Hidden treasures: 4 unusual things to do in the Aosta Valley

4 unusual things to do in the Aosta Valley

1. Stargazing at the Astronomical Observatory of Saint Barthelemy

Most tourists visit the Aosta Valley for its natural beauty. This is a popular destination for sports fans and nature enthusiasts, but that’s not all there is to it. If you want to treat your team to a unique and unforgettable experience, book a guided visit to the Astronomical Observatory of Saint Barthelemy. This observatory, which is also an active research centre, contains some of the most advanced equipment in the world, including the Heliophysics Laboratory, which allows scientists (and lucky visitors) to look safely at the sun. Don’t forget to visit the Planetarium, to observe galaxies and planets and to learn about their unique characteristics.

P. Calcidese–Fondazione C. Fillietroz, ONLUS/ESO [CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)]

2. Visiting Fort Bard

Fort Bard is a majestic XIX Century fortified complex, named after the town over which it presides. Perched on a rock, the fortress has been used for centuries to control the comings and goings in the region and then fell into disrepair. In the XX Century, it was restored and it opened to the public again in 2006. It now houses the Alps museum, which uses the latest technologies to allow visitors to experience the unique natural aspects of this mountain range, from its geology to its fauna and flora. Fort Bard’s most recent claim to fame is that it featured in the 2015 film “Avengers: Age of Ultron”. If you visit in summer or spring, you might be able to catch one of the many concerts and plays that take place in the fort’s courtyard.

3. Exploring the Gran Paradiso National Park

This is one of the most important natural parks in Italy and the first one ever opened. The park’s symbol is the steinbock (Alpine Ibex), a particular species of mountain goat that lives in the European Alps. The park, with its impressive 71 hectares and over 4000 metres of altitude, one of the richest and most diverse natural reserves in Italy, and is home to thousands of different species of flora and fauna. Book a walking tour of the park for a team of nature lovers and sports enthusiasts, as well as all the amateur photographers in your team.

4. Discovering Skyway Montebianco – your event venue in the sky

This impressive cable car is not only the best way to reach the perennial glaciers of Monte Bianco, but also a unique event venue for small groups. Travel in style, in the rotating cars that climb up to 3500 metres, taking in the breath-taking alpine scenery, and book the facilities in any of the stations for a delicious corporate lunch, a party, or a meeting that will exceed all expectations.