FAQ
Territory
Do you have a map of Valeggio?
At the IAT Pro Loco Valeggio office you will find maps of Valeggio sul Mincio, containing information on the main places to visit in our town, a list of restaurants, hotels and other types of accommodation. A detailed road map with the main car parks and some useful numbers. You will also find a practical guide, also in English and German, with an itinerary around all the main historical points of interest in Valeggio.
Are there maps of the cycle routes? What other maps are available?
There are maps in 3 languages (Italian-English-German) of the following cycle routes: “Terre del Custoza” (Custoza country), Peschiera-Mantova, the lower Mincio and Ciclopista delle Risorgive. You will also find maps of the province of Verona, Lake Garda and the wine production areas of the Veneto. We also have maps of the city of Verona and Lake Garda. If you are looking for maps of larger areas, such as the region, northern Italy or the whole country, we suggest you go to an edicola (newsagent) or cartolibreria (stationer’s).
Parco Giardino Sigurtà
Is Parco Giardino Sigurtà far from the centre?
Not everyone knows exactly where the Parco Giardino Sigurtà is: the fact that it is such a large park might make you think that it is located outside the town. But when you discover that the entrance is actually within easy walking distance of the centre and the bus stops, you will be very surprised!
How long does it take to explore?
We always suggest a minimum of 2 hours for a good tour, which will give you a decent overview of the park: we are sure you will stay much longer!
Can I enter the Park with my four-legged friend?
No, unfortunately dogs are not allowed in the Park, with the exception of guide dogs accompanying the blind. But for dog owners who don’t want to miss out on a visit to the Park, there are arrangements with two boarding houses for their four-legged friends. Info. at the ticket office. Info. at the ticket office.
Must see
We are staying for a few days in Valeggio. What is there to see here?
We usually recommend a walk that sets off from the centre and covers the main points of interest in the town. From the parish church of San Pietro in Cattedra, with its strikingly unusual façade and bronze portal, made in 2006 to mark the 200th anniversary of its consecration, we continue along Via Roma until we reach Piazza Carlo Alberto with the old well and Palazzo Municipale where the IAT Pro Loco office is situated. From here, going along Via Antonio Murari, we pass in front of Palazzo Guarienti which today houses the Library. A few hundred metres further on, in Via Cavour, is Parco Giardino Sigurtà. In 2018, the Garden celebrated 40 years of being open to the public. We turn right into Via Circonvallazione Maffei and arrive at Villa Sigurtà, the magnificent summer residence of the Maffei counts. In front of the entrance gate, Via Giuseppe Verdi takes us to Piazza San Rocco where we can see the Teatro Smeraldo theatre opposite us, the venue for a series of plays, musicals and concerts in the winter months. On the right, Via San Rocco leads to Borghetto. Before going down to the small village on the river, a narrow cobbled road on the left, Via degli Scaligeri, takes you up to the Castello Scaligero, the town’s symbolic fortress and incomparable panoramic viewpoint. From here, you can take the narrow path of steps that leads down the hill to Borghetto.
And the surrounding area?
Valeggio sul Mincio alone can easily fill up a weekend, but for those staying longer it is worth noting other points of interest in the area. The cities of art of Verona and Mantova – not to forget Brescia which is easily reached by train – are certainly the main attractions along with the more famous resorts of Lake Garda. We must, however, bear in mind that people who choose to stay in a smaller resort such as ours, have generally already visited the more popular tourist destinations and prefer to visit small villages and towns. This is “slow tourism” mentioned also by the Club dei Borghi più Belli d’Italia in its mission statement: a non-frenetic tourism, not a whirlwind “hit and run” but a tourism that, on the contrary, savours simple and ordinary landscapes, normal life, local culture, because “beautiful things are slow” (quoted from ” Pane e tulipani” (Bread and Tulips) – S. Soldini 1999). Our office usually recommends, among the places to visit in the surrounding area: Villafranca, Custoza and the Ossuary Museum, Castellaro Lagusello, Solferino and the “Spia d’Italia” (Spy of Italy) fortress, Castiglione delle Stiviere, birthplace of San Luigi Gonzaga and home of the Museo Internazionale della Croce Rossa (International Museum of the Red Cross); San Martino della Battaglia with its characteristic round tower (completely renovated for the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy) where you can admire a splendid panorama of the morainic hills and the adjacent Museo del Risorgimento museum. For a more extensive out-of-town trip, Salò and Gardone Riviera with the Vittoriale (the house-museum of Gabriele D’Annunzio) and Isola del Garda island. A nice alternative would be to visit some of the resorts on Lake Garda with a boat trip (www.navlaghi.it).
