Aosta Eight Itineraries To Visit the Valley

Book excerpt: The highest mountains in Europe, medieval castles to protect the roads that cross the Alps, used since the time of the Roman Empire, agricultural traditions and their history still alive today, the most sophisticated and advanced facilities for skiing in resorts frequented by millions of skiers from around the world, villages that can be reached only by cable car and do not have a road for cars, natural parks that protect flora and fauna, all this, and more, is told in this book on the Valle d'Aosta, which describes eight routes to visit all the localities of the Valley. Valle d’Aosta is a vertical region, you might say, in the physical sense, for the many high peaks surrounding it (including Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe at 4,807 meters). But also, for the surprising concentration, in a region of such reduced dimensions, of so many natural splendors, of so many monuments, of so much precious historical and artistic heritage, of a density which evokes, in its vertical aspect, the crowding of skyscrapers in a metropolis where horizontal urban space is scarce and precious. Aosta, the regional capital and the only province of the Valley, is a city rich in history. Traces of the ancient Augusta Pretoria (the Latin name of Aosta) can easily be seen, such as the magnificent Arch of Augustus (25 B.C.) and the Roman Theatre remains. For Aosta, the Middle Ages were anything but dark: as an essential center of commercial traffic with France and Switzerland, the city enjoyed an extended period of prosperity. It is no coincidence that the Cathedral and Church of S. Orso, two churches of great beauty, dating back to the Middle Ages. This guide covers visits to the mountain region of Aosta Valley, with the description of eight itineraries to visit the valley. The locations covered are the city of Aosta, the lower valley with its castles, a visit to Cogne and the Gran Paradiso Park, a visit to Morgex, La Thuile and the Piccolo San Bernardo Pass, one to Courmayeur, one to Valpelline and the Gran San Bernardo Pass, and all the villages of the Valtournenche Valley. There are extensive descriptions and color photos of the attractions. It has the listing of many reviews for the best-recommended restaurants for all the locations; you have the necessary information ready: the name, address, and telephone number are included in the guide together with the review.