Among the many interventions conducted by the S.T.A.I. project to make the beauties of Orobic accessible to a wider audience is a closer collaboration with the province of Brescia, resulting in four accessible routes on the beautiful shores of Lake Garda.
Imagining that you are arriving right from Bergamo, then from the west, the first route you encounter leads to the discovery of Desenzano del Garda, on the southern shores of the lake.
A town enclosed between lake shores and rolling moraine hills, Desenzano has been favored not only by nature but also by history, which since Roman times has left it with great riches: the ruins of the villa of Decentius, a medieval castle expanded in the Renaissance, a Venetian-built harbor and a 16th-century square, to name but a few.
You can reach by car via the Mi-Ve highway (Desenzano exit, or Sirmione exit in case of traffic) and by train, getting off at the Desenzano del Garda-Sirmione station.
La station is equipped with elevators and tactile path, as well as accessible urban and suburban public transportation. A service is also available to assist people with disabilities and reduced mobility, with accessible toilets and info-point. About 200 meters away, you will find parking lots with spaces reserved for regular disabled ticket holders, again with the possibility of stopping temporarily in front of the station building to unload luggage and people.
Keeping the station as your starting point, proceed for about 1 km along Viale Cavour, downhill with gradients varying between 8% and 16%.
The sidewalk is free of obstacles and the crosswalks are well signposted, as well as on the level; next you find a 400-meter-long, 14% roadside climb, after which you arrive at Piazzale Fracassi, equipped with 2 handicapped parking stalls and free parking to all holders of regular parking coupons also displayed in the blue stalls.
At 100 meters from the parking lot, walking up an 18 percent climb you reach the entrance to the Castle of Desenzano del Garda without finding any barriers or obstacles. The castle is located in the upper part of the village, fully accessible by elevator and concrete ramp to standards; it boasts breathtaking views of the village and Lake Garda – on clear days, the horizon is endless. Numerous exhibitions and cultural events are held inside each year.
It also offers the possibility of leaving all persons with reduced mobility in the immediate vicinity.
www.comune.desenzano.brescia.it/ll-Comune/Luoghi/Castello-e-Anfiteatro-del-Castello
Walking down Via Montegrappa and taking Via Sant’Angela Merici, you will then reach the historic center of Desenzano.
In this area you will find several well-equipped facilities, including theHotel Mayer with lake view. The hotel has an elevator, parking and rooms for the disabled, showers on the floor and toilets for the disabled; the bar on the ground floor has a bathroom for the disabled and a large outdoor area. Active services include bicycle rentals. In the immediate vicinity you can find cabs and city buses (the stop is 100 meters away), as well as accessible boats for boating on the lake, whose staff is certified by W4All (ticket office and boarding in front of the hotel).
Not far away on the lakefront, theHotel Vittorio offers you equally disabled rooms with equipped toilets and showers on the floor.
You will be able to enjoy an outdoor breakfast directly in Piazza de’ Cappelletti, in the spacious dehor.
There is, of course, no shortage of handicapped parking facilities and easy access to cabs, buses (bus stop 100 meters away) and motorboats c/o lake navigation, for which there is a ticket office and W4All-certified on-board and shore staff.
100 meters from the hotel you will discover the Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene, whose double main entrance has steps, but which at the back on Via Canonica offers an accessible entrance with handrails and an 8 percent incline – www.duomodesenzano.it
A few steps from the entrance on Via Canonica, taking Via Scavi Romani you will be able to reach Roman Villa, a fully accessible UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of the historic center – www.villaromanadesenzano.beniculturali.it The Restaurant Pizzeria Garda, 300 meters away, is located on the lakefront of Desenzano del Garda fully accessible with lake view, main entrance with step, lakefront entrance on the large lake view dehor with ramp with 14% slope and handrail, large accessible bathroom with changing table.
