Italy’s smallest region is the perfect place for wellness lovers and active travellers alike to pamper their mind, body and soul in inspiringly scenic surroundings
While best known for its epic snow resorts and majestic peaks the Aosta Valley, or Valle d'Aosta, in north-western Italy also packs a punch in the wellness world. Whether the focus of a relaxing break or simply offering a convenient way to iron out a few aches after a day of outdoor activities its wellness offering ticks a lot of boxes.
Wellness tourism is not new to the Aosta Valley, however, having formed the basis of its nascent tourism industry which gathered pace in the early 1800s, while the curative properties of its natural thermal springs were known back in Roman times.
Top spots include Terme di Saint-Vincent (termedisaintvincent.com) which owes its location to the discovery of the mineral-rich thermal spring at Saint-Vincent in 1770, whose curative qualities earned it the moniker of Fons Salutis, or spring of health. Open year round, the modern facility is the result of a major redevelopment programme begun in 2007. Aside from its trademark treatments such as hydrotherapy, massotherapy and inhalation therapy, major selling points include the picture windows and panoramic terraced pool area which make the most of the jaw-drop views.
The natural springs of Pré Saint Didier underpin another popular pampering spot, the QC Terme Pré-Saint-Didier. Since 1800, this majestic spa located at the foot of Mont Blanc features the elegance of the nineteenth-century palace, with breath-taking views of the Mont Blanc mountain. Just a few kilometres from the ski resorts of Courmayeur and La Thuile, this is an ideal starting point to explore the region in every season and to fully restore in invigorating waterfalls, whirlpools with thermal water from the depths of the Orrido river and wood chalet-saunas combining all the scents of the mountain.
In fact, well-equipped spas and spa-backed accommodation offerings can be found throughout the Aosta Valley. Another good bet is the Monterosa Terme spa in Champoluc (monterosaspa.it), while local-style treatments to watch out for include alpine juniper massages and hay baths.
Not surprisingly, packages combining wellness with active options prove popular. A good example is the new combination offer in La Thuile which enables visitors buying ski passes on the Piccolo San Bernardo cableway service to enjoy savings at Re delle Alpi hotel’s Wellness & Relax SPA (redellealpi.com). To bag the deal simply go to the cableway ticket boxes and request the ski + wellness option.
Options for yoga fans include Camp Zero Active Luxury Resort in Champoluc, which is to hold a five-day, full-board yoga retreat led by the instructor Tim Senesi from April 14-19 (campzero.com)
Whatever your focus though the fact remains that few environments today can compete with the clean, serene nature of local life in the Aosta Valley, its world-class spa and wellness facilities perfectly complimented by the excellent cuisine, enviable fresh air and breadth of outdoor activities.