Aosta Valley has prepared a whole host of festive goings on this winter as visitors and locals alike prepare to celebrate the holiday season in style. The Christmas holidays in the Aosta region offer a unique and authentic atmosphere thanks to its stunning Alpine landscapes, events and traditions rooted in the local culture.
By visiting the characteristic Christmas markets, such as the one in Aosta, you will have the opportunity to buy artisanal products, Christmas decorations and taste local culinary specialties. Stroll among the decorated wooden houses, in a context that combines the intimacy of the Alpine villages with the historical elegance of the urban architecture of Aosta.
During the Mistletoe Festival in Saint-Denis, on December 8th, you can discover the ancient Celtic tradition of mistletoe, a symbol of luck and prosperity, visit the castle of Cly and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the event with dances, music and parades in historical costumes.
Also, on December 8th in Hône you can participate in the Micòoula festival, dedicated to the typical bread of the locality enriched with figs, chestnuts and walnuts, where you can also taste and buy other food specialties.
Take the opportunity to visit the nearby village of Bard and its imposing Fort which hosts museums and exhibitions of great interest.
At the Fortress of Bard until January 6th you will also find an immersive sounds and lights show that animates the large Piazza d’Armi starting at 5:30 pm and, until January 26th, a large handcrafted 80-square-metre Provençal nativity scene on display in the Fortress chapel (admission to the screenings and the crib is included in the Fort of Bard ticket price).
On the first weekend of December, Courmayeur celebrates the beginning of winter at the foot of Mont Blanc with the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree: the countdown culminates in a light show with special guests and live music.
Also in the Matterhorn valley, in Breuil-Cervinia and Torgnon, on December 7th, the Christmas tree will be lit with music and entertainment.
On December 13th and 14th Cervinia hosts the Snowboard Cross World Cup, an exciting and spectacular race considered by athletes and technicians to be among the most beautiful in the entire Alpine region.
Snow is the absolute protagonist at this time of year. You can admire the traditional torchlight processions, organized by ski instructors, who illuminate the slopes with a trail of lights: a collective celebration, marked by the beauty of the mountains and the warmth of the festivities.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in the historic centre of Aosta or in Saint-Vincent with a DJ set and fireworks. Or celebrate the arrival of the new year in Courmayeur or in Gressoney-La-Trinité, where the party atmosphere is electric and filled with excitement. Even in Cogne, the square comes alive with live music, making the anticipation for the new year even more special.
Finally, allow yourself a moment of conviviality and tradition and taste the famous Aosta Valley coffee, served in the typical friendship cup. Sip coffee laced with grappa, sugar and spices with friends and family gathered around the wooden cup: a symbolic gesture that represents Aosta Valley hospitality and invites sharing and friendship, values that, together with the beauty of nature and Christmas traditions, make Christmas in Aosta Valley an unforgettable experience.
About Aosta Valley: The smallest region of Italy located in the Northwest of the country; Aosta Valley boasts spectacular scenery, world-class skiing and snowboarding, food of the highest quality and a history stretching back to Roman times. At the heart of the alps and bordered by France and Switzerland, Aosta Valley is surrounded by some of the highest peaks in Europe: Cervino, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and the king of them all, Mont Blanc, which at 15,781 feet is the highest mountain in Europe, the roof of the old Continent. With Turin, Milan and Geneva airports all within easy reach, the Aosta Valley resorts are among the easiest to get to from the UK making it an ideal destination for a weekend or short break. For more information on Aosta Valley visit: www.aosta-valley.co.uk
Editor’s Note: For more information please contact: Luisa Uruena, PR Director, Axis Travel Marketing, Riverside House, River Lawn Road Tonbridge TN9 1EP. Tel: 020 8686 2300 Email: luisa@axistravelmarketing.com