At 800 meters you can get there by skirting the lake on the sidewalk that has no barriers or obstacles to the Giovanni Rambotti Civic Archaeological Museum located on Desenzano del Garda’s lakefront, double entrance, the main one with steps and side fully accessible with a ramp and handrail in accordance with law – www.museorambotti.it
In front of the Marathon Park, with presence of greenery, benches, children’s games, all on the level with relaxation and a view of the lake, 50 meters away La Piadineria, for a snack or a thirst-quenching drink, all on the level with the possibility of staying in the shade if it was necessary given the thermoregulation of people with particular pathologies. To the side of the park we find the Fraglia Vela Desenzano, sailing club on the level with the possibility of sailing to disabled people of all kinds by appointment, large locker room with bathroom and shower to standards fully accessible, presence of bar with adjoining restaurant with accessible bathroom to standards, at the back fantastic accessible outdoor area, La Cambusa della Fraglia a name a guarantee, open from morning until late evening. Of note Cava Bike, bike mechanic and repairs for wheelchairs or aids (Ruotino) located at 10 Via Annunciata, in the heart of the historic center, You get there after a slight climb 20 meters with a slope of 9% , to enter platform with a slope of 8%. Of note is the Granelli Pharmacy, located in Piazza De’ Cappelletti on the lakefront of Desenzano del Garda, double entrance, the main one with step, at the back fully accessible with ramp and sliding door.
From there, via the new lakeside promenade completely on the level with no barriers or obstacles with crosswalks on the level skirting the lake, one arrives at the Desenzanino Pizzeria Restaurant on the lakefront of Desenzano del Garda fully accessible with a lake view directly on the wide beach accessible with concrete walkways, presence of JOB chairs, large and accessible restaurant bathroom with disabled toilet and changing table.Access to the beach kiosk is by concrete ramp and handrail with a slope of 8% to arrive on a dehor with concrete bottom with tables and umbrellas that even during the summer can protect from the sun.
On the beach we do not find sand but small stones, the beach surrounded by cliffs, wide and welcoming gives a fantastic view of the Sirmione peninsula overlooked by the grandeur of Monte Baldo, the Brescian shore and the Veronese shore.
Walking along the new lakeside promenade, which is completely on the level with no barriers or obstacles, no climbs or descents, one can arrive directly at Rivoltella del Garda, skirting the Lake while enjoying the panorama with views of the Sirmione peninsula overlooked by the grandeur of Mount Baldo, the Brescian shore and the Veronese shore.
In Rivoltella we find the parking lot with handicapped stalls and electric car charging stations on Viale Francesco Agello in front of Villa Brunati.
Villa Brunati Civic Library – Fully accessible with elevator and disabled bathroom.
www.comune.desenzano.brescia.it/italian/villa-brunati.php?iExpand1=282
100 meters away is the 20th Century Museum, at the Berlin gallery of Villa Brunati in Rivoltella del Garda, which has museum conservation, socio-cultural and tourism development purposes in the area.
Fully accessible with double entrance, the main one down the slope leading to the Rivoltella Harbor Beach with semi-portable platform at the request of the staff located just in front of the entrance, to follow on uneven pebbly ground you reach the entrance with concrete ramp with gradient varies between 8% and 12%. Presence of bathroom for the disabled.
https://www.comune.desenzano.brescia.it/lI-Comune/Luoghi/Museo-XX-secolo
The beach below can be accessed after a descent on a cobblestone surface but with the presence of a concrete corridor 80 cm wide in the center, useful for wheelchairs.We are greeted by the Classic Rock Beach Café. Presence of ante-bathroom, standard bathroom and changing table.
Spacious and on the level beach.
Presence of Job chair, deckchair for the disabled and self-propelled walkway for direct access to the lake, presence of lifeguard.
Of note is Borzani Pharmacy, located across from the Library, fully accessible, on the floor, galenic pharmacy service.
