On the road around Morzine Do you like your yoga Vinyasa, Hatha or Yin? Well until recently, I didn't know the difference, but after my first session of an hour or so of stretching and twisting in a sun-dappled cow pasture at the foot of a French alpine peak, I suppose I can now say, I like my yoga pasture-ised.
While almost enjoyable and certainly enlightening, my less than supple body struggled to mirror the moves of my teacher Nadia of the Yoga Alliance, whose patience and self-control for continuing on regardless and keeping a straight face as I attempted the various poses, was exemplary - and I'm certain the usual occupants of the pasture would have made better and more capable students than me.
It followed another first for me in the Alps - the other was the first time I’ve ridden a real road bike around the hills and mountains of the bustling town of Morzine, as a guest of Savoie Mont Blanc Tourisme - and so, red-faced and gasping in the increasingly-thinning air, I pedalled my way 'looking the business' in my new Team Sidcup Cycles jersey, to the Col de l’Ecrenaz at an altitude of 1433m, encouraged every metre of the way by my guide Joseph Pauly.
In the past I have followed the Tour de France on TV, and never really appreciated just how tough it must be. And in comparison my 'mountain climb' was just a tiddler . . . something any professional, or indeed, any decent cyclist would do without too much of a strain.
Apparently, news of my cycling debut was not celebrated in the columns of L’Equipe and I understand my success will not be entered in the annals of road cycling either. Although slightly miffed at that news, any plaudits could not have eclipsed the pure satisfaction of conquering my first col. The feeling of relief and a great deal of pride was beyond mere words on a page.
The second day of my cycling excursion we again followed the Guide Cyclo, a book made available for free at the Morzine-Avoriaz tourist office and on their website, to take on the climb made famous by French Tour legend Bernard Hinault, whose time to the top is 33 minutes.
You may not be surprised to discover, his record for the 1800m Grimpee D’Avoriaz remains intact. Heavy rain meant I had to return to base just after the Lac de Montriond as it was deemed the treacherous descent would be too dangerous for a novice cyclist such as myself. So, Monsieur Hinault, you can rest at ease until my next attempt. For those more likely to challenge his time, there is a permanent system cyclists can use to time themselves with electronic chips which are available at the tourist office.
There are many good reasons to visit this fantastic part of the world. If you’re not into cycling or other sports, you can walk in the hills with your own personal guide to enjoy spectacular views, see chamois graze or marmets sunbathe on rocks, while eagles soar above rocky crags looking for lunch.
While on the topic of food. The Savoie region is famed for its vast selection of cheese and most restaurants have a huge choice from reblochon, used in delicious tartiflette, or raclette used for fondue feasts. But there is more to Savoie cuisine than cheese and a few days trying out the varied dishes from lake perch to the meaty farcement with a glass or two of one the fabulous wines of the area is time well spent.
Morzine, while busy throughout the year with skiers and the like in winter and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the summer, is large enough to soak up the numbers of visitors with plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars, but small enough to retain a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
I stayed at Le Petit Dru - www.petitdru.fr In the summer, the price for a double room is €168 including breakfast for two.
Restaurants include:
La Chamade www.lachamade.com where a main course is around €25 and dessert at €10
Le Bec Jaune brewery and restaurant www.becjaunebrewery.com with organic and locally sourced burgers from around €10
La Rotonde www.morzine-avoriaz.com/restaurant-la-rotonde.html
La Ferme de la Fruitière with cheeses and Savoyard specialities www.alpage-morzine.com
Alpen Roc hotel/restaurant www.alpenroc.com which has main courses from around 20€ and all desserts €6.
More on activities:
Cycling www.morzinemountaincycling.com
Rental cycling shop: Torico www.toricomorzine.com - price for the day is 55€ for a Scott Solace 10 Disc
Cycling coach: Joseph Pauly +33(0)6 62 10 32 77: 220€ per day /120€ half a day. Jo is also a mountain bike instructor www.ride-ability.com
Yoga: Nadia Stragliati - FB page @AlturaYoga
Price for a session of 1hr30mn costs: 90€ for a group of 10 people maximum
Nadia is member of an international yoga group called Yoga Alliance and teaches yoga Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin. Her phone number: +33 (0)6 62 38 71 55
Walking with a mountain leader: Price per person is €35 for a day and €25 half a day (group up to 15 people). For a private session: 115€ half a day and 190€ for the day
Bureau des guides - Morzine – Florian Stoppa www.guides-morzine.com
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/lifestyle/holidays/anything-102062/
While almost enjoyable and certainly enlightening, my less than supple body struggled to mirror the moves of my teacher Nadia of the Yoga Alliance, whose patience and self-control for continuing on regardless and keeping a straight face as I attempted the various poses, was exemplary - and I'm certain the usual occupants of the pasture would have made better and more capable students than me.
