Family Adventure in Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy

First Day in Paradise: A Botanical Beginning

Our family adventure in Gran Paradiso National Park has officially begun! After a smooth flight from Bonn to Turin and a scenic drive through the Italian countryside, we arrived ready to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of this region. Today, our focus was on exploring the Giardino botanico alpino Paradisia, and it proved to be the perfect introduction to the flora and fauna of this stunning park.



Explore the stunning Giardino botanico alpino Paradisia, a botanical garden in Aosta Valley showcasing over 1,200 alpine plant species amidst breathtaking mountain views.

After settling in, we started our day with a hearty breakfast at Hotel Restaurant Paradisia. The buffet was a delightful spread of homemade cakes, fresh croissants, fruit, yogurt, and an array of charcuterie and cheeses. Sofia was particularly thrilled with the mini pains au chocolat, while Hans enjoyed the strong Italian coffee.


With our appetites satisfied, we set off for the Giardino botanico alpino Paradisia. The garden is nestled in Valnontey, a charming village within Cogne, at an altitude of 1,700 meters. The drive there was picturesque, with glimpses of the snow-capped Gran Paradiso massif in the distance. As we approached the garden, the air grew crisper, carrying the scent of pine and wildflowers.


The Giardino botanico alpino Paradisia is a stunning showcase of alpine flora, boasting over a thousand plant species from local mountains and mountain ranges worldwide. As we entered, we were handed a helpful leaflet detailing the garden's layout and key features. Each plant is labeled, with yellow tags indicating those native to Italy (the Alps and Apennines), white tags for exotic plants from other mountain regions, and red tags for medicinal plants. Sofia enjoyed spotting the different colored tags and learning about the plants' origins.

Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.

The garden itself is laid out beautifully, with natural hollows and dips creating optimal conditions for growing a variety of mountain and alpine species. We wandered along the paths, admiring the vibrant colors and diverse textures of the plants. The air was filled with the buzzing of bees and the gentle rustling of leaves. We explored thematic areas, including a pseudo-steppe, a peat bog, a moraine, and limestone debris, each carefully reconstructed to mimic natural environments. Informative panels explained the characteristics of each area, adding an educational element to our visit.


I was particularly drawn to the medicinal plants, learning about their traditional uses and properties. Sofia was fascinated by the poisonous plants, carefully noting the skull and crossbones symbol on their labels. Hans, ever the photographer, was busy capturing the beauty of the alpine flowers, experimenting with different angles and lighting.


The weather in Gran Paradiso can be unpredictable, even in May. Today, it was mostly cloudy with temperatures around -4°C. We were well-prepared with our layers, but I was glad I had packed Sofia’s warmest jacket. The garden offers stunning views of the Gran Paradiso massif, but unfortunately, the peaks were shrouded in mist for most of our visit. However, the clouds added a touch of drama to the landscape, creating a mystical atmosphere.


After a few hours of exploring the garden, we were ready for lunch. We drove to Ristorante Sant'Orso in Cogne, known for its traditional Valdostan cuisine. The restaurant is charming, with large windows overlooking the Sant'Orso meadow and the Gran Paradiso mountain. We started with a selection of local cured meats and cheeses, followed by homemade pasta dishes. Sofia devoured her tagliolini with ragu, while Hans and I savored the risotto with beetroot and Bleu d'Aoste.



Experience authentic Italian cuisine at Ristorante Sant'Orso in Cogne - where local flavors meet breathtaking mountain views.

In the afternoon, we took a stroll through the village of Cogne. It's a quaint and charming place, with traditional stone houses and flower-filled balconies. We popped into a few shops, including Alpine World Shop and Guides, where we picked up a guidebook on the local flora and fauna. I found a beautiful scarf made of local wool, a perfect souvenir of our trip. Hans bought a new lens cap for his camera, ever prepared for the next photo opportunity.



Explore the Aosta Valley at Alpine World Shop and Guides: Your premier destination for sporting goods and guided alpine adventures.

For dinner, we had reservations at Lou Ressignon, a restaurant known for its traditional Aosta Valley dishes. The restaurant has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, and the menu featured a variety of local specialties. We started with the Gressoney Valley raw meat, followed by the Cogne seupetta with rice and Fontina cheese. For our main courses, we opted for the carbonada meat stew with polenta and the chestnuts gnocchi with Toma fondue. Everything was delicious and hearty, the perfect way to end a day of exploring.



Experience authentic Italian cuisine at Lou Ressignon in Cogne—where local flavors meet warm hospitality in the heart of Aosta Valley.

As we walked back to our accommodation, the stars began to appear in the night sky. The air was crisp and cool, and the only sound was the gentle rushing of the nearby stream. We felt a sense of peace and tranquility, a world away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.


Tomorrow, we plan to explore the Cascate di Lillaz and the Sentiero Natura Cogne. I'm particularly excited about the waterfalls, and Sofia is looking forward to hiking the nature trail. We'll also be stopping by the Bar à Fromage for a taste of local cheeses. It promises to be another day filled with natural beauty and unforgettable experiences.


Before drifting off to sleep, I couldn't help but reflect on our first day in Gran Paradiso. It was a day of discovery, of immersing ourselves in the beauty of nature, and of creating lasting memories as a family. As I closed my eyes, I felt grateful for this opportunity to explore this incredible park and to share it with my loved ones.


I am also grateful that I remembered to pack all of our essentials, including our hiking boots, camera, sunscreen, and binoculars. However, I did realize that I forgot my portable phone charger and travel pillow, which I will need to remember to buy tomorrow.


Gran Paradiso National Park is truly a special place, a sanctuary of natural beauty and tranquility. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!