Borghetto sul Mincio: 7 things to see, nature and tortellini

ci are some colors in the Mincio Valley capable of making you fall in love, ranging from bright green to Sigurtà Garden Park to the blue-emerald reflections of the Mincio. And then there are the flavors, those of tortellini for example, in these parts the classic love knot is the most requested dish.

The Mincio Valley is a little gem where nature is luxuriant. A weekend between Borghetto and Valeggio sul Mincioon the border between Lombardy And Veneto (South of Lake Garda), can be really rejuvenating. Here are seven things to absolutely do on a weekend away.

1. Stroll in Borghetto sul Mincio

Borghetto sul Mincio is an enchanted village inserted in the Club of the most beautiful villages in Italy. It is a small village characterized by medieval fortifications and ancient mills, once used for milling wheat and cereals. It was built in symbiosis with the Mincio river: the first settlement dates back to the Longobard period (VI – VIII century AD). I was once a strategic ford point on the river Mincio.

2. Admire the Scaliger Castle

From the top of the hill, the Scaliger Castle it dominates Valeggio and the Mincio valley, with the suggestive grandeur of the medieval fortifications. Its oldest part was almost completely razed to the ground by the earthquake of 1117: only the Round Tower remains, a unique horseshoe-shaped construction from the 10th century. The rest of the complex dates back to the 16th century. It was equipped with three drawbridges of which only one has been preserved.

3. Visit the Sigurtà Garden Park on board the little train

The Sigurtà Garden Park it is a wonder to behold. A green oasis awarded in 2013 as “Most beautiful park in Italy” and in 2015 as Second Most Beautiful Park in Europe by the European Garden Award. Resting on the large turf, getting lost in the labyrinth, walking along the avenue of roses, admiring the flowery lakes are just some of the activities that can be done in this magical garden, originally from the 1400s and opened to the public in 1978. It can be explored on foot , by bicycle, on board the panoramic train, the shuttle or the golf carts.

4. Cycle along the Peschiera-Mantova cycle path

The question most frequently asked in the tourist office is: “Do you have a map of Peschiera-Mantua cycle path?”. In fact, the Cycle Path – Eurovelo 7 which, following the river, reaches Peschiera and Lake Garda to the north (15 km away) and Mantua (30 km) to the south, passing through Pozzolo, Marengo, Soave, the Mincio Park and the nature reserves of the Bertone Park and the Bosco Fontana. The cycle path map can be downloaded free of charge at www.valeggio.com. The Peschiera-Mantova cycle path is about 45 km long and is an easy stretch. The asphalt surface is also suitable for skaters.

For those who want more demanding routes there is also theTerre del Custoza cycle path, which offers the opportunity to discover the morainic hills, immerse yourself in the woods and admire the geometry of the vineyards, rediscovering genuine flavours. A 65 km circuit through Bussolengo, Sommacampagna, Sona, Valeggio, Villafranca. The itineraries are mapped on www.terredelcustoza.com.

5. Prepare and taste tortellini at Tortellinando, in Valeggio sul Mincio

In this area, tortellini are a much-loved and much-requested dish. They are made by hand, one by one, pulling a silky-thin paste, enriched with a delicate filling and expertly knotted. They are the masterpiece of the local culinary tradition, called in dialect agnolin. Two very important events are dedicated to tortellini in Valeggio: the Festa del Nodo d’Amore in June and Tortellini e Dintorni in September.

To taste them, don’t miss the restaurant Tortellinawhere the owner Paula Gandini offers lessons to prepare them and allows you to taste five types of tortellini, many of which are vegetarian: ranging from spinach, ricotta and spirulina; pumpkin; broccoletti and seasoned Monte Veronese with burrata and walnuts; confit leeks and cherry tomatoes; thyme, beets and mascarpone. All rigorously prepared with organic flours and with fillings that change from season to season. They melt in your mouth.

6. Taste excellent wines in the San Leone winery (Sei Terre brand)

The Rizzi family, owner of the Tenuta San Leone (Sei Terre brand), has been dedicated to viticulture and wine production for six generations. Its vineyards extend over the rolling morainic hills southeast of Lake Garda, in Valeggio sul Mincio. There they also opened a historical museum with old equipment, a sales point where you can have tastings and visits to the vineyard, a brewery (Lyonwhere the main product is the Agreste beerunfiltered or pasteurized) and one risotto. To try.

7. Relax at the 5-star Hu Altomincio Village campsite

If you need to rest and let your children run free and peaceful, the 5-star campsite Hu Altomincio village is the place for you. Here everything is completely pedestrian. The campsite has over 500 mobile homes and inside it has an adventure park for children, swimming pools, a water park, entertainment for three age groups and a barbecue outside each house.

Hu Altomincio Village is surrounded by greenery along the banks of the river Mincio, a strategic point that can serve as a base for discovering the timeless beauty of Verona, visiting the shores of Lake Garda, or taking trips to Gardaland and Caneva World. The structure is pet friendly: pets are allowed in some types of houses and on all pitches and there is also a dog beach so that even your four-legged friends can cool off and relax next to the owners.

iO Woman © REPRODUCTION RESERVED