The 10 best experiences to do in Valpolicella

Horseback riding in the hills overlooking the west shore of Lake Garda from Toscolano Maderno, on trails surrounded by nature.

Hikes are suitable for beginners who are going horseback riding for the first time. You ride through the countryside and woods and reach high ground from where you can admire beautiful views, and you can stop for short breaks. 

To participate sportswear with long pants and closed shoes is necessary.

Minimum age: 14 years old. Maximum weight: 95 kg.

1-hour excursion

The’excursion includes a tour of about 5/6 km around Gaino passing through historical places and opening the heart to the views of Garda Bresciano.

2-hour hike 

Trip of about 12 km along the hill between Gargnano and Toscolano, crossing historic places and opening the heart to the views of Garda Bresciano.

1-hour excursion with lunch or dinner (Sunday evening dinner not possible due to closing shift)

The excursion includes a tour of about 5/6 km around Gaino passing through historical places and opening the heart to the views of Garda Bresciano.

In this experience a lunch or dinner with 3-course tasting menu are included, dessert and coffee, drinks included (dishes with seasonal and local ingredients).

Lunch is prepared for 12:30 / 13:00, is thus preceding the walk. Dinner, on the other hand, is prepared for 7:30 / 8:00 p.m. (Sunday evening excluded due to closing shift) and is held after the walk.

Lunch and dinner include:

•    3 courses
•    Dessert
•    Coffee
•    Drinks

This option is only available from March to September.

2-hour excursion with lunch

Trip of about 12 km along the hillside between Gargnano and Toscolano, passing through historic places and opening the heart to the views of Garda Bresciano.

In this experience lunch is included (available all year round). Lunch is prepared for 12:30 / 13:00, is then following the walk.

Lunch includes:

•    3 courses
•    Dessert
•    Coffee
•    Drinks

Vespa ride on Lake Garda with departure from Desenzano del Garda.

To personalize the experience, you can choose from 2 options:

Day around Lake Garda

It starts at 9:00 am, has a duration of 10 hours and a length of 181 km with an average difficulty level.

The itinerary of this tour includes a visit around Lake Garda, starting from Desenzano, ascending along the west side to Riva del Garda and then beginning the descent along the east side.

Included in this option is a digital guidebook to download to your smartphone, rental of 1 125cc Vespa, 2 helmets and Kasko insurance.

Discovering the hills of Garda

It starts at 10:30 am, has a duration of 7 hours and a length of 67 km with a low level of difficulty.

Starting from Desenzano del Garda you could discover the beautiful area below Lake Garda by following the Mincio River and driving through the moraine hills.

Included in this option is a digital guidebook to download to your smartphone, rental of 1 125cc Vespa, 2 helmets and Kasko insurance.

Wine tasting in Valeggio sul Mincio, Veneto, takes place inside a winter tasting room with an old 19th-century fireplace and a table for sampling Veneto wines, including the well-known Bardolino, and local products. During spring and summer, tastings take place in the courtyard.

The activity begins with a guided tour of the winery, where you will be shown production techniques. The visit è followed by a wine tasting. You will be able to choose from 4 different tastings, which include 3, 4 or 5 wines selected from the winery, accompanied by a board of cold cuts and cheeses and, depending on the option you choose, a tasting of the Court's extra virgin olive oil.

Young Territory

Tasting includes 3 wines:

•    Custoza DOC
•    Bardolino DOC
•    Chiaretto di Bardolino DOC

Tasting is accompanied by a board of local cured meats and cheeses.

Territory Wood

The tasting includes 3 wines:

•    Custoza Superiore DOC Riflesso
•    Bardolino Superiore DOCG Riflesso
•    David Rosso IGT Verona

The tasting is accompanied by a board of local cold cuts and cheeses.

Premium

The tasting includes 5 premium wines:

•    Garganega Veronese IGT
•    Chiaretto di Bardolino DOC
•    Corvina Veronese IGT
•    Bardolino Superiore DOCG Riflesso
•    Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico

The tasting is accompanied by a board of local cured meats and cheeses and a tasting of the Court's extra virgin olive oil.

Everyone can participate in the visit. Minors are not allowed to taste.

The winery tour with Amarone tasting at Farina winery will allow you to discover the typical products of Valpolicella.

