Slow tourism, that of villages far from the chaos of the city, is a trend that is becoming stronger and stronger. If already last summer the Italians had discovered the pleasure of an outdoor holiday far away from the hectic metropolises and crowded beaches, 2021 is showing itself as the year of confirmations. Small towns, with their history and traditions, with warm and authentic hospitality, are gems spread throughout the peninsula. Tourist treasures to be explored while respecting the territory, dream landscapes to live and, why not, immortalize in a photo shoot to put in your memory album. One of the regions that stands out for the charm of its villages is undoubtedly Veneto. A heritage that combines culture, art and nature and that is told through faces and places. We begin our journey by walking in two locations included in the Club of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy. What to pack? Comfortable shoes and curiosity!
Borghetto di Valeggio sul Mincio
The first village we visit is Borghetto di Valeggio sul Mincio, lying on the river of the same name, located on the border between Veneto and Lombardy. It has a romantic personality, suggestive glimpses to be revealed by wandering aimlessly through its alleys. Attention is drawn to the ancient mills on the water that bring lost medieval atmospheres back to life. But not only that, it is impossible not to be seduced by the typical houses of this village, which today have become accommodation facilities or craft shops. The palate is tantalized by the flavors of this area, in particular by the famous tortellini to be tasted comfortably seated in a restaurant. Do you know that their nickname is ‘love knots’? The origin derives from a legend, a love story involving a nymph, the divine Silvia, and a brave soldier named Malco. The secret recipe for this dish is known only to the 15 restaurants of the Restaurateurs Association, a casket of very thin golden pastry enriched with a fragrant braised meat filling, strictly handmade.
Borghetto di Valeggio
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Close your eyes – in this case open them wide! – and take a journey through time. The Middle Ages served: the fortresses of the Visconti Bridge built in 1393 by the will of the Duke of Milan Gian Galeazzo Visconti tickle the visitor’s imagination. With a pinch of imagination you will find yourself between castellane and knights. Moving to the nearby town of Valeggio sul Mincio, of which Borghetto is a fraction, going to the top of the hill you find yourself in front of the imposing Scaligero Castle. Three towers and a breathtaking view of the Mincio valley, in the past it was equipped with three drawbridges, one of which is still well preserved. Finally, for history buffs, not to be missed are Palazzo Guarienti, which in 1796 had Napoleon Bonaparte as a tenant, and Villa Maffei Sigurtà, seat in 1859 of the headquarters of the Austrian emperor Francesco Giuseppe. Spearhead? The Sigurtà Garden Park that blooms at the back of the villa, simply one of the most beautiful botanical areas in the world.
Asolo
The poet Carducci defined this village, which is also part of the Club of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, ‘the city of a hundred horizons’. We are in Asolo, in the province of Treviso, a real magnet for artists and writers: it was here that Eleonora Duse, for example, a famous actress and singer, spent the last years of her life, and it was still here that the musician Gian Francesco Malipiero found inspiration for some of his compositions. The history of this country takes us back several centuries, in particular to the sumptuous court of the queen of Cyprus Caterina Cornaro who, after having ceded the island to the Republic of Venice, had Asolo in exchange. The noblewoman lived in the castle which thus became her precious residence, an example of elegance and refinement of which today only a few fragmented testimonies remain.
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The painter Giorgione painted the landscapes, Asolo basks in the embrace of its hills and makes you forget the passing of time thanks to its fairytale views. From the Rocca located on the summit of Monte Ricco, you can fully enjoy it: your gaze is directed towards the city center with the ancient Cathedral – guardian of the Assumption that bears the signature of Lorenzo Lotto -, the Duse Theater, and the Piazza Garibaldi with the sixteenth-century fountain. During a walk in the village you will also come across the Palazzo della Ragione, seat of the Civic Museum, in Palazzo Beltramini, seat of the Municipality, and in the sixteenth-century Villa degli Armeni.
Learn more
In the Club of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy there are other Venetian villages, each with its own characteristics and uniqueness: from Montagnana to S. Giorgio di Valpolicella passing through Cison di Valmarino, Portobuffolè and others. Do you want to know more? Visit the website www.veneto.eu/EN/newHome with many ideas and suggestions to build your tailor-made itinerary.
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