My Alpine Adventure With Collette Travel

International travel has been the name of the game for me in 2023. But as an over-60 traveler, planning everything myself is tedious and time-consuming. Fortunately, tour providers are out there helping people take their first steps to seeing the world. I was overjoyed to be sponsored by Collette Travel on my latest trip, as I love introducing my followers to the best travel companies in the business. Check out how I spent my guided tour of the alpine region and consider going guided for your next trip!

View from Mont Blanc
This itinerary makes you feel on top of the world!

Day 1: Charmed in Chamonix

My storybook vacation opened in stunning Chamonix, France, the site of the very first Winter Olympics. This cozy ski town is right at the base of Mont Blanc and has no shortage of quaint cottages, aromatic bakeries, and the cutest little shops. I asked for coffee shop recommendations and was sent the most adorable shop in town–with baby pink walls, trellises of flowers, and umbrellas for some shade. Afterward, our group enjoyed a Welcome Dinner at La Folie Douce Hotel. The menu was exquisite, and I was more than glad to have a decadent caramel and chocolate dessert at the conclusion of my first day!

Day 2: Amazed in Annecy

Day two kicked off with a yummy breakfast at the hotel and a picturesque excursion to Annecy. Annecy is known as one of France’s most beautiful cities and has earned the moniker the “Venice of the Alps.” I’ll be saying this a lot as I reflect on my experiences—but this place was out of a fairytale! Crisp air, clear canals, and vibrantly colored buildings are the norm in this small town.

View from the streets of Annecy
A view of the beautiful streets of Annecy

Day 3: Marveling at Mont Blanc

After the excursion to Annecy, it was time to visit our first peak of the trip! It was up, up, and away to the spectacular Mont Blanc. They say this mountain is the birthplace of mountaineering, and I wasn’t going to miss a chance to capture an incredible view from the top! Mont Blanc tops 12,000 feet and should definitely be on your bucket list. If you have some spare cash, you might purchase a souvenir Mont Blanc pen in the gift shop – it  will only set you back 1,700 euros (around $1,700).

Views of Mont Blanc
Views of stunning Mont Blanc

If mountain climbing isn’t quite your taste, this trip still has something for you. While I was off seeing the sights at Mont Blanc, several other ladies in my group opted to get massages instead back at the hotel’s gorgeous spa. That’s the great thing about group travel with Collette—you’re rarely locked into one activity and can often choose from optional excursions or just chill and do your own thing.

Day 4: Caravaning Through the Countryside

This was an action-packed day! We departed Chamonix, setting out for majestic Switzerland. We stopped in Montreux, where a sculpture garden of outstanding musicians and jazz cafe awaited me. Now, I’m not proud of how much I spent on the burger at the renowned Montreux Jazz Cafe in the Jazz Festival headquarters Fairmont Palace Hotel, but it was nice to get a little taste of home while abroad! The Montreux promenade along Lake Geneva is an excellent way to get a wider glimpse of this exceptional town.

Montreux Jaxx Cafe
Can’t wait to come back for the Montreux Jazz Festival

Another of today’s stops was Barryland. I can’t recommend this place enough, especially if you’re prone to missing your pets while away. Barryland is a local foundation dedicated to the St. Bernard, skilled at rescuing from snow, the official dog of Switzerland. What do you think the U.S.’s official dog would be? Maybe a golden retriever or a beagle?

The transportation highlight for today was the Golden Pass Train—wow!! those panoramic views! The scenery was absolutely spellbinding as we journeyed from Chamonix to Gstaad, Switzerland. Once we arrived, I absolutely marveled at the view from my hotel balcony, Golf Hotel Les Hauts de Gstaad. It was unforgettable.

Gstaad truly is gorgeous!
Gstaad truly is gorgeous!

Day 5: Getting into Gstaad

We didn’t have too much time to explore Gstaad the night prior, so today was all about seeing what this beautiful region has to offer. The city is home to the “rich and famous”. And the downtown shops didn’t let you forget that. We also took trips to some stunning waterfalls—did you know Switzerland has upwards of 150?

Waterfalls
Just one of the many Swiss waterfalls

Once we were finished admiring and photographing the Trummelbach waterfalls in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, it was off to the storybook town of Grindelwald. Picture a postcard of Switzerland. Have the mental image? You’re likely thinking of something akin to Grindelwald. This alpine village is right at the edge of Mount Eiger and is home to a plethora of mom-and-pop bakeries. No chain restaurants, just friendly family-run businesses with absolutely delectable dining. 

We ended the day at the impeccable Sunstar Alpine Hotel. This place also  has some truly magnificent views. Just imagine waking up to the Alps, green countryside, and a delicious breakfast every day!

