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The land of Franciacorta is worldwide known and appreciated thanks to the production of prestigious high quality wine called “Bollicine” D.O.C.G. (Sparkling white wine with Denomination of Controlled Origin) produced with method Champenois, and for its fine grapes Chardonnay and Pinot black and white. The region  is located in the province of Brescia and extends its boundaries from the river Mella on the east side up to the river Oglio on the west; on the north it is delimited by the hills of  Brione, Polaveno, Monticelli Brusati and the Lake Iseo while on the south it borders the Po Valley. 


The region extends over 240 square meters and includes the districts of Adro, Brione, Capriolo, Castegnato, Cazzago S. Martino, Cellatica, Cologne, Coccaglio, Corte Franca, Erbusco, Gussago, Monticelli Brusati, Ome, Paderno, Paratico, Passirano, Polaveno, Provaglio, Rodengo Saiano and Rovato.


Franciacorta, land of vineyards and culinary tradition, land  of history, of medieval castles and patrician villas, land of the 'brusafèr' (artistically shaped iron pieces), land of sweet morainic hills.
The region is named after “Francae curtes”, that were small communities of Benedictine monks who cultivated this soil during the Middle Age.

 

Whithin this 'extended vineyard' which is Franciacorta, you will find many renowned wineries that are worthwhile a visit because of their really characteristic athmosphere, the tasty food and wine they offer, and also because of the beauty of the villas and mansions they are located in. We have tried to selected some of them, at least the ones we better know and more appreciate.

 

Franciacorta: the very fine mixture of food & wine, tradition and culture. An evocative land where rows of vines, gently rolling hills, little towns, castles and abbeys, battlemented towers and historic homes follow one another  in a wonderful scenary of vivid colours and luxuriant nature.

Wine and art...but there is much more. Hewre below you can find our sugeestions: 'entertainments' and 'things to do' in the zone of  Franciacorta. Don't miss them!

 

Wellness and sport

 

This welcoming land also offers a relaxing and regenerating break from the hectic routine in one of the beautiful thermal and wellness centers such as Terme di Ome, Terme di Angolo and Terme di Darfo Boario. In the last few years, many hotels have invested in bulding modern wellness areas where their guests can enjoy a fully relaxing holiday surrounded by the gorgeous view of the morainic hills.

 

Sport lovers are spoilt for choice: from the charme of golf to the emotion of horse riding, from the green paths in the fresh air to be walked down on foot or crossed by bike to the more exciting water sports in the near Lake of Iseo (sailing, water ski, diving) or extreme sports on the surrounding mountains (trekking and paragliding). 

 

To nature lovers Franciacorta offers the wonderful nature reserve 'Torbiere del Sebino', on the south west of the Lake. A real natural paradise extended over 360 hectares, the reserve is a peat bog particulary rich in bird and fish population and also in water vegetation that can be discovered through a pleasant walk or ride.

 

Besides the Torbiere, there are other Natural Parks such as the park along the river Oglio, in Palazzolo and in Paratico, the Castle Quintini with its wonderful gardens and the precious botanical cultivation of roses, peonies and hydrangeas, the Botanical Garden in Ome and the path  that through green fields and a thick wood leads from Capriolo to Sant’Onofrio.

 

Also the 'Piramidi di Terra' (pyramids of earth) in the village called Zone are an interesting destination to be discovered. Created by erosion, they are the result of a rare natural phenomenon of which there a few examples in the world. The valley of the pyramids can be reached from Marone through a narrow uphill road.

 


Lake Iseo and Montisola

 

Lake Iseo is maybe the most picturesque and striking among the lakes of Lombardy, also because of the uncontaminated surrounding territory, the hills covered with vineyards and the wonderful  castles, abbeys, mansions, villas that characterize the region of Franciacorta.

 

The Lake Iseo is located right on the slopes of Valcamonica, a valley of the pre-Alps with the river Oglio running through it. Driving along the country road that leads to the higher part of the valley, we pass through many small villages along the edge of  the lake and finally we reach the Adamello Chain, a skiing area that includes Ponte di Legno and the Tonale Pass.

 

Montisola is the biggest lake island of Europe and is considered the pearl of Lake Iseo. Boat connections to the other villages on the shores of the lake are assured during the day and, on the island, tourists can move only by bike (that can be rent directly on the island) or by the public bus. There are many villages on the island originally inhabited by fishermen: Siviano, Carzano, Novale, Masse, Singhignano, Olzano, Sensole, Peschiera Maraglio, Senzano, Menzino, Cure. Now they are characterized by the narrow alleys, small churches and nice typical restaurants where to taste lake fish dishes and other local recipes.

 

To the north of Montisola there is a much smaller island, Isola di Loreto, where the Order of Saint Claire stated a nunnery in the 15th century and where a nobleman, Cav. Richieri, ordered to build a castle with an impressive garden full of conifer trees at the beginning of the twenty century. To the south there is the Isola San Paolo upon which used to sit a monastery built in the 12th century but later demolished.  Now the island belongs to a private owner and it has become a holiday accomodation and nothing remains of the original church and closter.

 

The unique marvellous landscape together with the strong respect for the environment and the local tradition have made of Montisola an 'Area of particular natural and environmental' interest, member of the prestigious club of the 'Borghi più belli d'Italia' (The most beautiful Italian villages).
 

 

We suggest to visit Boatyard Archetti in Peschiera Maraglio, where the boatmaster Mr. Ercole will show you the famous 'naèt', a traditional small boat mainly used for fishing that has been raised to symbol of Montisola.

 

Iseo

 
We suggest to have a walk in the beautiful town of Iseo, and in particular on the lovely promenade and in the charming town center, with its nice squares, old buildings, locals, restaurants and shops.  Walking along the shore, you can reach the harbour, the most lively side of the town where the young usually hang out and where the boats leave for the magic island of Montisola . 
The main square is Piazza Garibaldi with the statue and fountain dedicated to the hero of Italian unification. Overlooking the square, Palazzo Vantini was built in 1833 and now is used as Town hall.


Among the most important monuments and buildings of the town there are the Pieve of St. Andrea with the Romanesque bell tower dating back to the twelfth century, the Mausoleo of Giacomo Oldofredi, the thirteenth-century Castello Oldofredi recently restored and now turned into public library and the Church of Santa Maria della Neve dating back to the 16th century.

 

Among the old magnificient buildings of the town center, Palazzo Rampinelli of the 17th century with frescoes on the facade overlooking Piazza Garibaldi, Palazzo Vantini and Palazzo Arsenale located in Piazza Statuto.

 

 

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