Day trips from Chamonix

If you'd like to explore the Alps while your here, Chamonix's location on the border with Italy and Switzerland gives a perfect opportunity. Here's a few of our favourite days out.

Courmayeur (Italy)

Just half an hour away via the Mont Blanc Tunnel, the elegant Italian town of Courmayeur has a beautiful old centre with wonderful shops - and most importantly, an abundance of brilliant Italian restaurants. Though it's so close to Chamonix, the mountains divided them until the tunnel opened in 1972, and it's packed with real Italian character.

Pila (Italy)

Pila, about an hour away, is a mountain biker's paradise - from the hardcore downhill demon to the youngest beginner. More than this, it's also a great family day out, with a restaurant at the top that has a swimming pool, and separate walking trails, including a Marmot trail which is always a hit with younger children. Older children will also enjoy the adventure park, and everyone can savour the marvellous Italian food.

Zermatt (Switzerland)

If your glimpse of the Matterhorn from the Aiguille du Midi makes you want to see it close up, it takes around two hours to get there. The drive takes you over the dramatic Forclaz pass, through the pretty village of Trient and past the historic towering monasteries of Sion, before getting the train up to Zermatt, the picturesque setting of Switzerland's most famous peak.
No matter how many photos you've seen, nothing can quite prepare you for the sight of the Matterhorn, it's truly one of the world's most unique and beautiful mountains. There are lovely hiking trails all around where you can watch the light changing on the twisting granite spire, or for a more relaxing experience, take a cable car up to one of the excellent mountain restaurants

Annecy

Known as the "Venice of the Alps", Annecy is a wonderful old granite city with a network of canals running through it. The setting is sublime, on a lake ringed with mountains. Go boating on the lake to enjoy the views, or just stroll around the romantic streets of the old town, taking in the atmosphere of a modern, living city that's carefully preserved its stunning architectural heritage. The 12th century Palais de l'Isle, on the river, is one of France's most unique and beautiful monuments. If you're here on August 2nd, 2008, it's worth the trip to the Fete du Lac - one of the Europe's finest firework displays