valle d'aosta official tourism website

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Skiing in Aosta Valley

Discover the Aosta Valley ski resorts and find information on alpine skiing in the region.

Small ski resorts promotion

Discover the magic of small ski resort and enjoy a few days away from the frenetic rhythms of the cities.

Book 2 nights, the tunnel is free!

For any reservations of at least 2 nights via our reservation center , we offer the passage to and from the Grand-Saint-Bernard tunnel.

Skyway Mont Blanc: a wonderful cableway

A magical cable car ride to Punta Helbronner at 3,466 metres to discover the majestic scenery of Mont Blanc.

More than 100 castles

The fascination of history is just a step away. Discover the castles you can visit inside and those you can admire from outside.

Astronomical Observatory

A break for the mind in Saint-Barthélemy, as you stroll along a starlit trail.

All the beneficial effects of water in heated swimming pools, whirlpool tubs, scented baths and a host of other services to help you relax.

Gran Paradiso

Great saint bernard, aosta and surroundings, central valley.

• . Bicycles and Mountain Bikes
• . Summer skiing
• . Mountaineering
• . Winter sports
• . Other sports
• . Guided hikes and tours
• . Having fun
• . Pré-Saint-Didier Thermal Spa
• . Saint-Vincent spa
• . Roman Architecture
• . Tradition
• . Food and wine
• . Food events
• . Where to eat
• . Gran Paradiso national park
• . Mont Avic natural park
• . Nature Reserves
• . Botanical Gardens
• . Natura 2000
• . Itineraries
• . Walking trails
• . Snowshoes
• . Motorcycle routes
• . Cultural itineraries
• . Food & wine tours
• . Spiritual itineraries
• . Experiences
• . Cable cars to the 4,000’ers
• . Casino de la Vallée
• . Observatory
• . Glider flight
• . Air balloon flight
• . Paragliding
• . Helicopter flight
• . Out & about
• . Giants of the Alps
• . Tourist areas
• . Multimedia
• . Where to stay
• . Accommodation
• . Apartments
• . Online booking
• . Plan your trip
• . Weather report
• . Downhill snow report
• . Crosscountry snow report
• . Information
• . Getting around
• . How to get there
• . Coming by car
• . Coming by train
• . Coming by coach
• . Arriving by plane
• . Airport transfers

Department of Tourism, Sport and Commerce

© 2000-2024 Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta

Northern Italy

Aosta valley, the aosta valley is a paradise for visitors seeking outdoor experiences in nature while exploring history and traditions.

The smallest region in Italy, dotted with the highest peaks in the Alps, it is the ideal destination for anyone who enjoys winter sports and high-altitude walks. Its green valleys and fairy-tale castles make the Aosta Valley an enchanting place to experience all year round. 

Aosta, the treasured city with a breathtaking backdrop of natural beauty, history and art. Aosta, the only capital of the Aosta Valley, is also known as the Rome of the Alps: its history is linked to that of Rome and traces of its domination can still be seen today, alongside the city’s medieval treasures. Surrounded by the Alps, this destination offers incredible beauty and a truly unique atmosphere.

What to see in Aosta Valley

• Art & Culture

The Aosta Valley and Its Castles

Courmayeur, a mix of style and tradition

Aosta Valley: snow, taste and well-being

What to do in Cervinia on winter weekends

Cycling and e-biking routes: in the Aosta Valley you'll be spoilt for choice

Discover Aosta: pristine landscapes and historic villages, churches and castles

Aosta Valley: stress-free outdoor experiences among the highest peaks of the Alps

The Chanousia Botanical Garden, for a thrilling experience

The Great St Bernard Pass: following the footsteps of pilgrims

Valle d'Aosta living is sustainable living

Wellness break in the Aosta Valley, where nature is therapeutic

Aosta Valley: gateway to the Via Francigena in Italy

The historical Carnival of Pont-Saint-Martin and the legend of the Devil's Bridge

Aosta, the little Rome of the Alps

The road carved into the rock of Donnas

Castello di Verrès

Castello di Aymavilles

Inspiration for living the italian way.

6 unmissable destinations in Italy featured in famous novels

Rafting: Taming the waterways

Italy's best ice-skating rinks

Hot air balloons: sailing ships of the skies

Medieval fortresses and ancient traditions on europe's highest peaks.

All kinds of facilities are available to suit every need, from exclusive resorts to small chalets, from Michelin star restaurants to mountain huts. Discover the soul of this region by strolling or cycling through Aosta, finding small but very precious pearls such as Cervinia and Courmayeur. Enjoy the magnificence of Mont Blanc and the nature of the Gran Paradiso Park, where ibexes, chamois and marmots will cross your path. 

