The Aosta Valley is Italy’s smallest and least known region — and one of its most extraordinary. A narrow Alpine valley running east to west along the Italian side of Mont Blanc, hemmed in by some of the highest peaks in Europe, it is a place that has been inhabited since the Bronze Age and has accumulated a remarkable density of history, culture, and natural beauty in a relatively compact space. Over 70 medieval castles dot the valley floor and the surrounding hillsides — the legacy of centuries of strategic importance as the main route between Italy and France over the Alps.

The region is also home to some of Italy’s most distinctive and underrated wines, produced from ancient indigenous grape varieties grown on dramatic terraced vineyards at altitudes of up to 1,200 metres. Petit Rouge, Fumin, Prié Blanc — names that mean nothing to most wine lovers but produce wines of extraordinary character that are almost impossible to find outside the valley. The cuisine is equally distinctive — fontina cheese, hearty mountain stews, cured meats, and the extraordinary local charcuterie that reflects the valley’s unique blend of Italian and French influences.

For winter sports, the resort of Courmayeur sits directly beneath Mont Blanc and offers some of the most dramatic and varied skiing in the Alps, with the Vallée Blanche accessible from the Italian side via the spectacular Mont Blanc Tunnel cable car. Fly directly from your local airport with Aviant into Aosta’s own airport — the only airport in the world with a direct view of Mont Blanc from the runway.