Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights & Activities
The Valtenesi is perfect cycling country, so pick up a bike from
Cicli Mata
( 0365 55 43
01;
www.matashop.it
;
Via Nazionale 63, Raffa di Puegnago; half-/full-day €18/25; 9am-1pm &
2.30-7.30pm Tue-Sat, 2.30-7.30pm Sun & Mon)
and select a route on the community website
www.pisteciclabili.com
.
Another good resource is the mobile app,
Garda Bello e Buono
(
www.gardabelloebuono.it
)
, which you can download for iPhones and Android.
Parco Archeologico
Rocca di Manerba
(
www.parcoroccamanerba.net
;
10am-8pm Apr-Sep, to 6pm Thu-Sun Oct-Mar)
Protected by
Unesco and now a natural reserve, the 'rock of Minerva' (so named after a long-gone Ro-
man temple dedicated to Minerva) juts out scenically into the lake just north of Moniga
del Garda. Now all that remains are the ruins of a medieval castle and a restful nature re-
serve of evergreen woods criss-crossed with cycling and walking trails.
NATURAL RESERVE
Santuario della Madonna
del Carmine
( 0365 6 20 32;
www.santuariodelcarmine-sanfelice.it
;
Via Fontanamonte 1, San Felice del Benaco;
7am-noon & 3-6pm)
In the tiny village of San Felice del Benaco you'll find the fres-
coed sanctuary of the Madonna del Carmine, which dates from 1452. The simple Gothic-
Romanesque exterior does little to prepare you for the technicolour frescoes inside. Al-
though their provenance is unknown, a number of them are thought to be the work of
Mantegna, Paolo Uccello and Vicenzo Foppa, such is their quality and depth of perspect-
ive.
You can stay overnight in the adjoining complex (
www.carminesanfelice.it
)
.
MONASTERY
La Basia
( 0365 55 59 58;
www.labasia.it
; Via Predefitte 31, Puegnago del Garda; half-hr/1hr lesson €15/25)
Situated just above the Viale Panoramico between Puegnago and Salò is Elena Parona's
extensive vineyard and riding school. While parents sample wines and wild honey on the
terrace, kids can enjoy structured riding lessons or rides in the surrounding vineyards.
Between March and September, you can also bed down in one of their family-sized apart-
ments (€345-550 per week).
HORSE RIDING
