Tasting VALLE D'AOSTA
I had never been in the mountains, and it was not in my plans to go there, at least in the short term.
Not because I did not like, is clear; semplicemente, I had other priorities.
A great day, suddenly, It was presented the opportunity to be a guest of a friend who moved to work in faraway Valle d'Aosta. And then, I am catapulted the Alps, precisely La Thuile, leaving behind her husband and lagotta.
Five days between snow-capped peaks, rivers, ponds, waterfalls, pinete, bends, clean air and lots of cheese.
My stay was not purely gastronomic, and even made frantic movements. All in all, It was a rather slow and relaxed holiday, but they are still able to see and taste something interesting.
To go to the Valle d'Aosta I flew from Naples to Turin, and from there I went with a rental car.
La Thuile
The road that runs in is from Caselle Airport to La Thuile is already full of good wishes: at every turn you are seen coming a castle, a river, a waterfall.
To reach your destination you have to face a series of switchbacks not too nice for those who suffer from car sickness, but the high mountains since it could not be otherwise.
La Thuile it is found at 1441 metri d’altezza, and it is primarily known as a winter tourist center; It is surrounded by peaks, There is a variety of sports activities.
The bubbling Dora La Thuile (river formed by the confluence of the Dora of Verney and the Dora of Rutor) It is a constant companion, a litany that relaxes the senses.
The rarefied air smells of grass and earth, while the firs suggest a perennial Christmas.
The green and the peace that you breathe give an incomparable tranquility.
Everything seems untouched, a space in which only apply the laws of nature. Even the local miniature golf could only be in keeping with the mountain people.
If winter are the master tracks and ski resort, Summer is the most pleasant 'area picnic Preylet, in a beautiful natural park of dense vegetation of spruce and larch. An area equipped with benches, tavoli, barbecue and fountains, perfect for an outdoor snack but also for a simple stop to cool. Even the legendary Fontina Valle d'Aosta DOP eaten here has a completely different flavor.
If you prefer more structured meals at picnic, here is what I tested.
For breakfast, snacks and drinks from morning to night, the first address to report it The cremerie. The production of handmade pastries, which includes cakes and biscuits between which the characteristics Valdostane tiles, is entrusted Tiziana Sini.
Spritz is accompanied by a generous platter of local produce.
The big news of the year is the ice cream of an ice cream vendor exceptional teacher: Pina bell Molitierno. His ice cream has already emerged as one of the best slopes of the Mont Blanc and has been reported in the guide Valle d'Aosta TOP 100 - The 100 experiences that you can not miss made by the editors of iMontBlanc Magazine.
Even the chocolate Chocolat It offers cafeteria service and pastry. The house specialty is the sweet The Tometta of La Thuile, made with milk chocolate, gianduia and hazelnuts from Piedmont IGP.
Two addresses for regional recipes: Taverna Coppapan and Lo Tata.
Rich Aosta Valley specialties and menu of Savoyard Taverna Coppapan.
In Alpine platter of cold cuts, tra gli altri, the Lardo di Arnad DOP e la resisting (also called Motzetta or Mocetta, dried meat).
Typical dishes, Polenta Valdaostan (with butter and fontina) and Soup to Valpellinenze (with broth, verza, fontina, stale bread and cinnamon).
Also good beer de Beers Grand St. Bernard.
Da I Tatà, the Aosta Valley fontina fondue egg is served with boiled vegetables.
Also good polenta in conjunction with deer or mushrooms.
Excursions
The entire distribution area of La Thuile lends itself to walking and trips of various kinds. A very popular route is the one that leads to the three Rutor Waterfalls (the premium 1700 meters, The latest 2000 meters).
A short distance from La Thuile, a Pré-Saint-Didier, unmissable panoramic Terrace and the dell'Orrido Path.
The panoramic walkway suspended steel 160 meters high offers an incredible view of the Mont Blanc range. If you suffer from vertigo (come me!) avoid inoltrarvi on the central part, limitandovi at the two ends of the semicircle.
The bravest will be able to cross the Ravine attached to a pulley (Zip-line Mont Blanc), but of course this kind of adventure does not suit me.
Pré-Saint-Didier is among the most common flowering of Italy.
