Best 10 experiences in the Mincio Valley

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

Mini cruise on Lake Garda with lunch on board a boat. Departure from Peschiera del Garda allows you to visit the entire southern part of the lake.

During the cruise, the boat will head to the following points of interest: Lazise Castle, Rocca di Garda, Villa Canossa, Punta San Vigilio, Garda Island, San Biagio Island, Baia Verde, Rocca di Manerba Nature Park, Jamaica Beach Sirmione, Grotte di Catullo.

Depending on the weather, the boat can go clockwise or counterclockwise around the lower lake. There will be a guide on board who will explain the various points you are going to see.

A light lunch (usually a pasta dish) and a soft drink during the boat ride is also included in the boat tour.

A stop for swimming will be made for those who wish. The use of a life jacket is mandatory. No other stops are planned during navigation.

Small-medium sized dogs with muzzles are allowed on board. There is a bathroom and there is a bar where snacks or drinks can be purchased.

During the canoe tour on the Mincio River you can decide whether to make the river descent autonomously or accompanied by a river guide. 

In locality  Pozzolo sul Mincio after the lock, our descent of the Mincio by canoe begins from Pozzolo to Goito, where we will arrive just in front of the “Mincio Kiosk” in the center of the town.

In autonomy

The independent descent takes about 3 hours, including transfer to the starting point and descent. During the canoe ride, you will travel along the Mincio River from Pozzolo Sul Mincio to Goito, paddling for about 10km iimmersed in nature, enveloped only by the sound of the slow-flowing current and the song of waterfowl.

With guide

The canoe rental for the descent with the river guide always lasts 3 hours, in this time è also included is an initial briefing in which the basic concepts of how to use the canoe will be explained. The route è indicatively the same but you will be accompanied by an experienced river guide throughout the navigation who will explain to you as best as possible the particularities of nature and the surrounding area. 

It is recommended to bring: sea shoes, hat, water, waterproof bag for your cell phone. 

In case of storm or rain coinciding with the departure time, the experience will be rescheduled another day or canceled.

Guided winery tour with wine tasting and lunch of typical local products on a farm in Padenghe sul Garda offers several possibilities:

Visit and wine tasting

Experience includes winery tour includes tasting of a selection of 4 wines accompanied by a board of local products.

Lunch

This option begins with a guided winery tour and continues with a tasting of 4 premium wines. The tasting is accompanied by a sampling of local products.

The experience continues with lunch, which includes.

•    1 appetizer of your choice from the menu
•    1 main course of your choice from the menu
•    Water
•    Coffee

Wines and extra drinks are excluded.

Deluxe Lunch (From 2 to 10 people)

In addition to a guided tour of the winery, a 5-course tasting menu paired with locally produced wines is included. The menu changes according to seasonality (you can contact the winery after booking to receive information about this).

This tasting itinerary includes four premium wines paired with as many local dishes, prepared using raw materials and products from the Bottega Contadina line.

The experience concludes with a tasting of one of the local spirits, accompanied by a homemade traditional dessert.

In warm weather, the premium experience takes place on the patio.

In case of food intolerances, please notify the property at the time of booking. Vegetarian options are available, which must be notified at least 72 hours in advance to the facility.

Deluxe tasting takes place along with lunch.

Languages available: Italian and English.

Enjoy a Lake Garda crossing aboard a fully equipped sailing ship for a totally relaxing experience.

The scenic tour takes place in the early afternoon, in the 2 to 4 p.m. time slot, optimal for a sail on the lake, taking advantage of the "Ora" wind that blows from south to north in the early afternoon hours. During the sailing, you will cross the Brescia-northern shore of the Lake with a scenic stop in front of the Cascate di Forra waterfalls and the Terrazza del Brivido in Tremosine, just below the famous Forra Road also known as James Bond Street thanks to the filming of the 007 movie, with a final passage in front of the Malcesine Castle and its imposing medieval walls overlooking the Garda waters, before returning to port.

Alternatively, you can select the romantic tour, which runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with passage through the most romantic spots around Malcesine: the Island of Love and the Bay of Val di Sogno, toast with appetizers in front of the village of Cassone and final passage under the Scaliger Castle of Malcesine.

Excursion is organized on a shared basis, lasting about 2 hours. Depending on weather conditions and skipper's decisions, stops may be subject to change.

Departure from the small harbor of Malcesine.

Maximum capacity: 50 people.

