From Torino we headed into the Italian Alps and settled on staying in Valnontey, in the Valle d`Aosta.
Before we left we decided that we would have a go at camping to save a bit of cash and also because when we had found it difficult to find a place to crash in the past, there always seemed to be campsites available. We found a sleepy camping store in Torino and bought the cheapest, crappest camping supplies we could find. Being the middle of summer we thought our "summer" tents would be fine. Little did we know we would be camped at the base of a snow capped mountain for the next 3 nights.
We found the campsite, "Lo Stambecco", pitched, and noticed the temperature dropping rapidly.
Valnontey - the campsite is just on the left. Spectacular views all around, we couldnt believe where we were. The valley is surrounded by mountains, the one you can see here is snow capped all year round.
Tents (Em + Coreys tent was 2 man in name only, it was barely big enough to fit their mattress. It is eclipsed in this photo by our luxury "3 man" model.)
The first night was a rude awakening. It was FREEZING. We all slept really badly, particularly Em and Rice who were smashed up against the sides of their wet and dewey tent.
But the views in the morning made it all worth while...
More views...
and more...
The weather on the second night was even worse, we sat in a little restaurant in the village and watched 3 hours of torrential rain swamp our poor-quality tents which, as we had been told repeatedly by the store owner, were "not ok for rain". Surprisingly they stayed reasonably dry, but another shit nights sleep ensued regardless.
Little restaurant a few hours before the downpour. This was our favourite spot for dinner, we ate there 2 nights. Really cozy, mountain chalet sort of feel, funny staff and great food.
During the days we did some sightseeing around the valley. All the surrounding villages were small, quaint and picturesque set against an amazing backdrop.
View from the village of Aosta, a bit bigger than Valnontey but quite small none the less. Cool shops and cafes.
We hired mountain bikes from the campsite on one of the days and rode into another nearby town, Cogne. Coreys bike had no brakes which was amusing.
Riding along the river to Cogne.
A sound-of-musicy meadow with the village of Cogne in the background
Native alpine garden opposite our campsite, the first stop on our biking expidition.
We also walked out to the nearby Lillaz watefall and hiked to the top. Amazing views again, and freezing cold pools along the way, one of which we had a swim in.
Views from the bridge crossing the waterfall. Emily and Angie were petrified that Rice and I would plunge to our deaths as we posed for photos.
Bridge again
Grassy plataeu near the top as the sun was disappearing.
The pool on the way back down.
The water was freezing, possibly the coldest water Ive ever swum in. It is basically melted snow, straight from the mountain top. Brain freezing cold. But Angie dared me to go in, I did in my undies, and she had to follow, then Em also took the plunge, while Rice stayed dry and took the photos.
Angie getting in. 
Cold!
The waterfall fell right off the edge about 50m down to the next pool. Nice undies.
We headed out to Monte Bianco and took one of the chairlifts half way up. The full distance was a bit too exxy and the temperature up there was around 0° so we only went half way.
Another alpine garden at the half way point.
Mountain track from the chair lift stop, we walked for about an hour then stopped for a snooze while Em and Corey kept going.
Hunting for local Marmuts
Not a bad view from our resting point
A funny little kind of motorbike/ute that we saw everywhere once we got back into the town. Angie wants one for carting horse stuff when we get home.
On the way out of the Alps we did a quick tour of a few of the many castles that line the river through the valleys. Here is one that we actually went into.
Next stop Lake Como...
Before we left we decided that we would have a go at camping to save a bit of cash and also because when we had found it difficult to find a place to crash in the past, there always seemed to be campsites available. We found a sleepy camping store in Torino and bought the cheapest, crappest camping supplies we could find. Being the middle of summer we thought our "summer" tents would be fine. Little did we know we would be camped at the base of a snow capped mountain for the next 3 nights.
We found the campsite, "Lo Stambecco", pitched, and noticed the temperature dropping rapidly.
Valnontey - the campsite is just on the left. Spectacular views all around, we couldnt believe where we were. The valley is surrounded by mountains, the one you can see here is snow capped all year round.
Tents (Em + Coreys tent was 2 man in name only, it was barely big enough to fit their mattress. It is eclipsed in this photo by our luxury "3 man" model.)The first night was a rude awakening. It was FREEZING. We all slept really badly, particularly Em and Rice who were smashed up against the sides of their wet and dewey tent.
But the views in the morning made it all worth while...
More views...
and more...
The weather on the second night was even worse, we sat in a little restaurant in the village and watched 3 hours of torrential rain swamp our poor-quality tents which, as we had been told repeatedly by the store owner, were "not ok for rain". Surprisingly they stayed reasonably dry, but another shit nights sleep ensued regardless.
Little restaurant a few hours before the downpour. This was our favourite spot for dinner, we ate there 2 nights. Really cozy, mountain chalet sort of feel, funny staff and great food.During the days we did some sightseeing around the valley. All the surrounding villages were small, quaint and picturesque set against an amazing backdrop.
View from the village of Aosta, a bit bigger than Valnontey but quite small none the less. Cool shops and cafes.We hired mountain bikes from the campsite on one of the days and rode into another nearby town, Cogne. Coreys bike had no brakes which was amusing.
Riding along the river to Cogne.
A sound-of-musicy meadow with the village of Cogne in the background
Native alpine garden opposite our campsite, the first stop on our biking expidition.We also walked out to the nearby Lillaz watefall and hiked to the top. Amazing views again, and freezing cold pools along the way, one of which we had a swim in.
Views from the bridge crossing the waterfall. Emily and Angie were petrified that Rice and I would plunge to our deaths as we posed for photos.
Bridge again
Grassy plataeu near the top as the sun was disappearing.
The pool on the way back down.
The water was freezing, possibly the coldest water Ive ever swum in. It is basically melted snow, straight from the mountain top. Brain freezing cold. But Angie dared me to go in, I did in my undies, and she had to follow, then Em also took the plunge, while Rice stayed dry and took the photos.
Angie getting in. Cold!
The waterfall fell right off the edge about 50m down to the next pool. Nice undies.We headed out to Monte Bianco and took one of the chairlifts half way up. The full distance was a bit too exxy and the temperature up there was around 0° so we only went half way.
Another alpine garden at the half way point.
Mountain track from the chair lift stop, we walked for about an hour then stopped for a snooze while Em and Corey kept going.
Hunting for local Marmuts
Not a bad view from our resting point
A funny little kind of motorbike/ute that we saw everywhere once we got back into the town. Angie wants one for carting horse stuff when we get home.
On the way out of the Alps we did a quick tour of a few of the many castles that line the river through the valleys. Here is one that we actually went into.Next stop Lake Como...
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