Hotel Bellevue

Here, in the Aosta Valley, travellers only have to look out the window to see one of the best views in the world. A short walk from the Gran Paradiso National Park, the Hôtel Bellevue is a feast for all five senses.

A veritable museum, this family-run retreat is full of antique furniture and charming artifacts. No two rooms are alike, and some have fireplaces or saunas for warming up after a day on the slopes.

With its own cheese cellar, wine cave, and organic kitchen garden, food takes center stage. Plan to stay a while at the Bar à Fromage, where guests can select from 50 types of cheese, and 1,000 varieties of Italian wine.

Outdoor activities abound, from cross-country skiing to hiking. If you're a spa lover, experience the traditional La Valheureusa, noted for its alpine waters. Indulge in a homeopathic herbal hay bath, or a mud treatment in the "Bear's Cave." How about a two-person milk-and-honey bath in a copper tub? Yes, please.