Sunny Days in Spain!
July 14, 2026
Hola from Spain!!!
We have had the best past few days soaking up the ☀️ on the beautiful coast of Spain! After getting in late during our travel day from France, we arrived in L’Escala, Spain, a beautiful coastal Spanish town on the Mediterranean Sea! We got to our campsite, which is an amazing tented camp just half a mile from the beach, and all of the kids were so excited to sleep in tents! Before settling in for the night, we picked up some incredible pizzas for dinner and then got to watch the Spain World Cup match together. It was such a cool experience to be in Spain for such a big game, especially after getting to be in Chamonix the night before for all of the excitement of France’s match. After a very long travel day, we headed to bed excited for the next few days of relaxation.
The next morning the kids were able to sleep in while Taylor and Ben got up early to make a breakfast of eggs, avocado toast, and fruit salad. The kids were so excited to get down to the beach, and we were met with beautiful golden sand and crystal clear Mediterranean water. They couldn’t get their feet in the sand fast enough! We plopped down and honestly did not move much for the rest of the day. Our bodies were definitely exhausted after the week before. Lizzie, Lila, and Sophia were especially excited to spend the day tanning, while Brooks and Finn wandered off and found an awesome little secret spot perched above the sea cliffs that overlooked the beautiful blue water below. Throughout the day all of the kids swam together in the ocean, played beach volleyball, lounged in the sun, and just enjoyed having absolutely nowhere to be. For lunch we decided you really can’t have too much pizza, so we grabbed pizzas and had a picnic right on the beach, which Daly was especially excited about. Lula and Reagan were perfectly content reading their books in the sun, while George, Sam, and Mack, as always, got a game of hacky sack going, this time beach edition. They even convinced a random Spanish man walking by to hop into the circle and join them for a few rounds. After a full day at the beach we headed back to camp and made a great meal: Greek bowls loaded with fresh veggies, chicken, rice, and all the toppings. It was so nice to have a home-cooked meal after eating out so much while traveling. We wrapped up the evening with some delicious gelato before heading back to camp for Moonup and another great night of stories before bed.
The next morning we were up early as we got ready for our first day of sea kayaking! We met up with our sea kayak guides on the beach bright and early and were stoked to have another beautiful day out on the sea. We headed out along the coastline and although the water was definitely a bit rougher than expected, everyone handled it like champs. Mack and Sam were especially excited to get back into kayaks and were leading the group like absolute pros the entire day. We paddled along the beautiful Spanish coastline, explored a few sea caves, and stopped for lunch on a gorgeous beach where we got to swim, eat, and soak up some more sunshine before making our way back. That evening we had another highlight of the trip with an incredible cooking class right by the beach. Everyone got assigned different dishes and immediately jumped into action. Reagan, Lizzie, Lila, Lula, and Sophia prepared an amazing salmon tartare and tomato bread, while Brooks braved the heat making the paella. Sam and Daly tackled chopping mountains of lettuce for one of the salads, while Ben, Finn, Mack, and George worked together making homemade pesto that turned out unbelievably good. Once everything was finished we all sat down together and enjoyed one of our favorite meals of the trip. It was absolutely delicious! Of course we couldn’t end the night without another gelato stop before Brooks and Finn took the group up to show everyone their secret overlook above the sea cliffs. We made our way back to camp for Moonup, hung out together for a while, and then got some much-needed sleep.
The next morning we were up early again for another great day of sea kayaking! This time our guides drove us about forty minutes away to a different beach so we could explore a completely new section of the coastline. We launched into the water and even paddled through sections where the waves pushed us between the rocks, making for a super fun and adventurous ride. We stopped once again for lunch at another beautiful beach, and nearby there was an awesome cliff jumping spot. Sophia immediately decided she was going to send it and quickly convinced just about everyone else to jump too. She even found a higher ledge and was an absolute daredevil, making everyone else want to give it a try. Daly, Mack, and Sam had a blast exploring all of the little caves nearby, while George spent the afternoon trying to carefully pick up sea urchins and inspect all the marine life around us. After kayaking we headed back to our beach in L’Escala for one final afternoon soaking up the Mediterranean before making our way back to camp. For dinner we made our famous rigatoni vodka pasta. Mack and Sam jumped in to help cook the Italian sausage, and everyone cleaned their plates it was that good! We wrapped up the evening with one last gelato run before heading down to the beach for Moonup as the sun set over the Mediterranean. It was the perfect way to end our time in Spain together.