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Valle d'Aosta

While its Dolomite cousins tend to the Tyrolean, Aosta's nuances are French. The result is a hybrid culture known as Valdostan, a long-ago mingling of the French Provençal and northern Italian that is notable in the local architecture, the dining table and in the survival of an esoteric local language, Franco-Provençal or Valdôtain.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Valle d'Aosta. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Forte di Bard

A fort has existed here for millennia and the current 1830s Savoy edifice is an imposing one, set high up upon a rocky escarpment at the jaws of the Valle…

Giardino Alpino Paradisia

The park's amazing biodiversity, including butterflies and Alpine flora, can be seen in summer at this fascinating Alpine botanical garden in the tiny…

Pavillon du Mt Fréty Nature Oasis

A protected zone of 1200 hectares tucked between glaciers, this nature oasis is accessible from the Pavillon du Mt Fréty. Enjoy numerous trails, including…

Cattedrale Santa Maria Assunta

The neoclassical facade of Aosta's cathedral belies the impressive Gothic interior. Inside, the carved 15th-century walnut-wood choir stalls are…

Museo Archeologico Regionale

Aosta’s little city museum does an excellent job of detailing the city’s Roman history with a scale model of Aosta’s Roman layout plus various…

Giardino Botanico Alpino Saussurea

Walk through this flower-filled Alpine garden in summer (it's blanketed by snow in winter) and enjoy numerous other trails, including the Sentiero…

Castello di Verrès

Past St-Vincent is the sober Castello di Verrès, a late-Gothic monolith that stands on the ancient Via Francigena, a pilgrims’ path between Canterbury in…

Porta Praetoria

Aosta's main Roman gate.

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Wildlife & Nature

Sep 18, 2020 • 2 min read

Saint-Barthélemy valley has become the first town in Italy to be certified as a Starlight Stellar Park.

Sep 26, 2019 • 2 min read

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Valle d'Aosta and beyond

Aosta Valley

• 2 Other destinations
• 3 Understand
• 6 Get around
• 8.1 Summer activities
• 8.2.1 Skiing
• 12 Stay safe

The Aosta Valley (Italian: Valle d'Aosta ; French: Vallée d'Aoste ; officially known as Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta - Région Autonome Vallée d'Aoste ) is a region of Italy in the Alps , where there are the highest mountains in Europe, including Mont Blanc , Monte Rosa and Gran Paradiso ( Grand Paradis ).

Cities [ edit ]

• 45.733333 7.316667 1 Aosta ( Aoste )
• 45.783333 6.966667 2 Courmayeur
• 45.7 6.95 3 La Thuile

Other destinations [ edit ]

• 45.976389 7.658611 1 Matterhorn
• 45.833611 6.865 2 Mont Blanc ( Monte Bianco ) – The highest mountain in Europe : 4810 m above sea level
• 45.936833 7.867056 3 Monte Rosa
• 45.514444 7.269722 4 Gran Paradiso ( Grand Paradis )

Understand [ edit ]

Aosta Valley, which is the smallest of Italy's 20 regions, lies in the northwest of the country. It is formed by a central valley with the Dora Baltea (French: Doire baltée ) river running through it and by 13 side valleys carved out by glaciers and torrents. Protected areas account for almost a third of the region, in order to safeguard biodiversity, and Aosta Valley is home to two natural parks: the Gran Paradiso (or Grand Paradis ) National Park and the Mont Avic Regional Park. Known all over the world for the major climbing routes that have made mountaineering history, for its trekking itineraries and international-level ski resorts, Aosta Valley boasts an outstanding historical, cultural and artistic heritage, with Roman monuments, Mediaeval castles and Romanesque churches, as well as top-quality DOC-label wines and speciality foods.

Talk [ edit ]

The most spoken languages in Aosta Valley are French and Italian . In Gressoney-Saint-Jean , Gressoney-La-Trinité and Issime a minority also speaks Walser German and German , which is spoken further north across the border in Switzerland. The most widespread minority language is called Arpitan or Franco-Provençal (locally, Patois valdôtain ).

Get in [ edit ]

From ancient times, Aosta Valley has been an important crossroads of the Western Alps. Today, it is linked with France through the Mont Blanc Tunnel and the Little St. Bernard Pass , and with Switzerland through the Great St. Bernard Pass and Tunnel .

Get around [ edit ]

See [ edit ].

Do [ edit ]

The Valley is an outdoor adventure lover's dream. In summer it offers a wide range of climbing and hiking options above the valley floor. In winter it is at the heart of the Italian skiing experience, with such famous areas as Courmayeur located here.

Thermal baths A great year-round activity is a visit to the Thermes de Pré-Saint-Didier . Incredibly relaxing in a beautiful setting overlooking Mont Blanc. See website for current prices and hours. Open late on Friday and Saturday evenings for nights under the stars. See Website

Summer activities [ edit ]

Rock climbing: There are crags bolted for sport climbing all over the area, between them offering climbs at all grades, and at lengths from 10m to over 350m. The best guide is "Mani Nude: Arrampicata sportiva in Valle d'Aosta" by Massimo Bal and Patrick Raspo. Publisher: Martini Multimedia Editore. ISBN: 88-901125-0-6. Published in 2003. New crags and sectors have been developed since the book came out, and some of the directions for reaching the climbs are not good enough, so check on websites such as http://www.climbonthe.net/valleaosta/valleaosta.htm .

