We are in the Mincio Valley and everything stems from this splendid, generous land which has been tilled, tended to and cultivated for more than a thousand years, producing permanent meadows full of lush clover and other rich pastures. These meadows are crossed by a dense network of ditches and canals, often with tree-lined banks, which still preserve the ancient taste of the countryside.
There are many opportunities to see nature in this area, by venturing only a few kilometres from the agriturismo: Centro Parco delle Bertone, the Fontana Wood, Centro Parco Rivalta sul Mincio, the Sigurtà Gardens.
Centro Parco delle Bertone
Once owned by the Conti D’Arco, this romantic garden-park, the former late nineteenth-century residence of the noble family, is characterised by hills covered in woodland, shadowy pathways, small lakes and trees that have been around for centuries. The park is also the location used as the base for the reintroduction of the white stork and it is currently home to around dozens of birds of this species, which can be observed from custom-built viewing sites. The park features picnic areas. Sometimes in the summer the evening show “Music on the wings of storks” is held, featuring live ethnic music.
Fontana Wood
An almost uncontaminated environment where you can surround yourself in nature, following one of the paths in the thick wood which is all that is left of the forests that covered the low Padana flatland in ancient times. Once owned by the Gonzagas, it also hosts the dukes’ hunting pavilion. It was declared a National Monument in 1921 and, since then, the area has been protected. In 1976, it became a natural biogenetic reserve due to its historical and natural importance.
Sigurtà Gardens
The Sigurtà Gardens located in Valeggio sul Mincio at around 12 Km from the Corte Carnevale Agriturismo can also be reached via the Mantua-Peschiera cycle path. The area is a marvellous ecological oasis which was awarded the title of Italy’s Most Beautiful Park in 2013. The charming villa is surrounded by 600,000 square metres of grounds, covered in dense vegetation with an endless variety of plants, flowers, stunning avenues, water mirrors, fountains, water gardens and green mazes.