Hi there,
I am a fit mid-30s Australian female who loves hiking but has limited overseas experience in the activity. A couple of months ago I went to Europe for the first time and quickly became hooked on both the continent and its hiking. The hikes I did were relatively modest in challenge - the Cinque Terre, low and high routes, and the Val Gardena area in the Dolomites from Ortisei. Looking up at those beautiful Dolomiti rocks I knew I had to come back. I have however always wanted to see Mont Blanc and am thinking that perhaps I will next head here. I need some advice!
(I should say that while I want to do a challenging multi-day hike preferably in the Mont Blanc area - most preferably the Italian side - I am open to other ideas.) I have picked the Alps because I have fallen in love with the romance of Mont Blanc from images and stories of others. However I do know from my Dolomites experience that tallest is not the only qualifier for awesome. I would definitely consider the Dolomites again but only if I was doing a via ferrata as I want more challenge than single day valley hikes next time. I also would like to see Slovenia and Croatia ...)
Questions:
1. do you have recommendations on week-long hiking routes in the Alps that include challenge (I would like to hike for more than 3-4 hours a day - up to 7 or more)
2. Have you heard of this route/company:
http://www.guidecourmayeur.com/montebia ... route.html
3. What are your thoughts on height of mountains? Does it matter for challenge, beauty etc?
4. I would like to do the Alps from the Italian side but am open to ideas. I would consider France, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia or even Germany.
5. Does anyone have ideas for the itinerary before/after the hiking? I will have four weeks and would like some water and cities?
6. Is it a silly idea to do the Alps and then get to Slovenia/Croatia? The reason I would like to do this is because this year I saw Spain, France and Italy and I guess I feel like I should expand my cultural horizons. When you come from Australia you're never sure when you'll be back!
7. My budget for this trip would be well under €6000 if possible, including flights which cost around €1300. Is this doable? (I spent a lot more than that in six weeks this year but I didn't hold back and shopped a lot too! Apologies if this last questions isn't relevant to this site.)
Thanks in advance.