It followed another first for me in the Alps - the other was the first time I’ve ridden a real road bike around the hills and mountains of the bustling town of Morzine, as a guest of Savoie Mont Blanc Tourisme - and so, red-faced and gasping in the increasingly-thinning air, I pedalled my way 'looking the business' in my new Team Sidcup Cycles jersey, to the Col de l’Ecrenaz at an altitude of 1433m, encouraged every metre of the way by my guide Joseph Pauly.
In the past I have followed the Tour de France on TV, and never really appreciated just how tough it must be. And in comparison my 'mountain climb' was just a tiddler . . . something any professional, or indeed, any decent cyclist would do without too much of a strain.
Apparently, news of my cycling debut was not celebrated in the columns of L’Equipe and I understand my success will not be entered in the annals of road cycling either. Although slightly miffed at that news, any plaudits could not have eclipsed the pure satisfaction of conquering my first col. The feeling of relief and a great deal of pride was beyond mere words on a page.
The second day of my cycling excursion we again followed the Guide Cyclo, a book made available for free at the Morzine-Avoriaz tourist office and on their website, to take on the climb made famous by French Tour legend Bernard Hinault, whose time to the top is 33 minutes.
You may not be surprised to discover, his record for the 1800m Grimpee D’Avoriaz remains intact. Heavy rain meant I had to return to base just after the Lac de Montriond as it was deemed the treacherous descent would be too dangerous for a novice cyclist such as myself. So, Monsieur Hinault, you can rest at ease until my next attempt. For those more likely to challenge his time, there is a permanent system cyclists can use to time themselves with electronic chips which are available at the tourist office.
There are many good reasons to visit this fantastic part of the world. If you’re not into cycling or other sports, you can walk in the hills with your own personal guide to enjoy spectacular views, see chamois graze or marmets sunbathe on rocks, while eagles soar above rocky crags looking for lunch.
While on the topic of food. The Savoie region is famed for its vast selection of cheese and most restaurants have a huge choice from reblochon, used in delicious tartiflette, or raclette used for fondue feasts. But there is more to Savoie cuisine than cheese and a few days trying out the varied dishes from lake perch to the meaty farcement with a glass or two of one the fabulous wines of the area is time well spent.
Morzine, while busy throughout the year with skiers and the like in winter and outdoor enthusiasts throughout the summer, is large enough to soak up the numbers of visitors with plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars, but small enough to retain a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
I stayed at Le Petit Dru - www.petitdru.fr In the summer, the price for a double room is €168 including breakfast for two.
Restaurants include:
La Chamade www.lachamade.com where a main course is around €25 and dessert at €10
Le Bec Jaune brewery and restaurant www.becjaunebrewery.com with organic and locally sourced burgers from around €10
La Rotonde www.morzine-avoriaz.com/restaurant-la-rotonde.html
La Ferme de la Fruitière with cheeses and Savoyard specialities www.alpage-morzine.com
Alpen Roc hotel/restaurant www.alpenroc.com which has main courses from around 20€ and all desserts €6.
More on activities:
Cycling www.morzinemountaincycling.com
Rental cycling shop: Torico www.toricomorzine.com - price for the day is 55€ for a Scott Solace 10 Disc
Cycling coach: Joseph Pauly +33(0)6 62 10 32 77: 220€ per day /120€ half a day. Jo is also a mountain bike instructor www.ride-ability.com
Yoga: Nadia Stragliati - FB page @AlturaYoga
Price for a session of 1hr30mn costs: 90€ for a group of 10 people maximum
Nadia is member of an international yoga group called Yoga Alliance and teaches yoga Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin. Her phone number: +33 (0)6 62 38 71 55
Walking with a mountain leader: Price per person is €35 for a day and €25 half a day (group up to 15 people). For a private session: 115€ half a day and 190€ for the day
Bureau des guides - Morzine – Florian Stoppa www.guides-morzine.com
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/lifestyle/holidays/anything-102062/
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