{"id":201,"count":0,"description":"[caption id=\"attachment_1488\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]\"Aosta<\/a> Ch\u00e2teau de Saint-Pierre[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Aosta Valley, more easily called Val d'Aoste<\/strong>, is the smallest of the Italian regions, where nearly 124,000 Vald\u00f4tains live. It is located in the northwest of the country, sharing a border with Switzerland and France.\r\nIt is a mountainous territory with a third of its surface located at more than 2,600 meters of altitude.\r\nIt enjoys a status of partial autonomy. French and Italian are its two official languages. The local dialect is also spoken there.\r\nThe Aosta Valley is crossed by a main valley dominated by several high mountains. It has been controlled for centuries by perched fortresses that are sometimes imposing.\r\nAosta<\/strong> is the main city and the only cultural center of significance, which notably preserves a lovely Roman heritage.\r\n

The four giants of the Alps<\/span><\/h2>\r\nThe Aosta Valley is fed by fourteen lateral valleys that descend from passes and reliefs from the highest of the Alpine peaks. These form the natural borders of the region: Mont Blanc<\/strong> to the west (4,810 m) and its eternal ice; the pyramid-shaped mountain of Matterhorn<\/strong> to the northeast (4,478 m); near the more rounded Monte Rosa<\/strong> (4,634 m) a little further east and the second highest peak of the Alps; and Gran Paradiso<\/strong> to the south (4,061 m).\r\nThis relief mixes typically Alpine scenery with its large glaciers, torrents, alpine lakes, mountain pastures and forests. There you can practice skiing, hiking and various mountain sports.\r\n

The tourist destinations of the Aosta Valley<\/span><\/h2>\r\n

The territory can be seen in 7 main tourist areas:<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n