2015 Newsletter (672kb PDF)

◆ FA L L 2014 ◆
O
Our Program for 2015
ur 2015 program includes trips to Austria,
France, Italy (Aosta and Sud Tirol) and of
course Switzerland.
of the finest hiking and most charming “base camps”
anywhere. More detailed descriptions will be found
on our website.
• Once again, we’ll start in April with two weeks in
Soglio – truly a peaceful paradise in early Spring.
Our season starts with a spring trip (April 17-May 2)
to Soglio, Switzerland – halfway between St. Moritz
and Italy’s Lake Como. It’s a 15th century cobble• An exciting addition is two weeks in Italy’s Val
stone village, perched high above the Val Bregaglia
d’Aosta. Cogne and Courmayeur are my two faand seemingly untouched by modern times – a phovorite towns in this famous region.
tographer’s delight. Hikes take place in the Italian and
• For the very first time
Swiss ends of the valley.
we’ll visit Sils Maria in
Our hotel, built at the
its high season. Culend of the last centutural events as well as
ry, is simply magnificent
the usual superb hik– modern comforts,
ing will be a challenge
large rooms, excellent
to burn the candle at
food and arguably the
both ends.
most dramatic mountain
view in the Alps. Snow
• Thanks to the dollar’s
capped peaks are framed
rebound, we are able
by palm trees and magonce again to hold
nolias. The valley is just
our prices against any
emerging from its winter
decline up to 5% from
sleep and temperatures
October’s level.
are ideal for hiking –
Alpine Paradise
• A timely reminder that
warm but not hot. The
our “smell the roses”
hiking trails are snow
philosophy can be quantified. Walks will generally
free, early spring flowers abound, the mountain huts
not exceed 2,000 feet of height gain and 4-5 hours
and “crotti’ are open, serving mouth-watering local
of actual hiking time. Yes, there will continue to be
specialties. Best of all, we have the valley – overrun in
superb meals – on the trail as well as in the hotels.
the summer months – virtually entirely to ourselves.
Some of our favorite destinations are world renowned. Others are little known to Americans, although beloved of experienced European hikers.
Each has its own distinctive personality. What follows is intended to whet your appetite to share some
We’ll open the summer season (June 20-July 5) with
our first two week trip to Italy’s Val d’Aosta region.
Cogne and Courmayeur – two villages well known
to discriminating Italian mountain lovers – are favorites of mine. Cogne lies at the edge of the famed Gran
continued on next page
Alpine Trails veterans make the trip from
Sils Maria to Soglio to enjoy the sun.
Paradiso National Park. King Vittorio Emmanuele
ceded his private hunting preserve to the Italian people a century ago, and we’re all the richer for it. The
Gran Paradiso is the only 4,000 meter peak entirely on Italian territory. It is surrounded by countless
satellite peaks and glaciers. Three delightful hamlets
– Gimillan, Lillaz and Valnontey – give access to several of the valleys around Cogne and assure widely
varying panoramas. Snow-covered peaks, glaciers,
lakes and waterfalls are set off by green valleys – a
photographer’s delight. Cogne is a charming village.
Courmayeur is literally in the shadow of Mont
Blanc (Monte Bianco), which towers over the village. At the same time Alpine and elegant, it can be
very crowded from mid-July to the end of August.
We should be just in time for peak flowers and just
before peak tourism! There are several astoundingly
beautiful traverses, with the full range in view. Several
mountain huts and hidden valleys add to the charm.
We will stay in the picture book village of Entreves
– just a 10 minute ride by public or hotel shuttle bus
from Courmayeur’s center. Both of our 4 star hotels
offer elegance without pretention. I expect this trip
to sell out early.
July 11-26, we’ll return to two enchanting villages in
Italy’s Sud Tirol and Austria’s Oetztal – Sulden and
Vent. Sulden is in the Obervinschgau and lies on a
grassy plateau surrounded on four sides by the highest peaks east of Switzerland and their glaciers. The
Ortler is the highest. Many consider the neighboring
Koenigspitz one of the most beautiful peaks in the
entire Alps. No less than eight mountain huts and
restaurants provide rewards at lunch time (picnics
are also popular) and several lifts provide great flexibility in tailoring our walks to different levels of motivation and ability. Most hikes will start and finish at
our cozy Hotel Gertraud, known for its great food.
Despite all this infrastructure, Sulden remains a
quiet village. Our second week, we’ll cross the border into Austria’s Vent. This peaceful village lies
at the head of the Western branch of the famous
Oetztal, where “Oetzi” – the “Ice Man” – was discovered. Immediately above is Austria’s highest peak
the Wildspitz. Vent is surrounded by dozens of
3,000 meter peaks, long valleys, numerous glaciers
and the waterfalls and deep gorges they produce.
Our Hotel Post is an outstanding example of Austrian warmth and hospitality. It provides a swimming
pool and spa facility. The hiking in Vent and nearby
Obergurgl and Soelden (no relation to Sulden!) is
extremely varied. Both villages lie at about 6,000
feet, our highest resorts. They will be cooler than
any other resorts at what can be a hot time of the
year. And, we should catch the end of the peak flower season. This trip offers the best of both the Italian
and Austrian sides of Tirol – a perennial favorite!
The charms of Sils Maria and the five star Hotel
Waldhaus in the world renowned Swiss Engadine are
familiar to Alpine Trails veterans (August 1-16). I have
explored no less than 150 trails in this charming area
and have distilled 40 years’ experience into a fascinating variety of hikes. Glaciers and lakes abound. There
are numerous side valleys to explore, huts to visit,
One of the many beautiful waterfalls above Cogne.
photo gallery is a pictorial guide to what you’ll experience when you travel with Alpine Trails. I particularly
enjoy talking to veterans and newcomers alike in as
much detail as you wish, whenever I’m in the States.