Participant must bring:

•    comfortable clothing suitable for the season
•    hat
•    windproof jacket in spring or fall
•    sunglasses
•    preferably barefoot (prohibited: heels or hard-soled shoes. Sì to sneakers, flip flops or flat sandals)

Prohibitions: It is’ forbidden to smoke on the boat. Please do not use sunscreen or spray on the boat so as not to stain the teak cover of the seating area. In case bring a towel with sé to avoid direct contact between greasy skin with creams/sprays and teak.

Weather: The experience depends on the weather conditions. In case of high winds, thunderstorms or conditions that do not allow the experience to take place safely, the boat outing in such case will be rescheduled to another date.

Capacity: Min 10 participants for group experiences. Failure to reach the minimum nr of participants required will result in the date being moved.

Food and Beverage: It is not è possible to bring own food or beverage on board. On scenic tours è extra drinks can be purchased by choosing from our onboard list, on sunset tours food and beverages are included.

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.

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

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.

Guided winery tour with wine tasting and lunch of typical local products on a farm in Padenghe sul Garda offers several possibilities:

Visit and wine tasting

Experience includes winery tour includes tasting of a selection of 4 wines accompanied by a board of local products.

Lunch

This option begins with a guided winery tour and continues with a tasting of 4 premium wines. The tasting is accompanied by a sampling of local products.

The experience continues with lunch, which includes.

•    1 appetizer of your choice from the menu
•    1 main course of your choice from the menu
•    Water
•    Coffee

Wines and extra drinks are excluded.

Deluxe Lunch (From 2 to 10 people)

In addition to a guided tour of the winery, a 5-course tasting menu paired with locally produced wines is included. The menu changes according to seasonality (you can contact the winery after booking to receive information about this).

This tasting itinerary includes four premium wines paired with as many local dishes, prepared using raw materials and products from the Bottega Contadina line.

The experience concludes with a tasting of one of the local spirits, accompanied by a homemade traditional dessert.

In warm weather, the premium experience takes place on the patio.

In case of food intolerances, please notify the property at the time of booking. Vegetarian options are available, which must be notified at least 72 hours in advance to the facility.

Deluxe tasting takes place along with lunch.

Languages available: Italian and English.

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.

A taste experience immersed in the tranquil olive groves of Lake Garda, with a visit to the Oil Mill, oil tasting and full lunch of grilled meat.

The tour begins with a guided tour of the olive mill, discovering the stages of EVO oil production: from olive processing to the birth of the precious “green gold”. This is followed by a guided tasting of Venturelli Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Mostolio and Garda D.O.P. Oil will allow you to recognize its distinctive aromas, characteristics and qualities.

The experience continues with lunch in the mill's open-air restaurant, overlooking the olive groves.

The tasting menu includes appetizer with cured meats, cheeses, sottoils and jams, mixed grill of meat (Tagliata or Asado de Tira) with potatoes and vegetables, dessert of the day, coffee and a glass of wine of your choice from Groppello, Lugana or Chiaretto (or non-alcoholic beverage).

Enjoy a wine tasting with a tour of a winery near Bergamo. You can tour the winery with a guided tasting of 4 wines or experience a more comprehensive tour that also includes the elegant villa of the Medolago Albani family and its historic chapel.

If you choose the full experience, you’ll step inside the Medolago Albani family’s splendid manor house, where history, art, and tradition intertwine in a journey brimming with charm. You’ll visit the chapel dating back to the 16th century and continue on to the historic winery, where you’ll discover the production processes for the wines and other products of the estate, concluding with a guided tasting of four selected wines.

Alternatively, you can choose an experience focused on the winery, visiting the production facilities and the charming historic chapel attached to the estate. Here, too, the tour concludes with a guided tasting of four selected wines—a perfect opportunity to explore the flavors and winemaking traditions of the region.

During the canoe tour on the Mincio River you can decide whether to make the river descent autonomously or accompanied by a river guide. 

In locality  Pozzolo sul Mincio after the lock, our descent of the Mincio by canoe begins from Pozzolo to Goito, where we will arrive just in front of the “Mincio Kiosk” in the center of the town.

In autonomy

The independent descent takes about 3 hours, including transfer to the starting point and descent. During the canoe ride, you will travel along the Mincio River from Pozzolo Sul Mincio to Goito, paddling for about 10km iimmersed in nature, enveloped only by the sound of the slow-flowing current and the song of waterfowl.

