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LOCATION AND TERRITORY

The Valle d'Aosta is the smallest region in Italy and is 'set' in the Alpine mountain range, surrounded by some of the highest mountains in Europe (often described as the “four 4000s”). The regional capital is Aosta, originally called Augusta Pretoria and founded in under the Roman Empire.
There is something for everyone in this tiny region, including a hundred castles, a surprising array of Gothic sculptures, spectacular views, glamorous ski resorts, secluded hiking trails, sophisticated and hearty food, abundant wildlife, Baroque village churches and Europe's largest casino.

ACTIVITIES

Cross-country skiing.
There are many areas well known for cross-country skiing. Brusson, Cogne, where the variety of slopes and the varying lengths of the tracks enable all levels of cross-country skiing, Courmayeur, Val Ferret…

Downhill skiing.
The best area to do alpine skiing is the Monterosa ski, which includes:
Ayas-Champoluc: Champoluc is the largest town in Valle d’Ayas. For several generations now, it has boasted a reputation as being a very popular tourist destination for Italians and foreign tourists alike.
Gressoney-La-Trinité: the thriving heart of the main resort of Monterosa Ski, the slopes of Gressoney host some of the finest ski runs and some breathtaking tracks.

Ice activities
During the coldest months of the year, when the waterfalls take on a different aspect, as they are transformed to ice, you can practice ice climbing; ice climbing takes place in plenty of the Valdosta valleys, in particular in Valle di Cogne, with over 150 waterfalls. Other activities are curling, skating, hockey and short track.
In Cervinia, Gressoney and other districts, there are even skating pistes on natural ice, a fascinating alternative to many sports centres in the local tourist districts (in particular: Courmayeur and Aosta).

Heliskiing
Flying in a helicopter is already an exciting experience in itself, when combined with the excitement of an off-slope descent on crystal clear snow, it becomes a unique union: Heliskiing. Valle d'Aosta is the only region in Italy where it is possible to practice this sport, thanks to the enactment of a special law that strictly regulates this activity on well-defined routes; with 180 guides and fabulous itineraries, it therefore represents one of the best destinations in the world for this activity.

Water sports
From April to September, the foamy, mountain streams become a hive of spectacular sporting activities: rafting, canoeing, kayaking and canyoning.

Air sports
Parachuting, paragliding, hang-gliding (glider), engines planes, delta planes and spectacular, colorful air balloons.
The airport in Aosta, the “Corrado Gex”, is situated 2 km from the city and is the base of the Valle d'Aosta Flying Club. Antey-Saint-André, a municipality on the way to Cervinia, is instead the logistical base of the main paragliding centre in Valle d’Aosta, where you can fly all year round, weather permitting.

Spa and wellbeing
The first tourism in the Valle d’Aosta was due to the therapeutic use of the thermal spas.
The most famous thermal spas are in Pré-Saint-Didier and Saint-Vincent.

WHAT TO VISIT

Aosta
The most impressive sights in town are from the Roman period: the rectangular town walls, the Porta Praetoria, the amphitheatre, theatre and Arco di Augusto. Medieval remains are the Lebbroso and Bramafam towers, as well as the Collegiate church of Sant'Orso with cloister and treasures.
The cathedral (11th and 15th century) has a neoclassical façade, as has the Palazzo del Municipio (Town Hall) which overlooks Piazza Chanoux.

Courmayeur
It is a modern, Alpine city renowned around the world, as well as one of the most frequented mountain resorts in Italy.
It developed around the ancient church of Saints Pantaleone and Valentino. Courmayeur has been considered the capital of mountaineering and mountain touring since the 1800's.
In the town centre Via Roma, the beating heart of the city with its narrow, winding streets, is the fashionable, shopping area.
Worth visiting, the Casa delle Guide, the location of the Duca degli Abruzzi Museum, with a collection of documents, relics and materials used by mountaineers whose undertakings have gone down in the history of mountaineering.

Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso
It was the first national park established in Italy. It includes a large territory of high mountains, from the 800 meters of the bottom of the valleys to the 4,061 meters of the Gran Paradiso peak. Larch and fir woods, wide alpine grasslands, rocks, and glaciers make up ideal scenery for the life of a rich and various fauna and for a visit leading to the discovery of the wonderful world of the high mountains.

Saint-Vincent
It is one of the most famous places in Valle d'Aosta, thanks also to the 'Casino de la Vallée', one of the most renowned and largest casinos in Europe.
Gently lying on the hillside, in a welcoming valley protected from the wind, with an extraordinary microclimate, to the extent that it is known as the Alps Riviera, with mild winters and cool summers at an altitude of 575 meters.
Saint-Vincent boasts archaeological findings from pre-Roman times.
The Romanesque church of San Vincenzo is worth mentioning. Built by Benedictine monks in the XI century, it has a museum of sacred art, where rare, valuable items are on display.
The particularly favorable climate and rich natural heritage, invite us to explore the endless number of country paths, the spectacular nature of the mountains and surrounding valleys.

FOOD SPECIALTIES

Fontina. It’s a kind of cheese with a sweet, semi-hard paste, made from a single milking.

Vallée d’Aoste Jambon de Bosses. It’s a raw ham spiced with mountain herbs, produced at an altitude of 1600 meters in the location bearing the same name, Saint-Rhé.

Teuteun. It’s an exclusive specialty of Val d'Aosta, obtained by corning local cow udders, which after being cut in different points are carefully pressed to allow any possible residual milk to flow out.

Tegole. These typical biscuits of Valle d'Aosta are made with hazelnuts, sugar, egg white, flour and, possibly, almonds and vanilla. During the preparation, the dough must be even and quite soft, in order to be “knifedout” into thin circular shapes.

CLIMATE AND TRAVEL SEASON

The climate is typical of the alpine regions: cold rigid of winter and coolness in summer. In the period from October in March snows abundantly, is in tall mountain that in the valleys.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Festival of the Vallée d’Aoste Jambon de Bosses. July – Gran San Bernardo Valley.
Four days of celebrations, accompanied by good music and entertaining cabaret shows, with dinners of grilled meats and local produce.
The height of the event falls on a Sunday, when the display stands start selling their special ham with its compact form and aromatic flavor, perfect for tasting with local culinary products such as black bread, butter, honey, walnuts and a good, medium bodied, soave red wine.

Batailles de Reines. Every Sunday – Saint Vincent.
The show is based on the aggressive instincts inherent in certain breeds of Alpine cattle, which take part in breathtaking battles in order to determine the hierarchy within the herd. The Bataille is a challenge, but most of all it is a time for having fun and celebrating the strongest beast.
The 'Queen' gains her title because of her agility, the quality of her horns and because of her tenacity. From the last Sunday in March until the finals on October, the Queens of the Valley do battle inside temporary arenas set up in various venues throughout the Region.

Sant'Orso Fair. January – Aosta.
Every year, a thousand exhibitors, including artists and craftsmen from the Valle d'Aosta, present proudly and with legitimate satisfaction the fruits of their toil, performed as a hobby or as a genuine production activity, although it is still strictly artisan-based.
All the traditional activities are featured: wood carving and sculpting, processing of soapstone, wrought iron and leather, 'drap' weaving, wool cloth woven on ancient wooden looms, and then lace, wicker, household items, wooden ladders, casks... The Fair is also a time for music and folklore and an occasion to taste the local food and wine.

“Grolle d’Oro” film festival. October – Saint-Vincent
The 'Grolle d'Oro' film awards have seen some of Italian cinema's best actors and directors picking up awards.


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