Cogne or Courmayeur in the Italian Alps?

Old Jul 21st, 2013, 06:46 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Cogne or Courmayeur in the Italian Alps?

We are planning a trip to Italy for next summer (2014) with 3 generations of our family, including children who will be 1 and 4 years old. We plan to spend time in the mountains near Gran Paradiso National Park and Mt. Blanc as well as on the Ligurian coast.

I'm trying to decide 1) when to go so that the mountains won't be too snowed in but the coast won't be too hot or crowded (I'm thinking late June/early July, and visiting the mountains after the coast), 2) where to stay in the mountains (leaning towards Cogne, but I'm very open to suggestions), and 3) if we can do this by public transportation so that we don't have to rent cars.

The plan is to fly to Milan (direct flights from NYC), then train to Liguria, then train/bus to the area near Cogne/Aosta valley.

For those who know this area, in addition to my 3 questions above, in general is this a good area for both serious nature enthusiasts who will want to hike a lot as well as 2 young kids who will take short hikes (the 1 year old being carried of course!) and just enjoy being in the mountains? It seems like a good destination for both groups, but I want to be sure everyone is happy there.

Thank you! Specific hotel recommendations are also very appreciated!
pantanal is offline  
Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 02:36 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 8,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"For those who know this area, in addition to my 3 questions above, in general is this a good area for both serious nature enthusiasts who will want to hike a lot as well as 2 young kids who will take short hikes (the 1 year old being carried of course!) and just enjoy being in the mountains?"

It is!!

Cogne and Courmayeur are fine places. You may check Gressoney, La Thuile and Breuil-Cervinia too.
July is not yet high seson in Italy, except at places invaded by people from Northern Europe (Aosta Valley doesn't belong to them).

Ligurian Coast: be careful, not all beaches have shallow entries into the Sea (children). End June, I would prefer Sardinia anyway.

All places in Aosta Valley are linked by bus to the capital Aosta.
From Liguria, Aosta can easily be reached by train (via Turin).
Direct buses from Aosta Valley to Milan town, trains from Aosta to Turin and Novara, buses to MXP airport from all 3 places.

http://www.lovevda.it/turismo/default_e.asp
http://oldweb.enit.it/navgraficacomu...?lang=UK&id=14
http://oldweb.enit.it/navgraficacomu...ang=UK&id=1217
http://oldweb.enit.it/navgraficacomu...lang=UK&id=506
neckervd is offline  
Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 07:23 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
For the valle d'Aosta, I highly recommend the town of Lillaz which is only 4km from the town of Cogne. It is much less touristy, and it has at least one excellent place to eat (Lou Tchappe). It is really quite charming, with an impressive 3-tier waterfall and some easy walks and hikes for your smallest. Farm animals around too. I just thought it was so much nicer than Cogne, but you won't find it difficult from Lillaz to reach walking trains into the Gran Paradiso. There are regular buses. But before you book, you should ask landlords and hotel people to help you track down local bus schedules, and also give you an idea of taxi costs. I had a car in the area, so I'm not certain what the details are, and you would want to know the details.

I didn't go as far as Courmeyer, but generally I found that the closer and closer you get to Montebianco, the more and more developed for tourism it gets unless you visit the tiny valleys that branch off from the main roads. I loved staying in the hidden Valgrisenche, filled with wild flowers and cows. It is a flat, narrow river valley, so great for simple walks, but you can also climb right up into the mountains if you want to. There are a fair amount of accommodations and it appeared there were probably loads of houses to rent in summer as well.

I took trains from the val d'Aosta to the Italian Riviera. I broke up the trip with a night in Torino, which is actually a very fun city for kids if you have the time. Check out Residence Saachi for optimal family accommodations right near the train station.

I think that you might find that Rapallo will be the easiest place for you to find accommodations for your family. You can take a bus, or a cable car, or ferries to reach trail head in the Parco di Portofino. Staying in Camogli might be ideal -- but it can be pricey since there are so few places to stay other than hotels. Sestri Levante is great for families (sand beaches, rare for the Riviera) but it will add a bit more time to your trip, But Sestri Levante is worth checking out.

Have a great trip! You are going to double paradise!
stevewith is offline  
Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 09:53 AM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
thank you both - both of you were so helpful. it does make us reconsider going to the coast that late in the summer when it is hot and crowded...i think i'm going to post another question about this now!
pantanal is offline  
Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 10:58 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 8,312
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
June is not yet season. The Riviera will be far from crowded. (except the overseas travellers Disneyland 5Terre)
neckervd is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tcreath
Europe
3
Oct 19th, 2018 09:50 AM
traveler_t
Europe
10
Jun 26th, 2015 07:55 AM
Ronda
Europe
40
May 5th, 2014 09:37 AM
hillarydzi
Europe
4
Apr 1st, 2014 10:46 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -