La Calèche Restaurant, Chamonix

Between  Tripadvior, Time Out, and the myriad other online options at one's disposal for travel advice, local advice still trumps all. The desk manager at our  hotel recommended Le Cap Horn and Atmosphere. We decided on La Calèche instead. Le Cap Horn looked too quiet when we went, and Atmosphere  is down a flight of stairs and not above ground like the other restaurants. Atmosphere still has a riverfront view and terrace overlooking the mountains. It looked lovely, and even though it came highly recommended - with its own Michelin-rated chef- we decided on La Calèche. It looked more animated and on a warm summer evening like it was, we were caught up in the general mood above ground.

Chamonix

We stayed in Chamonix overnight on our way to Milan. I love road trips, but with kids they require a bit more planning to make them stress-free. Twelve years ago we'd pick a place, pack a bag, fill up the car and be on our way. The logistics around where we'd sleep and all that took care of themselves somehow. Now it's accommodation booked well in advance, trip mapped out carefully - do not exceed more than x hours of driving per day - and packing that happens the night before. I still love the anticipation and mild chaos that still ensues even with the careful planning.
Chamonix is a six hour drive from Paris. I thought after the last trip we would push the boundaries just a tad. We did well,  only in the last hour of the drive did the the chorus of 'are we there yet' become more frequent. Not being the driver this time I was able to indulge in my happy snapping along the way.
The pretty and quaint town against the beautiful snow-capped Mont Blanc mountains made the six hours of road worth it. Very many pictures of Chamonix here.