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Castore - Photo (c)
.Cortez.
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Gressoney's winter wonderland
We go to Gressoney for an eclectic
mix of winter sport and culture for a holiday to suit all tastes
Lying
under the protective gaze of Monte Rosa, the picturesque towns of
Gressoney, Gressoney-Saint-Jean and Gressoney-la-Trinité, once united
under the same council administration, welcome us into the Valle del Lys.
There is a
difference in height of around 300 meters between the towns. 300 meters
of breathtaking landscape, ski runs, history, tradition and culture.
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This is the home of the Walser
people, an ethnic group which speak Titsch, an ancient form
of the Alemannian dialect.
The Walsers were of ancient Germanic descent
and had an in-built sense of business -to the extent that the valley
where they settled became known locally as Krämertal, Valley of
the Merchants.
The Walsers have kept their German roots intact and their
dialect is still taught in schools on a par with Italian.
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Photo (c)
Amici di Internet
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These mountains were also a favorite haunt of Queen Margherita of
Italy who had
Castello Savoia built in the area between 1900 and 1904.
The ornate
mansion is the only modern castle in the Val d'Aosta and was bought by
the regional administration in 1981.
Throughout the year it hosts a
series of cultural initiatives and events and gardening enthusiasts will
enjoy a walk in its rockery, home to a number of rare alpine
shrubs and plants.
The views from the castle are breath-taking and on a
clear day you can see the Lyskam glacier. |
Gressoney's winter wonderland
Are you a snow fiend? Then Gressoney is the place for you. There's a 25 km
cross-country circuit (one of the longest in the Val d’Aosta), while
downhill skiers will delight in the 180 kms of runs spread throughout the
Monte Rosa area (Val d’Ayas, Valle di Gressoney and Valsesia).
A day's ski-pass costs around 30 Euro: somewhat expensive but
valid for all the runs in the area (including connections between
valleys). A ski-pass for Gressoney costs from 13 Euro in La
Trinité to 20 Euro in Saint-Jean.
Those of you who prefer to
stay off the snow can still keep fit on the ice-skating rinks at
the Bar Sport in Saint-Jean (tel. +39-0125-355455) and at the Sport Hus
in La Trinité (tel. +39-0125-366297).
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Photo (c)
Alex64
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Fairytale castles
Keep some time on your way back for a tour around some of Val
d'Aosta's castles. With your
map at the ready make your way down the valley towards Pont Saint
Martin. Once you've past Saint Vincent keep your eyes open for
Bard Fortress and Verres Castle, a military fortress from the Gothic
period. If you are in the area at the beginning of February then
don't miss the Carnival at Verres when Princess Caterina is crowned and
dances with the common people.
Text by ELENA GUARNERI
Courtesy of
italiaplease.com
(c) 1997-2008 E. Massetti
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