[Pitcairn]

Im trying to plan a summer trip somewhere in Europe where myself, my girlfriend and my 6 month old baby can have a holiday and climb a bit.  Im thinking bouldering is more likely than routing and we are also keen for other activities - walking, biking, swimming, eating etc.  Bouldering doesn't have to be world class but ideally it would be a nice place, not tooo hot in july, close to other possible activities and most important, baby friendly.  We will likely be heading down towards S France from Sweden so I was kind of thinking of the Alps.

Any suggestions?

Val Massino?
Zillertal?

Thanks 

[Luke Owens]

I'm in a similar position. We have a 4 month old, we're taking him to Font in October, plenty of sand there to play in!

[SA Chris]

Not too hot in July.... Sweden?

Truth is Alps are hot in July. If you aren't that concerned about how much you want to get done, and want other stuff too, Ailefroide might be an option? Potentially a long hard drive though, Personally for a first trip I would go for a known like Font.

[Pitcairn]

Yeah, have been thinking about staying in Sweden or going to Norway but we might be able to be away for 6 weeks and seems like a good opportunity to go elsewhere for a bit.  At least in the Alps one can get away from the searing heat with a bit of altitude.  20-25 is fine, just not 30+ for too many days.

Was hoping someone would just happen to know the perfect spot.. 

[tomtom]

Thought about Brittany? Maybe a bit if a diversion, and the bouldering is not mainstream (its good when you find it) but fantastic beaches, scenery, food etc... (All better out of French holiday season of course..)

[T_B]

Varazze in Italy?

http://www.infoboulder.com/varazze.php?mod=home

Some friends went in the autumn and said it's great for traverses and highballs, plus good beaches and family stuff. Maybe scorchio in the summer?

[Pitcairn]

cheers for the suggestions.  hadnt thought of brittany.  would mean driving past font though..

[tomtom]

cheers for the suggestions.  hadnt thought of brittany.  would mean driving past font though..
[/quote

http://ukbouldering.com/wiki/index.php/France

Some areas in France and if you click on the Brittany bit theres a little write up I did for a Brittany trip a couple of years ago. Theres defo more to go at, I only did a little research...

[Dolly]

I would think Varazze would me too hot in the summer.
Also its not that good IMO

[Danny]

Varazze: chaotic Italian crowdedness packed onto a hillside. The least relaxing venue you could ever wish to boulder in.

Font is the winner in my book - very family friendly and not stupidly hot. 

[Ti_pin_man]

Font is just too obvious not to suggest.  At many locations within font theres a lot of sand, L'elephant comes to mind as being fairly family friendly, almost a beach and plenty of shade under trees.  Take a picnic and a rug and away you go.   Theres even a 'pub' just a walk up the road open many, but not all days.

[Pitcairn]

Thanks again for the suggestions.  I had of course thought of font.  The only negatives are that area is (IMHO) a bit flat and boring - was really wanting some hills for views, walking, biking and so on, and also that I want to go there in October 

May still be the best choice..

Interesting comments re- Varazze - looked good in the recent PRob video for Prana.

Anyone been to Annot, Zillertal or Val di Mello?

[slackline]

hadnt thought of brittany.  would mean driving past font though..

You could break up the journey to/from Brittany with a few days in Font in each direction if you're away for multiple weeks.

[Dolly]

Thread here on Italian stuff
http://http://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,8119.0.html

[r-man]

I've just transferred the useful bits from that thread to the wiki - http://ukbouldering.com/wiki/index.php/Italy

Maybe someone more knowledgeable can have a look through and add any missing details. (Nibile?)

[SA Chris]

was really wanting some hills for views, walking, biking and so on

Dumbarton?

[andyd]

South Devon. It's got a bit of everything you've mentioned, though none of it world class by any stretch of the imagination.

[Pitcairn]

was really wanting some hills for views, walking, biking and so on

Dumbarton?

you almost deserve a puntering for that   

I hail from tEdinburgh so I would choose northumberland over dumbarton anyday 

[SA Chris]

Trust me I wasn't being serious

[ianv]

Targasonne? Can get a bit warm, but it is high so better than a lot of places. The area is great for a holiday with lots of stuff to do and some excellent biking(xc and bike parks for dh)

[andy_e]

Trust me I wasn't being serious

It should say that below your user name.

[tomtom]

Trust me I wasn't being serious

It should say that below your user name.

Naa.. that'd be too obvious..