Page 78 - DK Eyewitness: Back Roads Northern and Central Italy (Travel Guide)

76 BACK ROADS NORTheRN AND CeNTRAL iTALy

(half a mile) beyond the woodmill
outside Prabione. To reach the
sanctuary by car, follow signs on
the road that descends to SS45bis.
6 Santuario di Madonna
di Montecastello
Tignale, Brescia, Lombardia; 25080
This 17th-century sanctuary is built
over an ancient castle has an older
chapel decorated with Renaissance
frescoes. it is a peaceful spot, reached
by a steep 20-minute walk that is
Above left View over the Santuario di Madonna rewarded with magnificent views
di Montecastello Above right Fresco in the 5 Pieve to Tignale Road and a small café (Mar–Oct: open
Santuario di Madonna di Montecastello Brescia, Lombardia daily). extend the walk for another 20
Below Boats at Gargnano’s harbourside Driving through valleys of beech, ash minutes by following the path past
and chestnut, past cool streams, the eremo (hermitage) up to the
Alpine meadows and sheer mountain cross at the top of nearby Monte Cas.
visitinG GarGnano bluffs, it is easy to forget the bustle of ª Continue down the mountain to the
the lake below. There are several view- lakeside road, the SS45bis. Turn right
Tourist Information
Piazzale Boldini 2, 25084; 0365 791 243; points and picnic spots along the way. and head south to Gargnano, to the
www.gargnanosulgarda.it ª Follow signs to Tignale. The road­ signposted, covered car park opposite
side car park for the sanctuary is 1 km the tourist office on the main road.
where to stay in and 7 Gargnano
around GarGnano
Brescia, Lombardia; 25084
Hotel Du Lac moderate Perhaps the prettiest village on Lake Garda, Gargnano is a series of
Superbly located on the lakeside, in a frazione (neighbourhoods) strung out along the waterfront between
quiet corner of the village, this is the
smaller of two neighbouring hotels olive woods and secluded limonaie. The village is relatively untroubled
run by the same family for three by tourism and is perfect for a gentle wander or a lazy afternoon in
generations. Rooms have fine period the shade of an orange tree with dreamy lake views.
fur niture and there is a pretty terrace
and pergola with panoramic views.
Via Colletta 21, 25084, Villa di A two-hour walking tour possible to peek inside by climbing
Gargnano; 0365 71107; www.hotel- From the car park, walk down Via the steps leading to the locked door
dulac.it; closed Nov–Mar
Roma away from the main road. The just before the church. Continue
Hotel Villa Sostaga expensive cloister of a 13th-century Franciscan down the lane to reach the pretty
On the hillside above Gargnano,
this welcoming, family-run villa offers monastery stands next to the Baroque main square of Gargnano and its
informal luxury in 11 handsomely Church of San Francesco 1 just little marina. A building near the
furnished rooms. There are splendid down on the right. The columns in 16th-century Palazzo Comunale 2,
views from the lovely grounds and the cloister are decorated with citrus displays cannonballs that were
pool. A well-priced restaurant (open fruits – a reference to the Franciscan wedged into its walls during the 1866
to non-residents) serves memorable
seasonal specialities. introduction of lemon cultivation to War of independence against Austria.
Via Sostaga 19, 25084, Navazzo; the area. Legal wrangles keep the head round the waterfront and east
0365 791 218; www.villasostaga.com cloister closed to the public, but it is out of the square to Via Rimembranza
to take in the 19th-century Palazzo
Feltrinelli 3 on the right. Now part
of the University of Milan, the palace
was built by the paper and
publishing magnates whose
patronage can be seen throughout
the village – in the hospital, the
infant school and numerous family
houses. The public beach 4 is a few
minutes further along on the right in
a grassy olive grove. The lane
continues past several splendid
Liberty (italian Art Nouveau) villas,
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €100; moderate, €100–€200; expensive, over €200

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