Friday, September 25, 2015

What I did on my Holidays



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.
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.

Passo Piccolo San Bernardo, Aosta

Passo Piccolo San Bernardo, Aosta

Passo Piccolo San Bernardo, Aosta

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.

Val di Rhèmes, Aosta

Val di Rhèmes, Aosta

Val di Rhèmes, Aosta

Val di Rhèmes, Aosta

Val di Rhèmes, Aosta

Val di Rhèmes, Aosta

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. 

Pre St Didier, Aosta

Monte Bianco, Aosta

Monte Bianco, Aosta

Monte Bianco, Aosta

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. 

Cogne, Aosta

Cogne, Aosta

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.

Forensic Cryptoporticus, Aosta

Forensic Cryptoporticus, Aosta

Forensic Cryptoporticus, Aosta

Forensic Cryptoporticus, Aosta

Forensic Cryptoporticus, Aosta

Roman Theatre, Aosta


 

Hidden away from the centre is the S Orso cloisters with some magical 12th century column capitals 

S. Orso, Aosta


S. Orso, Aosta


S. Orso, Aosta


S. Orso, Aosta


S. Orso, Aosta


S. Orso, Aosta


S. Orso, Aosta

 
S. Orso, Aosta

S. Orso, Aosta


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.

Forte Barde, Aosta

Forte Barde, Aosta

Forte Barde, Aosta

Forte Barde, Aosta



Forte Barde, Aosta

Forte Barde, Aosta

Forte Barde, Aosta

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. 

Genoa

Genoa

Genoa

Genoa

Genoa

Genoa


Genoa


Genoa

Genoa

Genoa

At Boccadasse the area of Genoa where we stayed has an almost endless promenade where we enjoyed the last summer seaside sun.

 
Boccadasse, Genoa

Boccadasse, Genoa

Boccadasse, Genoa

Boccadasse, Genoa

Boccadasse, Genoa

Boccadasse, Genoa

Boccadasse, Genoa

Boccadasse, Genoa

Boccadasse, Genoa