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Gressoney-Saint-Jean
(1385m), appreciated for its architecture, its walks and its sumptuous
cross-country trails, is characterised by a traditional hospitality:
from the inns dating back to the middle of the 19th century which
welcomed English and German intellectuals and mountaineers, and
Queen Margherita’s stays at the beginning of the 20th century,
to the tourists that are nowadays attracted by the particular
atmosphere of a landscape, which environmental legislation has
protected for many decades. The fascination of a mountain village
which has developed without losing its ancient charm. The Walser
villages, the 16th-century church, the 19thcentury villas, Castle
Savoia with the alpine garden, the “Alpenfaunamuseum”
and its collection of trophies and weapons, but also the small
squares and Lake Gover’s park are well worth a visit and
they represent the ideal place for a relaxing holiday.
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Gressoney-La-Trinité
(1637m), situated at the foot of Monte Rosa and in the heart of
the ski area “Monterosa Ski”, o.ers excellent tourist
facilities, not only in winter. It represents the starting point
for wonderful treks and mountain hikes to Monte Rosa’s 4000-metrehigh
peaks. Besides e.cient infrastructure Gressoney-La-Trinité
allows you to admire its small alpine lakes and to enjoy the unforgettable
sights of Monte Rosa’s most beautiful face. The hamlets,
whose wooden houses of Walser origin are spread out on the mountainsides,
seem to look at the church with its typical belfry and they bear
witness to the ancient history of this small but great mountain
village. Gressoney-La-Trinité is nowadays appreciated not
only by Italians but also by our North European friends, who like
its alpine style and its soul which is still a little bit “wild”
and undiscovered. |
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The
Walsers are a Germanic folk who crossed the Monte Rosa and colonised
its southern valleys. Gressoney’s origins are re.ected in
the language, in the traditions and in the architecture, whose beauty
is increased by a splendid natural environment. The Walsers have
one of the loveliest histories among the numerous “minor”
peoples of the Alps.
Names, costumes, traditions, houses and tales remind us of a folk
that was able to soothe nature’s hostility by facing it frankly
or by moulding it with intelligence and aesthetic sense. These nomadic
travellers and clever farmers and builders got from poor grounds
the resources for their families and stones and trunks for their
houses.
After freeing themselves from the medieval yokes, they became enterprising
merchants who sold cloth in the countries they had previously cros-sed.
They knew then how to receive the romantic English travellers, who
were hiking on the “Grand Tour” in order to discover
the Alps, and with typical discretion they earned Queen Margherita’s
benevolence.
Italy’s sovereign stayed in Gressoney in the stone castle
that she had had built according to the medieval style in the splendid
woodland called “Belvedere”. The Walser culture of today
is represented by a dialect that people jealously defend, architecture
and an environment which the inhabitants take great care of, religious
festivals and events framed by the strong colours and the golden
.ligree of women’s costume, as well as gastronomy with elaborate
dishes and genuine tastes or hand-made products of local carpentry
and embroidery. The Walsers’ land is now an attractive tourist
resort but it can still o.er something very particular such as an
aperitif in the small village square or a walk on the woody mountainsides,
where you expect to meet a queen and to become part of the legend
that someone told you the night before. |
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Vast
oceans of snow reflecting the blue sky, a sea of ice crystals and
rolling waves shining in the sun's rays, expansive skiing with views
across to the Mont Blanc range....dream of a winter sports holiday
with a real difference. |
| Perched
on a plateau at 1140 metres, high above the valley below, the village
resort of Les Carroz offers a huge range of activities to lovers
of the Great Outdoors -both winter and summer.
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Beautiful
scenery, entertainment, relaxation and friendliness: the four golden
rules of a successful resort, combined with the charm and authenticity
of what was once, and still remains a traditional haut-Savoyard
village, means that Les Carroz is ideally equipped to offer you
a wonderful holiday. |
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