European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 5, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The lights on a Small hotel Beckon to passers by and vacationers looking for nightlife. Continued from Page 7 19th Century. Its hot Mineral Springs and tailor made fitness programs draw thousands of visitors every year. The town is also a Well known weight loss treatment Center and Many of its restaurants have delicious Low calorie menus to go along with their regular menus. Brides Les Bains which is one of the Mam olympic athlete villages has also recently undergone renovations to accommodate All the athletes participating in the games.  other major High Points to consider in any tour of the Region include a Chambery was the site of the 1989 world cycling championships and has several Superb bicycle routes including a 15-mile route from Buisson rond Park with one of the most Beautiful Rose Garden in the Alps to Means. Take a Bike or car and head South of Chambery to the Vineyard route which runs from Chambery through the villages of St. Adolph Premont Means Les marches cruet and Chignik. From March to november the City organizes guided Tours of the old quarters Castle and Cathedral. Musee Des beaux arts has one of the finest collections of italian paintings in France. A Aix Les Bains and the two dozen Little communities surrounding Lake Bourget the largest natural Lake in France make up one of the most memorable spots in the Savoy. The Lake is surrounded by soaring wooded mountains. The climate of the area is mild enough to sustain Fig Trees almonds Palms and olives. The town includes a spa which gained a worldwide reputation after Britain s Queen Victoria visited it on several occasions to Quot take to the  the Springs were discovered by the celts and the first Baths built by the romans in the 2nd Century. Aix Les Bains has also an archaeological museum with roman ruins. A Lake Bourget s footpaths connect to hiking routes leading up to the surrounding mountains. Super hikes can be found on the Western Shore in the Pine mountains which quickly rises to a height of More than 3,000 feet. To the North Are the Chau Tagne marshes which Are usually decked out in a Beautiful array Al Flowers. Check out the Abbey of Haut Combe founded in 1100 by Benedictine monks. There Are daily guided Tours and visitors May also attend a Sung Gregorian mass. A Albertville the town chosen to Host the 16th Winter olympic games is the Gateway to the Beautiful Tare Taise Valley to the East. To the Northeast is the Bea Fortain Region Val d arly mount Blanc and Chamonix the renowned ski resort and Mountain climbing Center. A Beaufort is the place to go if you re looking Lor Alpine landscapes surrounded by Snow capped Mountain peaks and pastures. You la find plenty of them in this Region which is particularly famous for its Beaufort cheese a Rich Golden cheese with no holes. Les daisies ski resort one of the olympic Sites is also nearby. A the Tare Taise Region is located East of Albertville and includes the towns of Moutier Cour Chevel and Bourg St. Maurice. This is the area where most of the Winter olympic Sites Are located. Accommodations Are plentiful. There s lots to do in the summer including Glacier walking mountaineering and Rock climbing. The breathtaking scenery in the Savoy mountains is As Good As the skiing is. Horses Folk in a sunny Mountain Field near  tips English speaking travellers can experience some problems in this part of the world where the language is French and few people can or wish to speak English. Although some shopkeepers and hotel managers can help you Many restaurants do not have anyone who can speak English. The next Best thing to knowing some French is to carry a French English dictionary. This May also May help attract the attention of someone who does speak English. Because tourism is a big part of their livelihood most people Are helpful. Money changing offices Are generally closed on sundays. However if you Are out for a sunday drive on a toll Road and find yourself without French francs Don t panic toll Booth operators will change enough Money for your toll. The French have spent More than $700 million inroad improvements in the Region for the olympics. Many roads that used to be treacherous two Lane Quot scare ways Quot have been upgraded and widened. The Savoy department of tourism has some very Good written information in English. Contact the association depart mental de tourism de la Savoie at 24 Boulevard de la Colonne f-73000 Chambery or Telephone 79-851245. If calling from outside France be sure to add the country code. A David Tarrant after the Winter olympics Many of these destinations will be Well known. 8 stripes Magazine december 5, 1991