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Aosta or No?

Posted by (Portland, OR) on

Next month we land in Milan on Friday the 26th around noon. We have been to Italy at least a dozen times, but never to any of these places, except Bellagio.

Itinerary as follows:

Land on the 26th at MXP pick up rental car.
Drive straight to Bellagio for three nights.
Drive to Aosta for two nights.
Drive to Monforte d’Alba for three nights.
Drive to Santa Margherita Ligure (drop car) for four nights.
Train to Milan for two nights.
Fly home May 10th from MXP.

We love experiencing regional cuisine and wines. Check list site seeing isn’t our thing. I feel this itinerary gives us a good sampling of each area and wines.

I am open to suggestions, especially regarding Aosta. I have been researching all of these locations for months and I still feel in the dark on Aosta. Is there not a lot written about it because it’s not worth the time? We have been to Chamonix twice and I picture this is what Aosta will be like. Any feedback is welcome and appreciated.

In Milan I am really looking forward to the Duomo, Eataly and of course the Starbucks roastery. Any restaurant recommendations are also welcome. While we enjoy fine dining now and then, we are more interested in neighborhood restaurants and trattorias.

Grazie in advance.

Posted by
88 posts

We spent the night in Aosta a few years back and enjoyed the old town atmosphere. There are roman ruins and not too much tourists. Also there are large mountains all around. In the evenings the locals like to walk through town. It's worth a stop, and spend the night. It was rainy while we were there and we had lunch in a place were they didn't speak english. The owner and his wife had us smiling and enjoying ourselves and the lunch was very good!

Posted by
378 posts

Hi April,

We were in Aosta in 2015, mainly using it as a base to visit the small (very small) town where our friend's grandmother was from. Like you, we didn't find a lot written about it. I used this website which was helpful. There are quite a bit of Roman ruins in the town which were very interesting. Good food and wine, too.

In Milan, we enjoyed Signorvino on Via Dante. Great wine shop with lots of options and small plates. Also in Milan, Da Rita e Antonio near Sforza Castle. It's listed in Rick's " Snapshot - Milan & the Italian Lakes District" printed in 2014. But, we've eaten there 3 different times over a couple of years, and we seem to be the only tourists in the restaurant. Another restaurant with a great wine selection and fantastic food we enjoyed was Convivium Ristorante. And again, no other tourists in sight. (It is also in Rick's book noted above.)

We also stayed in Monforte d'Alba during one trip and thoroughly enjoyed the area. Lots to see and do. Hopefully you can make it to the Bank of Wine. We toured the cellar and did a tasting there.

Hope this helps. Have a great trip!

Posted by
1130 posts

Thank you so much Mother Duck! The wine bank wasn’t even on my radar; I had no idea! Oh my, we may need to add a day to Piemonte! I have also bookmarked your restaurant recommendations. Thank you very much. 😊

Posted by
3300 posts

If you’re going to Aosta, drive a little further to Courmayeur and take the Skyway Monte Bianco for a great experience and the magnificent scenery of the Italian Alps.

Posted by
13 posts

Hi April! We land in Milan on May 14 and drive straight to Aosta for 3 nights. If you e-mail me a few days after that I can share my thoughts! We leave Italy May 24, so those thoughts may be brief, but I'd be happy to provide an update at that time!

Posted by
4105 posts

@melissa. This is a public forum, if you don't want to be bombarded w/unnecessary junk, remove your email and private message the op by clicking on his name.

Posted by
91 posts

We love Aosta! Nice and relaxing. Go and be sure to visit the castle in nearby Fenis and the Museo in Nus.

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