-AOSTA VALLEY – italy

TO DO LIST (highly recomanded) • Montebianco skyway https://montebianco.com/it/pagina/106.html SkywayMonteBianco, the new Mont Blanc cableways, enable you to set out on a magical journey to discover majestic landscapes and live an unforgettable experience.

As walking for long distances is not required, this experience can be enjoyed by everyone, unless health problems make it inadvisable to stay at high altitudes.

The cablecars rotate a full 360 degrees along the route, affording a full view of the surrounding peaks. The main attraction is here: a circular scenic terrace 14 meters in diameter with a unique all around view over most of the highest peaks of the Western Alps: MontBlanc, MonteRosa, the Matterhorn, the GranParadiso and the Grand Combin. Inside, a crystal exhibition hall, a self service restaurant, a bar, and multimedia information points. Total climb: about 2,200 meters. Departure station: 1,300 m; Punta Helbronner Station: 3,462; altitude of Glaciers scenic terrace at Punta Helbronner: 3,466 m Climbing time: Pontal d'Entrèves - Pavillon du Mont Fréty: about 4 minutes; Pavillon du Mont Fréty - Punta Helbronner: about 5 minutes Hourly capacity: first section 800 people, second section 600

• SPA @ PRE SAINT DIDIER

https://www.qcterme.com/en/pre-saint-didier/qc-terme-pre-saint-didier A jewel shining in the heart of the Aosta Valley

Forget the everyday stress, recharge your batteries in the ambience from a bygone era, immerse yourself in the soft warmth of the water, let yourself be lulled by gentle hydro-massages to experience a total remise en forme or as a way of prevention. You are in Pré Saint Didier.

Included in the spa session is complimentary use of towel, robe, slippers and body care products. Aperiterme, the exclusive happy hour, included in entrance price from 6.30 pm every friday. Prices range : Daily pass € 48 or € 58 Evening pass € 44 or € 52 Thermal bath: info@termedipre.it — +39 0165 867272 Hotel and Spa: info@qctermemontebianco.it — +39 0165 87004

Adventure Parks Walking on high routes and along Tibetan bridges to emulate Tarzan and Indiana Jones An alternative way to get excited, always in complete safety: moving from one tree to another, through a series of high adventure routes, tied securely to a steel cable through a double rope lanyard and a harness. The adventure parks are popular with children and young people but they are also appreciated by companies for their incentive trips. You can choose between many : following link related http://www.lovevda.it/en/sport/adventure-parks

Astronomical observatory of Aosta Valley Logisticalindications:the300-metrestretchofroadbetweenthesquareinLignanandtheAstronomicalObservatoryisclosedtounauthorisedvehicles.Anyparticularneedsmustbeindicatedwhenbooking.Useofartificiallight:intheevening,anelectrictorchisrecommended,preferablywitharedbulborglass,tobepointeddownwardstolightuptheroadwithoutinterferingwithanyobservationsunderway.Informationontemperaturesinthemountains:projectionsatthePlanetarium,situatedatanaltitudeof1633ma.s.l.,aremadeinaclosed,heatedroom,whiledaytimeandnight-timeguidedvisitstakeplaceoutdoors,orinroomsintheAstronomicalObservatorywithoutheating,situatedatanaltitudeof1675ma.s.l.Visitorsarethereforeadvisedtodressappropriatelyfortheclimateandthealtitude,dependingontheseason.

The Astronomical Observatory of the Autonomous Region of the Aosta Valley (OAVdA) and the Planetarium of Lignan are located in Lignan, a mountain village at an altitude of over 1600 a.s.l. in the Saint-Barthélemy valley, about 16 km along the road from the Municipality of Nus.

Opened in 2003, the OAVdA is the only regional astronomical observatory in Italy to have reached a multi-year agreement for research, teaching and educational activities with the INAF, the Italian National Astrophysics Institute. Thanks to the excellent quality of the scientific work carried out, OAVdA researchers are associates of the INA

Teachingandeducation:visits. Alongside research, the astrophysicists devote at least 30% of their time to activities aimed at transmitting their knowledge to schools and to the public.

• DaytimeguidedvisitstotheAstronomicalObservatory(lasting1hour).IncludesguidedobservationoftheSunintheheliophysicslaboratoryandillustrationoftheinstrumentsusedforthescientificresearchprojects.

• ProjectionatthePlanetarium(lasting1hour).Includesavirtualjourneythroughthecosmosentitled“Atripthroughthesky”,aimedatfamiliesandanyoneinterestedintheskyandinspace.

• Night-timeguidedvisittotheAstronomicalObservatory(lasting1.5hours).Includesguidedobservationoftheskywiththenakedeyeandusingatelescope,ontheTeachingBalcony(dependingontheweatherconditions).

Air balloon flight Balloonflights-Walkthroughthecloudsattheheightofgreatmountains

For passengers a balloon flight through the highest mountains in Europe is certainly a thrilling adventure and unforgettable experience. Until recently this original way of floating in the clouds was an adventure for the chosen few, but now, with the increasing demand, it is becoming more and more widespread and is truly a luxury anyone can afford.