Winter [ edit ]

Skiing [ edit ].

Breuil-Cervinia has access to both the Valtournenche and the Zermatt ski areas (at extra cost). However, early in the season the link to Zermatt is often closed, and the Cervinia area itself can also suffer from bad weather.

Many lifts have been upgraded in 2009, adding faster lifts with higher capacity.

Eat [ edit ]

Drink [ edit ].

• Gamay - one of the local varieties of red wine grown on the terraced vineyards visible along the steep rock walls of the valley. It is a light red and doesn't age well, so it is best enjoyed on site in full view of the land it was grown on.

Sleep [ edit ]

Stay safe [ edit ], go next [ edit ].

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• What to see in Valle d'Aosta: 10 unmissable places
• Places and Tours

Discovering Val d'Aosta , a region of natural beauty and fairytale atmospheres. Here are 10 things not to be missed.

On your trip to the Italian peninsula, you can certainly not miss an in-depth tour of the Aosta Valley.

The Aosta Valley region is a border region, rich in natural beauty and monuments, witnesses of an ancient and glorious history.

We have prepared a list of the most important places to see, to allow you to face this new adventure in the best way. Good continuation!

10. Castel Savoia: a fairytale place

Your journey in the Aosta Valley begins with a fairytale place. It is the castle of Queen Margherita of Savoy , built at the end of the 19th century at the foot of Colle Ranzola.

Of particular interest are the five spiked towers which give the structure its "fairytale appearance".

Inside, the ground floor and the main floor are to be visited carefully.

9. Verres Castle: a simple and powerful structure

Continue your journey in search of the fascinating manors of the Aosta Valley : next step is, in fact, the Verres Castle , a military fortress built in the fourteenth century.

The building has a characteristic "monovolume" structure in that it appears from the outside as a single, powerful block, with no decorations whatsoever. A structure as simple as it is powerful!

8. In Val Ferret: in close contact with nature

For nature lovers traveling in Valle d'Aosta, a sortie in Val Ferret , north of the Courmayeur basin, is mandatory.

You have two options: in winter, you can have fun with the many ski resorts available; in summer, however, the place turns into an outdoor farm, where numerous cows with "precious milk" graze.

Please, try absolutely "la fontina", an exquisite local cheese.

7. The Forte di Bard: a bastion of the Savoy

Another unmissable destination of your tour in Valle d'Aosta is the Forte di Bard , built on a fortress near the Dora Baltea. The place housed a stronghold, already at the time of Theodoric, in the 6th century AD, a building which was then completely rebuilt by the Savoy in the 19th century.

Today, after long restoration works, the structure houses the Museum of the Alps.

6. The Gran Paradiso National Park: the oldest park in Italy

Among the many natural beauties of the region, the Gran Paradiso National Park certainly deserves a place of honor: established in 1922, the park is the oldest in Italy. Its vast surface - more than seventy thousand hectares - is home to a large variety of plant and animal species. Above all, however, the ibex dominates, a symbol par excellence of the Gran Paradiso.

In the hamlet of Ceresole Reale there is also Chalet del Lago , the perfect place for an unforgettable stay in the Park, because it's close to the ski slopes and in an ideal position for nice trips by bike or on foot.

5. The Baths of Pré-Saint-Didier: a miraculous cure

The thermal springs of Pré-Saint-Didier were already known to the ancient Romans; a first spa was built in the seventeenth century, but the structure we see today was built only from the nineteenth century.

The healthy and beneficial waters, which gush near the famous Orrido waterfall, will be an authentic cure-all for you and will give you the strength to continue your adventure.

4. Aosta: Northern Rome

The capital and undisputed queen of the region is Aosta , the bulwark of the ancient civilization of Rome. In fact, the city is rich in archaeological remains that testify to its glorious past, such as the theater, the bridge, the amphitheater and above all the Arch of Augustus . But there are also more recent monuments such as the Romanesque Complex of S.Orso and the Cathedral, built starting from the 11th century, a symbol of the city's religious devotion.

For a totally relaxing holiday, in a nature that's spectacular every day of the year, you may choose   Relais du Berger , a lovely mountain view hotel. 

3. On Mont Blanc: walking around perennial ice

A trip to the Aosta Valley is unthinkable without a thorough visit of the majestic Mont Blanc .

You have two choices. The first is the so-called Mont Blanc Tour , which stretches for almost 170 kilometers and crosses over into France and Switzerland. The second is a ride on the Skyway , the special rotating cable car that will allow you to admire the perennial ice of the colossal mountain.