Day 6: Don’t Freeze at Jungfraujoch!

Just a short trip from Grindelwald is one of the highlights of the entire trip—Jungfraujoch. This landform is between two primary mountains in the Alps, but it’s much more than just a swathe of land. Jungfraujoch is home to several attractions, from the artistic Ice Palace to the scenic observatory. If you’re yearning for something sweet, you might even stop by the Lindt Chocolate shop, too. Jungfraujoch is known as the “Top of Europe,” and as such, tourism is a growing opportunity. Switzerland is really seeing the value in this destination, and more and more people flock to the site every year. On my trip, I saw several young Instagrammers looking for the perfect pic! Visiting this UNESCO site is yet another reason to book this itinerary.

Day 7: Luxury in Lucerne and Liechtenstein

Perhaps you’re less of a mountaineer and more of a city slicker. No matter, there’s something on this trip for you too! We spent a few hours in Lucerne, a wonderful lakeside city known as one of the most beautiful in Switzerland. Make sure to take your photo in front of the Chapel Bridge, and you may want to get yourself a souvenir commemorating the country’s most famous items—would you prefer a designer watch or a designer knife?

Bridge in Lucerne
Be sure to photograph this beautiful bridge in Lucerne

After Lucerne, it was off to Austria, but not before making a “passport stamp” stop in Liechtenstein. If you’ve never heard of this tiny country, I can’t blame you. It takes up only about 62 square miles and has a population of less than 40,000. All the same, I was so glad to add Liechtenstein to my list of visited countries as I work my way up to 100! While we didn’t have long, we did stop to see the nation’s parliament and get our passports stamped at the Liechtenstein Center in the capital city of Vaduz.

Loved crossing Liechtenstein off my to-visit list
Loved crossing Liechtenstein off my to-visit list

Day 8: Sightseeing in Seefeld

Having arrived in Seefeld, Austria after leaving Liechtenstein, it was time to get into what this tiny town had to offer. We started with an idyllic carriage ride, complete with a red canopy and all. My group and I rode through the town, stopping to take in the mountain scenery and regional culture. One tidbit I learned was that cow bells are a prominent symbol of the area. You’ll find decorated cow bells for sale everywhere—any souvenir shop will have them! 

At the end of the day, we sat down for a tasty meal at a local restaurant. I’m not a huge foodie, but I try to sample at least part of a region’s cuisine. The stand outs for me were the countless family-owned bakeries in town. Just like I found in Grindelwald, Seefeld had plenty of indulgent breads, pastries, and desserts. 

Concluding our trip through Austria was the incredible city of Innsbruck. Known for its lake and mountain views, this was also the site of the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976. A truly beautiful destination!

Days 9 & 10: Breezing Through Brunico

The next days rang in the final leg of my trip—Italy. I’ve been to this lovely country a few times as a boomer traveler, but each visit is just as exciting as the last. I was thrilled to get a glimpse of the Dolomite range. They truly don’t look like any other mountains I’ve ever seen! Our first stop in Italy was the historic town of Brunico. Though it’s well within the borders of Italy, the vast majority of the population actually speaks German. We often think about languages stopping and starting at national borders, but this region of Europe proves this isn’t the case.

Dolomites
The craggy Dolomites are truly incredible!

Day 11: Enamored With Italy

It’s the last day of the “Peaks of Europe” tour, but that doesn’t mean the trip is winding down! The final 24 hours had some wonderful sites, some of which were off the beaten path. For one, we stopped at Molinetto della Croda, a watermill dating back to the 16th century. This is an amazing place to take a photo, whether you’re traveling solo or on a mother daughter trip. That’s another great thing about guided travel, you never cease being impressed with the plethora of hidden gems you’ll find along the way! 

One of our final destinations was a local vineyard in Italy’s Prosecco region. Just like Jungfraujoch, the Prosecco Hills have been declared a UNESCO Heritage Site, further encouraging tourism to this magnificent land. I highly recommend choosing a guided tour with a vineyard visit—after all, have you really been to Italy if you haven’t sampled the wine?

Sampling Prosecco in Italy’s Prosecco region

Climb to New Heights on Your Next Trip

If you want to see more of the world, guided travel is my top recommendation. Going with a group means you’ll always have someone to talk to and you won’t end up lost in a new environment. I was so pleased with my itinerary from Collette and can’t sing its praises enough. It was the perfect balance of hidden gems, up-and-coming destinations, and tried-and-true tourist spots. 

Want to see more from the Peaks of Europe? Check out my Instagram!