If you love adventure movies just like me, chances are you would love to be like Indiana Jones or Alan Grant (Jurassic Park) at least once in your lifetime.
Well, if you are the type, you can experience this in Valpolicella (with no risk to your life!). Here are the 4 places you should visit if you love this kind of travel. Bonus is the fact that you can stop for wine during your adventure, sip in the grape juice, take in the views, think of how amazing life is in that moment…
Molina Waterfalls Park
Close to the small village of Molina, it covers 80,000 square meters. It’s a fresh and shadowy oasis of peace and the favourite refuge for many people during the hottest summer days. The park includes the last part of the Molina Valley and the area that connects it with the Cesara Valley and the “Vaio delle Scalucce”. The waterfalls were originated along the rivers because of the presence of rocks with different levels of erosion. Furthermore, this territory is characterised by its abundance of water, due to the existence of perennial springs north of Molina. Apart from the bubbly waterfalls, the Molina Park also offers a landscape of woods and meadows, crossed by torrents and small rivers. Good for picnics, great for hiking and simply beautiful all round.
The winery to visit: Accordini Stefano
The winery is less than 30 minutes (by car ) far from Molina, and the view from its terrace is amazing. This producer is renowned for his wines from dried grapes (Amarone della Valpolicella and the sweet Recioto della Valpolicella) so don’t miss a wine tasting here with the winemaker.
The Tibetan Bridge
This is quite an impressive engineering work is located in the territory of Marano di Valpolicella. Its height at the tallest point above the valley is 40m, 52m, and 70cm wide. The bridge is suspended by 4 strong ropes, in their turn made by a chain formed by 4 steel wires. This bridge is worth visiting in the region if you want some stories to bring home – and great photos too! We suggest however that you only cross the bridge in dry weather as it can be slippery when it rains.
The winery to visit: Terre di Leone
In Marano you can find many good wineries to visit, though I suggest to go to Terre di Leone, because Federico Pellizzari’s wines wines have a simply unique and the place where the building rises, surrounded by vineyards, is very peaceful and serene. Get in touch with Terre di Leone next time you are here for a visit and wine tasting. You won’t regret it.
Fumane Cave
This cave, also known by the name “Riparo Solinas” (Solinas Rock Shelter) after the archaeologist’s name who discovered it in the 60s, is located along the old road toward Molina, in Val dei Progni, not far from Verona. Nowadays it’s one of the most highly regarded monuments of ancient prehistory: the archaeological discoveries here are an evidence of the life of the Neanderthal men and early Modern humans. This site is essential for studying the way of life, the economy and spirituality of the ancient humans that frequented the Valpolicella area for over 50,000 years. This area is also most helpful for our understanding of the mechanisms that led, around 40,000 years ago, to the affirmation of Modern Man in Europe. The cave is still studied, however has been accessible to visitors of the Lessinia Park since 2005.
The new building of this winery is along the main road that crosses throughout the valley. It has a modern structure, yet hides an amazing route that develops in natural old quarries of sandstone. The owner is Celestino Gaspari and if you are looking for a different approach to Amarone della Valpolicella and other wines, look no further: his wines worth tasting.
Veja Bridge
This is the most important geological monument in the Lessinia Park. It’s an extraordinary natural arch of about 40m, with a width of 20m. It is located not far from the small village of Sant’Anna d’Alfaedo, at 602m above sea level. According to researchers, this natural arch is the rest of an ancient cave, which collapsed in the past. At the base of the arch there are some prehistoric caves, full of treasures (and now are in the Prehistoric Museum in Sant’Anna d’Alfaedo). The archeologists say that the human presence can be traced back to the Upper Paleolithic times (100,000 years ago). Due to its unusual structure, the Veja Bridge inspired many painters along the centuries, like Andrea Mantegna, who painted it in the frescoes of the Bridal Chamber in the Ducal Palace of Mantua.
The winery to visit: Tenuta Santa Maria Valverde
On the hill of Marano, with a spectacular view, this winery not only offers classic wine tour and tastings, but also a most friendly and helpful team. And if you are exploring Valpolicella by bicycle, their “bike station” is at your disposal for any needs of maintenance.