The castle
How do I get to the castle? Can it be reached on foot? By car?
Valeggio’s Castello Scaligero can only be reached on foot: only those with a disability badge can drive there. Access for the disabled is possible, limited to the forecourt and the entertainment courtyard. It is, however, rather inconvenient especially for wheelchairs because of the cobblestones in the forecourt which give the effect of a bumpy road that could be a nuisance.
When can you visit?
The main courtyard of the castle is open every day of the year from 10 am to 7 pm, while the Towers are open from the end of March to the end of October, on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, from 10 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 6 pm (times subject to change due to the weather conditions). The cost is 2 euros per person, free for children under 13.
Borghetto
How far is Borghetto? How long does it take to get there?
As for the Parco Giardino Sigurtà, visitors often think that Borghetto is much further away than it really is. We can recommend going there on foot, which is not a bad idea on certain days when there is a large number of visitors: the route is less than 1 km, always paved and it goes through the public gardens. Many locals use it as a healthy daily walk.
Where are the mills in Borghetto? Is it possible to visit the mills in Borghetto?
You can only see the wheels of the old mills, while the buildings that once housed the milling machinery have been renovated and are used for other tourist services (restaurants, retail and accommodation). Some of the buildings have kept parts of the old mechanics on display.
Taste
Can you see how they make tortellini? Are the pasta factories open on Sundays?
There is one thing we do have that many people ask for: Tortellini di Valeggio. We can almost say that our fame as a tourist destination began with this little parcel of stuffed pasta, an excuse to discover the territory that created it. First people came to eat them, then they started to buy them, now they also want to see them being prepared. In these times when cooking talents are all the rage and pots, stovetops and ladles are style icons, our team is often asked if it is possible to visit fresh pasta workshops, to see how it is made or even to take part in a workshop to make it themselves. We would like to highlight a few sensitive aspects of this activity: the laboratories are areas of restricted access for obvious health and safety reasons, and not all pasta factories have rooms structured to accommodate this kind of visit. We therefore suggest that you contact the individual producers directly, in order to agree on times, ways and conditions.
Are there any wine producers that sell wine directly and do tastings?
For wine it is simpler. Almost all wine producers have the chance to welcome guests for wine tasting and direct sales. At our office you will find a leaflet with the contact details of almost all the wine producers in Valeggio sul Mincio, with addresses and telephone numbers.
Where and how can I buy tickets for the Festa Del Nodo d'Amore? When is the tortellini festival?
Admission to the Festa del Nodo d’Amore is only allowed with a ticket, reserved and bought in advance at the restaurants belonging to the Associazione Ristoratori Valeggio. Tickets for this event are very much in demand; it is an advantage to already be regular customers of the restaurants, a complete list of which can be found on the website www.ristorantivaleggio.it. Some tickets are also available from the Pro Loco Valeggio from the beginning of March: bookings are normally made by e-mail, followed by payment by bank transfer. In case of rain or bad weather, the organisation reserves the right to move the venue to the restaurants. In this case, each ticket is linked to a restaurant which is indicated on the back. Tortellini e Dintorni on the other hand, is organised between the end of August and the first weekend in September. Admission is free. Tickets are only for the tasting itineraries and are purchased at the entrance on the day. There is no advanced sale of tickets.
Transport
Where are the bus stops? Where can I buy tickets?
