Page 73 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

DRIVE 5: Lombardy’s Glacial Valleys 71

the waterfront, or hire a bicycle and
explore its tiny villages, stopping for
a meal en route – strong legs are
needed to get up to the Santuario.
ª From Iseo, take a right on SP47bis
to Ome, then SP46 to Rodengo-
Saiano, through Gussago past the
church on the left and after the town
centre take right. From here take the
main road out of town and follow
signs to Brescia, which has plenty of
on-street pay-parking.
Above Small vineyard in Franciacorta, near
June 9.30am–4.30pm; www.bresciamusei. Erbusco Left Ruined columns of the Roman
com) has fine Roman mosaics and Tempio Capitolino in Brescia
medieval treasures, including a
4th-century bronze Winged Victory. EAT AND DRINK
ª Retrace route back towards Iseo ISEO
(follow signs to “Milan, Bergamo and Da Piccioli inexpensive
Lago d’Iseo”), but turn left on SP49, Fried seafood, frogs legs & chips are
follow signs to the autostrada that on offer at this lakeside establishment.
leads to the Strada del Franciacorta. Via Cristini, Marone, 25054;
333 724 6847
8 Erbusco Osteria Il Volto moderate–expensive
Brescia, Lombardia; 25030 Blends mountain and lake flavors.
This village lies at the heart of a small Via Mirolte 3, 25049; 030 981 462; www.
osteriailvolto.it; closed Wed & Mon lunch
wine-producing area – known as
Franciacorta – dotted with ancient BRESCIA
religious buildings. The monasteries Osteria la Grotta moderate
that cultivated this land in the Expect Brescian food – casoncei (salami-
7 Brescia Middle Ages were tax exempt, lead- stuffed pasta) – in an elegant setting.
Vicolo del Prezzemolo 10, 25121; 030 44
Brescia, Lombardia; 25121 ing to the name Franciacorta. See 068; www.osterialagrotta.it
Known for its arms industry and www.franciacorta.it for information
engineering factories, Brescia also has on drives and cycle rides through the WINERIES IN FRANCIACORTA
an attractive medieval centre and well- idyllic countryside.
preserved Roman ruins. At the heart CA’ DEL BOSCO
Via Albano Zanella 13, 25030, Erbusco;
of the city is the broad, arcaded Piazza Franciacorta wines 030 776 6111; www.cadelbosco.com
della Loggia with an imposing palazzo The pleasant hills south of Lago CAVALLERI
at one end and the Torre dell’Orologio d’Iseo have been a wine-making Via Provinciale 96, 25030, Erbusco;
opposite. Via dei Musei follows an area for centuries. Attention turned 030 776 0217; www.cavalleri.it
ancient Roman road to the site of the to sparkling wines in the 1960s, and BELLAVISTA
forum, now Piazza del Foro, which is in 1995 the area was awarded the Via Bellavista 5, 25030, Erbusco;
DOCG, in recognition of the quality
topped by the columns of the Tempio of the sparkling wines made using 030 776 2000; www.terramoretti.it
Capitolino from AD 73. The nearby the champagne method, involving a FERGHETTINA
Museo di Santa Giulia (open Tue–Sun: a second fermentation in the bottle. Via Saline 11, 25030, Adro;
mid-Jun–Sep 10.30am–6pm, Oct–mid- 030 745 1212; www.ferghettina.it
DAY TRIP OPTIONS Follow the drive’s instructions, and back. Take the ferry to Monte Isola; afterwards
There are options for a city walk follow the SP510bis to Zone.
followed by a country drive, some Monte Isola and the Pyramids
lakeside relaxation or a wine tour. In Iseo 5, stock up with picnic Romans and wine tasting
provisions before taking the ferry to Explore Roman Brescia 7, then enjoy
Urban and rural exploration Monte Isola 6 to explore the island a tour of the Franciacorta wine region.
Spend the morning on a walking tour Head for Erbusco 8 and visit a few
of Bergamo 1, enjoying funicular for most of the day. Cycle round the of its wineries – perhaps on a bike.
rides and architecture from the 12th island, stopping to eat al fresco on
to the 18th century. After lunch, enjoy the way. Return to Iseo in the late Follow the drive’s instructions to
the countryside of the Val Seriana on afternoon, then drive to Zone to see Erbusco. You may be able to hire a
the way to medieval Clusone 2. the extraordinary rock formations. bicycle from a hotel or agriturismo.

Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under €25; moderate, €25–€45; expensive, over €45

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