2. The Mont Avic Natural Park: the embrace of Nature

Another stop not to be missed for nature lovers is the Mont Avic Natural Park, bordering the Gran Paradiso Park. An excursion on Mont Avic will allow you to admire a large amount of unspoiled landscapes and immerse yourself in the unspoiled nature of the place, among beech and pine trees, in the company of chamois and ibex. We also recommend a trip to the lakes of Champdepraz and Champorcer.

An excellent starting point to visit this wonderful park is Le Village hotel, near to Champdepratz.

1. The Sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Guérison: the Light of Faith

Your journey in the Aosta Valley ends with a mystical experience: a visit to the Sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Guérison , near Courmayeur, close to the Brenva Glacier.

The Sanctuary was built in the nineteenth century to preserve a statue of the Madonna venerated since the seventeenth century, a relic preserved in a small chapel later destroyed by the advance of the glacier. The holy place was much loved by Pope John Paul II and is a pilgrimage destination for "miraculous climbers".

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Aosta Valley, Italy: travel guide and places to visit

Visit Aosta valley

The Aosta Valley is best known by visitors because of its stunning mountain scenery and related activities. Historically it was a region of small scale agriculture, then later this mountainous region gave way to metalworking, and then more recently almost entirely to tourism.

Aosta valley - a guide and places to visit

The Valle d'Aosta is a small Italian region - the smallest and least populated in the country. It is situated at the northern edge of Piedmont and in the far north-west of Italy, with France to the west and Switzerland to the north..

The region consists of the main Aosta valley itself, and then numerous smaller valleys that head off either side. Val d'Aosta is little populated and quite remote, but the region attracts visitors in both summer and winter, the former for hiking, kayaking, mountain climbing etc. and the winter for snow based leisure pursuits.

Among the many beautiful and diverse landscapes there are several renowned highlights that attract visitors:

- the Mont Blanc , Matterhorn , and Monte Rosa mountains are all found in the Valle d'Aosta region,the first on the border with France, the others on the border with Switzerland

- the Great Saint Bernard Pass is a particularly impressive mountain pass, and this historically vital route through the mountains has been key to the importance of the region over more than 2000 years.

- the Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso (Gran Paradis National park), a region of stunning mountain landscapes and a chance to see numerous species of flora and fauna

Towns, villages and attractions in Val d'Aosta

The capital of the region, Aosta, has an interesting centre with substantial remains from both Ancient Roman and medieval times.

There are also several historical monuments to discover in the region, including a large number of castles such as those in Fenis, Ussel and Issogne, among others.

The extensive castle and museum at Bard (listed as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy) is also recommended.

Ski enthiusiasts (and summer hikers) will perhaps want to head for Courmayeur (the most popular resort in val d'Aosta, within the borders of the Gran Paradis National Park), or perhaps Cervinia or Champoluc,, among the popular winter resorts in the region.

Aosta valley highlights - a photo gallery

Most Beautiful Villages - Val d'Aosta

The village of Bard in Val d'Aosta is listed among the ' most beautiful villages in Italy '

Map of Aosta valley and places to visit

Aosta valley places to visit.

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• Bicycles and Mountain Bikes
• Summer skiing
• Mountaineering
• Winter sports
• Other sports
• Guided hikes and tours
• Pré-Saint-Didier Thermal Spa
• Saint-Vincent spa
• Roman Architecture
• Food events
• Where to eat
• Gran Paradiso national park
• Mont Avic natural park
• Nature Reserves
• Botanical Gardens
• Natura 2000
• Walking trails
• Motorcycle routes
• Cultural itineraries
• Food & wine tours
• Spiritual itineraries
• Cable cars to the 4,000’ers
• Casino de la Vallée
• Observatory
• Glider flight
• Air balloon flight
• Paragliding
• Helicopter flight
• Giants of the Alps
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• Online booking
• Weather report
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Gran Paradiso

Great saint bernard, aosta and surroundings, central valley.

• . Bicycles and Mountain Bikes
• . Summer skiing
• . Mountaineering
• . Winter sports
• . Other sports
• . Guided hikes and tours
• . Having fun
• . Pré-Saint-Didier Thermal Spa
• . Saint-Vincent spa
• . Roman Architecture
• . Tradition
• . Food and wine
• . Food events
• . Where to eat
• . Gran Paradiso national park
• . Mont Avic natural park
• . Nature Reserves
• . Botanical Gardens
• . Natura 2000
• . Itineraries
• . Walking trails
• . Snowshoes
• . Motorcycle routes
• . Cultural itineraries
• . Food & wine tours
• . Spiritual itineraries
• . Experiences
• . Cable cars to the 4,000’ers
• . Casino de la Vallée
• . Observatory
• . Glider flight
• . Air balloon flight
• . Paragliding
• . Helicopter flight
• . Out & about
• . Giants of the Alps
• . Tourist areas
• . Multimedia
• . Where to stay
• . Accommodation
• . Apartments
• . Online booking
• . Plan your trip
• . Weather report
• . Downhill snow report
• . Crosscountry snow report
• . Information
• . Getting around
• . How to get there
• . Coming by car
• . Coming by train
• . Coming by coach
• . Arriving by plane
• . Airport transfers

Department of Tourism, Sport and Commerce

© 2000-2024 Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta

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Discover the Aosta Valley: A Unique Corner of Italy 

Italy’s Aosta Valley, a bit off the beaten track, holds special appeals for travelers, including a unique sense of place.

