| It seems as though more and more people are | | | | after the sun goes down. |
| getting bored of beach holidays, and more often | | | | 4) Speedos (for men only): If you are holidaying in |
| they turn to the mountains for their summer holiday. | | | | France, don't forget that French swimming pools |
| However, whereas a week on the beach in the med | | | | don't allow swim shorts, and will only allow "Speedo" |
| can be quite easy to pack for (swim wear, flip flops, | | | | type swimwear. So if you do want to cool off in a |
| sun cream), there are a few more things that you | | | | French swimming pool, forget your baggies and don |
| should consider bringing on a summer mountain | | | | the tight shorts instead. You never know, you might |
| holiday. This list should help to get you started: | | | | enjoy it! If Speedos really aren't your thing, there are |
| 1) Sun Protection: because mountain resorts are | | | | plenty of mountain lakes which don't restrict bathing |
| often at altitude, the sun can be a lot fiercer than at | | | | costumes. |
| sea level. It is therefore a very important to pack | | | | 5) Water bottle: when hiking in the mountains in |
| high factor sun cream and good sunglasses. Also, | | | | warm weather, it can be very easy to get |
| don't forget that if you go hiking on a glacier, the | | | | dehydrated. Avoid this by carrying adequate water, |
| snow will reflect back the sun in all directions, so you | | | | either in a water bottle or in a hydration pack. |
| may get sunburnt in areas you weren't expecting | | | | 6) Sturdy walking shoes/boots: You don't need to by |
| (for example under the chin). | | | | stiff leather walking boots, but if you are planning to |
| Also, don't forget a good after sun balm, so that you | | | | do some walking in the mountains, it is worth having |
| can help your face recover from a day of fierce | | | | some decent walking boots/shoes/trainers. Goretex |
| sunshine and dry air. | | | | will stop your feet from getting a soaking in case of |
| 2) Waterproofs: Although the weather is usually | | | | being caught in an unexpected thunderstorm. |
| sunny & warm in the French Alps, because of | | | | 7) Mountain rescue insurance: This is very important, |
| the geography of the area, it is not uncommon for | | | | and often overlooked on summer holidays. If you are |
| late afternoon thunderstorms to build. It is better to | | | | on a trail on the mountain and twist an ankle, the |
| be prepared and protected! | | | | only way down may be by mountain rescue |
| 3) Pack clothing layers: part of the attraction of | | | | helicopter. If you don't have travel insurance which |
| holidaying in the mountains is the ability to do things | | | | covers mountain rescue, this could be a very |
| such as jump on cable cars and get whisked up to | | | | expensive flight! Don't worry if you haven't got |
| the mountain tops. It is often cooler at the top of | | | | mountain rescue insurance, most resorts offer this |
| the mountains than at the bottom, so it is good to | | | | for about a euro a day (usually under the Carte |
| have a few layers in your back pack so you can | | | | Neige scheme). |
| adjust your clothing accordingly. Also, evenings can | | | | The mountains do make wonderful summer holiday |
| sometimes be a bit chilly which means that sleeping in | | | | destinations, and there is none of the boredom which |
| a hot room isn't a problem, but it is worth having a | | | | can set in after day two of lying on the same beach |
| sweater handy so you can continue to sit outside | | | | in the med! |