Holiday Ayo - The Alps are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, stretching approximately 1,200 km (750 mi) across eight Alpine countries; France, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia.

The Alpine arch generally extends from Nice on the western Mediterranean to Trieste on the Adriatic and Vienna at the beginning of the Pannonian Basin. The mountains were formed over tens of millions of years as the African and Eurasian tectonic plates collided. 

The Alpine region has a strong cultural identity. The traditional culture of farming, cheesemaking, and woodworking still exists in Alpine villages, although the tourist industry began to grow early in the 20th century and expanded greatly after World War II to become the dominant industry by the end of the century. 

The Alps have long been a hub for outdoor tourism, attracting more than 120 million visitors each year. While skiing in the winter remains the most popular draw, mountaineering experiences have become increasingly sought after too.

From June to September, tens of thousands of climbers flock to the Alps in order to try their hand at mountaineering and experience some of the most scenic views in Europe.

People come from miles around to experience the allure of the Alps all year round. Most descend to the area to enjoy the snow and make the most of the wintery atmosphere, while others just prefer visiting these cooler, more authentic climates.

The French Alps are some of the most accessible. Boasting a number of airports within easy reaching distance, tourists are able to fly to the area from all over the worldThe highest peak in the Alps is the magnificent Mont Blanc (4,808m), which is located along with the Italian, French border. The highest peak in Western Europe, Mount Blanc is covered in snow and ice all year round and its name means ‘White Mountain.

The Alps are the youngest mountain range in Europe, having formed approximately 65 million years ago. As well as mountains, the Alps are famous for their clear Alpine lakes, including the stunning Lake Geneva, Lake Constance, and Lake Como.

Skiing extremely popular in the winter months, the Alps offer a variety of slopes, for all skiing abilities. Paragliding is one of the best ways to experience the views of the surrounding mountains, with its birthplace being the Alps. 

The Alps are home to some of the world’s most scenic mountain railways. From taking in the stunning scenes of Mont Blanc via Tramway Mont Blanc or discovering Europe’s highest train station; Jungfraujoch, Switzerland – the experience of journeying through Europe’s giants by train is a magical experience.