Two towns in the Monte Rosa Walser reveal the thousand year old cultural exchange in the region. First clus, the origin of the place-name "Pré des Allemands". It is an example of the gradual integration of two quite different ethnic groups: the local population and the Walsers.

In fact, the area known as "Pré des Allemands" (the Germans' meadow) and which is located on the plain near the village centre ("duarf") was colonised by the German immigrants who, in harmony with the locals coined the place-name in question.

Moreover, Issime's Walser dialect ("töitschu") has always taken terms belonging to other languages or dialects to describe concepts or objects unknown in ancient times.

Potatoes, for instance, are called "trùffili", as in the patois of the Aosta Valley. Secondly, Il "titsch" or Gressoney's German dialect.

Besides a characteristic life style and particular habits, the Walsers who left Switzerland in order to settle down in Monte Rosa's southern valleys carried with them their own language, a variant of "Alemannic", that's to say of the oldest German dialect.

The following is our short translation of F. Brevini's stiff summer walk to the top of the 'Grivola' in the Gran Paradiso mountain range. The article appeared in the 'Corriere della Sera'.

Valle D'Aosta is less than 100 km long and is the smallest region in Italy. It is also completely surrounded by some of the highest mountains in Europe and there is basically only one way of seeing the valley and that's to use the Autostrada Quincinetto Aosta.

Saint Vincent styles itself as 'La Riviera Delle Alpi', and why not. According to the Saint Vincent Municipality Tourist Agency this part of the Aosta Valley means sport, nature, culture, 'spectacular', thermal baths and Casino della Vallée, the 'biggest and most varied gaming-house in the Old Continent'.

Courmayeur, at the foot of Mont Blanc, has become one of the most important skiing zones in the world inn terms of history and facilities. For many it has that rare combination, the spectacular with exclusivity, a magic place for a white week offering a direct route to the slopes of Mont Blanc 4810 meters, the highest peak in Europe.

Mont Gran Paradiso itself reaches 4061 meters in height and is the only summit above 4000 meters in Italy.

A house warming party in the valleys might not be the best idea, bearing in mind the traditional homes are made from wood, but the 'Festa delle Cascine' and the 'Fiera del Legno' at Pont-Saint-Martin on the 20th May is worth a closer look.

Chamois has the honour of being the only comune in Italy which is not accessible by road, and everyone seems to like it that way.

Towns which indicate an adjective or person's name are always worth exploring further and who cannot resist passing by 'Bastardo' in Umbria at least once.

As for Gaby, it is located in the middle of Lys-Valley in a wide and green basin at the foot of two important mountain passes (Colle della Vecchia and Colle Mologna).

The "ruelle" are the characteristic side streets which weave through the centre of Aosta to meet up with the main roads in the city centre. They conceal the most charming hidden corners of Aosta and are much sought-after by local residents.

This is the zone of the Valley which heads north from Aosta to the Swiss border and takes in such towns as Gignod, Oyace, Bionaz, Doues, Etroubles, Saint-Rheimy En-Bosses and Saint-Oyen not far from the Gran San Bernardo Tunnel.

he APT Monte Cervino promotes the valley and slopes at the foot of the Matterhorn. The area can be reached by following the signs to Chatillon and then the road down the valley to Breuil-Cervinia .

On the way take your pick from the resorts of Antey-St Andre, La Magdeleine, Torgnon, Chamois and Valtournenche.

These seven locations form the 'Sette Giorni' and 'Sette Stelle' of the Cervino Valley. ie. The Seven Days and Seven Stars of the Matterhorn Valley.

Take the ski lifts from Breuil Cervinia for the Plateau Rosa Glacier at 3489 meters or the Little Matterhorn at 3883 meters and admire the view.

At Plateau Rosa it is also possible to ski from June to September.

www.cervinia.it

Gressoney Saint Jean is 80 km from Aosta and is an elegant town located on a flat plain at 1385 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by mountain peaks and the nearby Lyskamm glacier.

The historical center contains perfectly preserved 'walser' houses grouped around the 275 year old church of San Giovanni Battista.

The symbol of the town is perhaps the panoramic area known as "Belvedere". Here the Regina Margherita built her holiday home, the Castel Savoia, in 1894.

Visitors in January can catch the international nordic skiing event the "Monterosalauf" which takes place over a 25 km circuit.

Driving up the valley having turned off from the main Aosta autostrada, you will pass through the hamlets of Issime, Gaby, before Gressoney Saint Jean, then onto Gressoney La Trinite and finally the base of Monte Rosa.

www.gressoneymonterosa.it

Cogne lies at the confluence of the rivers Valnontey and Grand'Eyvia some 1534 meters above sea level. It is, therefore, an ideal point to base yourself for discovering the Gran Paradiso National Park. The wide green valley meadow of Sant'Orso is a real sun trap. It is also unusual to find such an open space at this altitude.