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Travel + Leisure

One of Italy's Most Beautiful Alpine National Parks Now Has an Incredible Retreat Where You Can Stay for $17 a Night

Camping Mistral, a sustainable campsite in Piedmont's Valle Maira, features 12 tent pitches, six caravan spaces, and three fully equipped tents. Guests can book a stay for as low as €15 per person and enjoy a picnic area, a children's play area, a bar, and a local produce shop. Locanda Mistral, a nearby lodge owned by the same team, provides Camping Mistral guests with complimentary access to an organic restaurant, a spa, and a lush garden. Camping Mistral, a campsite and eco-retreat set within Italy's Valle Maira in the protected Maritime Alps National Park, opened in April with 12 tent pitches, six caravan spaces, and three fully equipped tents. The site features a picnic area, a children's play area, and a bar and local produce shop, which are open daily from June to September. The shared sanitary facilities include seven restrooms and four showers with hot water. Throughout the summer high season, Camping Mistral will offer a variety of activities, including wild plant and herb excursions, stargazing experiences, and yoga. Perhaps most importantly, the campsite also affords direct access to the surrounding hiking trails to take in those pristine mountain views. The new camp comes from the same family-run team behind Locanda Mistral, a sustainable alpine lodge in a restored 18th-century farmhouse located less than three miles away. Guests at Camping Mistral enjoy access to the lodge's numerous amenities, including its organic restaurant, spa, and lush garden. 'The Maira Valley is simple and wild—there are only a few valleys in the Alps that have been preserved to this extent,' Renato Botte, the owner of Locanda Mistral and Camping Mistral, told Travel + Leisure . 'The synergy of the locanda [an Italian inn] and campsite ensures that the special location of Sorgenti del Maira [Source of the Maira] can be preserved for future generations. This very consideration led us to create a special campsite. It's a sustainable tourism project that's just starting out and will continue to develop over the coming years.' Scenic views of a sparkling like in Valle Maira. Both the campsite and lodge are deeply rooted in sustainability practices. The lodge utilizes entirely renewable electricity and features an organic garden, as well as eco-friendly bath products. Piedmont's Valle Maira, known for its rugged landscapes, rustic stone villages, and hiking and mountain biking trails, is a lesser-visited alternative to the Alps' more crowded destinations. Camping Mistral's entrance fee is $17 per person, with children under 12 staying free of charge. A tent pitch at Camping Mistral comes at no additional cost, while a caravan pitch is $17 per night. For those seeking a little more comfort, a fixed tent complete with a mattress and sleeping bag is available for $55 per person per night. You can book your stay at