Marta's Monterosa Blog

I am passionate about the Alps. They are my heart's home and the place where I would like to spend the last day of my life. I have been a tourist in the village of Champoluc in the Italian Monterosa for all my life and worked as a tourist operator in this area since more than 15 years.

I believe in respect for the special environment of this place that you can find only here. We all gain by enjoying its beauty, while trying to make a minimum impact at the same time. Leave it for our children in the future!

I believe in respect for people who live here with their traditions and culture, language, and work, their genuine products and delicious wines. They open their homes for us, tourists and meet us as their guests, if we are able to open our hearts for them. I have a friend who is a hotel owner and he says that when stressed people from the city come to his place, he tells them to sit down and take a drink before they even begin to worry if they have a room. Perhaps, we can bring a little of their kindness and calmness with us on our way back to the city.

My philosophy is to give back a little of what the mountains and the people from this place have given to me and to my family through my work, to communicate my philosophy and my passion to those who follow me on the blog, and in my trips as a tour operator.

If you would like to visit Champoluc, Gressoney, Alagna or other villages in the Aosta Valley, trek or ski in the Monterosa, discover Sardinia or other places we offer, contact us.

Champoluc in November, part 1

Posted: Dec 2, 2014
Categories: Champoluc, Blog
Comments: 0
Author: Pedro

2014-10-30

Arrival at Milan Malpensa Airport. A giant monument of everything about Italy that you don’t like. It’s terrible. This fantastic country with all its beauty and this is the best they can do for an airport! Rental car and directly in to Milan. When I can I always try to make some time for Milan. It’s a great city. This time I got stuck at Prada. I can only make one store at the time. It is draining. I tried jackets. One jacket more beautiful than the next. And more expensive than the next too. But what a fantastic material and what perfection. Made in Italy. 100%.

After Prada I went straight to have an “aperitivo” at Cova on Via Monte Napoleone. It is truly a classic café. The aperitivo at the bar, standing, is very nice indeed. Try some champagne or wine. Or if you are a friend of Bill’s, try an Italian Crodino. You will be served lots of small appetizers to your drink and will not leave the place disappointed.

Top level jackets, Gucci, Italy

Right across the street from Cova is the store Larusmiani. A top level clothing store - pre globalization. Fantiastic beauty and true quality. Made in Italy at its highest.

See this video to have a clue.

On my way to Champoluc I couldn’t miss having dinner at one of my favourite restaurants all categories and places – Albatross in Gallarate. It is off the freeway on the way to Valle d’Aosta. Fish and seafood Sardinia style.

2014-10-31

The weather is truly great with a big sun and a blue sky. And it is warm so late in the fall. I have to run some errands in Aosta, a beautiful little city with Roman artefacts, such as the amazing Porta Praetoria, 25 B.C. There are cafées, clothing stores and restaurants. It is totally worth the trip and nice to stroll around a few hours.

Ruins in Aosta

I get back to Champoluc not before 5 pm, so the day is pretty much used up.

2014-11-01

A (too) long walk to Monte Facciabella (2621 m) in the November air. Still sunny and warm but with the air and the colors of autumn. Starting out from the village of Mandriou (1850 m) and taking the trail straight up to the farm and agriturismo, La Tchavana.

After a short rest continue the trail up to the beautiful chapel, Cappella Sarteur. Making a right turn and continuing up to the pass of Vascoccia (2568 m). Right again and then a short lunch break: piece of cheese, slice of salami, carrot and water. Not so bad. Yes and some chocolate. Then only a few hundred meters to the point with the great view in the autumn afternoon light. Looking at the beautiful glaciers of Monterosa where I have not been able to go yet.

2014-11-02

After yesterday I can tell I was really tired. I slept 12 hours straight, even more. I bought some food at la Slivia and meat from the butcher Lucio. Then a little walk up to the wonderful village of Mascognaz (1810 m). It is a Walser village from way back and it is slowly being restored. One of my favorite short walks. It takes about 30 minutes to go up there and the same to return.

Start from the city center, la piazza. Find the way, it goes alongside a parking lot first, and continue up to the first bridge. Here you can go right or follow the steeper trail to the left. Walk on and you will reach Mascognaz after a while. There are some really beautiful places on the way up where you can see the waterfalls. Once you are up there make a right and turn back and you find the Walser trail going down to Champoluc.

(Guest author: Pedro Capetillo)

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