Our Hotels
Above Chamonix’s Mer de Glace.
ridges to cross, gastronomic specialties to sample.
Our hotel, high above the village, commands gorgeous views in every direction. A 20 meter swimming
pool, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a fitness
room, sauna, tea concerts and after dinner dancing
are all part of life at the Hotel Waldhaus. As always, I
will sponsor a chamber music concert during our stay.
We will enjoy the scenery and cultural delights of the
Engadine in high season – a first! A higher price, but
an exceptional value.
August 29-September 13 will find us once again at
the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps.
This has been our most popular destination in recent
years. The scenery is overwhelming. The mountain
rises 12,500 feet above the valley floor – higher than
Everest above its base camp. The jagged peaks, enormous glaciers and thundering waterfalls will make a
lasting impression. The occasional use of mountain
lifts will help us get to some of the most beautiful
paths and views. Chamonix is a bustling city, but
we stay in nearby Argentiere and Les Bossons –
quieter, calmer and at the very foot of many of the
valley’s renowned walks. The cozy hotel Le Montana
and the historic Hotel Aiguille du Midi – each with a
swimming pool – have been big hits with our guests,
offering fine French cuisine and warm hospitality. It’s
the perfect time to be here, just after the crowds disappear but with the huts and lifts still open. A great
way to end the season.
Visit Our Website
If you would like to learn more about any of our
areas – the village, the hiking, the hotel, non-hiking
suggestions – please check the destination pages on
our website – www.alptrails.com. If you prefer, Sheila
Duigan will send you a printed copy. Our website’s
Over the years we have refined not only our trail
selection but also our hotel choices. They range from
extremely comfortable and cozy country inns to four
star hotels and one five star. We have established
excellent relationships with all of them. They spoil us.
We are usually the only American guests, and they
make a special effort to make us feel at home. I urge
you to ask any of our veterans about the hotels as
well as the hiking.
Leadership
After 42 years of leading hiking groups, long experience of Alpine guiding has given me a unique knowledge of the areas we will visit – trails, inns, mountain
restaurants, local culture, customs, food and wines
– as well as a good feel for the interpersonal dynamics of a happy group experience. Speaking French,
German and Italian has given me the ability to communicate and form relationships with inhabitants
wherever we go and learn from them. I’m told these
insights and my on-going enthusiasm add to our hikers’ enjoyment. If you believe that “experience is the
best teacher” and appreciate leadership continuity,
all of these trips should provide an optimal Alpine
experience!
Gateways and Transportation
To facilitate travel for our Sud Tirol and Austrian
guests, we will use Zurich as a gateway. Private buses will meet the group and return them at the trip’s
conclusion. Zürich will also be used for Sils Maria
and Soglio, Geneva for Chamonix. Travel in Sud Tirol
(Italy) and Austria will combine private and public
buses. In Switzerland, Sils Maria guests will receive
round trip tickets from Zürich and a pass for local
trains, buses and mountain lifts. Soglio guests will receive one month Swiss Cards, good for round trip
transport from gateway to destination resort and
50% reductions on additional transport and mountain
lifts. Chamonix area guests will receive round trip
tickets from Geneva as well as passes for local trains
and buses. Geneva will be the gateway for Cogne/
Courmayeur. A private bus will pick up and return
guests to Geneva and connect the two villages.
Book Early – One Week Options
Trips are limited to ten hikers, so book early to assure yourself the trip of your choice. Due to the
popularity of our carefully chosen inns, WE MAY
NOT BE ABLE TO GUARANTEE HOTEL SPACE
LESS THAN SIX WEEKS BEFORE DEPARTURE. In
any event, early booking gives you more time to anticipate the joys of your trip to the Alps!
Lunch business is competitive - even in the Alps.
Travel Arrangements
Sheila Duigan of Alpine Travel handles the travel aspects of our trips to make them as problem-free as
possible. To sign up, or for more information about
any of these trips, please contact her at Alpine Travel,
P.O. Box 1477, Newburyport, MA 01950 (800) 2918126 or (978) 465-8510. Sheila always enjoys talking
with you, but she can also be reached by email: [email protected] or by fax: (978)465-8550.
References
Our repeat ratio continues to range between 80%
and 90%. It’s not surprising that we have hundreds
of happy hikers who would be happy to share their
experiences with you. Call Sheila to put you in touch
with them.
JUST A REMINDER: If any two week trip is not filled
three months ahead of time, we will accept hikers for
the first week only. Two weeks are more than twice
as good as one, but
a single week in the
Alps is infinitely better than none at all!
Highlights of
2014
Every summer is full
of highlights and 2014
was no exception.
The pictures in this
newsletter capture
some of the most
recent “Magic of the
Alps.”
Observing an avalanche from
a safe distance.
L
OOKING AHEAD
Once again we’ll offer five trips in 2015. Over the year’s, our groups have stayed in some 40 - 50 Alpine villages.
Our 2015 program represents as much of Fred’s Hit Parade as we can get into one season! At least one of our
guests plans to do 3-4 of them next summer! With no advertising budget, I look to our devoted regulars and
their friends to keep the Hit Parade going. As you can see, my “alpaholism” has made it difficult to cut back on
the number of trips despite my desire to spend more time with family and Alpine friends. Without your support,
I wouldn’t face this “difficult” choice. THANK YOU!
As always, I wish you a healthy year and joyous holidays. I look forward to sharing the varied pleasures of the Alps
with many of you next year.
Berg Heil!

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