The activity begins with a walk through the winery's vineyards where you will be told about the history of the area followed by a guided tour of the winery where the winemaking process will be explained. At the end you can choose between 2 activities.

Classic Tasting

Includes a tasting of 6 locally produced wines, including 2 glasses of Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, accompanied by a typical board of cold cuts and cheeses.

Light Lunch

This activity includes a tasting of 6 wines that will be accompanied by cold cuts, local cheeses and focaccia. Following this, you will be served a typical dessert along with a tasting of 2 Grappas of Amarone.

The wines being tasted in both activities are:

•    2 Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
•    Rosso Veronese IGT
•    Valpolicella Ripasso DOC Classico Superiore
•    Valpolicella DOC Classico Superiore
•    Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG Classico

Horseback riding among the hills of Valpolicella, departing from San Pietro in Cariano, along routes immersed in nature. The experience allows you to immerse yourself, on horseback, among the vineyards of the renowned and picturesque area also known for the production of Valpolicella wine.

The excursion is also suitable for beginners who have never ridden a horse. Depending on the length of the ride, the route varies in length. You ride through the countryside among glimpses of typical villages and wineries. The views are always beautiful and the perspective certainly unusual.

A wine tasting with a guided tour of the "Il Dosso" winery in Corte Franca is a unique opportunity to learn about the production processes of the famous Franciacorta and immerse yourself in the hills of Brescia, not far from Lake Iseo. 

The experience begins with a tasting, led by the producer, of selected Franciacorta wines offered by the winery, accompanied by a sampling of local cured meats and cheeses. It will continue with a visit to the winery, where you can learn about Franciacorta production techniques. 

It is possible to add an additional mixed platter of selected cured meats and cheeses to share (recommended for 2 people) for an additional fee.

For the picnic in the hills of Bergamo in Scanzorosciate, you will be greeted upon arrival by Daniela, who will take you on an hour-long experience that will take you from the winery to the vineyards, olive grove, orchard and forest, to the beehives, explaining the winery philosophy and the history of Moscato di Scanzo.

After the walk, you will be treated to a delicious alcoholic or non-alcoholic aperitif, during which you will be shown to the picnic site.

You will find everything you need for the picnic and aperitif already on site, from blanket to pillows, books to seating.

You will receive your picnic basket containing a bottle of red table wine, water and a delicious seasonal menu consisting of appetizer, main course and dessert, prepared with healthy food from km 0 and combined with EVO oil, jams, honey and fruit from the farm.

All the products that you will find inside the basket are zero km, prepared fresh for you, we only ask you in case of food allergies or intolerances, to notify us in time so we can satisfy you making your experience unique and unforgettable!

Experience an ATV excursion on a mixed mountain trail, designed for those who want to drive between paved roads, villages and dirt sections. It is an activity especially suitable for those who already have experience.

The experience takes place on ATVs along a route that alternates between asphalt, mountain villages and dirt or wooded sections. The driving time is about 2 hours and 30 minutes, while the total duration of the activity is about 3 hours, including initial briefing and mid-ride stop with the possibility of driver change for double quads.

The tour has difficulty 4 out of 10 and is designed as an entry level mountain route, so it is suitable for those who already have a minimum of experience and want to tackle a longer route. A post-hike aperitif can be added to round out the day.

Take a horseback ride along the banks of the Serio River, within the nature park of the same name on the border between the provinces of Bergamo and Cremona. Depart from Romano di Lombardia.

Relying on your guide you will have the opportunity to admire the protected natural area, rich in biodiversity and pristine habitats.

Before or after the horseback ride you can rest inside the center's characteristic clubhouse, enjoying an aperitif, or book lunches and dinners or stay in the comfortable B&B, all with a background of ambient music.

Enjoy this equestrian experience as a couple, with family, with friends, and ensure a moment of happiness and relaxation.

A guided winery tour with lunch at Ambrosini Estate will give you an insight into Franciacorta wine production techniques and a lunch of local products.

The activity begins with a walk through the farm's vineyards, followed by a guided tour of the winery.

This is followed by lunch based on the selected menu.

