- Lifestyle
Boat tour on the Mincio
Navigation through the Mincio Park, part of the Valli del Mincio Nature Reserve, is a magical experience, where you can explore the natural treasures of this river reserve by boat.
Setting out from Mantua, or from the splendid fishing villages of Grazie di Curtatone or Rivalta sul Mincio, with the arrival of spring many municipalities offer the possibility, to visit the area, with brand new and creative excursions by boat, where you can enjoy a typical lunch while enjoying the river’s panoramic views.
The River Mincio flows out of Lake Garda and into the Valle del Mincio, where it splits into three lakes (upper, lower and middle), which surround the city of Mantua. The result is a river nature reserve with flourishing water vegetation, reeds, and lotus flowers - this latter visible in summer - and wildlife that includes numerous bird species, such as the grey heron. The landscape of this river, which runs as far as the river Po, includes panoramic views where nature and architectural beauties, such as the Reggia dei Gonzaga, come together to form an idyllic, tranquil fairytale location.
This stunning natural setting is home to Grazie di Curtatone, a gem of a village on the river, with just a few hundred inhabitants, and famous for its Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine Maria. Inside the sanctuary, it is possible to see a crocodile hanging over the nave. Every year, the church welcomes hundreds of chalk artists from all over the world to create extraordinary art in its churchyard, for the Festa dell’Assunta. In spring, the village is worth exploring as well as being the perfect starting point for boat trips on the Mincio, and for visits to the artistic and cultural locations in and around Mantua, where you can enjoy savouring local delicacies, even more when on a boat.