During the flight, the feeling of rising in the embrace of silence releases all of the power of imagination, in an almost therapeutic landscape, towards new points of observation, the ground transforms and the glance captures it in unusual synthesis, to then lift to contemplate the greatmountains which surround the region from a privileged position.

http://www.mongolfiere.it/voli.asp

Gran Paradiso national park ThefirstItaliannationalpark,analpinehabitatofoutstandingrichness

The Gran Paradiso national park covers an area of 70,000 hectares, in a high mountainous area, between the 800 m at the bottom of the valley and the 4,061 m of mount Gran Paradiso.

In Valle d'Aosta, the park has three visitor centres, in the villages of Cogne, Valsavarenche and Rhêmes-Notre-Dame. In the visitor centres you can learn about various aspects of nature within the protected area with the help of teaching aids.

In Cogne, we recommend a visit to the ParadisiaAlpinebotanicalgarden. Especially in July, when many of its more than 1,000 species of plants are in full bloom, it's really worth a visit. http://www.pngp.it

Lillaz Waterfalls

The Lillaz waterfalls are formed by rocky ledges through which the abundant waters of the Urtier torrent flow, carving deep gorges between the cliffs.

The walk around the waterfalls is a classic route for those staying in the Cogne valley and is used by many tourists especially in the summer season. During the winter the waterfalls become the destination of choice for lovers of ice-climbing.

After reaching the hamlet of Lillaz leave the car in the square on the right watershed, just before the bridge leading to the oldest part of the village. After going past the Urtier torrent go through the village; following directions to the waterfalls, you then go out of the village and begin walking on a slight slope along the torrent, keeping the waterway to the left. Walking amongst the patches of larch trees, you will arrive at the foot of the waterfalls and immediately find a small ledge, upwards of which, following a slightly steeper stretch of trail, you will overlook the second ledge, which is the first of some significance: the abundant water of Urtier tumbles into a deep basin that it itself has carved over the centuries. After the bridge you will find a grassy plateau (at about 1745 m it is the highest point of the walk), where the third waterfall can be admired in all its splendor. It is perhaps the most spectacular of the three due to the water antics and the imposing rock layers that have somehow created it. Retracing your own steps take again the slightly sloping trail leading away from the torrent and reach the paved road (closed to traffic) ascending from Lillaz, in order to reach the hamlet of Gollie. After reaching the road turn left and descend back until reaching the square of Lillaz, admiring the splendid view over the glaciers of the Valleille valley.

Castello di Fénis. – Fénis castle The castle of Fénis placed on a portion of territory without natural defenses, combines the characteristics of the fortification with those of the noble residence. Known for its extraordinary architecture, with towers and crenellated walls, it is striking for those who observe it and immediately recall the history, life and art of the Middle Ages. exponents of the Challant family: they enriched it with elegant pictorial decorations to adapt it to a representative office and endowed it with the imposing defensive apparatus, bearing witness to power and prestige. The events that marked the history of the noble family, after the second half of the fifteenth century, led the manor to a slow degradation. The recovery of the monument is due to Alfredo d’Andrade, who purchased the castle in 1895 and, after having restored the most damaged parts, donated it to the State. Today the castle, owned by the regional administration, is presented in a new look by the recent critical refurbishment.

Forte di Bard What was a fortified complex whose earliest records date back to the early Middle Ages and then belonged to the Lords of Bard and the Savoy, is today presented as the fortress of culture. Restored since 1996, this impressive and fascinating structure houses, in its various buildings, the "Museum of the Alps", a museum center of the western Alps, "The Alps of the Boys", an interactive path entirely dedicated to young people, "The prisons ”Historical itinerary dedicated to the military site, rooms dedicated to temporary exhibitions and a parade ground, stage for numerous cultural events, musical and theatrical performances. The summit of the fortress, which hosts most of the usable spaces, can be reached thanks to futuristic panoramic elevators.

WHERE TO EAT J

Osteria La Vache Folle

Piazza Cavalieri di Vittorio Veneto 14, 11100, Aosta, Italia

+39 0165 230845 Very good meat, center position in Aosta town, prices are also not too bad!

Ristorante Pizzeria Grotta Azzurra 363 recensioni N. 32 di 277 Ristoranti a Aosta €€ - €€€, Italiana, Pizza, Pesce

Via Croce di Citta' 97, 11100, Aosta, Italia

+39 0165 235067 As well located in the center of Aosta city, very good pizza! And unexpected good fish too!

Ristorante Lo Tata' La Thuile Frazione piccola goletta 102, La Thuile, Italia

+39 0165 884132 The meat and the polenta are DEVINE!!

Ristorante La Caverna Di Poldo Indirizzo: Localita' Salirod, 28 Frazione: Saint-vincent CAP: 11027 Città: Saint-Vincent (AO) Contatti: 0166 512322 This restaurant is like in a cave, is for sure out of town (actually is in Saint Vincent) not too far, but the meat the polenta and also grappa are really the best.

RestaurantBrasserieD'EntrèvesEntreves-Courmayeur(AO)-Tel.0165869718

Here you’ll find the FONDUTA PARADISE J If you are a cheese lover, well here is the place to go!