With the end of the lockdown, the desire to travel of Italians returns to the top of thoughts. While on the one hand the pandemic has changed our habits and our plans, especially as regards holidays, on the other hand it has given our country the opportunity to be even more valued, becoming the main destination of our travels. And what better way than getting back in touch with nature and enjoying excellent local products? The new Camino del Bardolino it's perfect for that.
A project born to enhance the historical, cultural and naturalistic heritage of the production area of the homonymous wine, the Bardolino Way crosses villages, hills and vineyards on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. With a length of approx 100km in total, the Way is divided into 18 cycle and pedestrian paths and connects 6 towns over an area of 130 square km (Bardolino, Affi, Costermano, Cavaion Veronese, Garda and Rivoli), networking 61 wineries.
All visitors are also offered the opportunity to choose between different types of track, depending on their needs: short routes for less expert hikers, of about 3/4 km, or the more demanding ones 20km long. There are also equipped parking areas, so you can leave your vehicle for free and continue your journey in this fantastic land on foot or by bike.
Also, to ease visitors on their journey, all trails are mapped and marked with 281 arrows, 172 trail signs and 53 information boards, which can be consulted directly from an application thanks to the Qrcode, which not only indicate the path to follow but at the same time provide important information and curiosities about places of historical, religious and artistic interest (also including a Wine Museum in Costabella di Bardolino ), but also on the typical products of the area, starting with the Bardolino DOC.
A path designed ad hoc for all nature-loving travellers, both to explore the landscapes of the Garda hinterland and to taste in the most renowned wineries the Bardolino Doc, which certainly needs no introduction. With a light ruby red colour, fragrant, highly drinkable, Bardolino (made from Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes) is distinguished by its dry, slightly bitter and very harmonious flavour. Equipped with great gastronomic versatility, able to accompany any dish: from white meats to pizza to fish from the lake.
For this very reason all his garments are to be tried on, from Superior to Classic (produced in the municipalities of Affi, Bardolino, Cavaion Veronese, Costermano, Garda and Lazise), from Novello to Chiaretto. So you can savor the whole story of this incredible wine and its territory in every sip.
South of Lake Garda, between Brescia, Mantua and Verona, there is an area of hills, valleys and small gravel areas. They are the morainic hills of Garda, formed by the glaciers that shaped the Garda basin, which together with the mild climate (with mild winters and temperate summers), make this land perfect for the grapes and the resulting wine. The production of which is also testified by settlements and finds from the Roman era, such as cups and other containers, used for ceremonies and religious rites.
In the 400th century, viticulture had a strong growth which, under the rule of the Republic of Venice, assumed an even more important role for the economy. But only from the 800s did wine production become qualitative and no longer quantitative, until in 1968 the is recognized denomination of controlled origin (DOC) defining the area of production of the "Bardolino" wine. It includes 16 municipalities of Lake Garda: Bardolino, Garda, Lazise, Affi, Costermano, Cavaion Veronese (only the wines produced in these 6 municipalities can boast the denomination of Bardolino Classico), Torri del Benaco, Caprino, Rivoli Veronese, Pastrengo, Bussolengo, Sona, Sommacampagna, Castelnuovo, Peschiera and Valeggio sul Mincio.
The idea of the Camino was born in 2016, from the Land srl of the architect Andreas Kipar an international architecture and design studio (LAND is an acronym for “Landscape Architecture Nature Development”), based in Milan which has branches in Germany (Düsseldorf) and Switzerland (Lugano) and takes care of environmental projects all over the world.
The project, financed by the municipalities and by the Rural Development Program for the Veneto 2014-2020, for a total amount of around 184 thousand euros, is divided into shares among the various municipalities according to the inhabitants. Gal Baldo Lessinia, the institution chaired by Ermanno Anselmi, which disburses European funds together with the Veneto Region and Avepa, also intervened in the financing of the work. The goal was to make a series of little-beaten paths passable both on foot and by bike, starting from one of the 6 inhabited centers and from here choosing the path you prefer most.
However, the timing was not the best, given that this project saw the light at the beginning of March, in full quarantine. Even if in this phase of recovery, this initiative could prove to be an excellent way to return to slow tourism, away from any gatherings.
To restart safely, the events will be limited until August 31st. After the cancellation of the various spring events that were supposed to inaugurate the start of this project, the summer season appointments will be rescheduled and planned from a different point of view, such as the "Palio del Chiaretto", initially scheduled from 5 to 7 June, it will instead be postponed to July. An itinerant path with limited access, which will take some small groups of visitors around nature and among wineries.
"In this particular period, in which Italy is trying to start afresh, it is essential to start afresh from ourselves and from our territories, a precious asset that we have - commented the starchitect Andreas Kipar – The Cammino del Bardolino is an example in which it is possible to experience close contact with the territory also thanks to the numerous farms producing the Bardolino DOC. This gives you the opportunity to embark on a walking tour and to explore the landscape of the hinterland of Lake Garda, savoring its typical products. It is important – concluded Kipar – to find our roots in the territories and landscapes that have always framed our lives, because we are the landscape and our culture is in the landscape”.
A path immersed in the naturalistic biodiversity of Garda between history and traditions that allows us to discover an artistic heritage that is still little known. An even more valuable initiative for national rural tourism, especially in this difficult moment for our country. Returning to travel to Italy, investing in our excellence, is the best way to contribute to a recovery and relaunch of Made in Italy as we know it.
