The beauty of tradition

The beauty of tradition
valsesia
Magazine: April 2008

The fi rst thing I think of when I think of Valsesia is the element of surprise. Surprise in the contrasts of a soulful, evocative landscape. A sense of surprise that starts with the trip to get there, in and of itself an adventurous, slightly complicated trip. Valsesia can be reached by train. The latest generation of tourists arrive by foot, following the Grande Tour Alpino trail. Most admirers arrive here by car or bus. The traditional entry is at the Romagnano Sesia exit off the Voltri - Sempione highway. Exits to your left off the highway lead to a chain of shopping centres, outlets, brand name stores… A nice place for shopping if you should choose to stop. Further down the highway across the river Sesia, lies Gattinara, the little, somewhat hedonistic city, homeland of the DOCG wine by the same name, a full-bodied wine with a rich, delicate bouquet and a harmonious, savoury fl avour. It goes well with rich dishes; with aged cheeses and sausages, and pairs particularly well with the local cuisine. Not surprising it is one of the wines most often selected by tourists here.

Get lost amidst the rice fields
Past Gattinara, you fi nd yourself in the middle of rice fi elds where many varieties of Italian rice are grown: beloved Carnaroli and esteemed Arborio for risotto; Baldo, suitable for risotto but also for soups; lovely Venere, black, suitable for garnishes and timbales… A dish of panissa vercellese and a nice glass of Bramaterra DOC could convince you to stay a little longer. Take some time to a look at the convent farms, the protected areas (like the Lame del Sesia natural park or the Casalbeltrame marsh), the rice fi elds, and the city of Vercelli with its monuments and art exhibits. If you decide to continue towards Valsesia instead, following the state highway you soon arrive in Varallo, the capital of the Valley. You could be tempted here to visit the magnifi cent Sacro Monte or eat at many of the restaurants in the historic centre. From there on, the true Valsesia opens up. Before arriving at the most famous tourist locations, such as Alagna, colourful presences line the shores of the Sesia river: fi shermen. First and foremost, they fi sh trout for its fi rm, delicate fl esh.

Ski territory
Its towns feature a mix of 19th century architecture, Alpine homes, and hotels. Towns that allow glimpses of that incredible theme park of chairlifts and cableways that climb Monte Rosa, transforming it into a huge ski district uniting Piedmont and the Aosta Valley. In the middle of this modernity, history peeks through. Just notice the traditional walser homes: wood and stone, solidness and fragility. Valsesia then is a mix of modernity and tradition. Prepare yourself for the food and agricultural traditions: they produce cheese, sausage, and honey.