Lunch

Lunch consists of 4 courses:

•    Appetizers based on typical Brescian cured meats, savory pies, zucchini frittatas and sweet and sour vegetables
•    Risotto with Franciacorta Tenuta Ambrosini DOCG paired with Franciacorta T.A. EXTRA BRUT DOCG
•    Spiedo Bresciano based on mixed meats cooked on the grill with side dishes, paired with Franciacorta T.A. BRUT DOCG
•    Dessert paired with Franciacorta SATEN Millesimato DOCG

Gold tasting

The lunch consists of 4 courses:

•    Appetizers of typical Brescian cured meats, savory pies, zucchini frittatina and sweet and sour vegetables
•    Risotto with Franciacorta wine Tenuta Ambrosini DOCG
•    Brescian spit of mixed meats cooked over charcoal with side dish
•    Dessert

The lunch is accompanied by a tasting of 5 Franciacorta Tenuta Ambrosini DOCG wines.

Platinum tasting

The lunch consists of 5 courses:

•    Appetizers of typical Brescian cured meats, savory pies, zucchini frittatina and sweet and sour vegetables
•    Risotto with Franciacorta wine Tenuta Ambrosini DOCG
•    Brescian spit of mixed meats cooked on the grill with side dishes
•    Cheese board from the Brescian valleys paired with Franciacorta RISERVA "Lorenzo Ambrosini" vintage 2011 DOCG
•    Sweet

The lunch is accompanied by the tasting of 6 Franciacorta Tenuta Ambrosini wines including the Eccellente Riserva 2011.

The visit with lunch has a total duration of about 3 hours and is ideal for groups and families, but also to have a romantic lunch with your partner. At the end of the experience it will be possible to go to the wine shop.

A sweatshirt is recommended for the winery visit.

Enjoy an original experience in the heart of Franciacorta with a quad bike tour suitable for everyone, even those who have never ridden on an ATV.

You will be able to choose one of two available tours:

Aperitivo (3 hours)

The quad bike tour with aperitif includes a loop through the vineyards with departure and arrival in Erbusco, near Brescia.

Halfway through the tour an aperitif awaits you in a place overlooking the Torbiere del Sebino Nature Reserve.

•    25+15 km
•    2h30' of actual driving
•    Total duration: 3h

Tasting (3h30')

During the excursion with tasting you can visit one of the most renowned wineries in Franciacorta.

•    25+10 km
•    2h of driving
•    1h visit to a winery + 2/3 Franciacorta tastings
•    Total duration: 3h30min

Wineries visited: Contadi Castaldi (usually Saturday afternoon), Ferghettina (usually Sunday morning) and Ronco Calino.

In case rain is expected, you will be contacted by phone the day before. It is possible to take turns while driving.

Dinner in the vineyard in the Euganean Hills allows you to live a unique experience: you can admire striking sunsets while sipping local wine and enjoying typical Veneto dishes.

You can dine in the company of your partner or loved ones among the fields and vineyards, under a starry sky.

You will be served dishes prepared with seasonal and local ingredients. The experience begins with an aperitif, which will be followed by dinner that includes 1 first course, 1 second course and dessert. Everything will be accompanied by locally produced wines.

This traveling experience includes stops around the Euganean Hills:

•    Saturday, June 7: Lemons and Fior d’Arancio at La Mincana Winery
•    Friday, June 13: BioDinner at Quota 101 Winery
•    Saturday, June 21: Summer Solstice at Vigna Roda Winery
•    Friday, June 27: Table at the Filò delle Vigne Winery
•    Saturday, July 5: Between Earth and Stars at the Venda Amphitheater
•    Wednesday, July 9: Sunset Dinner at Villa Beatrice d’Este
•    Saturday, July 12: Full Moon: Cantina Alla Costiera
•    Saturday, July 19: Dinner in the Vineyard at Reassi Winery
•    Saturday, July 26: Night bohémien at Cecilia's Vignale Winery
•    Thursday, July 31: Sunflower Table - Among the Sunflowers of the Bacchiglione
•    Saturday, Aug. 2: Panoramic dinner among the vines at Enoteca Monte Fasolo
•    Saturday, August 9: Goblets of Stars, Tavolata at Vignalta Winery
•    Sunday, Aug. 10: Dinner among the Sunflowers under the shooting stars, Castello di San Martino della Vaneza
•    Saturday, Aug. 16: Among the ancient trees, by Candlelight at Villa Selvatico
•    Friday, September 19: Dinner at the Castle, in the glow of a thousand candles - Castello San Martino della Vaneza 
•    Sunday, September 21: Sunday Lunch in the olive grove - Frantoio Colle del Poeta Arquà Petrarca
•    Friday, Oct. 10: The Ancient Lemon House, Candlelight Table at Villa Selvatico 
•    Sunday, Oct. 12: The End of the Harvest Lunch at Vigna Roda Winery - Vigna Roda Vò 
•    Saturday, Oct. 18: Fire Dining Table at the Brazier at Castello San Martino della Vaneza
•    Saturday, October 25: Fire Dining Table at the Brazier at Castello San Martino della Vaneza

