Valle D’Aosta packs quite a punch, despite being the smallest region in Italy: the valley is home to a plethora of high peaks that also happen to be the tallest in Europe–Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc in French), the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and Grand Paradiso–plus some of the country’s best skiing, most jaw-dropping vistas, and underrated gastronomy. 

Like all border areas, Valle D’Aosta is the true melting pot of its neighbors France, Switzerland, Piedmont, and Lombardy, and the region’s historic Franco-Provençal influence left lasting effects on the language, the architecture of the massive and fortified castles, and the nature of the people. We’ve geared our three-day itinerary of Valle D’Aosta towards those of you who want to see a bit of it all.