GAY FRIENDLY VALPOLICELLA WINE AREA
Travel solutions with itineraries to discover all the wonders of this destination, places not to be missed, tips about where to sleep and what to eat, and above all many small special tips to enjoy your journey !
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Visiting this destination at its best depends essentially on how long you have to fully enjoy it. Here is a solution based on the number of days available to you:
Day 1 - Valpolicella Complete - Google Maps
alternatively, if you have more than one day available, we advise you to divide it into these two itineraries, which will allow you to fully enjoy it:
Day 1 - Valpolicella & Soave Castle - Google Maps
Day 2 - Wine Route of Valpolicella - Google Maps
(By opening the Maps with Google, you can easily follow our path)
Click'n'Go - Click on the places to find them on the Map
WHAT TO SEE in VALPOLICELLA?
10 THINGS TO SEE in VALPOLICELLA
San Giorgio di Valpolicella & Pieve di San Giorgio
Fraction of San Ambrogio di Valpolicella famous for the marble and granite industries, extracted and processed directly on the territory. The village of San Giorgio was elected as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and is nicknamed "Ingannapoltron", from the Veronese dialect "deceives the lazy", due to the fact that in the past the pilgrims, seeing the country from the plain, believed they were be able to reach it quickly. In reality the road was very steep and full of hairpin bends. Not to be missed is a visit to the Pieve di San Giorgio, a rural church and considered one of the most beautiful parish churches in the Veronese area. Not far from the church do not miss the terrace overlooking the vineyards below. You can even see Lake Garda!
Fumane & Santuario della Madonna delle Salette
One of the prettiest villages in Valpolicella. Immersed in the woods above the inhabited area of Fumane, dominating the surrounding territories, you will also find the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Salette. From here it is said that you can see the most beautiful view of Fumane. Reachable on foot or by car, the sanctuary was built in 1859 following a vote, when the town of Fumane was threatened by a disease of the vineyards.
Villa della Torre Allegrini (Fumane)
Probably one of the most interesting architectural examples of the sixteenth century in Verona, this villa is inspired by the ancient Roman villas and by Palazzo Tè in Mantua. Today it is home to a winery and is surrounded by a vineyard from which the Palazzo della Torre Allegrini wine is produced. But be careful, for the visit it is necessary to book.
Molina Waterfalls Park
Molina is a small village in Lessinia, just above the town of Fumane. The Molina Waterfalls Park, which covers an area of about 100,000 square meters, is perfect for immersing yourself in an oasis of peace and nature with waterfalls, woods and beautiful meadows. You can choose which route to follow based on the level of difficulty. There are three possibilities: green is the easiest to travel in half an hour, red the medium one which takes just over an hour and black the one for slightly more experienced hikers to go in about a couple of hours. We also recommend a visit to the Botanical Museum, to learn about the different species of plants present in the park.
Sant’Anna d’Alfaedo & Ponte Veja di Lessinia
Here are the ancient origins of Valpolicella, rocks dating back to the Jurassic period, dug, in the following centuries, by the inhabitants to extract the famous Lessinia stone used in the construction of buildings. Fossils of sharks, turtles and mosasaurs of exceptional importance have also emerged from these quarries, now preserved in the beautiful Paleontological Museum of Sant'Anna. Nearby you can admire the Veja Bridge, a natural stone arch about 50 meters large and dug by water over the centuries. This is the largest Natural Bridge in Europe. Suspended almost 30 meters from the valley floor, looking at it from the base is truly impressive. Here there are also two caves where prehistoric finds have been found. This bridge has inspired many artists for its particularity: Andrea Mantegna, who painted it as the background of a fresco in the Camera degli Sposi in the Palazzo Ducale in Mantua, and Dante Alighieri, who would have been inspired by the Ponte per le Malebolge, the eighth circle of the Hell of the Divine Comedy.
Negrar di Valpolicella
History lovers will have the opportunity to visit the various archaeological and historical-religious sites (just to name a few: Archpriest Church of San Martino and the Church of Torbe) and the majestic Venetian Villas (including: Villa Rizzardi, Villa Mosconi Bertani, Villa Albertini). It is also possible to try your hand at visiting the other ancient villages of Valpolicella (Molina, Cavalo and Breonio). An ancient Roman villa has recently been rediscovered and brought to light in Negrar among the Amarone rows. Just outside Negrar, there is the town of Fiamene (Fane), where it is possible to "see the stars", to stay on the Dante theme. In fact, the astronomical observatory is located here. The location is 700 meters high and the characteristic of the site, with an excellent 360 ° view and low humidity, allows you to see the Milky Way on clear evenings. A real spectacle for the eyes and the soul!
Pieve Romanica di San Floriano
It is one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in the Verona area, built, as shown by two large funeral stones and other remains found, above a pagan cemetery. The origins of the current church date back to the twelfth century, but we have news of it as early as the year 905. On the right side of the facade there is a beautiful seventeenth-century cloister, while on the left the bell tower.
Cave del Prun
Today abandoned, these quarries, called "preare" in dialect, are made of Lessinia stone and can be visited freely. Currently the quarries are open-cast, while in the past there were some in the Prun and Torbe area similar to mines.
