Aosta Valley: between Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and Gran Paradiso.

Which valley should you choose?

The Aosta Valley is Italy's smallest region and its highest: a central valley, that of the Dora Baltea river, from which side valleys climb to the highest peaks of the Alps. Here are Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and Gran Paradiso. It's bilingual: French is official alongside Italian, and you'll see it in the names of villages and streets. Each valley is a different trip, so choose according to what you want to do.

For walking among wildlife, Gran Paradiso, Italy's first national park, is explored from Cogne, Valsavarenche and Rhêmes. It's the most convenient option for families and average-level hikers: broad valleys, meadows, waterfalls and ibex that let themselves be seen close to the trail.

For high mountains, Courmayeur is at the foot of Mont Blanc. From there, the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car climbs in two stages to Punta Helbronner, at over 3,400 metres, facing the glaciers. Courmayeur is also a stage on the Tour du Mont Blanc, the hiking circuit that rings the massif through France, Italy and Switzerland, and the starting point for routes through the Ferret and Veny valleys.

For skiing, Breuil-Cervinia, at the foot of the Matterhorn, has high slopes and a linked area with Zermatt, in Switzerland. On Monte Rosa, the Ayas and Gressoney valleys, with Champoluc and Gressoney-La-Trinité, form another large, quieter ski area. Courmayeur and Pila, above Aosta, complete the offer.

For history, the city of Aosta preserves its Roman layout, with the Arch of Augustus, the Porta Praetoria and the theatre. Medieval castles such as Fénis line up along the central valley, and at the entrance to the region, Bard fortress closes off the valley on a crag, with a museum of the Alps inside.

For four days in summer, a good split: two nights in Cogne for Gran Paradiso and two in Courmayeur for Mont Blanc, with a stop in Aosta on the way.

How do you get there from Spain?

By plane, to Turin or Milan Malpensa, which have direct flights from many Spanish cities, and from there by hire car: the A5 motorway climbs from Turin up the valley to Aosta and Courmayeur, tolled. Geneva, in Switzerland, is another good arrival point for Courmayeur, through the Mont Blanc tunnel.

By car from Spain, you cross France to Chamonix and enter Italy through the Mont Blanc tunnel, which comes out right in Courmayeur; it's tolled. Before leaving, check on the tunnel's website whether there are scheduled closures for works. The other option is to enter via Ventimiglia and head up through Turin.

How do you get around the Aosta Valley?

By car. The side valleys have buses that climb from Aosta, but with few services, and what's interesting is at the end of each valley, where the trails and cable cars begin. Mountain roads are good but narrow in the last kilometres. Some accesses in the Gran Paradiso park, such as the Nivolet road on the Piedmont side, operate in summer with quotas and shuttles.

In winter, carry winter tyres or chains: on signposted mountain roads they are compulsory during the snow season.

When should you go and what does it cost?

There are two seasons. In summer, from late June to mid-September, you walk, climb to the mountain huts and all the cable cars run; August is the busiest month. In winter, from December to March or April, you ski. In spring and autumn, many hotels, huts and facilities close, and it's low season.

Courmayeur and Cervinia are expensive, especially in winter and in August. Aosta and the villages of the side valleys, such as Cogne or those of Ayas, offer more leeway. The cooking is mountain food: fontina, the valley's cheese, soups, polenta and cured meats such as Arnad lard.