Italian city as pretty as Rome but with way less tourists | Europe | Travel

A delightful little city in Italy’s northwesternmost corner has remained vastly undiscovered by international holidaymakers despite its incredible charm.

Nicknamed the Little Rome in the Alps thanks to the many Roman artefacts littering its every street, Aosta played a pivotal role in the history of the ancient empire.

Its construction was ordered by Emperor Augustus, who wanted a strong outpost on the Alps to monitor the Gauls. 

The city is guarded by three of the tallest massifs in the Pennine Alps that separate Italy from France and Switzerland – Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn.

While the area is popular with skiers over the winter months, the city’s rich history has plenty to offer to visitors all year round.

Aosta has the second-largest collection of Roman artefacts in Italy, second only to Rome – and well-preserved traces of the civilisation remain in full sight from the very entrance of the city.

Visitors are welcomed into the city centre by the Arch of Augustus, which serves as the gateway to the high street Via Sant’Anselmo.

Here you will find a large collection of shops and cafés selling typical products such as Caffé alla Valdostana – an espresso with grappa and genepí, a traditional liqueur.

This type of coffee is served in a traditional grolla, a round wooden container with an even number of spouts that is passed around drinking companions to drink from in a custom believed to help strengthen family and friendship bonds.

At the end of Via Sant’Anselmo stand the remains of Porta Pretoria, which once served as the main point of entry into the Roman city.

Just a few steps away is the Roman theatre with a 22-metres-high façade, which immediately highlights the mastery of the Roman architects.

From the Porta Pretoria, visitors will get to take in the Medieval part of Aosta leading to the main Emile Chanoux Square, which houses the city hall and some lovely patisseries where to enjoy local products like Tegole and French style patisserie.

Aosta has a very small city centre and is very walkable. The local government has also recently inaugurated an extensive bicycle lane.

From Aosta, holidaymakers can head to the mountains to enjoy some lovely views and walks at Gran Paradiso National Park.

History buffs will have plenty to explore thanks to the hundreds of castles and forts built over the centuries across the region.

Among the most notable are the Forte di Bard, which featured in Avengers: Age of Ultron; Savoy Castle in Gressoney and Issogne Castle.