The Aosta Valley lies amid Italy's highest and most impressive mountains. Far to the north, against the French and Swiss borders, this compact Alpine region is surrounded by a wreath of iconic 4,000'ers: Mont Blanc, Grand Combin, Matterhorn and Gran Paradiso. The result is a landscape so rugged, so pure and so overwhelmingly beautiful nowhere else in Italy.

The Valle d'Aosta has long been a favorite destination for those who love mountain landscapes and active vacations. You can hike endlessly - from simple panoramic routes to spectacular high-alpine treks. The valley also offers plenty of opportunities for rafting, abseiling, doing via ferratas, or even getting acquainted with mountaineering under the guidance of local guides.

But the region has more than just nature. The Aosta Valley is rich in medieval castles, Roman remains and charming mountain villages where Italian and French influences come together in cuisine, culture and language. Think imposing castles like Castello di Fénis and Castello di Issogne, or the impressive Roman ruins in the city of Aosta itself.

Whether you come to hike, relax, photograph the Alps or discover the local cuisine - the Aosta Valley is an area you will want to have seen more than once.