Crossing the state highway through the zone delimited by the 30-mph limit on a cobblestone surface, we enter Parochial Street where we find on our left along the aforementioned street that has a 4% gradient, the Bruschetteria Nose usable via a fixed platform with a slope of 8%, equipped with a large ante-bathroom with bathroom for the disabled with the presence of a changing table, large dehor on Via Parrocchiale shaded during the summer.
www.bruschetterianose.it Thirty meters away is the Bottega Zanoni,
Restaurant with delicatessen, wine bar and wine shop. Accessible by fixed platform having a slope of 8%, large ante-bathroom with bathroom for the disabled, presence of changing table, large the dehor on the Parish Street.
Skirting the state highway, we follow the flat, fully accessible bicycle/pedestrian path with sweeping views of the lake with Monte Baldo and the Sirmione peninsula in front.
We find numerous benches to observe the view and rest while listening to the sound of the lake and nature.
We arrive after 200 meters at the magnificent terrace of Altaripa Restaurant below.
Next to the little church Madonnina della Villa. Returning toward the center of Rivoltella del Garda, at Via di Vittorio 25 we find. Black Sheep, an artisanal ice cream shop with a double floor entrance with a handicapped stall in front of it and numerous parking spaces on blue stripes that with regular handicapped parking voucher can be free for parking.We are located 300 meters from the Villa Brunati parking lot on Viale Agello.
The return can be made by public bus equipped with a platform ( better to inquire in advance info on the site https://brescia.arriva.it/ ) waiting at the bus stop which is covered by a canopy that protects from sun or rain and is 100 meters from all the places mentioned above.In the heart of the historic center of Desenzano del Garda 100 meters from the bus stop we find the Gattolardo Pizzeria Restaurant located at 13 Via Generale Achille Papa.
The premises is completely on the floor. The main entrance with fixed platform having a slope of 9%, large disabled bathroom with anteroom.
Dehor in the alley opposite the venue, very quaint, intimate and floral.
To get to the Catullus Peninsula, the recommended exit on the Mi-Ve A4 freeway which is located in Desenzano territory being in the hamlet of San Martino della Battaglia, is Sirmione.
The state road leads toward the historic center and then toward the hotel skirting the lake with breathtaking views of Montebaldo and the Lake admiring the Sirmione peninsula, which is less than 2 km away.
The Montebaldo parking lot Is equipped with 8 stalls for the disabled and is located outside the Castle walls.
Possibility of arrival of organized tours by bus.
Less than 100 meters from the Scaliger Castle, passing after an elevator bar by ringing the intercom and showing the receiving staff the handicap coupon, you can park your car by displaying the regular coupon either on the blue stripes without paying a ticket or on 4 other handicap stalls. We are in front of the entrance to the charming peninsula of Sirmione.
If you prefer instead to arrive directly at the Park Hotel which is located in the historic center of Desenzano del Garda with a view of the lake, one can drive along the state highway overlooking the lake and peninsula.
The hotel has a handicapped room with shower on the floor and handicapped toilet, breakfast room and restaurant with a la carte menu bar on the floor with handicapped bathroom and large dehor, handicapped parking in front and underground both private, cab nearby, bus stop 100 meters away, ticket office and boarding motorships lake navigation at 100 meters.
Possibility of arrival in Sirmione, with optional, car, bus (brescia.arriva.it), motorboat lake navigation (www.navigazionelaghi.it)
The service is arranged to transport passengers with reduced mobility: www.navigazionelaghi.it/assistenza-disabili.aspx (the latter is recommended because it arrives in the heart of the historic center of Sirmione in 14 minutes, motorboats and biqlietterie ACCESSIBLE with Worl4AII-certified ground and on-board staff) Arrival by motorboats is in Piazza Giosuè Carducci, which is 200 meters from the Scaliger Castle of Sirmione. Presence of cobblestones and jammed stones, accessible at the entrance to wheelchairs ,but visitable to the latter for 30 percent given the numerous presence of stairs being the castle a historical monument but really enchanting to see being set by the old walls.
museidelgarda.ticka.it
Returning to Giosuè Carducci Square, we find the Risorgimento Restaurant, everything on the floor, bathroom on the second floor which is not usable for wheelchairs. Enchanting dehor in Giosuè Carducci Square in front of the motorboat embarkation
The alternative is the Modern Bar Restaurant, double entrance, one with step and the other on the floor. The restaurant is arranged on one floor, bathroom for the disabled, charming dehor in Giosuè Carducci Square in front of the motorboat embarkation.