With guide

The canoe rental for the descent with the river guide always lasts 3 hours, in this time è also included is an initial briefing in which the basic concepts of how to use the canoe will be explained. The route è indicatively the same but you will be accompanied by an experienced river guide throughout the navigation who will explain to you as best as possible the particularities of nature and the surrounding area. 

It is recommended to bring: sea shoes, hat, water, waterproof bag for your cell phone. 

In case of storm or rain coinciding with the departure time, the experience will be rescheduled another day or canceled.

The picnic in the vineyard in lower Garda in Lonato will give you a relaxing experience while admiring picturesque views.

This tour includes a visit to the winery and a picnic in the vineyard. You will be provided with a blanket and picnic basket with:

•    bread
•    cured meats
•    cheese from Lombardy
•    can of 100% Turbiana white wine
•    1 bottle of water

This experience allows you to taste traditional flavors paired with local wine to give you an innovative and sustainable tasting experience.

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

Horseback riding in the countryside between Lake Garda and Verona.

Once you arrive at the stables, after a brief introduction to the basics of horseback riding, you will set off on your walk. You will be able to choose from 2 different types of outings depending on the duration.

Accompanied by an equestrian guide, you will be able to walk on horseback and discover the wonderful natural landscapes of the Custoza Morainic Hills. Immersed in unspoiled nature, among hills and vineyards, you can relax and rediscover the beauty of the countryside.

The e-bike tour in the Mincio Park is an evocative experience among unspoiled nature and picturesque landscapes. You will have the option to decide whether to rent the e-bikes for half a day or a full day. Otherwise you can decide to take one of the 2 proposed tours:

The vineyards, the winery and the PGI wine

(half-day - about 40 km): This cycling tour will take you to explore the picturesque vineyards and gentle ups and downs of the Moraine Hills. You will be accompanied by a bicycle tour guide who will lead you along alternative roads, allowing you to appreciate the unique views and atmosphere of this region. During the tour, you will pay a visit to the "Tenuta Maddalena Winery" in Volta Mantovana, where you can taste local wines and learn about the production process.

The Morainic Hills and Italy's Most Beautiful Villages.

(half day - about 40 km or full day - about 55 km): This cycling tour offers two options: a half day of about 40 km or a full day of about 55 km. Along the way, you will pass through the villages of Castellaro Lagusello and Borghetto di Valeggio S/M, both listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. You will be accompanied by a bicycle touring guide who will take you through alternative roads among the vineyards and gentle ups and downs of the Morainic Hills, as well as sections of the famous "Mantova - Peschiera" bicycle path.

Clothing tips: gusseted bike shorts, light windproof jacket, sunglasses, and water.

In the town of Lonato, a few kilometers from Desenzano del Garda, you will stroll through the vineyard and visit the winery of the Perla del Garda winery to learn about its renowned Lugana and Garda DOC wines.

The wines will be accompanied by a tasting of local cheeses and cured meats.

When booking you can choose between two options.

Garda Doc Vibes

The perfect balance between technical discovery and freshness, ideal for those who want to get to know the modern soul of Garda thanks to a 75-minute tour through the secrets of the barrique cellar and the breath of the vineyard.

This is followed by a guided tasting of 2 wines paired with a selection of local cured meats and cheeses.

Slow Experience

If you choose this tour, you will have the opportunity to walk among the vineyards to discover how Lugana and the refined Rosato di Valtènesi, icons of the area, are born.

Afterwards, there is a tasting of Lugana and Rosato di Valtènesi paired with a rich board of cured meats and fomraggi accompanied by Garda DOP Olive Oil.

The experience begins inside the winery, located among the Morainic Hills south of Lake Garda, and you will be accompanied by a guide through the history of the winery. The visit will immerse you in the production processes of Mantua's best-known wines, which you will later have the opportunity to taste along with a board of local delicacies.

The experience lasts about 2 hours and is suitable for everyone. Minors are not allowed to taste.

Journey to the Stefanoni Cranes

The visit to the wineries is followed by a tasting 3 Linea Cru and Sparkling wines. The tasting is accompanied by a board of local delicacies.

Journey in the Garda

The visit to the wineries is followed by a tasting 4 wines. The tasting is accompanied by a cutting board of local delicacies.

At the Root of Taste

The visit to the wineries is followed by a 4-wine tasting of fine wines that will engage all your 5 senses, accompanied by a cutting board of local specialties.

Minors and non-tasting adults will be served a cool drink paired with a typical Mantuan chopping board at the end of the visit.

This experience is a unique opportunity to learn about the history of the winery and taste its delicious wines in excellent company.