Imagine a part of Italy where French is a second language, where Alpine ways of life persist into the 21st century, where traditional cuisine and viniculture combine with beautiful scenery and challenging hiking and winter sports. That’s the Valle d’Aosta, Italy’s smallest and least populated region, with only 120,000 permanent inhabitants. Less than 90 minutes from Geneva or two hours from Turin and Milan, the Valle d’Aosta has largely escaped the tourists that crowd many of Italy’s more famous destinations. Its distinct culture — at once Italian, French and uniquely Alpine — draws those who seek quiet and natural wonders on their travels.
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