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Where is the Aosta Valley ( Valle d’Aosta )?

One of Italy’s 20 regions, the Aosta Valley is nestled in the Alps, in the northwest corner of Italy. It is bordered by France on the west, Switzerland on the north, and the region of Piedmont (Italy) on the south and east.

With the European Union borders open, the timing couldn’t be better for anyone hoping to explore this magnificent but lesser-known region. 

What makes the Aosta Valley unique?

The smallest region of il Bel Paese (beautiful country), the Aosta Valley holds the distinction of having only one province rather than the subdivisions found in other regions.

Although diminutive in size, the region ranks among the most scenic. It doesn’t have the same cultural treasures as large cities like Rome, Florence, or Venice but it is also devoid of hordes of tourists.

A bit off the beaten track, its natural setting allows visitors to experience a variety of outdoor sports and activities. Unspoiled by the mass tourism that has plagued many other destinations in Italy, the Aosta Valley remains authentic, and its residents and businesses tend to be more gracious and receptive to guests. There are a wide variety of places to visit in Aosta Valley, Italy .

Overview of the Aosta Valley

The food series, Le Petit Tour (which is streaming on MHz) , showcases the culinary and wine traditions of the Aosta Valley (in Italian, Valle D’Aosta ) and its passionate artisanal producers who are steeped in tradition.  But the series’ stunning setting and cinematography—showcasing snow-capped mountains and lush valley views—often are the scene-stealers.

The Aosta Valley is surrounded by more than 40 mountain peaks , including some of the tallest ones in Europe, including Mont Blanc (at 4,810 meters above sea level) and Monte Rosa. Beneath the snow-capped mountain tops, picturesque hamlets and hillsides are dotted with centuries-old medieval castles and forts; bell towers, and church spires that seem to touch the sky; herds of grazing cattle; and colorful alpine wildflowers. 

Aosta: Capital of the region

The capital city of the region, also called Aosta, dates back to Roman times. Bound by a common history, the area is unique in that it is bilingual, with both Italian and French as official languages (and a regional dialect, called Valdôtain , is also spoken). (See more about Aosta below.)

A mecca for lovers of nature

The destination is a mecca for adventurers drawn to the outdoors.

Grand Paradiso , Italy’s oldest national park (which has been compared to America’s Yellowstone), straddles the border with the adjacent region of Piedmont. The more than 270-square-mile park is filled with wildlife: ibex, chamois, eagles, marmots, birds of prey, and more. 

Although Mont Blanc is located primarily in France, the Aosta Valley offers spectacular views of the mountain range with eleven independent summits, especially from Courmayeur.

Those who enjoy sports and active travel, and those who want to travel slowly and soak in local life, will find a choice of different tours and itineraries to suit them regardless of the season. 

Here are some other compelling reasons to visit the Aosta Valley:

Miles of trails for hiking and trekking

Regional and local governments, and mountain communities, maintain more than 3,100 miles of footpaths, ideal for short walks, longer hikes, or overnight treks with guides. During summer, these paths cross through meadows, pasturelands, woodlands, and high-altitude mountains. 

Those opting for overnights can choose from an array of accommodations, ranging from camping sites, huts, and refuges to hostels and hotels . Mountain huts, first created at the end of the 19th century, offer beds for 2 to 6 people along with half-board (dinner and breakfast) accommodations. Certified professionals with an intimate knowledge of the terrain maintain the huts and assist visitors. More experienced hikers can stay at unattended bivouac huts.

The Via Francigena is a historic route that pilgrims took from Northern Europe to Rome. Popular with trekkers today, it passes through many vineyards and areas with PDO food products.  

Aosta Valley skiing

The slopes of Cervinia, Courmayeur, and Pila draw beginners as well as professional skiers to the majestic Aosta Valley where they can take advantage of two-season winter sports.

Breuil-Cervinia is one of two areas of Italy that offers skiing in summer (from the end of June to the beginning of September) on the Plateau Rosà glacier (with views of the Matterhorn. Plenty of snow and long trails—extending over three valleys in two countries, Italy and Switzerland—make the runs popular with World Cup teams.

