Good for Food experience.

A food and wine itinerary in Val d'Aosta, has to include a visit to Cogne and to the mountain town's Hotel Bellevue, a historic establishment which offers gourmands not one, not two, but three gastronomic experiences to introduce them to the surprisingly varied cuisine of Val D'Aosta.

The Bar à Fromage, the first of its kind in Italy, is, as the name suggests, devoted to cheese. Here the maitre fromager guides guests through a superlative selection of the finest Italian and French cheeses, providing information concerning the origins and specific characteristics of each cheese and indicating the best accompaniments. Not to be missed, a slice or two of Hotel Bellevue's own cheeses, conserved in an underground cave close to the hotel.

The Brasserie du Bon Bec, an authentic "stube" made all the more appealing by the addition of antiques purchased in the local markets, is situated just 100m away from the hotel, in the main piazza of Cogne. Specializing in traditional mountain cuisine, the Brasserie du Bon Bec is a popular eatery, where visitors and locals alike come to savor tasty dishes such as Fondue, Pierrade and Tartiflette.

Le Petit Restaurant, a small gem of a restaurant designed to satisfy even the most demanding of gourmands, has been awarded a Michelin star for its excellent cuisine. Just four tables are available for a total of 16 guests, all face on to a panoramic terrace with a breathtaking view of the Gran Paradiso glacier. Here, the kitchen is the realm of chef Sergio Sesone, a passionate expert of the valley and its incredible variety of gastronomic treasures, from its highly-prized game meats to the aromatic herbs which grow wild on the green mountain slopes. Sesone's signature dishes include the menu "of flowers and herbs" and the menu "tutto fois gras". At Le Petit Restaurant, each and every delicacy is prepared in house: from the fragrant breads and croissants served at breakfast, to the exquisite pralines served after dinner. Duck, pork, trout and sturgeon are smoked in the restaurant kitchen. Fundamental freshness and flavor is provided by the fruit, vegetables and mountain herbs grown in the organic garden. Hotel Bellevue, managed by the same family since 1925, has yet another surprise waiting to delight its connoisseur clientele: a cellar in which approximately 800 labels of the best Italian and French wines are housed.