Hike almost inevitable if you find yourself in these parts is the one Courmayeur, the oldest Alpine resort in Val d'Aosta. Today is primarily a destination for elite tourism.
Here it is the largest of the three stores Panizzi (the others are in La Thuile Morgex), stocked cheese shop that sells its own productions and other local specialties. Delicious yogurt with just milk of upper Valle d'Aosta.
The flagship is the Blue Aosta, blue cheese is produced in cow version goats.
You can not leave without visiting the capital Vallee Aosta.
The ancient Augusta Praetoria founded by the Romans is full of monuments that bear witness to its history: the Arch of Augustus, la Porta Pretoria, the forensic Criptoportico.
My gut hound has also worked here: in one of the alleys of the pedestrian zone – full of local tourist – I found a sandwich worthy, Alpanino.
artisan bread, local products and more than generous portions: top marks.
From La Thuile it is also very easy to "go the limit". Già, because it is located near the border with France. The border is marked by Little St Bernard Pass.
The panorama that can be admired along the way to get there by car from La Thuile is beautiful. It meets the charming lago Verney, one of the largest in the Aosta Valley, surrounded by many peaks.
The Piccolo San Bernardo is over two thousand meters above sea level. Here there is also the statue of the saint, patron saint of mountaineers and climbers.
The road to the pass is open from June to October; so you still have time for a beautiful walk.
Once past the French border, you will soon get to La Rosiere, renowned ski resort.
The greedy address of the site is the 3 Ours, Alpine creperie that in summer doubles as ice cream.
typical Savoyard specialties is the Beaufort DOP, cow's milk cheese, pressed by large. The alpine production is the one with the most outstanding organoleptic characteristics.
What to do in Valle d'Aosta
From urban animal which, I admit I left a piece of heart in Valle d'Aosta.
The contrast between the concrete of the city and the green of the Valley is really striking.
Things to do in Valle d'Aosta are so many, and unfortunately I could put into practice only a small part. But who knows what tomorrow may not come back with the rest of the family 😉
Here is a list of useful information for those wishing to plan a visit.
food and wine Activities:
alp Open: event that allows you to see up close the lives Alpine, to discover the Fontina DOP and beyond.
Info: www.arev.it
Guided tours in pasture edited by the Tourist Operators Consortium La Thuile (second calendar). Info: www.lathuile.it; such. 0165/883049
Visit to the Fontina maturing of Pré-Saint-Didier by Pro-Loco Pré-Saint-Didier (second calendar). Tel. 0165/87817.
Visit the Visitor Center Valpelline Cooperative Milk Producers and Fontina Valle d'Aosta. Tutti i giorni. Info: https://www.fontina-valledaosta.it/centro-visitatori
Other activities:
Berton House Museum: house museum that houses a collection of furniture and handicrafts.
Info: maisonmuseeberton@gmail.com; such. 366/5647161
Visit the anthracite mines of La Thuile edited by the Tourist Operators Consortium La Thuile (second calendar). Info: www.lathuile.it; such. 0165/883049
useful websites:
www.lathuile.it
www.lovevda.it/it
www.larosiere.net/it/
addresses:
I Tatà
Fraction Petite Gullet, 102 - La Thuile, Aosta
such. 0165/884132
Taverna Coppapan
sentence. Villaret, 68 - La Thuile, Aosta
such. 348/2909016
www.coppapanledahu.it
The cremerie
Complesso Planibel, Fraction Entrèves - La Thuile, Aosta
such. 335/8396921
www.facebook.com/La-Cremerie-Café-660595724025932/
Chocolat
fraction Entrèves, 2 - La Thuile, Aosta
such. 0165/884783
www.chocolat-collomb.it/
Panizzi
www.panizzicourmayeur.com/it/index.html
Sandwich Alpanino
Via Trottechien, 29 – Aosta
such. 339/1831956
www.facebook.com/paninotecaalpanino/
Aux Delices Farmers
Place des Eucherts - La Rosiere, Montvalezan, Rhone-Alpes, France
the 3 Ours
Place des Eucherts - La Rosiere, Montvalezan, Rhone-Alpes, France
www.facebook.com/aux3ourssalondethecreperie/