Next door is the Cafe Grande Italia, entrance to the floor, charming shaded outdoor area.
The venue in the heart of the pearl of Garda, can be considered among the few historic venues in Italy that has not changed its use over time and has been handed down from father to son from the 1920s to the present.
Bathroom due to structural constraints not accessible to wheelchair users.
Also in the square Giosuè Carducci we find Palazzo Callas Exbitions, equipped with an elevator and a bathroom for the disabled.The palace, which dates back to the late 18th century, has been renovated by the Sirmione Municipal Administration to be used for hosting exhibitions and major events, for which it has become the reference container for several years.
The building offers an exhibition area of more than 400 square meters, as well as a conference hall that can accommodate more than 100 people.
visitsirmione.com/scopes/art-history-and-monuments/palazzo-callas-exhibitions Crossing the peninsula to arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Catullus Caves with adjoining museum (museidel-garda.ticka.it
) it is advisable to take the little train as the road is uphill, not steep but long, a gradient ranging from 10% to 18% of about 1.5 km.
The little train has a wheelchair seat at the back, tickets to be purchased on board, with passage in front of the Natia Benedetta Bianca Porro House ( beatabenedetta.org/the-house-of-sirmione) and Villa Calla, (visitsirmione.com/scopes/art-history-and-monuments/villa-callas), historic home of Knight Medeghini and internationally renowned Soprano,which cannot be visited as it is a private house.
You arrive at the Bar delle Grotte, on the floor, with bathroom for the disabled, large shaded dehor surrounded by green olive trees.
Below is the blue flag Jamaica Beach, with beach equipped with job chair, deck chairs for the disabled and accessible by private beach transport with Cadding for wheelchairs and people with reduced mobility, risto aperibar, UNESCO Heritage. Bathrooms are chemical toilets for the disabled.
The village of Bedizzole is located to the east of Brescia, in Valtenesi, between the upper reaches of the Po Valley and the western elevations of the lower Benaco moraine hills.
The territory of the municipality is crossed by the Chiese River.
Bedizzole is about 17 km east of the capital of Brescia and 8 km from Lake Garda.
The parking lot that greets us in Bettoletto locality on the main road at 12 Via Giuseppe Garibaldi is not paved and sees the presence of uneven ground of gravel and stones, The parking lot is free and has no reserved stalls for the disabled but it is possible to park anywhere paying close attention to how you move.
Partly at the parking lot, the Kiosk of the Churches (kiosk-of-the-churches.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral) which is located at the very beginning of Heron Park. Ampio il plateatico estivo sulla ghiaia, il locale è dotato di bagno per disabili con all’ingresso una pedana semovibile posizionabile su richiesta per abbattere gradino dell’altezza di 12 cm.
Below it is possible to visit the Mill dating from a period between 1360 and 1400, www.tuttogarda.it/farine_garda.htm
History has it that the first grain mills in the area date as far back as 1184.
The characteristic stone mill was built on the property around the second half of the 1,800s today owned by a group of partners. It has a French conglomerate mole and a structure of iron and wood.
The old mill was put back into operation in September 2009 and is still operating today following the procedures of the old tradition. The typical flours of Garda are a product of excellence in the kitchen that boast centuries of history. At 200 meters we are greeted by l’Osteria Ristorante-Birreria al Mulino
, nestled in a verdant garden. It has three indoor rooms on different levels and an outdoor area ideal in warm weather.
However, the venue is equipped with private indoor parking on the ground, pay attention in walking which is directly on the floor anyway since the venue is also on one floor, disabled bathroom and presence of changing table.
The Heron Park is a large green area and nature reserve that runs along the Chiese River and within which is the picnic area. The park stretches for several kilometers.
