Avanti Savoia! Haute Savoie, France

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The Haute Savoie Haute Savoie or better in France is an ideal place for having a romantic weekend, not far from Italy but always with the fascination of the "travel abroad".

So, starting in pairs on a Saturday morning from Varese to reach Annecy and in less than 4 hours we are on the rise.

Crossing the Mont Blanc tunnel paying the toll. Pleased to discover that doing the round trip ticket saves almost 50%. But beware: the return journey must be made within 1 week.

Annecy is a beautiful and colorful city on the banks of a lake, crossed by canals and bridges, a little Venice but more cheerful although devoid of artistic heritage.

Our hotel is located in the most scenic and photographed the city: the Palais de l'Ile which takes its name. However, we verify that this is a hotel of average quality, nothing special: rooms rather small since the average price, breakfast included exaggerated the price, convenience and nearby garage.

The Palais de l'Ile originally housed the old prisons. He looks like a small fortified castle surrounded by water. Inside Architecture hosts a museum and cultural heritage.

In the morning, wander around the streets of the old town, along the canals, crossing the bridge, curious in several shops, restaurants and above all fantastic and inviting boulangerie. The showcase of one of these, on the road to the castle, we hit a lot: there are giant brioches apparent that not so inviting to resist. Buy a "croix de la Savoie," that is a giant croissant rich butter and sugar in the shape of the cross: fantastic!

Visit outside the palace that houses inside some museums relating to the area.

In the afternoon was our intention to make a tour of the lake by boat (tours of the lake for a period of 1 hours with the local shipping company), but the weather is too cloudy and the journey would be wasted.

Then opt for a visit to the castle of Montrottier, in Lovagny, a few km. away from Annecy. The castle is rich in suppellettivi with fully furnished rooms with rich collections of furniture, pottery, weapons and items.

Annecy to return to dinner in a Creperie Crepe with a salty and sweet. Then walk between the channels and do some light photo.


2nd Day: Yvoire - Thonon Les Bains

The next day we leave to head to the Annecy Lake Leman (Lake Geneva).

Our first stop is Yvoire: a medieval village on the lake shore, entirely pedestrian, with stone buildings of another era and many shops.

Unfortunately, it is Sunday morning and it is low season (March). Consequently, almost all shops are closed and the village is practically desert. So take advantage to go with peace.

The next step is Thonon Les Bains, orderly town lake, nice but not very interesting.

Visit the port, the colorful village of fishermen, the central pedestrian area with many shops all closed (it's always Sunday).

We make a great lunch in a restaurant with outdoor seating area in the port.

Eat a typical French: the croque Monsieur. This is a rich toast with sauce, cheese and sometimes ham, but with the particularity of being completely covered with cheese.

Near the port but we notice a particular wash, surrounded by stone axes that arouses our interest.

Remain in the lake area until the guided tour of the castle Ripaille. The castle is very well preserved but the interior is pretty bare and the building is excessively restored probably adibirlo interest in a location for weddings and events had the upper hand.

That concludes our short weekend in France.

Maybe winter is not the best time to visit this area that reaches its peak in spring / summer and, despite a March, here is still rather cold.

Nearby there are other castles to visit the castle of Clermont, the castle of Thorens and the castle of Saint-Menthon Bernad, but unfortunately all open in the summer.

However we are not disappointed and we return to our homes happy and recharged, ready to face our usual commitments.

(The midi file is the background of "La dame de l'Haute Savoie Francis Cabrel)

Dani and Max

http://digilander.iol.it/danidisa
Here you will find pictures and links of places mentioned

texts by Daniela
Photos of Max


www.lac-Annecy.com

http://www.annecytourisme.com

www.Annecy-croisieres.com

www.chateaudemontrottier.com

http://www.hotels-la-clusaz.com/

http://Yvoire.free.fr/

http://www.thononlesbains.com

http://www.ripaille.fr/

http://www.sav.org/fclerm.html

http://www.sav.org/fthorens.html

http://www.chateau-de-menthon.com/