Today we are traveling to our Pyrenees section where we will be spending the next seven days hiking through the beautiful rural mountains of France and Spain. We seriously can’t wait to see what’s in store next!
Ciao,
Ben and Taylor
Terrific Times in the TMB!
July 11, 2026
Bonjour from Cham 4A!
Our European adventure is officially underway, and what an incredible start it has been! From the very beginning, everyone has brought such positive energy, excitement, and willingness to jump into every moment. Watching these friendships form so quickly has been one of our favorite parts of the trip so far, and we know this is only the beginning.
Travel days always come with a little adventure, and ours certainly did. While most of the group made it to Chamonix as planned, a few unexpected flight delays meant that Mac, Sam, Lula, and Lila had quite the travel day of their own. The rest of the group made the journey from Paris into the beautiful French Alps and settled into our first home away from home, Chamionard, while eagerly waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive.Meanwhile, Mac, Sam, Lula, and Lila made the absolute most of a long day spent waiting in the train station. Instead of letting the delays get them down, they passed the time playing games of Monopoly Deal, hanging out together, and grabbing some burgers while they waited for the next train. By the time they finally arrived in Chamonix later that evening. We were so excited to finally have everyone together.The next morning was when the adventure really began. For the first time, our entire group was finally together in one place. Everyone spent the morning introducing themselves, learning names, sharing stories, and getting excited for everything that was ahead.
Once everyone was ready, we headed into the beautiful town of Chamonix. There is just something so special about this little mountain town. Surrounded by towering peaks and glaciers, every street seems to have another incredible view waiting around the corner. Of course, we couldn’t explore Chamonix without stopping for coffee first. Lizzie had been talking about getting an iced coffee all morning and was very excited when she finally got one. We wandered through the streets, browsed all the little outdoor shops, picked up any last-minute trekking gear we needed, and enjoyed taking in our new surroundings before our big adventure began.By lunchtime everyone had worked up an appetite, so we stopped at one of our favorite taco spots in town. After lunch, we made our way back to Chamionard for a relaxing afternoon before the Tour du Mont Blanc. Before long, the cards came out, and everyone split into games. Ben, Mac, Lila, and Sam introduced George to Monopoly Deal, and he picked it up almost immediately. Daly, Evelyn, Finn, Taylor, Brooks, Lizzie, and Lula learned how to play Let’s Go to Cabo.
As the evening rolled around, we gathered together for our first dinner as a full group. After dinner, we held our first Moonup of the trip. Every evening we gather together to slow down, reflect on the day, and check in with one another, and this first one could not have gone better. It was already obvious how quickly this group was connecting.The next morning arrived before we knew it, and excitement was at an all-time high. We packed our bags, laced up our boots, and met Christoph, our incredible French trekking guide who would be leading us over the next several days through the southern section of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Christoph immediately made everyone feel welcome, and we couldn’t have asked for a better person to introduce us to these mountains.
Instead of starting directly on the trail, we first hopped aboard a train before taking a gondola high into the mountains to reach our trailhead. The higher we climbed, the bigger everyone’s smiles became. Looking out over the Alps from the gondola was enough to get everyone fired up before we had even taken our first steps.Before starting the hike, our first Leaders of the Day, Lizzie and Sam, gathered everyone into a big hype circle. They led stretches, got everyone energized, and sent us off with plenty of excitement as our journey officially began.
