If Olympic excitement has kept you glued to events and you've held off booking a summer break, you might be glad to know that most of Europe will be enjoying a heatwave for the foreseeable future. Temperatures have been climbing for the last few days and the warm weather is set to stay for at least a little while longer.
Whilst 30 plus degrees is not much fun in the cities, head to the hills and you can enjoy cooler temperatures at altitude. It's a great time to enjoy a summer alpine break and if you've not yet tried it here's a few reasons to give it a go.
You may be surprised but the choice of active things to do is simply amazing. Taking/hiring a bike opens up all kinds of trails - whether you want gentle rides alongside sparkling streams, or heart-pounding climbs way above the valley floor. Or take a road bike and explore the routes of the famous alpine road races.
Beautiful hikes will allow you to enjoy fabulous scenery - and they are usually graded according to difficulty so you know how much you'll be challenging yourself. In most resorts, cable cars and some other lifts also open in summer to transport walkers, bikers and sight-seers.
There are options for watersports, climbing, paragliding, and in many resorts you'll find some great sports facilities including golf, tennis and swimming pools.
2. Discover Local Flavour:
In the winter, with the hustle and bustle of skiing, we often turn a blind eye to the day to day life of the area. In summer you can take time out to explore and enjoy. Local markets for example are always a pleasure to visit. Filled with local produce, regional specialities, homemade jams, cheeses, sausages, they are a feast for all the senses. Many of the small village communities will have traditional festivals which have been going on for hundreds of years and are intrinsically linked to the history and life of the region.
3. Explore the Mountain Passes:
With a car you can take time out to discover the region and get an idea of the geography. In winter, especially with heavy snowfall, driving around the Alps can be stressful and problematic. In summer you can drive up to the high points easily and enjoy panoramic views of the mountains and valleys around you.
Around every hairpin there is something beautiful to see.
4. Relax and Re-Group:
Surrounded by stunning alpine scenery on a day's hike it's easy to forget about what's going on in the office. The physical rewards of all this activity are obvious, the mental rewards possibly less so. There's nothing like a great day out in the mountains to help you forget your daily pressures and just enjoy the here and now.
So if you're appetite for an alpine summer break has been whetted take a look at our great summer options or post a request in the Summer Solutions Room to find a perfect match for what you're looking for.
