I Love Visiting Unknown Italy - Aosta Valley
If you are looking for a European tourist destination, you should consider the Aosta Valley region of northern Italy bordering France and Switzerland. Depending on your particular interests, this beautiful area might be an ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and wash it down with fine local wine. Although it is by far the smallest Italian region, the Aosta Valley boasts about 150 historic castles, forts, and towers. Its Alpine skiing is some of the best in Europe.
The medieval village of Bard is located near the Piedmont border. Visit its historic mountain-top homes and the Forte di Bard that obstructed Napoleon's progress for almost two weeks. He had it destroyed, what a sore head. This fort was reconstructed in the Nineteenth Century.
Breuil-Cervina is a skiing village sitting at the base of the Matterhorn. There are about 200 kilometers (120 miles) of ski runs on the Italian side of the mountain, which is said to be best for intermediate-level skiers. I am told that experts will prefer the Swiss side of the mountain. Why not try both sides and see which one suits you better?
The city of Aosta is home to some thirty five thousand residents, more than one quarter of the region's total population. This city had been a Roman garrison two thousand years ago. The Arch of Augustus commemorates Rome's victory over a Celtic tribe. Be sure that you see the Eleventh Century Gothic Collegiate Church of Saint Orso. The Porta Praetoria (Pretorial Gate) is still in relatively good shape, some two thousand years after its construction.
We will end our Aosta Valley tour at Courmayeur on the sunny side of Mont Blanc. Yes, both easy and difficult ski slopes are lacking and it is sometimes overcrowded. But it's beautiful, and night life abounds. In the summer take the Telepherique de l'Aiguille du Midi and enjoy the magnificent view of a French glacier.
Aosta Valley cuisine is strongly influenced by five hundred years of French rule. Genuine Fontina cheese comes only from the Aosta Valley. Take a look at our companion article I Love Touring Italy - The Aosta Valley for a sample menu and more information on Aosta Valley wines as well as an in-depth examination of the area's tourist attractions. Very little Aosta Valley wine is sold in North America. So that gives you another reason to visit this beautiful region.
About the Author
Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, but prefers Italian travel and drinking fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and people. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his Italian travel website http://www.travelitalytravel.com which includes an expanded version of this article and lots more.
Tell others about
this page:
Comments? Questions? Email Here