Right away we were surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery any of us had ever seen. Towering peaks stretched in every direction while waterfalls poured down the mountainsides around us. Brooks and Daly wasted no time setting a strong pace and looked completely at home on the trails. George brought endless energy to the group, constantly hyping everyone up and somehow managing to keep everyone’s spirits high no matter how steep the climb became. After hiking through beautiful alpine meadows, we stopped for lunch overlooking some absolutely incredible mountain views. Later in the afternoon, we reached an optional summit climb, and every single student decided they wanted to take on the extra challenge. We couldn’t have been more proud of them. They pushed all the way to the top together and were rewarded with panoramic views that made every step worth it. Reagan spent much of the afternoon capturing everyone’s adventures on her camera, making sure these memories would last long after the trip ended. We took plenty of group photos, soaked in the scenery, and celebrated making it to the top together.Eventually we descended into one of the most beautiful mountain hostels we’ve ever stayed in. After dropping our bags, everyone immediately headed down to the icy river to cool off after such a big hiking day. Even though the water was freezing, it felt incredible after spending the day on the trail. Afterwards everyone relaxed in lawn chairs outside the hostel, soaking up the warm sunshine while listening to the river rush by.
Dinner that evening was definitely one for the books. Somehow, after hiking all day through the Alps, our big celebratory meal ended up featuring… eggs! We all had a pretty good laugh about it, but after a long day on the trail, everyone was simply happy to have a hot meal in front of them.As the sun began to set behind the mountains, Sam gathered everyone together for an evening game of hacky sack in a beautiful grassy field. Surrounded by waterfalls, glowing mountains, and one of the prettiest sunsets we’ve ever seen. We wrapped up the evening with our first trek Moonup led by Sam and Lizzie before heading upstairs, where every single one of us slept together in one giant bunk room. There was plenty of laughter, storytelling, and joking around before everyone slowly drifted off to sleep after an unforgettable first day on the Tour du Mont Blanc.
The next morning, we woke up bright and early once again, knowing another big day was ahead of us. We wasted no time getting started because almost immediately the trail pointed straight uphill. The morning climb was no joke, but this group continued to impress us with their determination.One of the highlights of the day was climbing an incredibly well-preserved Roman road that has existed for centuries. After making it to the top, we enjoyed a well-earned lunch.Not long after lunch, Lizzie, Lila, Reagan, Sophia, and Lula wandered into a beautiful field filled with wildflowers that looked straight out of The sound of music. By late afternoon we reached another beautiful mountain hut where everyone immediately claimed a lawn chair and settled in for some much-needed relaxation. Some people read books while others talked for hours, listened to music, or simply stared out at the mountains surrounding us.That evening we enjoyed one of our favorite dinners of the trek followed by an incredible lava cake with raspberry sauce that somehow tasted even better after another full day of hiking. As the sun began setting, we carried our Moonup into a nearby field overlooking the mountains. We reflected on another amazing day together before ending the night lying under the sky , listening to music, stargazing, and soaking in every second of this incredible place.
The next morning we woke up to another beautiful day in the Alps, and before long we were back on the trail ready for another adventure. We knew this would be one of our longer days, but this group continued to amaze us with their attitudes and determination. No matter how many miles we had already covered, everyone continued encouraging one another and making the most of every moment.As we climbed higher into the mountains, we eventually reached a massive snowfield stretching across the trail. Naturally, what started as carefully walking across the snow quickly turned into an all-out snowball fight. Before we knew it, snowballs were flying in every direction as everyone laughed their way across the mountain.By late afternoon we arrived at one of the most unique hostels of the trek “The Cheese Factory.” It was unlike anywhere we had stayed before and ended up being one of everyone’s favorite places on the trek. As we walked in, PJ, the owner of the hostel, greeted us with a huge smile and proudly showed us a traditional Norwegian bath that he had been heating over a wood fire all afternoon for us after the long hiking day.Of course, the boys couldn’t wait to jump in. While the water wasn’t quite as hot as everyone had imagined, that certainly didn’t stop them from enjoying it. Finn even befriended a rubber duck in the bath.Christoph convinced everyone to make a trip down to the freezing river to help their tired legs recover. Despite how unbelievably cold the water was, everyone jumped right in without hesitation.We had a big dinner of melted cheese and meats hence “cheese factory” which Lula and some of the others claimed to be the best meal yet. Next, we gathered for Moonup before heading off to bed. Although everyone was definitely feeling the miles by this point, it was amazing to see how close this group had become in just a few short days.