Sports enthusiasts can go ice-climbing, ice skating, snowshoeing, dog sledding, or playing hockey in winter. In summer, there is fishing, swimming, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, road cycling, mountain biking, and golf.

Unique Alpine foods and wines

Geography, climate, and tradition have combined to create the unique gastronomy of the region. With cows, sheep, and goats grazing on the verdant hillsides and valleys, dairy products seem to be ubiquitous, especially cheeses. 

The region boasts more than 100 varieties of cheese but DOP (Deonominazione di Origine Protetta)

Fontina i s the most prized cheese in the region. It can only be produced in designated geographic areas, using specific raw materials and techniques, and is treasured by chefs and food lovers for its taste, texture, versatility, and meltability. 

Often difficult (and expensive) to find outside Italy, Fontina is commonly found on cheese boards in Aosta, along with specialty cured meats and sausages ( salumi , like Vallée d’Aoste Jambon de Bosses DOP, Motzetta, and Vallée d’Aoste Lard d’Arnad DOP). The cheese is also a primary ingredient in many traditional cooked dishes.

Because winters can be harsh, visitors will also find plenty of hearty soups as well as polenta, potato, and rice dishes to savor, both in small eateries and Michelin-starred gourmet restaurants. Desserts include regional biscuits (such as tegole and torcetti ) or fruit pies or cakes made with fresh apples or pears from the orchards.

The Aosta Valley is one of the country’s driest and most mountainous regions, so it isn’t surprising that it is the smallest DOC wine appellation in Italy. Overcoming daunting challenges, winemakers produce seven sub-denominations that reflect the biodiversity in soils, altitudes, and sun exposure. 

Wine lovers can follow the vineyards and wineries on the Aosta Valley wine trail to experience the unique wines tied to this terroir. (Because they are produced in such limited quantities, few are available for export outside Italy.)

Get immersed in Valdostana history, culture and traditions

The city of Aosta, Italy has been called the “Rome of the Alps.” Visitors shouldn’t miss some of the monuments and well-preserved ancient ruins that remain, including the Arch of Augustus, the Porta Praetoria, the Roman Theatre, and the city walls.

Because the Aosta Valley was historically a strategic passageway for travelers crossing through the Alps, numerous towers and fortified castles emerged along the routes. Of the more than 100 castles that presently dominate the valley’s landscape, some are still open to visitors offering opportunities to learn about the region’s history. There is also an abundance of shops and cafes to explore as one strolls through the town.

Among the churches worth visiting in Aosta city, two are considered “religious masterpieces” for their art and architecture. The Aosta Cathedral ( Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta) dates back to the 11th century. The Church and Cloister of Sant’Orso Collegiate include archaeological excavations that trace the building’s construction and not-to-be-missed Romanesque sculptures in the cloister.  

On a road trip, travelers can visit the quaint villages scattered throughout the region (such as La Salle, Fénis, Gressan, Arnad, Bard, and Saint-Pierre) to discover their unique beauty, foods, crafts, and cultural traditions. Check the local calendar for the timing of various cultural events and festivals, including the Sant’Orso Fair, which is held in Aosta.

And for those who lean toward more sybaritic pursuits, there are many luxury resorts and spas. The casino at Saint-Vincent (the largest in Europe) with its thermal waters has drawn visitors since 1947.

When to visit Valle d’Aosta

When to go depends on your interests because each of the seasons in Valle d’Aosta, Italy offers different advantages.

• Summer is ideal for temperate weather suitable for any outdoor activity; the alpine scenery is stunning. Although July is the hottest month of the year, temperatures average around 65°F. 
• In the fall, visitors can enjoy leaf-peeping and take advantage of the bounty of seasonal foods (like chestnuts and mushrooms). During this shoulder season, you are less likely to bump into tourists (as is also the case in spring).
• Ski and winter sports enthusiasts will relish the spectacular snow-covered landscapes and slopes in winter. January is generally the coldest month of the year.
• In spring, wildflowers will be in bloom and it’s a popular time for local festivals.

As long as you know what to expect (and prepare accordingly), there is no wrong time to visit.

Inspiration bef ore you go

• Visit the official site of Aosta Valley Tourism . This site is one of the most comprehensive and well-organized tourism websites, providing encyclopedic information on what to see, what to do, and where to stay, as well as invaluable information on planning and booking a trip.
• The Italian Tourist Board also offers excellent information on the Aosta Valley region , including COVID-19 Updates .

Disclosure: The author was commissioned to write a series of posts about Le Petit Tour but any opinions expressed in this post are her own. 

Previously on More Time to Travel:

• Le Petit Tour: Behind the Scenes of A New Food Travel Series
• Why Chefs and Foodies Fall in Love With Fontina 
• Wines of the Aosta Valley: Come Sip and Savor
• How To Create An Aosta Valley Cheese Board  
• Savoring the Flavors of the Aosta Valley on Le Petit Tour
• Luxury Hotels In Aosta Valley Italy

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Aosta Valley Tourism Information

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The autonomous region of the Aosta Valley or Valle d'Aosta or Val d'Aosta seems to get squeezed for visibility by the other regions of Italy.

