Italian Alps- Courmayeur

The area is breathtaking, the Italian Alps, and in addition to Courmayeur, there is also Aosta, the last great Roman garrison guarding the northern passes. Have never stayed in Courmayeur, but Aosta is a lot of fun and a really interesting place to wander and look at Roman ruins.

The gondola you are referring to is probably the one to Helbronner, which connects to the Vallee Blanche Aerial Tramway that goes to the Aguille du Midi. A great trip if it is running, but I have heard it isn't open yet from some maintenance. Check it out before you go. If you DO get to Helbronner, stop into the bar and order a "doppio corretto" and gaze at the peaks while you drink it.

Rick Steves concentrates his research on areas that he likes and which he perceives others will like. Note that in his Italy book he pretty much omits Bologna, but spends hundreds of pages on the smaller hill towns and the Cinque Terre. In his French guide he really only covers the Left Bank of Paris for hotels and restaurants, omitting the 9th, 10th, and 11th Arrondissements almost entirely.

Buy a copy of Lonely Planet and you will have a decent guide to that area. The TI offices in Aosta and in Chamonix have lots of good info, as well.

Will do! Thank you very much!

Kingsman: Golden Circle has a big scene set in the Courmayeur Mont Blanc Funivie Skyway station and in the gondola. See http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/kingsman-the-golden-circle/52124/the-vfx-secrets-behind-kingsman-the-golden-circles-cable-car-scene.

As mentioned above, unfortunately the Panoramic Mont Blanc cable cars are closed this summer - https://www.chamonix.com/telecabine-panoramique-mont-blanc,48-156870,en.html .

You should be able to go up to Pointe Helbronner and have lunch or whatever.