Aosta

The self-proclaimed “Heart of the Alps”, Aosta’s epithet doesn’t lie. This regional hub is shrouded by the peaks of French, Italian and Swiss mountain ranges, all of which converge here on this end of the Mont Blanc Tunnel to form a horizon of serrated summits mantled in snow from summer to winter. As any Aosta tour guide is keen to explain, this town first sprung to life as a Roman stronghold on the edge of Gaul. Later the Lombards came and the kings of Burgundy, each of which imbued it with a little more of the Francophone edge that’s visible in its bilingual tune and aromatic patisseries today. The deep histories of the city still live on, with the remains of Salassorum (Aosta’s Roman manifestation) dominating the historic centre in a series of arches, gateways and towers. Nearby, the glimmering white of the city cathedral mirrors the snow-white of the glaciers above, where, needless to say, skiers head by the busload for the whopping collection of 25 separate resorts during the colder months of the year. Come summer, and the Gran Paradasio National Park opens up a picturesque scenario of waterfalls and green valleys, ideal for hikes down nature trails leading to Cogne.