AOSTA VALLEY: WHAT ELSE? (2008)

Get ready for the 1008th Sant'Orso Fair. Each year around a thousand artists and craftsman from the Aosta Valley (Italy), exhibit their works, showing with pride and justifiable satisfaction the fruits of their labour. For some it is hobby while for others it is a fulltime profession, though all exhibitors follow traditional craft methods. All of the traditional craft activities can be seen here: wood sculpture and carving, creation of objects in local "ollare" stone , wrought iron, "drap" chloth, wool weaving on ancient wooden looms, as well as lace, wicker, household objects, wooden ladders, barrels... Exhibitors take part in the event not so much for commercial reasons as to come and display their work to a pubblic which is able to appreciate the quality and the crativity of the craftmenship that has been handed down over centuries. Likewise, those who come to visit the fair are searching non to so much for a bargan, perhaps for pratical everyday use or to decorate house, but to experience an atmosphere which is quite unique. Thwe Fair is also an event that highlights those characteristics which give the Aosta Valley people their particular identity. It is not just a major festival of vast proportions, but a celebration of the strong historical and cultural identity of the Valley.
So, dont forget this date: January 30 and 31,
... and have a nice visit to the millenary Fair.(Gericus)

Aosta Valley -Italy-
www.regione.vda.it

AOSTA VALLEY: WHAT ELSE?

Energy and movement, peace and quiet places, sounds of the nature, in the Mattherhorn valley every place has got its own time and you will find places for every wish. This village, kingdom of the alpinism offers, whit its historical mountain guides, infinite possibilities for walks, excursions and dizzy experiences. Ski in the summer season on the Plateau Rosà glaciers, golf at the feet of the Matterhorn, tennis, swimming, riding and mountain bike ways... A lot of choices for an unusual holiday!

AIAT Monte Cervino.
Valle d'Aosta -Italia-
Via Guido Rey
tel. (+39) 0166 949136
tel. (+39) 0166 92029

AOSTA VALLEY: WHAT ELSE?

The Aosta Valley Region is the perfect place for nature, sports and relax lovers. Walking along the Via Francigena is a different way to visit a territory; you can enjoy the interior and spiritual sphere, but you can also take care of yourself thanks to unaltered landscapes and playng sports. The enchanting nature and the innovative facilities of this region offer to the modern tourists, travelling along the francigen path of the Aosta Valley Region (from the Gran San Bernardo Pass till Pont Saint Martin), the opportunity to turn off the route in order to hike and to play sports, or to relax themselves. During the winter period, the valley linking Aosta with Switzerland is well known for its intersting itineraries using snowshoes or sealskins and for many other activities for ski lovers exploiting downhill ski slopes, and the amusing Snowpark in Flassin joining entertainment with the beauty of snow. During the summer period, the perfect destinations are mountain refuges. Golf lovers can find a 9 holes court in Gignod, one of the highest of the Alps. All over the year you can also ski on the snow of Breuil-Cervinia. The entire valley is a paradise for trekking and climbing. So...Aosta Valley Region, nature, emotions, well-being. Treasures to live.

Regional Office for Tourist Informations;
Tel: +39 0165 236627;
fax: +39 0165 34657;
www.regione.vda.it

AOSTA VALLEY: WHAT ELSE?

COGNE. Here's the king of cross-country skiing resorts between the vast sun-lit Saint Orso meadow and the Nordic style pine and beach woods, in the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park. The long cross-country trail meanders at the foot of the Grivola and the Gran Paradiso. You can also appreciate the views without skis, walking along the footpaths, snowshoeing or going on horse-sleigh excursions. You can ski downhill on the Montseuc slopes, whilst for the more dynamic there is ski mountaineering and ice climbing.
Cogne is the administrative centre in the valley, at an altitude of 1534 metres, settled on the side of the famous Saint Orso meadow. You must not miss the bobbin laces: a tradition dating back to the 17th century and exhibited in a small museum.

Valle di Cogne.
Aosta Valley - Italy -
Tourist office tel. +39 0165 74040
www.regione.vda.it/turismo

AOSTA VALLEY: WHAT ELSE?

