10-Day Parks, Castles & Mountain Paths
Tour Highlights
- Discover the Roman heritage of Aosta, including the Arch of Augustus, Roman Theater, and Porta Praetoria.
- Explore Gran Paradiso and Mont Avic National Parks, with guided hikes through pristine alpine scenery.
- Visit medieval castles like Fénis and Issogne, rich in art and legends.
- Stroll through authentic Alpine villages such as Étroubles and Valpelline Valley.
- Enjoy gourmet picnics with mountain cheeses, artisan breads, and valley wines.
- Experience local culture through trattoria dinners, honey and wine tastings, and village traditions.
- Walk the Great Saint Bernard Pass, following the ancient Roman and pilgrim route.
- Stay in charming mountain lodges or rustic chalets, surrounded by spectacular peaks and forests.
Tour Highlights
What’s included
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Private arrival and departure airport transfers
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9 nights’ accommodation in mountain hotels or rustic chalets
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Daily breakfast and dinners, featuring regional specialties
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Picnic lunches as per itinerary (Days 2–9)
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Guided hikes and walks with local nature and cultural experts
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Entrance fees to listed castles, parks, and museums
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Tastings of local products (wine, cheese, honey, liqueurs)
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Farewell gift of local produce (cheese or herbal tea blend)
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Transportation for all included excursions and activities
What’s Not included
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International and domestic flights
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Travel insurance (mandatory)
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Visa fees, if applicable
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Meals or drinks not specified in the itinerary
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Optional activities or personal expenses
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Tips and gratuities for guides, drivers, and hotel staff
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Laundry, minibar, and phone calls
Day 1: Arrival in the Valley
- Private transfer from the airport to your mountain hotel or rustic chalet
- Welcome aperitivo with mountain cheeses and artisan bread
- Evening walk through Aosta’s old town to stretch your legs after the journey
- Dinner at a family-run trattoria serving regional specialties
Day 2: Aosta & Roman Roots
- Gentle morning walk through Aosta’s Roman ruins: the Arch of Augustus, the Roman Theater, and Porta Praetoria
- Picnic in a small city park with local cheeses, charcuterie, and valley wines
- Afternoon free to stroll cobbled streets and artisan shops
- Dinner in a restaurant housed in a medieval building
Day 3: Gran Paradiso National Park Hike
- Guided day hike in Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy’s oldest national park, home to ibex, chamois, and eagles
- Picnic lunch surrounded by meadows and waterfalls
- Visit a small mountain village on the way back, sampling local rye bread and fontina cheese
- Evening leisure at your lodge
Day 4: Castles of the Central Valley
- Visit Fénis Castle, with its frescoes and courtyards full of history
- Continue to Issogne Castle, known for its painted arcade depicting medieval life
- Picnic in the castle gardens with regional products
- Return through vineyards, with a short tasting of Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle (the valley’s high-altitude wine)
Day 5: Forest Paths & Alpine Villages
- Gentle hike through larch and fir forests in the Valpelline Valley
- Stop at a mountain rifugio for a rustic picnic of polenta, cheeses, and cured meats
- Explore Étroubles, a historic village along the Via Francigena pilgrim route
- Evening at leisure
Day 6: Lakeside Walks & Hidden Chapels
- Morning hike around Lake Place-Moulin, with turquoise waters framed by peaks
- Picnic on the lakeshore
- Visit hidden Alpine chapels with frescoes and centuries-old traditions
- Return for a simple village dinner featuring wild herbs and mountain honey
Day 7: Medieval Fortress & Mountain Meadows
- Excursion to Bard Fortress, guarding the valley since the 5th century
- Explore its museum and walk its fortified walls
- Afternoon walk through surrounding meadows, with wildflowers and views of Mont Avic
- Evening tasting of local honey, chestnuts, and herbal liqueurs
Day 8: Mont Avic Natural Park
- Full-day hike in Mont Avic Park, known for its crystal lakes, rare flora, and untouched forest trails
- Picnic in a quiet meadow surrounded by the park’s granite peaks
- Return to your hotel for rest and dinner with local wine pairings
Day 9: Alpine Pass & Village Life
- Gentle hike along part of the Great Saint Bernard Pass, once a Roman route and pilgrim path
- Picnic with a panoramic view across Italy and Switzerland
- Visit the Great Saint Bernard Monastery, with its history of hospitality and the famous St. Bernard dogs
- Farewell dinner with traditional mountain recipes and live folk music
Day 10: Departure
- Leisurely morning forest walk before your transfer to the airport
- Farewell gift: locally made cheese or herbal tea blends from the mountains
