A mere mention of the word Soavewill immediately bring to mind a pleasant landscape of hills and vineyards where one of the most prestigious Italian wines is produced. Noble and gentle, Soave white wine has a history so strongly rooted that the Longobard minister Cassiodoro wrote of it. We will now leave Verona to experience the characteristic beauty and flavours of this provincial area. You will discover during your visit that Soave is also a pretty mediaeval town, rich in history, architectural beauty and landscapes. For example, the famous Scaligero castle, the most important and representative monument of Soave that dominates the little town. An excellent observation point to enjoy one of the most typical views of the area: the wide valley below. The picturesque fortification that belonged to the lords of Verona stands among the vineyards and is an example of mediaeval military architecture, formed by a central keep from which develops a triple set of defensive walls. Cross the drawbridge and access the first courtyard that opens beyond the gate, where you can admire the remains of an old church. A second gate leades to the Madonna courtyard which takes its name from a fresco dated 1321 representing the Virgin Mary with angels. The main attraction is the keep, with its neaby noble apartments. On the ground floor is the Guards Hall, with a collection of Scaligero arms and cuirasses, and on the first floor the Sala della Caminata, leading to the bedroom and dining hall, furnished according to the taste of that period.

Continue the visit of Soave in Piazza Antenna where you can admire the Palazzo di Giustizia, the courthouse built by Cansignorino della Scala in 1375, with an elegant loggia and ogival windows. On its façade you will notice an inscription recording the date of construction. On the same square stands Palazzo Cavalli, built in 1411, distinguished by its Gothic-Venetian style, with a loggia and triple lancet windows. Facing is the Cathedral, dedicated to San Lorenzo, dating back to the beginning of the 1300s and subjected to various remodellings over the centuries. Enter to admire important frescoes such as the Madonna and God the Father with the Saints Gioacchino and Rocco, by Domenico Morone, or, among the sculptures, the wooden 'Redentore'. From Piazza Antenna head for Via Camuzzoni to admire the Palazzo Scaligero, now housing the town hall, built by order of Cansignorio della Scala in the 14th century and also known as Palazzo del Capitano because it was the residence of the town governor, characterized by the small towers and battlements. Also worth a visit for their artistic beauty are the 13th century Palazzo dei Conti Sambonifacio and 15th century Palazzo Pollici, where Ippolito Nievo spent part of his childhood. Adjacent to these noble and historical palazzi are the religious buildings, in particular the Domenican church of Santa Maria di Montesanto, which has survived to the present day with few modifications. The temple stands a few steps from Antenna Square, along the steps leading to the castle. The Renaissance elements are attributed to Fra' Giocondo while inside there are two important frescos: the story of Lazarus and the story of Mary. Note also the slender bell tower with the twin lancet windows in the belfry. Today the church is deconsecrated and hosts temporary exhibits and cultural events.

This evening enjoy the chance to taste the excellent local wine at "Lo Scudo" Restaurant, a refined establishment in an old, deconsecrated 16th century convent, where you can try a variety of enticing recipes.

Your venture into nature begins in the Lessinia area, north of Verona, rich in meadows and forests, peaks and valleys, where the relationship between man and environment goes back for centuries. From Soave head for Velo Veronese: en route you will notice the changing of the landscape, where the hills become more concentrated and steeper. The town, immersed in a variegated form of nature, is the old capital of the Cimbrian culture, as still witnessed by road signs indicating nearby districts bearing typical Cimbrian names. From Velo Veronese you will notice the peak that dominates the surrounding landscape, Monte Purga(the name deriving from perg, which means mountain). In this area, traces of a community from the Iron Age can be found, later the site of a Roman fortification and where now a tiny ex voto chapel stands, dedicated to San Carlo Borromeo. Nearby is Camposilvano, where you can go to visit the Fossil Museum in an old farm. Inside you can admire fossil findings from different geological eras, remains of the Ursus speleus, a rich collection of ceramics, arms and other artefacts. Beyond the museum an interesting element is the Covolo: a huge well, 83 metres deep and very charming, formed after the collapse of a cavern whose calcareous rocks were eroded by water: a typical karst phenomenon. Another example can be seen in the Valle delle Sfingi, one kilometre from Camposilvano. The area is characterised by rocks emerging as a result of the collapse of surrounding rock due to the erosive action of water over the millennia. The result is a picturesque landscape dotted with natural sculptures.

