Best of the Aosta Valley

Enjoy complimentary UK airport lounge access before your flight to Turin, Italy’s original capital city in the foothills of the Alps. On arrival, collect your hire car and head to your hotel in the Piedmont countryside, set within a grand, 18th-century villa surrounded by a private park. Featuring an outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court and a wellness club with a sauna and a Turkish bath, as well as an elegant restaurant specialising in authentic regional cuisine, it’s a wonderfully relaxing base for the first two nights of your trip. 

Stay: Sina Villa Matilde, Piedmont (Superior)

Today presents an ideal opportunity to explore Turin, a city awash with elegant Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, world-class museums, royal palaces and fabulous places to eat and drink. Standout attractions include the Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum), the Piazza Castello (the main square, home to the majestic Palazzo Madama), the Basilica di Superga and the Mole Antonelliana. The latter was originally designed as a synagogue in the 19th century, and now houses the National Museum of Cinema and a viewing platform offering magnificent panoramic views overlooking Turin and out towards the Alps in the distance. Turin also prides itself on its vibrant cafe scene, so be sure to make ample stops to try some of Italy’s finest coffee as you go. 

Stay: Sina Villa Matilde, Piedmont (Superior)

After breakfast, make the scenic drive north, up into the mountains and then east along the Aosta Valley to the town of Aosta itself, where you’ll be spending the next two nights. It’s the largest town in the region, steeped in Roman heritage and surrounded by dramatic peaks in every direction. Step back in time as you explore the ancient Roman theatre, which dates back to the first century A.D., and check out the Arch of Augustus, built in 25 B.C. in honour of Emperor Augustus. Another of the town’s archaeological treasures, the Criptoportico Forense, can be found underground, beneath the gardens of the 4th-century Aosta Cathedral. As well as immersing yourself in Aosta’s rich history, it’s well worth taking the cable car up to nearby Pila for superb views of the mountains and the valley. 

Stay: Hotel Milleluci, Aosta (Superior)

From Aosta, wind your way up into the mountains to Cogne, a historic village in a wooded valley on the edge of Gran Paradiso National Park. The backdrop is truly stunning, while the nearby botanical gardens, forests and Sant'Orso meadows are perfect for a leisurely stroll while breathing in that fresh Alpine air. Although rather tiny, the village itself is also a delight, with traditional slate-roofed houses lining its fairytale-esque cobbled lanes, alongside a handful of restaurants where you can indulge in some of the region’s finest wines and cheeses among other delicious local delicacies. When you’re finished exploring, return to Aosta for the evening. 

Stay: Hotel Milleluci, Aosta (Superior)

Much of the next stretch of your journey takes you through mountain tunnels, but once you emerge near Courmayeur, the views are simply breathtaking. This charming village sits at the foot of 14 peaks exceeding 4,000 metres, including Mont Blanc itself. While the setting is sublime, Courmayeur also has much to offer in its delightful, fully pedestrianised centre, which is packed with shops, bars and restaurants, particularly along the main street, Via Roma. Thanks to its location near the crossroads of three Alpine countries, the culinary scene here blends Italian, French and Swiss influences; expect plenty of buttery polenta dishes, hearty ragouts, delectable cured meats and exceptional cheeses. 

Stay: Hotel Chalet Svizzero, Courmayeur (Superior)

In winter, Courmayeur offers easy access to some of Italy’s best ski slopes; in summer, it transforms into a paradise for hiking and mountain biking. You’ll have the whole day here to explore as you please, whether you fancy embarking on a hike, visiting the Saussurea Alpine Botanical Gardens, treating yourself to a spa day at the thermal baths of Pré Saint Didier or taking a spectacular ride on the Mont Blanc Skyway up to the Pointe Helbronner summit station at 3,466 metres altitude. 

Stay: Hotel Chalet Svizzero, Courmayeur (Superior)

The penultimate leg of your Aosta Valley adventure brings you to Bard, a small town renowned for its 11th-century fortress, which sits atop a rocky hill at the entrance to the Champorcher Valley. Once you’ve arrived and settled into your riverside hotel, you’ll have the remainder of the day to soak up the town’s medieval heritage and explore the fortress. 

Stay: Hotel Ad Gallias, Bard (Superior)

Today, you’ll venture north into the valleys of the Monte Rosa Massif (the second-highest Alpine massif after Mont Blanc) to explore Gressoney, not far from the mountainous border with Switzerland. It actually comprises two separate villages – Gressoney-Saint-Jean and Gressoney-La-Trinité – which lie six kilometres apart along the valley. Together, they make a thoroughly enjoyable day trip destination, showcasing the local traditions and peaceful nature of life in this most idyllic corner of the Italian Alps.

Stay: Hotel Ad Gallias, Bard (Superior)

Bid farewell to the Aosta Valley today as you make the short drive south to Sina Villa Matilde, where you spent the first couple of nights of your trip. Feel free to spend the rest of the day relaxing here and enjoying the tranquil Piedmont countryside, or, if you’re keen to see more of Turin, that’s certainly also an option. 

Stay: Sina Villa Matilde, Piedmont (Superior)

After one final breakfast, drive to Turin Airport to drop off your hire car and catch your flight home.