One geographic landmark and two completely different views on it.
The alps are huge. Long I could say as well, stretching through different countries. France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia… How come Switzerland is most famous for the Alps? Why don’t you hear that much about the “Italian Alps”? Isn’t it all the same mountains and shouldn’t they, therefore get the same attention?
I thought so, but that’s not how it is.
I crossed the Alpes, coming from France going to Italy, taking the “Col Agnell”. And while the French part was full of mountain bikers, hikers, occasional campers and so on, really just normal not overly agitated mountain tourism, I was surprised how different this atmosphere got on the Italian side.
The villages go a lot more traditional. Full of stone houses and unbelievably cute little streets. But those streets, beautiful, where mostly walked through by old locals and most of houses empty. How come? Why isn’t there the same mountain tourism on this side of the border? Why aren’t there people hiking mountain biking, eating out on terrasses?
While I do not have the answer to those questions. I can only guess. I want to show you some impressions of Sampeyre a, in my opinion completely underrated little town on the Italian side of the Alps.
A crystal-clear river is flowing through the whole valley. Having its source on the top of the mountains, the water is so fresh you could almost drink it straight out of the river. Occasionally the flow of the water built little pools into the riverbed, where you can have a cold plunche if you feel like it.
In the occasional artificial lakes, the colour of the water is even more impressive.
You can follow that river on a mountain bike trail. Cross fields full of flowers and shady forests. That’s how I entered the town.
One street will lead you through the whole town, mostly straight with small turns and a lot of sideways to get lost in. Small shops on either side. One for fruits and veggies one for household items one for clothes…
You can’t miss the bakery. But is it really just a bakery?
Because you can also buy cheese and wine, ham, pasta and tomato sauce in there. Basically, anything you need for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
And just in front of it, are some cute tables in a court, calm and fresh, where you can have a coffee, while you eat your brioche or your cookie, observing all the people going in and out the shop.
Taking a walk across the river. Spending your siesta under the trees. Before you get back to town in the late evening for a gelato and later maybe an apero in one of the bars on the main square. Before then going off to eat your well-deserved diner in one of the restaurants, the pizzeria or you might cook it yourself.
If you are into murals, characteristic architecture or lovely details you will be well served in those streets.
A thousand different doors...
...leading into unknown places.
And someone planted little cacti in cups all over the town.
Cheers!
Doesn’t that sound like nice place to stay in for a while?
Thank you all for passing by, have a lovely day!
All photos and words are my own, taken and written by me.