The province of Mantua lies between Veneto and Emilia Romagna and is various and interesting. You can travel from the hilly north, close to the Lake Garda, to the plains, whose abundance of water creates a pleasant typical river and lake landscape.
Thanks to its geographical position at a crossing point between north and south, but also between east and west, our territory shows many traces of its glorious past. Its origins date back to the Etruscans.
Traces of the ancient Roman time, of the fruitful Middle Ages (with Matilda of Tuscany and the Benedictines) and of the Renaissance with the powerful Gonzaga duchy can also be found on the whole territory.

Its history also reaches from the National independence wars to the peasant-struggles. The bent for agriculture has created a so called cookery of “princes and peasants”. The tasty sliced sausages, the famous and unique tortelli filled with pumpkin, very different from all sorts of ravioli, the agnolini in broth, the risotto (rice), the freshwater pikes and shrimps from the Mincio river, but also the donkey stew, which makes you acquainted with the countryside cookery. In this context we can not forget wine that has already achieved a high quality degree.

THE ROUTE OF THE MANTUAN WINES AND TASTES COMBINES THE BEST OF THE PROVINCE OF MANTUA.

The route meanders towards the whole province, focusing on the Mantuan wine production areas: the “Alto Mantovano” on the morainic hills and the “basso Mantovano” both on the right and on the left bank of the Po river.

• On the hill-way we can recommend you a visit to the Aloisian Museum, the Cathedral and of the Red Cross Museum in Castiglione delle Stiviere ;remarkable in the Alto mantovano are the Archeologic Museum in Castiglione delle Stiviere, the Alto mantovano Archaeological Museum in villa Mirra-Siliprandi and the Romanesque parish church in Cavriana; worth seeing are also the castle’s walls and the San Michele parish church in Monzambano, as well as Castellaro Lagusello Medieval village and the natural regional Park Parco del Mincio that follows the river from its source to its mouth.

• In the Basso Mantovano area the Route reaches Viadana on the left Po bank and the “Oltre Po” on its right bank. Viadana is the biggest district in the province, with its beautiful parish church and its paintings dating back to the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Do not forget to make a stop in Sabbioneta, Vespasiano Gonzaga’s “little Athens”.
• In the Oltre Po territory the Benedictines settlement in San Benedetto is still witnessed by the reclaimed lands, Polirone monastery and Giulio Romano’s basilica. On the Route also dedicated to tastes, you will find farmhouses and restaurants offering traditional, as well as innovative cookery.

a) The town which will please your mind, heart and palate
Amid noble palaces, imposing domes, crenellated towers and lively squares the town fascinating the world with its splendid Renaissance settings, reveals to visitors its most authentic vitality and enchanting mix of past and present. The smells and flavours of its famous gastronomy, witness the history and the genuine traditions of a prosperous and convivial land The available itineraries include: - a guided tour of all the most important town monuments with a tasting of typical Mantuan specialities in the historic downtown restaurants. In addition to lunch, and, on request, dinner in traditional restaurants; this itinerary includes stops en route to try and purchase local produce.

Here you can try the typical mantuan hospitality, made of wholesome food, good wines, art, history and culture, which our province is particularly rich in. We will be glad to help you to book your stay in Mantua and its province.Our services:

• guided sightseeing tours of Mantua and of the historical villages in the province
• guided tours through the natural parks 
• special itineraries and themed excursions (art, religion, nature, gastronomy…)
• Wine - and food- tasting tours in farms, wineries, distilleries, and oil mills. Visits to farms and wineries 
• Cooking courses: one-day courses, weekend or one-week courses in member facilities, including workshops on pasta-making and bread-baking, as well as on the typical Lombardy sweets.
• Hotel reservations
• Guided gourmet tours, as well tours to sites of historical or cultural interest. Overnight accommodation provided by association members at hotels (BB, HB, FB, B&B), home-stays, farmhouses, or historic house hotels.
• Spa and beauty treatments (for one or more days stays). 
• Professional guides are available for visits to castles, archaeological sites, religious buildings, as well as to nature reserves. Cycle tours and boat trips on lakes and rivers.

Themed dinners, banquets, wedding receptions in member restaurants, hotels and historic house hotels. Facilities for conferences and other business events.

Associazione Strada dei vini e sapori Mantovani C/o C.C.I.A.A.
Via Calvi, 28 46100 Mantova Italy
Tel. +39 376 234420
Fax +39 376 234429
www.mantovastradaviniesapori.it
e-mail:info@mantovastradaviniesapori.it