Charming Borghetto

Borghetto is a small cluster of settlements that arose in the 1400s around a series of water mills for grinding wheat and husking rice, in a particularly picturesque spot along the course of the Mincio river. Leaving the car in Valeggio, you walk down past the public gardens and arrive at the small village (listed among "The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy"). It lies in a hollow, below the hills dominated by the castles of Valeggio sul Mincio. Artisan shops and typical restaurants everywhere. The ruins of the Visconti Bridge are imposing, the views of the water-mill wheels are beautiful, and the muffled music of the flowing water is fascinating. From here you can continue by bike to Peschiera along the cycle path that runs beside the Mincio (about 15 km....we did it last year) or head down towards Mantua.