Green Tourism and bicycle lanes: Garda Lake unveiled by the Mayor of Brenzone
Garda Lake is one of the most sought after and fascinating tourist destinations in Italy and IN Europe. One can choose from the many places to visit and stay.
COVID has changed the tourism perspectives these days, but Garda Lake is already ready to welcome the future thanks to a sustainable tourism scheme. The bicycle and pedestrian path is an important step towards that direction.
I have interviewed the Mayor of Brenzone sul Garda, Mr. Davide Benedetti, who offers us a glimpse of the novelties that visitors at the area can look forward to. Novelties that promote a new form of tourism.
Davide has been the Mayor for the last two years, but a counsellor for more than 16 years to the community he loves most. A Mayor that loves his territory, but foremost one that knows it very well.
Can you introduce us to the picturesque municipality of Brenzone sul Garda?
Brenzone sul Garda is a municipality that extends to around 50 km including 16 fractions, but it is not heavily populated. Those 16 fractions translate in 16 historical city centers that are quite different from another. In fact, you go from the traditional city centre by the lake that includes a small port, to the typical half ruined medieval village on the prairy where you can find only a goatherd living with his family.
Moving away from the lake towards the mountain, one will find the fraction of Prada. It is a typical alpine village whose economy is based on pasture and that is where you will find a lift that brings you to the highest peaks of Mount Baldo, like the Telegrafo peak at 2.350 m.
A fun fact about Brenzone sul Garda is that it is the Veronese municipality with the highest percentage of women as opposed to men.
How important is tourism for a municipality like yours?
The economy of Brenzone sul Garda is 90% based on tourism. From Easter to the end of September there is an influx of foreign visitors (Germans make up to 80%) and then we have the weekend visitors mainly from the area of Verona.
COVID has been a blow to the global tourism industry. The year of 2020 was projected to be the year of great development for our area. We have been fortunate enough to contain the damages, thanks to the structure of our municipality.
Brenzone sul Garda is not a mass tourism destination, that fact has allowed people to enjoy its big open spaces immersed in nature, to take a walk at the ancient roman mule tracks. It has been a push towards Green Tourism in close contact with nature and is an environment with different faces. Adding to this perspective, we have added 10 km of bicycle and pedestrian paths about to be completed, but already open for everyone to enjoy.
Can you tell us more about the bicycle and pedestrian lanes ?
The bicycle and pedestrian lanes of Brenzone sul Garda connect the municipality from north to south, they are 10 km long and united by 26 small bridges that add to safety and a pleasant touch to the scenery.
They follow the lake coastline, cross the pebble beaches and are ideal for all types of bicycles, prams, strollers, wheelchais. They are suitable for babies and the elderly. The lanes are also open to use at night, since they are adequately illuminated.
The lanes go through the fractions of the Municipality of Brenzone and in particular Assenza that has a great view to the isle of Trimelone, then Porto, Magugnano and Castelletto. At these small villages one can admire the small fishermen’s marinas of another era. There is plenty of choice of refreshment points and great restaurants that offer local dishes, like fresh fish from the lake served with extra virgin olive oil, a staple product of our territory. Along the way one will find two medieval churches, the Church of Saint Nicola of Assenza and the Church of Saint Zeno de l’Oselet, and a Roman Villa at Castelletto.
The bicycle and pedestrian lanes are part of the Nordic Walking Park of Brenzone sul Garda, a very well known park to the people who love walking or bicycling on a path that is easy and for everyone. For those looking for a challenge, the lanes connect with uphill paths that reach Mount Baldo, “Europe’s Garden” as it is known.
Why visit Garda lake?
Lake Garda is a territory divided between 3 regions of Italy, Lombardia, Veneto and Trento. All three contribute to its beauty by their diversity, since the landscape can be totally different from one territory to another.
Speaking for the Veneto part of the lake, it is full of excellent food and wine. There is the PDO olive oil, mountain cheeses, white wines varieties like the Custoza and Lugana and red wines like the Bardolino or rosè ones like Chiaretto; moreover truffle that can be sourced from Mount Baldo, plenty of lake fish, the traditional cuisine and the typical lemons at the north part of the lake.
The landscape is extraordinary: you pass from the alpine mountains to the terraces with roads paved with stone walls that have been declared an UNESCO heritage, you go from the hills to the cultivated plain. Do not forget the medieval castles part of the “Grand Tour”, full of history and culture. These are all the possibilities of a sustainable tourism for all tastes and needs.
Davide has provided us with interesting information. It is important to promote a new type of tourism under the perspective of safeguarding the environment, being in direct contact with nature and in respect with the local traditions and seasonal products.
The philosophy is to stay at Lake Garda and feel like at home. And if you pass from Brenzone sul Garda, don’t forget to stop and go for a short walk, because it is really worth it!