The next morning began with one final challenge before we even started hiking. We woke up early to catch the bus that would take us to our trailhead, but when it arrived, it was completely full. Instead of letting it ruin the day, we shrugged it off, laughed about it, and decided it was time for the “heel-toe express.” We simply started walking, adding a few extra miles onto an already big day.The trail that day was absolutely spectacular. We climbed through towering mountains, crossed beautiful alpine meadows, and were rewarded with breathtaking views around every corner. It truly felt like every hour somehow topped the one before it.One of the highlights of the day came when we officially crossed into Italy. Everyone immediately started greeting one another with enthusiastic “Buongiornos!” as we celebrated entering our third country of the trip. We stopped for lunch overlooking some incredible views before setting off for the final push. By the end of the day, we had covered nearly nineteen miles, making it by far our biggest hiking day of the entire trek. Watching every single student finish with smiles on their faces made us incredibly proud. They challenged themselves every single day, encouraged each other through every climb, and accomplished something that many people only dream about doing.
After finishing the Tour du Mont Blanc, we traded mountain huts for a hotel, and we don’t think anyone had ever been so excited to see real beds, private bathrooms, and long hot showers. It was exactly what everyone needed after several days on the trail. That evening we celebrated the only way that felt appropriate-with an enormous Italian dinner. Plates of pizza and pasta filled the tables, and after days of hiking through the Alps, everyone ate like absolute champions. The boys somehow still weren’t full and decided to order even more pizzas, which disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived.After dinner we gathered for another great Moonup before ending the night with one of our favorite group games called Pookie, which is essentially a giant game of trying not to laugh. The competition was fierce, but Finn somehow managed to outlast everyone and officially earned the title of reigning Pookie champion.The next morning we woke up to what may have been the best breakfast any of us had ever seen. After several days of mountain hut breakfasts, the incredible hotel buffet felt like five-star dining. Everyone loaded up their plates, making sure to take full advantage before beginning the journey back toward Chamonix.Before leaving, Christoph took us into town where, naturally, we somehow found ourselves eating ice cream before lunch. At this point we have accepted that no Moondance trip is complete without far more ice cream than anyone probably needs, and nobody seemed to mind one bit.We then boarded the bus back to Chamonix, where it felt surprisingly nice to return to our home away from home after spending so many days in the mountains. Once we arrived, everyone enjoyed one thing we had all been craving for quite some time: big, juicy hamburgers. After days of trail food, it definitely tasted like a little piece of home.The rest of the afternoon was exactly what everyone needed. Some people rested, others wandered around town one last time, and before long Sam had another game of hacky sack going outside while everyone else relaxed in the sunshine. It was the perfect way to reflect on everything we had accomplished together over the previous week.
Looking back on our time in Chamonix and on the Tour du Mont Blanc, we honestly could not be more proud of this group. They embraced every challenge with incredible attitudes, supported one another through every mile, and created friendships that have grown stronger every single day. Now, our next adventure awaits as we head south to Spain. After conquering the mountains, we’ll be trading hiking boots for swimsuits, beaches, kayaking, and a few days of well-earned relaxation along the Mediterranean. We cannot wait to see what this next chapter has in store. Until next time…
Safe Arrival!
July 3, 2026
Hello Chamonix Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that the group has landed safely in Paris! The trip is off to a great start, and we cannot wait to hear more stories from their adventure as they prepare to begin their trekking section!
Please remember our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips, but we will be posting trip updates throughout the next week! This will allow you to follow along with the trip. You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to!
-Moondance HQ
