I love to talk about places within a short distance from where I live; it gives me extreme pleasure to introduce people to places that are wonderful but perhaps not very popular.
Lake Garda is a very overused destination, I would almost dare to say that over the years it has become a German colony. Germans love Lake Garda in all its forms. There are those who do beach tourism and those who prefer to do active tourism by cycling on the many bicycle or MTB paths in the areas around the lake.
It is also true that talking about Lake Garda by referring only to the towns washed by the waters of the lake has become limiting. The Lake Garda tourist basin is far larger than the congested lake towns. Areas such as the lower lake are stunning on both the Verona and Brescia sides and should definitely be considered if you are vacationing in these areas.
5 experiences on the Lower Lake Garda Veronese side
With this article I want, precisely, to tell you about the Lower Lake Garda area Veronese side and recommend 5 experiences to do among the Custoza Lands.
Yes, let’s call them “experiences” rather than “things to do.” An experience is an emotion that lingers and that is what tourists are looking for now. I am convinced that these 5 experiences I recommend you will definitely remember them.
1 – Discovering the Lands of Custoza by bike
Active tourism is growing all the time. More and more people want to combine vacations with healthy physical activity. Both are components of well-being: sport makes you feel good, vacation ditto. If we then associate these two components with a territory like the Terre del Custoza, everything becomes even more beautiful and regenerating.
These places are the undisputed reign of grapes, vines as far as the eye can see that characterize every corner of the landscape. Between the territories of Sommacampagna, Villafranca, Bussolengo and Valeggio sul Mincio, there are many cycle-tour itineraries you can follow. While beautiful, there is not only the very popular Mantova-Peschiera bicycle path (which passes through Valeggio).
Throughout the Custoza area one can immerse oneself in the tranquility of the vineyards. The landscape will also change a lot depending on the season: in spring you will be able to see the first leaves on the vine branches, in summer a very green landscape awaits you with millions of grapes ready to be harvested. Finally, in autumn, the landscape loses its green color to welcome that classic yellow hue of this period.
In addition to active tourism, tourism is also veering toward slow tourism, a slow tourism that allows you to take in all aspects of the area, those small particularities that allow you to return home with the knowledge that you have not “seen everything” but that what you have seen has moved you.
2 – Discovering the Custoza wines
Is it possible to visit the Lands of Custoza without trying the wines produced from the grapes of the vines you will have just seen?
I would say definitely not. So why not consider including among the activities to do around Lake Garda a “detour” to a famous and important local winery: the Cantina di Custoza.
If you just can’t fit it into your itinerary, then the advice becomes this: it’s important to drink the right wine in the right place, so have Custoza for lunch or dinner at some restaurant, perhaps pairing it with a plate of Valeggio tortellini.
3 – Buy and taste Valeggio tortellini
In two days of touring I ate more tortellini than in my entire previous life. Just kidding, I only “put it down hard” because on the lower Lake Garda Veronese shore, Valeggio tortellini are an institution.
From the cooking class on tortellini at the Albergo al Cacciatore to the skilful hands of the ladies who create (at an absurd speed) tortellini at the pasta factory “Il Re del Tortellino,” the local gastronomy is completely linked to this typical product. Impossible to escape a dinner of tortellini of all kinds!
4 – Getting lost taking pictures of Borghetto di Valeggio sul Mincio
I live only 40 miles away and had never been there. So much so that my Sony A7 II looked at me and said, “but you wanted to wait much longer to take me to a place like that.” And she was right.
Borghetto di Valeggio sul Mincio is a small hamlet, formed precisely by a small village with many panoramic views of the Mincio River that laps it. Needless to say, the place is extremely romantic both during the day and, especially, in the evening when at sunset the village is illuminated by the warm and welcoming light of the street lamps.
It is definitely a place where the photographer’s soul feels very comfortable but you don’t need to be a photographer to appreciate this place. Borghetto di Valeggio sul Mincio amazed meand I can do nothing but recommend it. If you are vacationing on the lake plan an evening at a restaurant in the village, but if you are within driving distance, know that it is worth all the miles you will drive!
5 – Visit Sigurtà Park
This experience is an evergreen. You’ll forgive the pun but Sigurtà Park I don’t think needs any introduction or advice, just name it. For those not familiar with it, know that it is a “must do” among the experiences to be had around Lake Garda.
60 hectares of nature park in the municipality of Valeggio sul Mincio to be discovered by walking or cycling.