It should be mentioned that the Chiese River, which originates from the Alpine compartment at more than 3400 meters above sea level, is particularly clear and flows slowly.
Children and adults can thus safely play on the river banks, perhaps cool off by dipping their feet in the water.
There are some dedicated picnic areas, tables to seat a dozen, and brick braziers.
There is also a playground for children and a parking lot that can accommodate about fifty cars.
There are no toilets and no night lighting.
Dog access is allowed.
There are numerous information signs along the trails in the park about the fauna and flora found in the reserve.
All the more reason, no doubt, to go to this picnic area.
Children will have a chance to play and learn, adults to relax in the shade of the tall vegetation.
Be careful if in a wheelchair or precariously balanced as The paths are unpaved even though the Park and Trail has no barriers or obstacles.
Recommended for people with cognitive disabilities such as autism spectrum and behavioral disorders. www.areepicnic.it/item/parco-airone-area-picnic-bedizzole-brescia-lago-di-garda www.areepicnic.it/item/parco-airone-area-picnic-bedizzole-brescia-lago-di-garda
www.bresciatoday.it/social/bedizzole-airone.html
In Bedizzole at Via Colombera 7 is theCantrina Winery (www.cantrina.it).
La porta di ingresso ci conduce direttamente ai vigneti e alla cantina.
Strada percorribile con l’automobile per scendere proprio di fronte alla dimora storica.
La discesa che porta alla cantina e alla barricaia e alla sala macerazione che è tutta su di un piano,ha una discesa del 15% lunga 15 metri.
Alla sala degustazioni si accede tramite una porta battente della larghezza di 135 cm e un gradino di 14 cm, assenza di bagno per disabili per vincoli strutturali essendo all’interno della dimora domestica risalente al 1300.
La struttura è contornata da ghiaia e sassi non compattati, prestare molta attenzione nella deambulazione.
From the beginning, the intent of the aforementioned Cantrina winery, has always been to focus on the production of quality wine, with the utmost respect for the environment and the land.
All agronomic choices (variety-planting density-form of farming-vineyard management-production load), and oenological (harvesting-management of fermentation and aging-wine setting), have always been approached with the sole purpose of bringing to the bottle wines that faithfully reflect the originality of the soils in which the roots of the vineyards are rooted and the personal concept of quality.
Since 1999, the year the winery was founded, from year to year The owners have sought to reduce the environmental impact , the vineyards have been totally grassed with wild grasses, and over the years the use of pesticides has been systematically reduced and the use of chemical fertilizers eliminated.
In the winery, experience has led in a short time to drastically reduce the use of oenological products and additives.
It was therefore natural, and relatively simple, to adhere since 2014 to organic wine production protocols , having to change little or nothing of what they were already doing for some time to get to the point of being able to certify all wines starting with the 2017 vintage.”
Cantrina a small world, far from the mass tourist routes.
we are passionately dedicated to the craft of artisan winemakers, working in the countryside and in the winery: to
this we welcome, but in limited numbers, authentic winelovers looking for a different wine tourism experience.”
It is therefore recommended to make contact and reservations at the Tel. 030 6871052 – Cell.
335 6362137 – email: info@cantrina.it
Not only that, other wineries, including, Azienda Agricola Averoldi Francesco (www.averoldifrancesco.it), Azienda Agricola Le Gaine located at Via Gaine, 13, Tel. A Carzago di Calvagese della Riviera we find the Sorlini Art Museum, with alternating paths of stones, concrete to get to the multiple exhibition rooms, the second floor is not accessible to wheelchair users, waiting to have an outdoor elevator placed.
Large cozy bathroom with disabled facilities on the ground floor.
The MarteS in Carzago di Calvagese della Riviera houses a collection of more than 180 paintings.
It is a nucleus of representative works of Veneto and Venetian painting from the 14th to the 19th century.
The MarteS, established in 2017, has an exhibition area of 1,000 square meters divided into 14 rooms.
museomartes.com
