Highlights
Great Saint Bernard Pass
The third highest pass in Switzerland connects Marigny in Switzerland with Aosta in Italy. It is the most ancient passage through the western Alps, dating back to the Bronze Age.
This area is also where St Bernard dogs were first used in search and rescue operations.
In 1049, St Bernard de Menthon decided to establish the monastery and hospice for helping travelers cross this highest point. In the mid-16-hundreds St Bernard dogs were given to the monk as watchdog and companions. Monks and St Bernard dogs started working together to help find people buried under the snow. Nowadays you can visit the ancient monastery and walk this area with dogs around you.
Aosta Valley
The smallest region in Italy welcomes you into a fantastic mountain setting. Located between France and Switzerland, the Aosta is classified as an autonomous region. The oldest National Park in Italy lies in this region. Ibex, chamois, eagles, and marmots live in this diverse habitat. Among these spectacular alpine scenery, you will see lush vineyards. The Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle or the Torette will give you another perspective of this trip. Then after your walking day, sample a glass of the Genepi Liquor.
Vercelli, the European rice capital
Crisscrossed by rivers, Vercelli is the ideal place for rice production. Indeed rice paddies are the main characteristic of the city. Plains are symmetrically divided and submerged for most of the year, reflecting the sky’s colours. The rice produced in Vercelli is used primarily for risotto recipes. This rice is very well-known across Europe and is more round than Basmati and other long-grain rice.
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