Depart from Camposilvano for San Giorgio, one of the most popular destinations for the people of Verona, mostly for winter sports. The landscape is one of the most beautiful of the Lessinia area, ideal for exploration on horseback in the spring and summer. Close by is Bosco Chiesanuova, renowned centre of the Valpatena and known locally as the "pearl of Lessinia" due to its physical and climatic characteristics that make it equally popular in both summer and winter. Another place of interest is the Civic Museum "Lessinia, man, and the environment" dedicated to the age-old link between man and this territory, including ice, lime, and carbon manufacturing processes. These old manufacturing industries are documented by the presence of the giasare (ice-houses), circular structures in stone easily identifiable during mountain excursions, and also the lime kilns, primitive blast furnaces to produce lime. The entire region offers a very valuable historical and environmental heritage, protected by the foundation of a Nature Reserve managed by Comunità Montana di Lessinia. Its educational itinerary crosses a territory that covers 13 municipalities in the area, following indications and brief descriptions of the area inscribed on 28 marble slabs by the park management. Not only nature and history, but also wine and food tradition is highly regarded in this area, for example the local dairy products and fine wines such as Lessini DOC.

This evening we suggest staying in Bosco Chiesanuova, where you can sample exquisite dishes typical of these mountains, such as formajo cotto (cooked mountain cheese) or the delicious fogassa de pomi with graspa (an apple tart). For overnight we recommend Hotel Lessinia.

Between Lake Garda and Verona lies the Valpolicella region, a territory of hills and rivers famous, in addition to its production of wines, for its marble and stone quarries. Over the centuries, and mainly between the 16th and 17th centuries, skilled local craftsmen and builders constructed a number of famous villas and parish churches of great historical and artistic interest from these materials. Many can be visited along this route through the hills. We leave Bosco Chiesanuova and head towards Verona, turning towards Negrar, where you should stop to admire Villa Mosconi, built in the mid 18th century by Adriano Cristofoli. This elegant residence, which stands in a valley of rare beauty, is the home of a famous vineyards where you can taste the local wine. The next destination is Pedemonte, where, immersed in an extensive park, you will find Villa Santa Sofia. Its design was originally assigned to Palladio, but all that remains of his original intention is the central section with a porch and loggia supported by Ionic columns. Another interesting villa in the area is Villa Rizzardi in Poiega, the park of which is renowned as one of the best examples of Italian gardens, landscaped by Luigi Trezza in 1783. The gardens are laid on three levels, covering a surface or more than 5 hectares and surrounded by a vast vineyard. During your visit to the gardens, not to be missed are the wood, citrus grove, small temple, belvedere and the theatre. Leaving here we move on to San Floriano, where you can visit the Romanesque church of San Floriano, built in 1120 on the site of a pagan temple and a Longobard-Carolingian church. The building has a façade in tufa and stone and a triple nave interior.

Our journey begins again, passing through Fiumane to visit Villa della Torre, its design similar to that of Roman villas. It is indeed characterised by the succession of three terraced courtyards and the layout of the rooms around a peristyle. The fountain in the middle of the peristyle, and the mascaron hearths found in three of the rooms are of interest. Our next stop is San Giorgio, where there is a famous Pieve, built in the 7th century and later expanded during the 13th century. The church in Romanesque style is characterised by an elegant bell tower and well preserved cloister. But the real attraction of this building are the double-ended apses: on the west side, the apse corresponds with the church entrance, while on the east side, the wall is formed by a triple apse. Particularly interesting also is the Longobard ciborium dated 712. Not to be missed is the parsonage with a Museum exhibiting Rhaetian and Roman finds. Continue to Villa del Bene in Volargne, not very far from San Giorgio and close to the River Adige. The villa was built in the 15th century, but in 1515 Sanmicheli intervened upon it to construct the entrance portal. The two-story building is characterised by a porch and loggia and a central Venetian style hall. There are also some interesting frescos visible in the loggia, in the stairwell and in some rooms in the private apartments. But the attractions of Valpolicella also include its landscapes and, so as not to miss one of the loveliest and most fascinating places of the region, you should head north to Molina to admire the amazing playful waters of the Parco Cascate.

Back to Verona in the evening for some well-deserved relaxation perhaps at the restaurant Tre Marchetti where you can taste extraordinary fettuccine with porcini mushrooms, salt cod alla vicentina, or the classic pastissada. Afterwards you can go to Piazza Brà and the welcoming atmosphere of the Listòn, the imposing shadow of the Arena and the historic palazzi.