Alpine

resh snowfall hit Italy’s Alpine resort of Livigno less than a month before the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, where freestyle skiing and snowboarding events will be held, after officials raised concerns over reliance on artificial snow.

A travel influencer has shared a viral video of one city in France which is described as like ‘walking through a fairytale’, with followers calling the lakeside city ‘so beautiful’

If you’re still mulling over your holiday plans for 2026 and fancy a French escape with a difference, then this travel blogger’s suggestion might just catch your eye. A globetrotting enthusiast has turned to Instagram to rave about a charming city tucked away in the French Alps, describing it as akin to ‘walking through a fairytale’. The magical spot she’s championing? The delightful Annecy.

Dubbed the ‘Venice of the Alps’, Annecy is a breathtaking lakeside town located in France‘s southeastern Haute-Savoie department. Sitting just 45 minutes south of Geneva by car, it’s celebrated for its dazzling turquoise alpine lake, towering snow-dusted peaks, and elaborate system of historic waterways.

Wendy, who boasts 100,000 Instagram followers under the handle @nomadicfare, posted a mesmerising video highlighting the town’s most spectacular attractions. Her accompanying post read: “Walking through a fairytale.”

She went on to explain: “A dreamy sunset-to-night wander in Annecy. We started golden hour along the lakefront, then grabbed gelato while crossing the many flower-covered bridges of the old town. The perfect summer night.”

Wrapping up, she posed the question to her audience: “Is this town on your bucket list?”

The clip proved a massive hit, racking up over 195,000 likes from impressed viewers.

One admirer enthused: “Great photo-tour. Makes me dream of visiting Annecy.”

Meanwhile, another shared their memories: “Annecy is so beautiful! Visited the town as a side trip from Geneva, Switzerland.”

A third commended Wendy’s talent for capturing the spirit of the location, remarking: “Love how you capture not just the place, but the feeling of being there.”

Annecy’s key sights and attractions

• Vieille Ville (Old Town): A pedestrianised maze of cobbled streets and pastel-coloured houses lined with flower boxes.
• Palais de l’Isle: This iconic 12th-century “ship-shaped” castle sits in the middle of the Thiou Canal. It has served as a lord’s residence, courthouse, and prison, and now houses a local history museum.
• Lake Annecy: Widely considered one of the purest urban lakes in Europe, it offers activities like boating, swimming, and paddleboarding.
• Pont des Amours (Lovers’ Bridge): A romantic iron bridge connecting the Jardins de l’Europe to the Pâquier esplanade, offering stunning views of the lake and mountains.
• Château d’Annecy: A restored medieval fortress overlooking the city that served as the home of the Counts of Geneva; it now features a museum of regional history and art.

Best way to travel to Annecy

Visitors can reach Annecy from London by plane (quickest and often most affordable), train (scenic and comfortable), or bus (cheapest but longest).

By air

The most convenient choice means flying from a London airport (Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, or City) to Geneva Airport (GVA). The flight time is around 1 hour 40 minutes.

Once in Geneva, travellers can take a bus service to Annecy, taking about 70 minutes. At present, no direct flights operate to the smaller Annecy Airport (NCY).

Train

One alternative is catching the Eurostar from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord, then changing to Paris Gare de Lyon and boarding a high-speed TGV train to Annecy. The journey typically takes between 7-10 hours.

Though slower than flying, it provides a beautiful trip through the French countryside.

Optimal time of year to visit Annecy

The ideal time to visit Annecy really depends on your personal preferences and the activities you’re keen to partake in.

Summer (July to August): This is when Lake Annecy truly comes alive, offering perfect conditions for swimming, boating, and cycling.

The city buzzes with various festivals, including the spectacular Fête du Lac fireworks display in August.

However, be ready for larger crowds and a spike in prices.

Spring (April to June) and Autumn (September to October): These are the seasons for those seeking a more peaceful experience, with mild weather and fewer tourists. Spring brings beautiful blossoms, while autumn showcases stunning fall foliage around the lake.

Winter (December to March): Annecy oozes charm during the winter months, with Christmas markets and a festive atmosphere. Its close proximity to several ski resorts makes it an ideal base for winter sports enthusiasts.

WHEN there’s no snow anywhere else, there’s still a bit of powder in Obertauern.

This tiny Alpine town has more snow than anywhere else in Austria, and its season lasts from November until May.

So it’s no wonder when The Beatles were looking for a snow-sure location to film scenes for their 1965 movie Help! they opted for the once-unknown village 56 miles from Salzburg.

Body doubles were hired to perform the band’s action shots on skis — and Paul McCartney’s stand-in still lives here today.

This year marks the 60th year since the filming took place — transforming a previously quiet mountain village into the centre of pop culture for a few unforgettable days.

The global attention sparked by the Fab Four’s visit marked a turning point for Obertauern.

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Beatles fans still make pilgrimages to the village, and scattered throughout the village are three monuments to commemorate the band.

And if, like The Beatles, you aren’t much of a skier, you can still catch a gondola to the peaks to enjoy the restaurants, with deckchairs overlooking the mountains.

But, of course, Obertauern is all about the snow, which reaches a maximum depth of 8½ft.

In the evenings, I’d watch snowfall from the cosy window seat in my room at Kesselspitze Chalet & Hotel, on the edge of town.

It fell so heavily I couldn’t see beyond it — not lights in the windows of nearby buildings, nor the mountains behind. It was everything a winter wonderland should be.

I hadn’t skied for a while, so I booked beginners lessons, and it is true what they say about teachers — the good ones make a massive difference. Mine made it look a doddle.

I may have stuck to safety on the nursery slopes while I practised my turns, but my classmates got the hang of it in no time.

Leg massage

It meant they could graduate to tougher challenges on the blue, red and black routes, including the Gamsleiten 2 — a scary 45- degree ski-run.

Back in town, the Eurobeat was booming in the apres-ski bars.

Still in full gear with skis parked against railings, people downed beers, wine and cocktails while they stomped to the beat.

A pint of beer costs an average of €6 while a glass of good Austrian wine is around €4.30.

If you’re not partying or skiing, there are shops to browse, plus restaurants and cafes to enjoy.

A highlight of the trip for me, however, was the hotel and its facilities.

The 4*+ Kesselspitze is one of three in the town owned by Croatia-based Valamar.

It is everything I expected from an Alpine hotel: Lots of wood, stone and rich colours, with a real fire in the bar, while the decor in my room was luxurious yet homely.

The food, a combination of help-yourself buffet and a la carte, was amazing, and there was so much of it that I always felt well-fuelled before and after hitting the slopes.

I loved the hotel’s Balance Spa. Tired and aching, I recuperated in the sauna, steam room and Finnish sauna (much hotter) and booked in for a leg massage to soothe my throbbing calves.

There’s something spectacular about relaxing in an outdoor Jacuzzi while it is snowing — the heat of the bubbles clashing with the cold, and the mountains right in front of you.

It is the perfect way to soak away any aches and pains, ready for another day on the slopes.