Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
nature reserve of evergreen woods and orchid meadows, criss-crossed with cycling and
walking trails.
The shore around here features some of the best beaches on the lake. Strolling from
Pieve Vecchia to Porto del Torchio via Punta del Rio reveals glorious views and idyllic
spots for a dip or a paddle.
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 frescoed
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, de-
picting images of Christ and the Virgin and scenes resonant with the Carmelite Order, who
have been here since 1460.
Although the provenance of the 15th- century frescoes 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 perspective. You can stay in the adjoining
complex
(
www.carminesanfelice.it
;
rooms s/d €44/78)
.
MONASTERY
WINERY
Comincioli
(
0365 65 11 41;
www.comincioli.it
; Via Roma 10, Puegnago del Garda;
by reservation 9.30am-noon &
2.30-7pm Mon-Sat)
Despite modest appearances, Gianfranco Comincioli's winery
and olive press are behind some truly groundbreaking oils and engaging and unusual
wines. Combining over 500 years of traditional knowledge (the family tree traces its roots
back to 1552) and €1 million in technological investments, Comincioli now produce what
is Italy's finest olive oil, the Numero Uno.
The secret to these elegant, well-defined oils is a near-maniacal attention to every detail
and a cutting-edge pitting process that removes the stones before pressing and thus avoids
the often violent bitterness and oxidative nuttines that affect regular oils. The other factor
is the speed with which the olives are harvested - a process that takes no more than 80
minutes, meaning that when you break that wax seal you're tasting the fullest, freshest ex-
pression of the fruit.
Comincioli is located in the small village of Puegnago del Garda, which is in the heart
of the Valtenesi, 9.5km south of Salò and 15.5km north of Desenzano del Garda.