Five valleys, heaven and its mountains. It covers a unique, varied and large area, from the vineyards along the Dora Baltea river, at 600 m altitude, up to the top of Gran Paradiso, at 4.061 m altitude. This is Espace Grand-Paradis, a magic place with a thousand seasons, all waiting to be discovered. Espace Grand-Paradis, with its beautiful castles and Roman remains, represents an important chapter of Aosta Valley history. In this area, Alpine culture and identity live within an extraordinary landscape. The 'Maison du patrimonies' are small and precious museums, located within typical rural buildings. They preserve the local heritage, the people's history, as well as ancient arts and crafts. This sunny land offers high-quality wines and produce that you can taste in typical charming restaurants. And what about the mountains? The real ones, where you can talk about nature, feel it, see it and deeply breath it! Space and time in harmony with the sun, the green, the contact with the fauna and flora, from dawn until sunset. Light offers different experiences every day. Think of nature, culture and sport all in the same place. In the land of Gran Paradiso everyrithing is within reach.

info@granparadisonatura.it
www.granparadisonatura.it
tel. (+39) 0165 920609

Aosta Valley - Italy -

AOSTA VALLEY: WHAT ELSE?

ON HORSEBACK IN GRAN PARADISO. Riding has become a still more important reality for the Gran Paradiso territory; thanks to its richness of paths, nature is particularly suitable here for traveling on horseback. You can ride throughout the whole year, on the white expanses of snow in winter, or along the old royal hunting roads in summer; every ride is moreover combined with hearty meals in several farmhouses or in much appreciated restaurants, to let you discover both naturalist and gastronomic aspects of our region. Excursions can be organized following different itineraries suitable for any skill, it's possible either to ride for some hours on the hills of Sarre and Saint Pierre and through the woods of the valley of Rhemes, or to set out on a real "journey" on horseback, from one to six days, choosing the thematic ways for the discovery of Gran Paradiso National Park and its hotels and farmhouses. (Gran Paradiso. Aosta Valley - Italy)
e-mail: iat.sarre@granparadiso.net

AOSTA VALLEY: WHAT ELSE?

Water estate in Aosta Valley is huge, it represents an important wealth to be protected and respected. There are many ways to discover and learn by observing water and enjoying the emotions of this important source of energy. Come and enjoy yourselves with water thanks to the excitement of sports such as canoeing, rafting and hidro speed. Water sports are accessible to everyone, no special skills or training are required. You only need to be able to swim and pay great attention to the instructors' instructions. As you go down the river Dora Baltea you'll be amazed by the enchantment of nature and the surrounding historical heritage. From April till September there are suggestions for grown up and children, everyone will enjoy the exhilarating activities on the water. You can learn with water, approach all the secrets of the dams, their history and find out how they work. In Valgrisenche is the dam of Beauregard. The guided tour lasts 1 hour. In Villeneuve is the electric plant in Champagne built in 1921. Outside the building looks austere while inside it shows valuable decorations. Guide tours to the dam and to the plant are possible on weekdays.
(Grand Parasis. Il tuo compagno in vacanza)

(e-mail: iat.sarre@granparadiso.net)

AOSTA VALLEY: WHAT ELSE?

Located in the extreme northwest of the Italian peninsula and surrounded by alpine peaks, the Aosta Valley is located in the "heart" of Europe. It is a real paradise for mountain lovers, from the classic alpine mountaineer to the most "radical" skier, from the fanatic nature lover to the adventurous sportsman: winter and summer in the Aosta Valley mean satisfying everyone's needs while fully respecting nature. The excellent ski facilities have made this Valley famous the world round, hosting World Cup and many other international skiing competitions. The massifs of the Matterhorn, Gran Paradiso and Monte Bianco are the most longed for goals of alpine mountain-climbers, and all the valleys are very popular for hikers. Aosta Valley is history and culture with its Roman and pre-Roman vestiges and Medieval castles that can be seen all over the Valley; with its handycraft whose wooden figurines, lace and all kinds of sculpture are the real protagonists of the regional fairs, and with the folklore, whose brightly coloured costumes are part of the saints' day and carnival, different for each valley. And last but not the least the gastronomic culture, which includes dishes made with 'fontina' fowl, vegetables in season: centuries-old recipes. Closely guarded traditions passed on from generation to generation didn't forbid Aosta Valley's providing with a modern tourist organization and offering a youthful and modern image in Italy and abroad. (Ufficio Regionale del Turismo)