No Snow for Christmas

We decided to spend a few days up in the Val d’ Aosta region with the hope of having a guaranteed white Christmas.  But it was not to be. Under 2000m the mountains are still devoid of snow up there and even Monte Bianco seemed less white than when we saw it this summer.

However we had a chance to relax away from the humdrum of Reggio Emilia and I managed to get in a couple of short walks in the mountains.

Roman Theatre, Aosta

The first excursion was in the Cogne valley. I did not find much to photograph until I came across some Chamois which had been driven down by hunger to the valley bottom. I was able to get quite close to them to take a couple pictures before they ran off.

Cogne, AO

Frozen waterfal, Cogne, AO

Chamois, Cogne,AO

Chamois, Cogne,AO

Cogne, AO

The other walk I did was in the Rhemes Notre Dame valley where I came across a delightful little lake surrounded by pine trees. Here I actually came across some snow.

Rhemes Notre Dame, AO

Rhemes Notre Dame, AO

Rhemes Notre Dame, AO

Rhemes Notre Dame, AO

Rhemes Notre Dame, AO

Rhemes Notre Dame, AO

A part of the Val Ferret was open and we got a taste of a white Christmas as here there was actually some snow on the ground. We then stopped off at Courmayeur the most fashionable resort in the region and amazingly all the shops were open on Christmas day.

Monte, Bianco, Val Ferret, Aosta

Val Ferret, Aosta

Courmayeur, AO

Courmayeur, AO

This year we had a massive Christmas lunch in a restaurant with the proceedings starting at 1 o’clock and we ate some Panettone to finish at 4 o’clock.  It was nice not to have any dishes to wash up afterwards.

Monte Bianco, Val Ferret, AO

Surreal Mantua

I arrived early in the morning just as the fog was lifting from the lakes that surround Mantua. It was a fitting start to a day of visual surprises. 

Lago Inferiore, Mantova

Lago Inferiore, Mantova

Lago Inferiore, Mantova

I stopped the car to went down to the lakeside to admire the scene. Even the oil refinery on the other shore had some charm in the strange light I found.

Lago Inferiore, Mantova

Lago Inferiore, Mantova

Then I went over to the other side of the lake to try and photograph the city as it emerged from the fog.

Lago Inferiore, Mantova

Lago Superiore, Mantova

Palazzo Ducale, Mantova

The first place I stopped off at was  the charming little circular Rotonda di San Lorenzo that dates from 1082. I find the interior of this little church magical even though it is almost impossible to photograph.

Rotonda di San Lorenzo, Mantua

Rotonda di San Lorenzo, Mantua

Then came the big surprise.  With just €2 you can enter the spectacular  Teatro Scientifico Bibiena.  

This place leaves one speechless when one enters and is confronted by the boxes surrounding the seating area. This theatre was built in 1767 and a  fourteen year old Mozart played here a month after its inauguration.

Teatro Scientifico Bibiena, Mantua

Teatro Scientifico Bibiena, Mantua

Teatro Scientifico Bibiena, Mantua

Teatro Scientifico Bibiena, Mantua

Teatro Scientifico Bibiena, Mantua

I had lunch in a small trattoria where I ate some typical local food. First I had tortellini alla zucca (pumpkin) followed by “Straccotto di Manzo”  with Polenta. Washed down with some Lambrusco.

Mantova

Duomo, Mantova

The last place I visited was Matenga’s house.  Nothing remains of the original decoration but the house is worth visiting for the courtyard with its famous view towards the sky.

Casa di Mantegna, Mantova

Casa di Mantegna, Mantova

Mantova