I am staying 2 nights with the Steves group in Chamonix as part of the "My Way" Alpine Europe tour and was wondering if spending the third night in Chamonix was a better bet than 2 nights in Geneva........
Any thoughts?
Posted by
Somerville, MA
606 posts
What time is your flight home from Geneva? Can you swing 2 nights in Annecy and get to the airport in time?
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3391 posts
A full day in Chamonix is plenty to see the primary sights. Unless you like to hike and the weather is mild there won't be much else to see. It isn't very big.
I really love Geneva! A lot of people poo-poo it but I think it's a fascinating city with a beautiful old town, cathedral, and lakefront promenade. It's worth a day of your trip.
The Annency suggestion is also a good one - it's a very picturesque town and is right on your way to Geneva.
Both would be great options!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32209 posts
I'd suggest spending the third day in Chamonix. A few thoughts on my reasons for that.....
- You'll basically only have about a day and a half for touring in Chamonix. You'll arrive in the afternoon and by the time you get settled in your hotel and get organized, you'll only have what's left of the afternoon and that evening.
- Although you'll have all of Day 11 for touring Chamonix and area, that one day may not allow you to see all the sights that you want (depending of course on what you want to see). The trip up the Aguille du Midi and Panorama to Helbronner will take at least four hours. If you want to see the ice fields, travel any of the other cable cars or do some hiking, there may not be enough time.
- On the day following the tour, you may want to give yourself another free day, both for sightseeing and just to chill out.
- Two nights in Geneva will only allow about a day and a half for touring. That won't allow time to see much. That also means you'll have to pack up your gear and move hotels, which also takes time.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15584 posts
At the end of the My Way tour I was on, no one stayed on in Chamonix. I didn't hear anyone saying how much they wished they'd had more time there - though everyone enjoyed it. Seemed like all were ready to either head to their next destination or go home.
Posted by
3 posts
We spent an extra day in Chamonix after our MY tour in September. Loved it - hiked and one of our group did the tandem paraglide. I know that 4-5 other couples did also and all were smiling when we saw them.
We then went on to Geneva where we had a 1 1/2 days - which was enough for us. We like the mountains far better than the city.