But it has perfectly positioned for itself for the new wave of outdoor and active vacations . The full list is as follows.

Biking; Culture; Discovery Holidays; Family Holidays; Hiking & Trekking; Freeride & Heli-Skiing; Spas and Wellness; Ski Mountaineering; Snow and Nature .

All these ideas and proposals are also easily referenced in the official tourism website with the most wonderful url - www.lovevda.it .

There's no real reason to look any further for vacation information about the region. It is a series of fast and ergonomic searchable databases for all you could want to find out.

Recent vacation proposals include 'Face the Tour des Six ', a new six-day circuit of easy hiking trails to discover six mountain huts at the foot of Matterhorn and Monte Rosa, and the ' Courmayeur Experience ', a discovery of the area at the foot of Mont Blanc .

The official booking platfrom of the region is Valle d'Aosta Booking - with the main menu featuring accommodation, destinations and experiences.

There is also a dedicated telephone booking service on +39 01 6533352 and available every day Monday to Sunday from 9am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5.30pm.

Green Holidays in the Aosta Valley  - www.greenvda.com  - is another project encouraging guests to discover the Aosta Valley in all its authenticity. The concept is to make sustainable mobility the best way to visit the territory. 

Eco-sustainable accommodation choices, farm visits, E-bikes, trekking, thermal baths, restaurants at 0km and electric car hire of Bmw i3 series at super convenient prices and which can also picked up and dropped off in Aosta or Turin in Piemonte. 

Green Vallée d'Aoste is a tour operator and network of local companies brought together by Alpine Green Experience but be aware that the above website is in Italian and French only.

Get Orientated in the Valley

The valley can be viewed as being divided into seven visitable zones . Here they are with the main localities of interest.

Aosta : Brissogne, Charvensod, Fénis, Gressan, Jovençan, Nus, Pila, Pollein, Quart, Saint-Christophe, Saint-Marcel, Sarre

Gran Paradiso : Arvier, Avise, Aymavilles, Cogne, Introd, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, Rhêmes-Saint-Georges, Saint-Nicolas, Saint-Pierre, Valgrisenche, Valsavarenche, Villeneuve

Gran San Bernardo : Allein, Bionaz, Doues, Étroubles, Gignod, Ollomont, Oyace, Roisan, Saint-Oyen, Saint-Rhémy-En-Bosses, Valpelline

Mont Blanc : Courmayeur, La Salle, La Thuile, Morgex, Pré-Saint-Didier

The Matterhorn : Antey-Saint-André, Breuil-Cervinia, Chamois, La Magdeleine, Torgnon, Valtournenche

Monte Rosa : Brusson, Challand-Saint-Anselme, Challand-Saint-Victor, Champoluc/Ayas/Antagnod, Gaby, Gressoney-La-Trinité, Gressoney-Saint-Jean, Issime

Central Valley : Arnad, Bard, Chambave, Champdepraz, Champorcher, Châtillon, Donnas, Émarèse, Fontainemore, Hône, Issogne, Lillianes, Montjovet, Perloz, Pontboset, Pontey, Pont-Saint-Martin, Saint-Denis, Saint-Vincent, Verrayes, Verrès

Ufficio Regionale del Turismo – Regional Tourist Office 15, Viale Federico Chabod, 11100 Aosta.

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As Milan features quite a bit in our travel guide, we highlight below the 11 other main cities of interest in alphabetical order.

Summer in Friuli Venezia Giulia means sea, mountains, wine tasting and lagoon visits. Let's start in the hills.

The peaks and valleys of the region offer any number of inviting hikes whether you are an experienced enthusiast or visiting the territory for the first time.

The entire Alpine arc of Friuli Venezia Giulia extends from the Friulian Dolomites to the Julian Alps before crossing the Carnia region and descending into the Torre and Natisone Valleys towards zone of the Karst.

The region of Veneto is made up of seven provinces. They are, in alphabetical order, Belluno, Padova, Rovigo, Treviso, Verona, Venezia and Vicenza.

Venezia of course is better know to most people as Venice with ' The Land of Venice ' being a recent slogan for the official tourism portal which groups all of them together - www.veneto.eu .

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Abruzzo Basilicata Calabria Campania Emilia Romagna Friuli Venezia Giulia Lazio Le Marche Liguria Lombardia Molise Piemonte Puglia Sardinia Sicily Trentino Alto Adige Tuscany Umbria Aosta Valley Veneto

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Slow travel in the Valle d’Aosta

The great st bernard valley in the valle d’aosta links italy with switzerland. rachael martin discovers why it’s the ideal place to unwind….

