The Alps are one of the most majestic mountain ranges in the world. Did you know that they span over 1200 km? Many people think that the Alps are situated only in France, Austria, or Switzerland, but they cover these three countries, as well as Monaco, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Germany, and Italy. There is so much beauty in these mountains, and they’re one of the only sets of mountains famous all year round, including all the seasons.
This article aims to focus on one season in particular, arguably the best one, namely spring. Where all the plants and trees come back to life after their hibernation in winter and you can see the stunning shades of green that were once covered in white fluffy snow. It’s time to look at some of the enjoyable experiences you can look forward to in springtime.
Find Your Area
The thing about the Alps is that they span across a large region. If you say you’re going to the Alps, that could mean you’re going to one of the eight countries mentioned above, so the first thing you need to do in your planning of the best spring getaway is choose the section of the Alps you want to visit.
The Swiss Alps are known for stunning villages such as Veysonnaz, Nendaz, and Zinal. Whereas if you want to focus on the French Alps, then you might pick between Châtel, Chamrousse, Orelles, or Val Cenis. Alternatively, you could also pick a little town in the Alps region of Italy or Austria if that sounds interesting to you. Choose the option you’ve never been to before because all of them are sure to be breathtaking.
Pick Your Accommodation
Another big planning stage to think about is finding the right accommodation. In these little villages, accommodation can be scarce, however, these villages are indeed known as ski areas, which means that you may be in luck come spring, as perhaps the areas are less full.
This would give you better access to stunning spots, and when you read ‘stunning spots’, you need to take that in because these areas mentioned above have some of the most beautiful accommodation options out there.
You get the wooden and cozy feel of a chalet, however, with the modernity and sleekness that you might expect from a skyscraper in New York in Singapore – creating the best of both worlds.
Spring Activities Await
As you can imagine, in a space this natural like the Alps, getting out in nature is one of the key elements of going to the Alps. Although it doesn’t hurt to have a big pool or jacuzzi at your accommodation, either. However, most people enjoy spending some time in the outdoors, taking advantage of the warmer weather during the spring season.
As you can imagine, there are many different hiking routes that you can pick from. Each village has a small information desk that you can go to so that you may find more information about the hiking route that you’ve chosen, including distance and elevation. Many paths look like they’ve been built purely for you to get on a bicycle and cycle around, which is what many of the locals do, and something you should partake in too. Furthermore, some of the villages are near lakes and rivers. Seeing as it’s spring and the warmer weather ushers in then, you might want to take advantage of this and swim in the Alps waters – does it get fresher than this?
Go in Search of Adventure
Another fun thing you can do when you’re visiting the Alps during a warmer time is take advantage of some more adventurous activities. Although it is lovely to go on a hike or pedal down a mountain, you can up the ante if you so choose and take it next level. There are quite a few adventure sports such as paragliding, mountain climbing even visiting festivals.
With paragliding, you get to take advantage of the clear skies and open fields and get to see the Alps in a way that many don’t. Also, if you’re in a certain part of the Alps, chances are that that is where you’re going to stay, however, with paragliding you get to see things from a bird’s eye view which means you’ll see more of the mountain range.
An additional exciting way to get your heart pumping is with mountain climbing. If it’s your first time, don’t worry, you can pick a smaller route and use all the safety features possible, however, this will give you direct access to the mountain as you’re physically climbing it.
Also, you can think about visiting some of the festivals that are held around the area during the spring. There are not so many so if you really want to do this, you should plan it well in advance.
Wellness and Cuisine
If it’s indoors that you’d like to stay, there are two wonderful options for that, and those are going for a visit to the spa or booking at a nearby restaurant.
A lot of the villages have stunning spas where you can book a massage, facial, or any other treatment. This will just elevate your spring visit to something out of this world. Being pampered in the heart of the Alps – there are worse things, that’s for sure. If you have participated in a lot of physical activity, such as swimming, hiking, or cycling, then a massage is more than pampering; it is crucial in your recovery so that you can get out into the Alps once again come the next morning.
The same goes for cuisine. There are many dining options that you can pick from. If you prefer something more cozy and traditional, a lot of the villages have local dining options where things may not be as fancy, but they are hearty. Or, there are also fine dining restaurants that you can book with – with these, you can dress to the nines and also often have a stunning view of the Alps while you’re dining.
It’s Worth a Visit
As you can see from the above, there are many different things that you can partake in when visiting the Alps. You first need to figure out where exactly you’re going, as it is a very large mountain range, then you must pick a spot that you feel is great for your accommodation needs and then you should dive first into everything else it has to offer, from massage pampering to fine-dining all the way to swimming in lakes and rivers.
I hope you enjoy your visit to the Alps, my wonder friends! Until next time and safe travels!
