There are many ways to get to Italy from France, but none cooler than up and over the Alps by cable car. From Chamonix, take the téléphérique to the Aiguille du Midi. Once you’ve explored Europe’s highest lift station and looked at the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, instead of going back down to Chamonix, keep going! Get into the little red télécabine (called Panoramic Mont Blanc) and sail in sunny silence south to Helbronner Point and the Italian border station. Then from Helbronner Point, descend into the Valle d’Aosta and you’re in Italy! 

This line stretches three miles with no solid pylon — it’s supported by a “suspended pylon,” a line stretched between two peaks 1,300 feet from the Italian end. It takes 40 minutes to cross over the glacier from Chamonix to Italy. Take care not to arrive at the Italian station at the start of siesta — I’m not guessing on this. You’ll want to pack light (one bag, please, but you already knew that).