This year I managed to get in a week’s holiday in Val d’
Aosta during September. It seems we have seen everything in this area, but each
time we go there we find a place that warrants exploring more the next time we
visit.
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| Summer is over,Val di Rhèmes, Aosta |
We managed to chose a week when the weather was terrible, it
was a case of finding on the local webcams the least cloudy valley. Even then bright
sunshine can turn to cloud and rain here in minutes.
The Piccolo San Bernardo pass is at 2000 meters; almost the
same height as our highest point in our Apennines. The view of the surrounding mountains is
quite impressive. There are even some Roman ruins here on the border Between
Italy and France.
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| Passo Piccolo San Bernardo, Aosta |
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| Passo Piccolo San Bernardo, Aosta |
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| Passo Piccolo San Bernardo, Aosta |
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| Passo Piccolo San Bernardo, Aosta |
Perhaps my favourite valley is the wild Val di Rhèmes. I
drove to the point where the road ends and managed a short hike before the
weather changed for the worst. One can see Marmots as one drives up the valley which I find disconcerting as I have to climb
the highest peaks of the Tosco Emilian Apennines to hear the whistles and on
rare occasions see these animals.
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| Val di Rhèmes, Aosta |
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| Val di Rhèmes, Aosta |
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| Val di Rhèmes, Aosta |
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| Val di Rhèmes, Aosta |
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| Val di Rhèmes, Aosta |
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| Val di Rhèmes, Aosta |
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| Val di Rhèmes, Aosta |
In the heart of the Gran Paradiso Park, the Valsaverenche is
also wonderful. Again I was defeated by the weather. It seems that a two hour
hike from the point where the road ends will take you to the end of a glacier.
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| Pre St Didier, Aosta |
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| Monte Bianco, Aosta |
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| Monte Bianco, Aosta |
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| Monte Bianco, Aosta |
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| Monte Bianco, Aosta |
This year we found a corner of the Val di Cogne that merits
further exploration . The grey overcast day we had here took the shine off this
beautiful valley. We have pencilled in another visit to this valley next year.
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| Cogne, Aosta |
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| Cogne, Aosta |
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| Cogne, Aosta |
Aosta was an important Roman city. One of the
most interesting archaeological sights is the Forensic cryptoporticus. Only the basement
structure remains, but it is quite suggestive.
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| Forensic Cryptoporticus, Aosta |
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| Forensic Cryptoporticus, Aosta |
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| Forensic Cryptoporticus, Aosta |
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| Forensic Cryptoporticus, Aosta |
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| Forensic Cryptoporticus, Aosta |
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| Roman Theatre, Aosta |
Hidden away from the centre is the S Orso cloisters with
some magical 12th century column capitals
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S. Orso, Aosta
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S. Orso, Aosta
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S. Orso, Aosta
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S. Orso, Aosta
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S. Orso, Aosta
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S. Orso, Aosta
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S. Orso, Aosta
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| S. Orso, Aosta |
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S. Orso, Aosta
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One Big disappointment was our visit to Forte Bard. This
massive fortress that blocks part of the lower valley is an impressive sight from
the outside. The ride up to the topin the transparent cabins is fun, but it is not possible to see much of
the fort from the inside. The main fort is used to hold exhibitions.
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| Forte Barde, Aosta |
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| Forte Barde, Aosta |
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| Forte Barde, Aosta |
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| Forte Barde, Aosta |
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| Forte Barde, Aosta |
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| Forte Barde, Aosta |
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| Forte Barde, Aosta |
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| Forte Barde, Aosta |
One surprise we had coming here in mid September is that it
is low season here and lots of places were closed.
To finish of our holiday we stayed a couple of nights in
Genoa. It is always nice to revisit this bustling city.
We took a walk around the old port of Genoa with Renzo
Pianos exiting structures before retiring to a trattoria to eat a seafood lunch.
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| Genoa |
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| Genoa |
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| Genoa |
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| Genoa |
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| Genoa |
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| Genoa |
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| Genoa |
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| Genoa |
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| Genoa |
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| Genoa |
At Boccadasse the area of Genoa where we stayed has an
almost endless promenade where we enjoyed the last summer seaside sun.
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| Boccadasse, Genoa |
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| Boccadasse, Genoa |
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| Boccadasse, Genoa |
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| Boccadasse, Genoa |
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| Boccadasse, Genoa |
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| Boccadasse, Genoa |
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| Boccadasse, Genoa |
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| Boccadasse, Genoa |
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| Boccadasse, Genoa |