Photos by Rachael Martin unless otherwise stated

The Valle di Gran San Bernardo, or Great St Bernard Valley, with its high mountain peaks and characteristic villages such as Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses and Étroubles, lies to the north of Valle D’Aosta and leads into Switzerland via the Great St Bernard Pass up at 2,469 metres above sea level. The pass remains closed for most of the year, and only opens in late May or even early June, when the snow ploughs are finally able to make their way through, leaving in their wake huge walls of snow on either side of the road.  

Snowfalls here can reach up to 20 metres and the winds are pretty much incessant. This is a place that is always very much ruled by the elements.   For the tourist, it’s one of Italy’s lesser-known destinations, and because of this it’s the perfect place to switch off, slow down and get back nature, all within an environment that encourages a more respectful form of tourism.  

Important route It’s also rich in history. The pass has always been an important route that links Italy with the rest of Europe. In Roman times, a temple was built and dedicated to Jupiter, the remains of which are there today. This is the pass that Napoleon came over with his soldiers to take Italian territory back from the Austrians in the spring of 1800, a moment that’s immortalised in Jean-Louis David’s painting.

Just over the border into Switzerland, there’s the hospice.   The original hospice was built by Saint Bernard of Menton around 1049 and provided hospitality for pilgrims walking the Via Francigena, the Medieval route that connected Canterbury to Jerusalem.

Nowadays, it’s a stop-off point for both hiking and ski mountaineering, and is famous also for the large dogs that from the 16th century were originally bred and used for rescue and to guard the hospice, and who in the 18th century became known as the St Bernard dogs.

Hiking and biking in the mountains Flavio Dalle is a nature and hiking guide who lives in Étroubles and is one of six international mountain leaders in Valle D’Aosta who belong to the Union of International Mountain Leaders Associations (UIMLA) that represents the profession internationally and seeks to encourage equal standards of excellence throughout the world. He’s also a mountain bike and e-bike guide, orienteering instructor and a specialist from the Italian Orienteering Federation. The Italians love their mountains, both for walking in summer and skiing and other sports in winter. Mountain tourism has a place in many people’s lives, in spite of the current climate changes faced. If there’s no snow in winter, this ultimately impacts on people’s livelihoods, which means that new ways need to be found to still give opportunities for people to enjoy the mountains, and for the people who live there to keep their communities going.

Flavio explains that the Valle D’Aosta is special as it encompasses various altitudes that create different environments, thus offering opportunities for year-round tourism. At lower altitudes there are vineyards, chestnut groves and castles, and then you gradually move up into the higher mountains. The valley is bordered to the north by the Grand Combin massif, with its highest peak of 4,314 metres, to the northwest by the Mont Blanc massif (4,810 metres) and northeastwards by the Great St Bernard Pass. All this provides plenty of opportunities for orienteering, hiking, trekking and mountain biking – and also e-biking, which offers mountain access to those who may not want the full-on mountain bike experience. Flavio also organises other outdoor activities such as local tours, Nordic walking, photo safaris, trips along the valley of the river Dora Baltea to visit castles and more. (For more information, see his website .)

I ask Flavio what the mountains mean to him. “It’s the rich natural environment in which I was born, a place to visit respectfully and safely. There’s no stress, there’s no traffic, none of the frenzy that’s associated with the city. It’s that feeling of being in the middle of nature, the silence, that of being at peace with yourself, these feelings of wellbeing. Of course we still need to see people and it all depends on what you’re doing on a daily basis, but the mountains have a different rhythm.”  

He tells me how his job enables him to really experience nature and help people to live what he lives. “I can smell the mountains. I go into the woods and I can smell it and feel it. I can feel the wind. And this is what my job’s about: conveying this sensory experience to the people I take out. It’s this deep internalisation between person and place that characterises this type of job. If I don’t know this place, I can’t convey it to someone else. It’s an experiential type of tourism that aims to bring people close to nature and to help them grow as people, too.” When people go home having had the same experience as Flavio, it’s this that gives him his greatest job satisfaction.

Local festivals

The food festival Percorso in Rosso takes place in the hamlet of Saint-Léonard in Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses. The theme of the festival is rosso , the colour red, so it includes a variety of local food products from the DOP Jamon de Bosses to rhododendron honey and, naturally, the region’s wine. It is held in August. For further details of next year’s event, bookmark www.comune.saintrhemyenbosses.ao.it

The Veillà d’Etroubles festival, also held in August, revives the traditions of the comune of Étroubles in terms of the jobs that used to be commonplace here in the worlds of artisanry and agriculture. There’s also live music, food, and a procession of the masks of the Coumba Freida, the historic Carnival procession that takes place at Carnival time.

Discover some of the best places to eat in the area with Rachael Martin’s Valle di Gran San Bernardo travel guide

For more on travel in the Valle d’Aosta, there’s lots of info at their official tourism site

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