Val d'Aosta is a tiny, bilingual (Italian and French speaking) enclave in the northeast corner of Italy that sits on the border with France and Switzerland. This is Alpine country so bring your winter clothes and your ski gear. The upscale ski resort of Courmayeur, population under three thousand, is located near Mount Blanc. On the third Saturday of March Courmayeur hosts a leg of the Italian Winter Triathalon whose participants compete in foot racing, mountain biking and skiing. Towards the end of the month the village of Gaby, population about 500, hosts a traditional festival featuring local gastronomic specialities. Gaby is located in the middle of Lys Valley at the foot of two important mountain passes (Colle della Vecchia and Colle Mologna). Expect something different from your run of the mill Italian festivals because Gaby has a strong Germanic influence. Would you expect an Italian village to be trilingual?
In April the village of Brissogne, population about one thousand, holds its annual Rebatta Competition in which a large spiked ball is balanced on the end of a pipe and tossed quite far. Another local game is featured in the Tsan Competition held in the small town of Pollein, population about 1500. This game supposedly resembles a rudimentary version of baseball, presumably without a designated hitter. The small town of Hone whose population is less than 1200 holds a Feast to honor its patron San Giorgio on April 23. That's the same Saint George who is the patron saint of the English but they do the celebrations differently here.
In early May the small town of Nus, population about 2500, celebrates two local wines Rouge and Malvoisie as well as specialty wines that are vinified from dried grapes. This festival includes folklore performances, a costumed parade and an outdoor banquet which features local food and the new wines. Other events include a free dinner, dancing, and several activities for children. In the interest of full disclosure, this is not an event steeped in local traditions. It was launched by local winemakers about forty years ago. But it still should be quite enjoyable.
This is not all that is happening in the Val d'Aosta region during May. The small town of Donnas, population about 3000, holds its annual Spring Festival. The village of Issime, population about 400, holds a Cow Battle. Starting in the middle of the month and running until mid-September, in the small town of Issogne, population about 1400, the Castle hosts a local costume exhibition.
Author Resource:-
Levi Reiss authored or co-authored ten computer and Internet books but he really prefers drinking fine wine with the right foods. He loves teaching computer classes at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his Italian travel, wine, and food website www.travelitalytravel.com and his global wine website www.theworldwidewine.com featuring a weekly review of $10 wines and new sections writing about and tasting organic and kosher wines.
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