The path is kind, gently sloping down the Val D’Aosta through mostly pine forests with cool waters gurgling on the side but the heat sets in with an iron grip by 1 pm when we welcome the outskirts of Aosta to search for our hotel and a good lunch. We find both. Aosta is a charming little town alive with residents and vacationers strolling along its mediaeval streets or people watching, sitting at its many bars and cafes while sipping Aperol Spritzers. The ”passeggiata” (evening stroll) rules after 6 pm. Aosta also boasts some remarkable Roman ruins that would be world renown in any other country, including the well-preserved 1st Century Arch of Augustus at its entrance. The Cathedral, mangled by successive rulers of the Val D’Aosta eager to imprint their grandiosity for eternity, sits on a magical 4th century crypt that reminded me of the Canterbury Cathedral crypt, though the latter was built 700 years later. Our 2 night rest was restorative, especially on the heels of our emotional crossing of the GSB pass.
Walking the Via Francigena 
So impressed by your journey and appreciating the chance to accompany you vicariously through these posts. Wishing you strong legs and cooler temps! Holly
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how utterly beautiful. You are both really getting to know the European countryside. How lucky!
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Do not know why it is posting anonymous. Beautiful countryside. Elena
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Your prose is soothing, like the descent into motherly embrace of Italy. Your blog posts and comments have been constant companions for two months. Glad you’ve made it halfway.
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I stayed in Aosta with Cookie, our new Labradoodle puppy just a few weeks ago. We drove down together from the UK. She walked me all over Aosta, including the very beautiful square and arches Your blog ,so beautifully written and descriptive brought all those recent memories back to me. I wrongly thought you had stopped halfway and were coming back in the Autumn/ Fall to continue. Unless someone has hacked and faked your blog it looks like you are pushing ahead. Not an easy challenge in this continuous heat.
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We are stopping in Issogne on the 26th to fly back for the birth of Hannah’s baby Return on sept 26 for the second half of the walk to Rome We are so lucky Hannah decided to have her Baby so we didn’t have to walk the Po valley in this heat – it is deadly
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