Aquardens Terme
A thermal park immersed in the landscapes of Valpolicella. Aquardens strikes first of all for its dizzying numbers, in fact it is the largest thermal park in Italy, with 11 pools and over 60,000 square meters of surface. Inside you will also find dining options and an area dedicated to wellness. In addition, it is now also possible to book a seat in the new Oasis Beach, a private area with white sand, palm trees and sun loungers as comfortable as sofas. If you want to find out more click on this link.
Valpolicella Wine Route
Along this road you can discover the best Venetian red wines of the area such as Amarone DOCG, Recioto and Valpolicella. Many wineries and many estates immersed in a postcard landscape, which join the numerous local restaurants and trattorias with traditional cuisine. To find out more click here.
The BEST WINERIES & TASTING of VALPOLICELLA
Tenute Ugolini (San Pietro in Cariano)
Tommasi Viticoltori (Pedemonte di Valpolicella)
Tenuta Santa Maria Valverde (Marano di Valpolicella)
Masi Agricola (Sant'Ambrogio in Valpolicella)
Azienda Agricola Boscaini Carlo (Sant'Ambrogio in Valpolicella)
Cantine Aldegheri (Sant'Ambrogio in Valpolicella)
Cantina e Agriturismo Corteforte (Fumane)
Azienda Agricola Novaia (Marano di Valpolicella)
Antolini Vini (Marano di Valpolicella)
BEST EVENTS of VALPOLICELLA
Wine Cellars Open Day
On the last weekend of May, the cellars open their doors to wine lovers to taste, buy and get to know the techniques of wine production up close.
Magnalonga della Valpolicella
A walk of about 10 km through the territory of San Pietro in Cariano, to taste the delicious local products, obviously paired with the wines of Valpolicella.
Palio del Recioto e dell’Amarone
Between March and April this event is held in the municipality of Negrar to introduce the wines of Valpolicella and the territory with stands that sell wine, typical products but also handicraft exhibitions, painting exhibitions, entertainment for children, shows and lots of music.
WHERE TO STAY in VALPOLICELLA?
BEST LGBT FRIENDLY HOTELS & APARTMENTS in VALPOLICELLA
San Pietro in Cariano (VR) - Byblos Art Hotel Villa Amista *****
San Pietro in Cariano (VR) - Hotel Villa del Quar *****
Tregnago (VR) - Tenuta Le Cave
Marano di Valpolicella (VR) - Pianaura Suites
Fumane (VR) - Agriturismo Acinatico Wine Relais
WHERE TO EAT in VALPOLICELLA?
BEST TYPICAL RESTAURANTS of VALPOLICELLA Quality / Price
Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella - €€€ - Ristorante Groto De Corgnan
Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella - €€ - Petra Antica
Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella - € - Grappolo D'Oro
San Rocco - €€ - Antica Osteria della Valpolicella
San Giorgio in Valpolicella - €€ - Trattoria dalla Rosa Alda
Marano di Valpolicella - €€ - Antica Trattoria Da Bepi (excellent Risotto with Amarone!)
Fumane - €€ - Agriturismo Costa degli Ulivi
San Pietro in Cariano - € - Osteria Bar al Ponte Trattoria
WHAT TO EAT and DRINK in PROVENCE?
BEST TYPICAL DISHES and WINES of PROVENCE
Panà
Poor dish made with stale bread cooked in a vegetable broth
Pearà
Sauce made with stale bread, marrow, cheese and flavored with lots of pepper, perfect to accompany boiled mixed meat
Fasói imbogoné o con le codeghe
Beans with pork rind
Pisóta con l'ua
Cake with grapes
Wines
A wide choice between Valpolicella Classico, Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto della Valpolicella
TRAVEL TIPS about VALPOLICELLA by World Mappers
If you are daredevils, the Tibetan Bridge in Marano di Valpolicella is the one for you. Suspended in the void on this extraordinary that unites Valpolicella and Lessinia is a truly unique and sensational experience.
Many wineries organize Picnics in the Vineyard, with a walk to discover the secrets behind this great wine, tastings on comfortable blankets or a romantic dinner in the shade of the vines.
Most BEAUTIFUL PANORAMIC VIEWS of VALPOLICELLA
Enjoy the whole area from one of its fantastic Viewpoints. Our favorites are:
In the hamlet of San Rocco in Marano di Valpolicella, on Monte Castelon, there is this small church overlooking the valley of the Valpolicella. From here it is even possible to see Lake Garda in the distance.
Even from the small San Giorgio di Valpolicella (also known as Ingannapoltron), you can admire a breathtaking view of the vineyards, the hills of Valpolicella and Lake Garda.
To reach this beautiful church, you have to reach the top of the Poia hill, starting from the center of Sant'Ambrogio. From the church you can also easily reach the top of the hill in a few minutes, from where the view over the vineyards and Lake Garda is wonderful.
From the center of Monte, a small fraction of Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella, you can walk to the Mollinary Fort, dating back to the Habsburg dominion and built to control the Austrian border and the Adige valley. From here the view over the Adige Valley is enchanting, despite being in a state of neglect and not very well preserved.
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