What are the favorite destinations for foreigners visiting Italy in autumn? Usually, they are cities such as Rome, Florence, Venice, or seaside resorts where the climate remains pleasant until October (Amalfi, Taormina, Sardinia, etc.). Yet this year, two regions steal the scene from the traditional destinations. And they are two regions you might not expect: small, discreet, shyly “hidden” and away from the beaches. Discover them with us, taking advantage of our chauffeur-driven car services ready to take you from the airports to the most beautiful locations.
September in the Aosta Valley
Cradled in the far northwest of the Italian peninsula, this small region Valle d’Aosta consists of a single large valley, the Aosta Valley in fact. Surrounded by the protective “rocky walls” of the Pennine and Graian Alps, with four massifs over 4,000 meters watching over it (Mont Blanc, Mt Rosa, Cervino, Gran Paradiso), it offers wonderful views and dozens of interesting activities to enjoy – especially in autumn.
Mountain hikes, climbing, and experiential tourism at farms and mountain pastures… all this is combined with visits to fascinating places. Aosta is the most important city and also the capital of the region. Known as the “Rome of the North,” it still preserves splendid intact ruins of ancient Roman buildings (the Arch of Augustus, the City Walls, Villa Consolata, the Forum Porch, the Gate Pretoria, and more). A visit to Aosta’s historic center is almost like visiting the center of Rome, but with a cooler climate. There’s no shortage of churches, castles, and museums, which, along with the public parks, make a stroll in Aosta interesting and relaxing.
Other towns worth visiting in the Aosta Valley are definitely Cogne, Courmayeur, La Thuile, Gressoney-Saint-Jean, and Saint-Vincent. In Saint-Vincent, especially, it’s worth experiencing the Pré-Saint-Didier spa, with its springs and waterfalls that guarantee physical well-being. Part of the Aosta Valley includes the Gran Paradiso National Park, the most ancient in Italy. Here, accompanied by local guides, you can admire mountain panoramas and animals of rare beauty, such as ibex, eagles, sparrowhawks, and buzzards. VERY IMPORTANT: you must know that the people of Aosta speak a weird Italian, mixed with French dialects. So you can also use French to communicate and have conversations.
Autumn holidays in green Umbria
In the center of the Italian peninsula, here is another small and charming destination. The Umbria region is also known as the “green heart of Italy” because of its pristine hills and forests, where human architecture blends perfectly with nature. Like the Aosta Valley, Umbria is also landlocked and offers purely mountainous “natural monuments.” In autumn, some forests take on the beautiful warm colors of the leaves, while others maintain their shady green. Nature hikes here are a spectacle in any season!
Umbria is divided into two districts: Perugia and Terni. The two capitals are true gems of medieval architecture; visiting them will make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. Wonders such as the Aqueduct, the Rocca Paolina, the Etruscan Well, the Cathedral (Perugia), or as the Archaeological Museum, the Amphitheater, Palazzo Spada, and the many churches (Terni) are just a taste of what you’ll see in the rest of the region.
Other must-see towns in Umbria include: Orvieto, Spoleto, Assisi, Gubbio, Città di Castello, Foligno, Narni… to name just a few. Remember that every village here is a little treasure waiting to be discovered. Other destinations that will charm tourists include the Marmore wateralls, the great volcanic Lake Trasimeno, and the trails of the Monte Cucco Regional Park.
How to get there and where to stay
To fully experience these two Italian regions, you need to know how to get there and plan your trip without neglecting the details. With us, you can do it with no stress.
To reach the Aosta Valley, we recommend landing at Turin Caselle Airport (TRN) or Milan Malpensa (MXP), despite Aosta having a small regional airport too. Both international airports are well connected to the “Vallée” and the surrounding accommodations. To stay in the Aosta Valley, we recommend either a B&B in Aosta or a farmhouse in the mountains, a charming and perfect option for families and solo travelers.
In Umbria, you can stay in delightful B&Bs – which are almost everywhere in the medieval towns and villages. A unique experience could be staying in convents and sanctuaries, many of which offer hospitality but also the opportunity to participate in the life of the monks and nuns. Take it from us… they don’t pray all the time! They also offer tourists short courses in herbal medicine, crafts, or cooking! The reference airport is Perugia Umbria San Francesco (PEG).
