VALSESIA: THE GREENEST VALLEY IN ITALY
A paradise for sport, culture and nature, just a stone's throw from the major cities: from the pistes of Monterosa Ski to the artistic marvels of Varallo Sesia, capital of religious architecture; from the delightful villages along the Sermenza and Mastallone to the rushing waters of the Sesia, a great favourite with rafting, canoeing and kayak enthusiasts; from the art of fake marble to the tradition of the scapin, warm slippers in fabric material.
The Sacro Monte di Varallo, founded in 1491, is the oldest and the most complex of its kind from a religious and artistic point of view. It consists of a basilica and fifty chapels which contain over 800 lifelike statues in wood or terracotta which tell the story of the life of Christ.
An Alpine zone of international renown, with a surprisingly large artistic heritage, superlative craftwork and tastes and flavours absolutely not to be missed.
Downhill, cross-country skiing, free ride, alpine skiing among the peaks of Mount Rosa .
Thank to the connection with the Valle D'Aosta , Valsesia makes one of the Europe 's greatest skiing area fully available to enthusiasts. From Alagna Valsesia ( 1,212 m ), thanks to the super modern Pianalunga – Passo dei Salati – Gressoney connection, all those who love snow can spend their days skiing for tens of kilometres, without ever repeating the same piste, returning to base in the evening, where the can spend their nights and the whole of their holiday, amid a picture book Walser setting.
For those who do not ski, Alagna offers a splendid glimpse of Walser culture, a German-speaking population which settled in the Alta Valle during the medieval period: their characteristic houses, in wood and stone. Facing the Valle del Sesia, the panoramic pistes of Mera stretch out over gentle ridges and are suitable for everyone, children and beginners included. Mera is currently experiencing a kind of rebirth: in view of the 2006 Winter Olympics, all its facilities are being renewed, with the construction of three new ski lifts and the provision of a powerful programmed snow facility.
The hydro graphic basin of the River Sesia, one of the most varied and picturesque in the Alps , also offers, for even the most demanding sportsman or woman, excellent fishing e.g. Speckled trout, alpine grayling and many others.
The proximity of the international airports of Milano Malpensa, Turin Caselle make access to the valley easy and simple affair.
