Valpolicella, situated half way between the Po Valley and the Alps, close to the Adige river, is made up of a cluster of small valleys, where vines, olives, cherry trees, an excellent climate and many water sources predominate. Valpolicella was already inhabited by Neanderthal man about 70,000 years ago. It used to be the main communication road between Italy and central Europe, and was the preferred holiday location of many Veronese and Venetian noblemen. During the Roman domination, which in Verona began midway through the II Century BC, Valpolicella succeeded in preserving its civil and religious organisation, while vine growing and stone working began to develop.
After a period of abandonment during the barbaric invasions, Valpolicella resumed its growth path, renewing crop cultivation and becoming the seat of many castles, rural signorie (lordships), while extensive properties were in the hands of monasteries and religious institutes of Verona.
Today, Valpolicella is a well delineated area covering an area of about 240 square kilometres, in the north west part of the province of Verona, east of Lake Garda, and lying between the Trentino hills of Lessinia and the Adige valley. The Lessini Hills, between Rovereto and Boschetto, house along their summits the Regional Nature Park of Lessinia, strongly characterised by special geological and landscape conditions: dolines, grottoes, and natural bridges which make the zone particularly attractive, offering some surprising views to visitors.
Valpolicella is considered the pearl of Verona, favoured by the gentle landscape and excellent climate. Villas, rural courtyards, isolated houses are hidden in its valleys, flanked only by cypress trees and small quarters built in stone.
Valpolicella now consists of seven municipalities: Pescantina, San Pietro in Cariano, Negrar, Marano, Fumane, Sant’Ambrogio and Sant’Anna d’Alfredo.
Vines are cultivated in almost all the Valpolicella area. They are grown with the help of terracing made with the typical dry support walls, to adapt to the typical hill lay-out.
Some of the best Veneto DOC (controlled origin denomination) wines are produced in Valpolicella, and often take the name of these lands. These wines must certainly include Valpolicella Classico, Valpolicella Superiore, Recioto and Amarone.
Furthermore, Valpolicella has many cultural itineraries and as many as four museums, which testify the characteristics of the local geographic and historical situations: the museum of Molina, the museum of Sant'Anna d'Alfredo, the museum San Giorgio of Valpolicella and the museum of Pescantina.
Numerous villas of high architectural worth can be found in the entire Valpolicella area, some of which are famous also beyond the borders of Verona, almost all built during the long Venetian domination on dry land.
Verona Apartments, Farm Holidays, Bed and Breakfast, Country House Hotels, Residencies in Verona, Valpolicella, and Lake Garda,
advise all those wishing to visit Valpolicella to find accommodation in the following structures:
San Ciriaco Relais Country House Hotel and Bed and Breakfast for Farm Holidays in Verona Valpolicella (Italy):
the ideal place for those wishing to stay in a completely relaxed and reserved manner, in a hilly zone immersed in greenery.
Residenza San Tomaso furnished apartments for rent B&B in central Verona for those looking to go to the opera or cinema, or to go shopping on the streets of central Verona, walking around in comfort.