wider valley highways but you'd miss those &quot;Alpine villages&quot;.

Here's a link to St-V&eacute;ran
www.beyond.fr/villages/stveran.html

Use the Google &quot;Images&quot; function.

FYI, we flew into and out of Geneva on our 3 week visit to the Provence, driving through the Alps each way. This was mid-June/early July and it was high lavender season in Provence - highly recommended!

JeanneB

[gee, I don't know what happened on those earlier posts. Sorry]

Tuck: I listed some other possible alternatives in my post at 8:25 this morning: other routes, rail. I guess they're not realistic alternatives, huh? I looked around on that site you posted. Sounds like there is some bus service...but I'd rather drive than take a bus on those roads!

I did some google images. Is this somewhat representative? Or does it get a lot worse than this?
http://tinyurl.com/5rex2o

TuckH

Okay - here's an idea...

There's a wonderful train ride that goes from Chamonix to Martigny and back. http://tinyurl.com/59guvd
&quot;There is a famous mountain train service that runs from Le Fayet, at the bottom of the Chamonix Valley, all the way through Chamonix and Argentiere, over/through the Col des Montets and Forclaz and down the other side into Martigny in Switzerland.&quot;

I've not done it but have heard about it. I think this would suit your needs nicely.

With this scheme, I'd forget about the driving aspect and concentrate on a two or three night stay in Chamonix (going up Mont Blanc too).

Your 8:25 alternatives don't address your stated desire to see Alpine villages IMO.

JeanneB

I'm sorry, Tuck. I know it's tiresome. And, yes, seeing the Alpine villages is what it's all about.

I'm going out to the Rockies in September. Maybe I can find some place to practice when I'm in the Rockies in September.

I'm going to proceed planning the trip with the assumption we'll do the drive up the Alps.