In case of food allergies and intolerances you can contact the facility after booking.

Horseback riding in the Euganean Hills è an exciting opportunity to explore picturesque trails and enjoy breathtaking views. 

Horseback rides in the Euganean Hills are available by reservation Tuesday through Sunday and last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The activity begins with a half-hour lesson, followed by a 1-hour ride.

The walk is suitable for everyone, including beginners, and the minimum age requirement is 14 years.

To finalize your reservation you will be asked to state your weight and height, please enter the correct values so that the facility can provide you with the appropriate resources.

Horseback riding in the Euganean Hills allows you to see picturesque views in the company of friends or your partner.

You will also be provided with a basket with a blanket to place on the hay meadows.

The picnic will be composed of typical local products with zero km:

•    wine
•    beer
•    sliced meats
•    cheese
•    bread

This experience is suitable for everyone, even those who are approaching the world of horseback riding for the first time.

In case of food allergies and intolerances you can contact the facility after booking.

A guided winery tour in Vo', outside Padua, will immerse you in the wine culture of the Veneto region. You will taste historic Veneto wines on the winery's panoramic terrace, overlooking the Euganean Hills, or inside the barrique cellar.

The activity begins with a guided tour of the wine laboratory where you will learn about the winery's traditional production processes and aging techniques. Afterwards, you will taste 3 or 5 local wines, depending on the option you choose, paired with a charcuterie board.

Overview (1 hour 30 minutes)

The tasting takes place on the winery's panoramic terrace, which offers a beautiful view of the Euganean Hills. The tasting includes 5 wines:

•    2 white wines
•    2 red wines
•    1 sweet wine

The tasting is accompanied by:

•    Bread crostini with extra virgin olive oil DOP
•    1 type of local cured meats
•    1 type of cheese
•    Bread and water

A complimentary bottle of wine offered by the winery is provided for couples.

In the barrique cellar (2 hours)

The tasting takes place inside the winery's barrique cellar and includes 3 Riserva wines, paired with:

•    Bread crostini with extra virgin olive oil DOP
•    2 types of local cured meats
•    2 types of cheeses
•    Bread and water

Complimentary 2 bottles of wine offered by the winery are provided for couples.

The visit to the winery is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of the production of the historic Veneto wines and to taste excellent wines in the company of friends, relatives or your partner.

A sweatshirt is recommended for the winery visit.

The horseback ride between Vicenza and Padua, in Montegaldella, can take an hour or two, depending on your preference, and is ideal for a relaxing experience in excellent company.

It starts at a local ranch and continues into the Vicenza wilderness, with the option of ending the experience at sunset by choosing the 4 p.m. tour.

Your guide will also teach you how to clean and prepare your horse, before you mount.

The tour is organized exclusively and can be either 1 hour or 2 hours long. It is suitable for everyone, including beginners.

Participants should send ID and social security number to the facility following booking.

Kayak tour in Dolo, a quaint little village with a beautiful mill. The river has a very gentle current and is therefore suitable for everyone, even beginners and children from 12 years old and up.

During the itinerary you can admire the most picturesque areas: from the well-known Venetian Villas to the unspoiled nature of the Brenta Riviera. The instructor will not only explain how best to paddle, but also provide you with trivia and anecdotes to learn more about little Dolo.

Remember to bring a swimsuit and a change of clothes with you.

The facility will provide you with all equipment, including a life jacket.