Travel Guides: Italy Travel Guide: Overview
In Southern Europe—right in the heart of the Mediterranean—lies a boot-shaped country stuffed to the brim with culture, history and fine cuisine.
Walking & Hiking
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Italy's Gran Paradiso to Matterhorn Family Walking & Hiking Tour - Older Teens & 20s
Glacier, Peaks & Alpine Elegance—The Italian Alps’ Aosta Valley
More than just an impressive slice of Europe’s mightiest mountain range, the Italian Alps have an undeniably unique spirit and renowned legend all their own. Some of the world’s best hiking trails meander through a landscape of lost-in-time huts, historic villages and glistening glaciers. Proud locals offer exquisite fare and world-class hospitality to travelers and families looking for luxury, inspiration and escape. Andiamo!
THIS ITINERARY: 6 days, 5 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Premiere Hotels
FROM:
$5,099 pp dbl occ
($500 for sgl occ)
2021 Italy's Gran Paradiso to Matterhorn map
Italy
Start/End Turin
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Journey with your family into an Italy less traveled and hike amid grand peaks and glaciers
- Discover footpaths to remote alpine lakes and forests, just steps away from our hotel’s front door
- Experience a unique mountain culture and lively ancient traditions that still hold strong
- Arrive at the summit of active family travel from hiking trails to historic retreats in the Italian Alps
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Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Premiere Hotels
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Days 1-2
Hike with your family through Gran Paradiso, Italy’s oldest nature reserve and an aptly named national park | Trails through a dense green forest lead to cascading waterfalls in the Aosta Valley | Catch a glimpse of the regal alpine ibex, a species saved from near extinction that now thrives in the region’s high altitude terrain | Venture to fairy-tale mountain hamlets, encountering traditional architecture and unique local customs | Linger over a post-hike libation and incredible farm-to-table fare at our exquisite Relais & Châteaux lodge.
Bellevue Hotel & Spa
Cogne
| Premiere Hotel Once a royal hunting lodge, this 100-year-old mountain resort has maintained a palatial sensibility, with decadent décor, unparalleled views and garden-fresh Michelin-starred cuisine. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)
Day 3
Arrive at the base of the legendary Matterhorn | Known here as Monte Cervino, this incomparable peak rises up along the Italian-Swiss border | Hike above the alpine town of Breuil-Cervinia to craggy slopes below Cervino for beautiful views of the Valtournenche | A classic rifugio (traditional mountain hut) hosts your family for lunch and breathtaking vistas | Wildflowers, waterfalls and unusual boulder formations make for a scenic descent | Complete the day with a soak in thermal waters at our regal hotel, a historic estate in Saint-Vincent.
Grand Hôtel Billia
Saint-Vincent
| Premiere Hotel A Leading Hotels of the World property in the heart of the Italian Alps where belle époque splendor blends effortlessly with elegant simplicity. (pool, spa)
Days 4-6
Catch a ride in an all-terrain Jeep to our trailhead at Piani di Verra | Trek rugged mountain trails with stunning views of lakes, glaciers and the Monte Rosa massif | Get insight into the region’s fascinating history and one-of-a-kind culture with our local guide | From the comfort of your family's cozy chalet rooms—once part of an ancient Walser village—watch as alpenglow lights up the rockface in sorbet hues | Grand boulevards, Baroque palaces and chic piazzas await in Turin, Piedmont’s elegant capital and our captivating gateway city.
Hotellerie de Mascognaz
Mascognaz
| Premiere Hotel Natural wood design, stone features and lush surroundings are just part of the allure of this chalet-style alpine oasis, whose traditional charms are elevated only by its breathtaking setting. (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
- 2021
- Jan
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Activity Level: 3-5
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do. LEARN MORE.
Note: The terrain on this trip includes access roads, mountain hiking paths and rocky exposed single-track trails.
While we offer daily hiking options on this trip, you should be aware that most hikes include steep ascents and descents as well as hiking at elevation, which is typically between 6,000 and 8,000 feet—and one day at 12,000 feet. While you're free to take your time navigating the sometimes rocky and uneven terrain, you should feel comfortable carrying your daypack (with plenty of water) while tackling the daily ascents and descents.
Backroads provides hiking poles, which are very helpful.
What's Included
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Terrain & Trail Support
Our hikes through this captivating rugged terrain climb rocky and sometimes uneven paths, most of which are remote and do not intersect with roads accessible by Backroads vans. In some cases our shuttles will get us to and from the trailheads, but due to the hard-to-reach nature of these trails, we usually won't see our vehicles along the route. Ample trail support in the form of water, snacks and encouragement is provided by your Backroads leaders and local guides.
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