Monte Rosa watches over your every step
Valle d’Aosta
When the mountain is Monte Rosa, your holiday will be one to remember!
Take in the breathtaking mountain tops, pine forests, waterfalls and tiny villages and when you spot an Ibex you’ll know that you must be in the smallest, least-populated and most-elevated region of Italy, Valle d’Aosta.
An autonomous region in north-western Italy with an area of 3,263 km2 (1,260 sq mi) and a population of about 120,000. Bordered by France to the west, Switzerland to the north and the region of Piedmont to the south and east. It’s a rare gem nestled in the majestic peaks of Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, and the Matterhorn.
The region was a hugely important gateway both strategically and economically, and one of the main access routes between northern and southern Europe; Hannibal marched his elephants through here in the 3rd century BC. Generations of Roman legions went through, building roads and bridges some of which are still standing as a testimony of Romanisation in the valley. The Pont-Saint-Martin Roman Bridge is worth walking across during your visit.
Gressoney
At an altitude of 1,635 meters Gressoney La Trinitè is the highest village in the valley of Gressoney or otherwise known as the Lys Valley, named after the river running through it. Gressoney Saint Jean is 80 km from Aosta and is an elegant town located on a flat plain at 1385 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by the breathtaking mountain peaks and the nearby Lyskamm glacier.
The historical centre contains perfectly preserved ‘walser’ houses grouped around the 275 year old church of San Giovanni Battista.
The symbol of the town is perhaps the panoramic area known as “Belvedere”. Here the Regina Margherita built her holiday home, the Castle Savoy, in 1894.
Visitors in January can catch the international Nordic skiing event the “Monterosalauf” which takes place over a 25 km circuit.
Driving up the valley having turned off from the main Aosta autostrada, you will pass through the hamlets of Issime, Gaby, before Gressoney Saint Jean, then onto Gressoney La Trinite and finally Staffal, the base of Monte Rosa.
It was here that the German-descended Walsers migrated from Switzerland’s Valais region in the 13th century. Today, you might still experience the Walser community’s culture and traditions and you might hear German (Tich dialect) in the rural areas. Where you’ll see centuries-old wood slated Walser houses sitting on short mushroom-shaped pillars ordaining the hillsides all the way to our hotel.
I remember the first time I saw the majestic Monte Rosa (4633m) which despite it’s name doesn’t refer to Rosa, the colour pink but comes from the word “roja” meaning the glacier! I was immediately smitten by its beauty and the inviting thought of exploring its glory first hand.
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