Amy Griffiths -
Europe's not that big really!! (26/07/2010)
It was only really when we landed at Munich airport that the task ahead of Jo and I seemed to sink in. It was day one of fourteen of ‘Eurotrip twentyten’ (originally named by myself).
As much as we love our suppliers and they really are the best in the business unfortunately this is sometimes reflected in their desperation to constantly be out in the great outdoors and slightly less than willing to fill in health and safety forms and risks assessments sat in a stuffy office. (who can really blame them when you live in some of the most stunning parts of the world you could imagine!) so it was decided in the office that one of us would need to go and sit down and do the health and safety with them.
It’s a tough job but Jo and I stepped up J
This was a fantastic experience and to see so many of Europe’s hidden gems was wonderful. Covering 6 different countries in 14 days which roughly works out at approximately 3500 km of driving was hard work but beyond worth it! Everyone’s tastes are different but my own personal top three of our destinations we visited are
1 – Alp Maritime
This destination really surprised me, the town of la Brigue which is where you will be based in the Hotel Mirval looks like a post card. It is very traditionally French and completely undiscovered by the tourist industry. The town is made up of a mass of windy, narrow cobbled streets and you can’t help but feel like a child exploring new territory as you keep disappearing to see what’s ‘just around the next corner’ when we were there the local school children were playing hide and seek on mountain bikes around the village and I was dying to join in! Carlo and his brother Francois are excellent, experienced guides and have a real passion for the area in which they live.
The hotel is very traditionally French and the hosts only speak a little English so remember your guide books! Thankfully the amazing food they serve in the restaurant does not need any translation and will suit everyone! The town of Breil sur Roya has enough going on in the evenings to keep a family entertained after their activities including an outdoor swimming pool, several cafes and a few shops.
2 – Slovenia
I had been warned by my colleagues I was likely to want to live in Slovenia and I was not disappointed. The views were constantly stunning, you are surrounded by these staggering mountains and the bluest water flowing in the rivers I have ever seen! Thomas and Tamara are your hosts for the week and Thomas is an absolute gentle giant. He worked training the British Army for over 20 years and what Thomas doesn’t know about this area or his activities simply is not worth knowing! There are consistently great reviews from clients visiting the area and it is definitely on my list to go back and spend some more time exploring this stunning region.
3 – Tuscany
I am slightly biased as I had visited Tuscany once before however it was even better than I had remembered. Simone is the friendliest, most helpful host you could image and the accommodation for this holiday is simply amazing. The views are so stunning a picture I took on my last visit is my background picture on my desktop at work so when im having a stressful day this place reminds me why it is all worthwhile!
You could not be in better hands in Tuscany, just tell Simone I sent you and you want to know about the half meter pizzas! See the picture for the one me and Jo finished off J
All in all it was a fantastic trip and I still haven’t stopped jumping on the phone everytime it rings to tell people stories about my adventures in each place!
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