Two bus services run from Valeggio sul Mincio, connecting the town with Verona, Mantova and Lake Garda: – APAM route no. 46, Peschiera del Garda – Mantova; runs on both weekdays and holi-days. The most convenient stops for the town centre are in Via San Rocco, near Via Zamboni, and in Via Marconi, in the car park of the local nursery school (APAM tel. 0376.2301 – www.apam.it). – ATV route n. 160, Valeggio sul Mincio – Verona; operates on weekdays only: the closest stop to the town centre is in Via S. Giovanni Bosco, opposite the car park. The nearest stop is in Via S. Giovanni Bosco, in front of the car wash (ATV tel. 045.8057922 – www.atv.verona.it) Valeggio sul Mincio’s town council runs a tourist train service between Valeggio and Borghetto on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays at a cost of Euro 2.00 each way.
Is there a taxi service?
The traditional taxi service can be found in front of the railway station at Peschiera del Garda (045.7552348), whereas for Verona you can contact Radio Taxi 24h (045.532666). In Valeggio sul Mincio there is also an NCC ( Noleggio Con Conducente-car hire with driver) service, which is very similar to a taxi service. Transport can be booked to and from the airport, train stations and other points of interest, as well as for a party, dinner or perhaps in summer for an opera at the Arena di Ve-rona, for individuals or small groups.
Is there transport for bicycles?
From Peschiera del Garda to Mantua, the Mincio cycle path is about 48 km long; from Valeggio, about 35 km. It happens that many people want to cycle to the city of the Gonzagas, but are afraid of being too tired to return, especially if they have children in tow. The alternative is the Bicibus service offered by the Apam bus lines, on route no. 46, equipped for the case with a bicycle trolley. This service is active from March to October, on Sundays and holidays. For groups of more than 8 people, it can also be booked on weekdays. For information, details and any updates on the service, it is advisable to always contact APAM at the dedicated number 0376. 230339.
Coloro che non vengono con la propria bicicletta, ma la noleggiano sul posto possono chiedere alla gestione del noleggio cui si sono rivolti: non sono poche infatti quelli che, a richiesta e su prenotazione, offrono anche un servizio di recupero a destinazione finale.
A Borghetto ci si può rivolgere a Pedalando vai ( www.pedalandovai.it – 334.7069934 ).
A Salionze è attivo il servizio Bike Rental di Mincio in bike (www.mincioinbike.it – 349.8246245).
Services
Where can we park our motorhomes?
In Valeggio motorhome owners usually look for a place close to the Parco Giardino Sigurtà and convenient to the town centre. We therefore recommend therefore the free parking area in via Baden Powell, around the Ichehausen Playground. In Borghetto there is a private car park, Parcheggio Virgilio, which is suitable not only for cars but also for motorhomes and coaches but there is a cost (www.parcheggiovirgilio.it). If you are looking for an area with facilities for your motorhome, there is the Camper Parking Visconteo (www.camper-parking.it) in Borghetto or you can try the Agricampeggio dell’Agriturismo Gian Galeazzo Visconti (www.agriturismovisconti.it).
Is there free wifi in the centre?
The wi-fi service is currently suspended.
Miscellaneous
Do you have a book on the history of Valeggio and the Castle?
Lots of books! At the IAT Pro Loco Valeggio office you can find various publications on the history of the town, art and culture, local folklore and nature and many promotional leaflets on the area and events, information brochures and free magazines.
Where can I go for a walk with my dog?
The river banks are ideal to walk with your dog, enjoy the scenery and countryside of the Mincio valley. The cycle path is also a good idea but, given the large number of cyclists, joggers and skaters, a dog lead is recommended and a muzzle, if necessary. There are also some country lanes which you can always find marked on our cycle maps.
Are there hotels with spas and thermal baths?
There are no spas here in Valeggio. Some of the best known and most popular spas in the area are the historic Terme di Sirmione with a spectacular view of Lake Garda (www.termedisirmione.com); Villa dei Cedri at Colà di Lazise (www.villadeicedri.it); Piscine Airone sports centre at Sacca di Goito (www.piscineairone.it); Aquardens at Santa Lucia di Pescantina (www.aquardens.it ) in the heart of the Valpolicella; Gardacqua on the hill above Garda (www.gardacqua.eu).