While I was growing up, my mother worked for various airlines, which meant our family received ridiculously discounted flights. We traveled across the globe on most school vacations. But the deal came with caveats (don鈥檛 they all?): we had to fly standby, so securing seats on any flight always depended on whether there was something open or a no-show. That twisted game of musical chairs made me realize that spontaneity is great and all, but the anticipation of planning a trip in advance is half the fun. That鈥檚 why I鈥檓 here to encourage you to sign up for an incredible 12-day trip that I鈥檓 joining to the French Alps with 国产吃瓜黑料+ members and 国产吃瓜黑料 readers in September. We鈥檝e turned over the planning to travel outfitter Modern 国产吃瓜黑料, which is organizing a collection of exclusive trips alongside members of our editorial staff next year. What makes me particularly excited for this grand traverse is to be back in the mountains. All of that exposure to international travel as a young lad turned me into an explorer of the world鈥檚 great ranges. And now I鈥檓 that 国产吃瓜黑料 editor whose apartment walls are decorated with framed pictures of the peaks I jetted off to: staring in amazement at the Fitz Roy skyline in Patagonia, a photo of Peru鈥檚 Cordillera Blanca in the early-morning light, and a somewhat grainy image I snapped of India鈥檚 Garhwal Himalayas. While you could argue that many other iconic ranges are missing from this lineup, the most obvious one to me is the Alps. I can鈥檛 wait to share this experience鈥攖he fresh Alpine air, the luxurious mountain chalets, and delicious food after a long day of hiking鈥攚ith you. Come join me! To learn more and sign up, and read below. 鈥擩eremy-Miles Rellosa
The Trip: French Alps Grand Traverse
Guest 国产吃瓜黑料 editor: Jeremy-Miles Rellosa, gear review editor
Inaugural Trip Dates: September 11鈥22, 2022 | Price: $7,400 | 国产吃瓜黑料+ price: $7,200
In 1786, a doctor in Cha颅颅m颅onix named Michel-颅Gabriel 颅Paccard and a local crystal hunter, Jacques Balmat, teamed up to become the first two people ever recorded to stand atop 15,770-foot Mont Blanc, a feat that inspired cen颅turies of exploration in the French Alps. But there is an even better way to see these beautiful mountains that doesn鈥檛 involve risking your life.
Start at Meg猫ve, near Chamonix, and amble and eat your way 100 miles down to Sospel, a hillside village near Monaco. It takes ten days to complete the trek; on most of them you will log up to eight hours of hiking, with 1,500- to 4,000-foot climbs on dirt footpaths that have served shepherds, tradesmen, and armies for centuries. Come evening, you鈥檒l arrive in picturesque villages where a hot meal and a warm bed await. If your legs get too tired鈥攐r your belly too full鈥攁 few cable car rides along the way will lessen the pain.
鈥淚 am excited to experience the beauty of the French Alps with our readers, though secretly I鈥檓 coming along just for the food,鈥 says Jeremy-Miles Rellosa, the 国产吃瓜黑料 editor joining this trip. Yes, the gooey raclette cheese, delicious local red wine, and stunning mountain views will undoubtedly leave you in awe, but this trip is also designed to hit the nooks and crannies of the French Alps that remain unknown to many North Americans, like the 12,650-foot Grande Casse massif of Vanoise, the nation鈥檚 first national park. By the time you arrive at the coast, you may want to turn north and walk back to where it all began. Or stay put and soak in the Mediterranean Sea. 鈥擳im Neville