Today we tend think of Valle d'Aosta as off the beaten track, save for skiers and serious hikers. Yet for millennia it was a well-trod crossroads and one of the main access routes between northern and southern Europe. In the 3rd century, Hannibal marched his elephants through the valley and Generations of Roman legions trudged through, building roads and bridges that are still used today. For centuries, an unending stream of pilgrims trekked through on their way to Rome, braving impossible snows, exhausting altitudes and the exorbitant tolls levied by local lords.

Though no longer on the itineraries of many foreign travelers, this small region boasts a number of wonderful attractions and sites. Visitors can take advantage of the mild, and sunny climate – which differs from the area on the other side of the Alps.