Sixteenth stage of the Giro d'Italia 2023: from Sabbio Chiese to Monte Bondone

The sixteenth stage of the Giro d 'Italia 2023 gets underway on Tuesday 23 May, from Sabbio Chiese, an old town in the Valle Sabbia in the province of Brescia, between Lake Garda and Lake Idro, and covers a 203 kilometre route with 5,200 metres of elevation gain.

The heart of the town is at the point where the Chiese river meets the Vrenda, overlooking the Valle Sabbia, which extends to the horizon. Here the Dolomite rock is dominated by the majestic Rocca, an imposing defensive construction that was transformed into a fortress in the Middle Ages. It lost its military role in the 16th century and became a place of worship, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Campanile. It is now known as the Madonna della Rocca Sanctuary, composed of two churches, one above the other.

From here, the landscape looks like a great painter's canvas, with brushstrokes of natural colours alternating between the blue reflections of the river water and the iridescent green of the valley.

The typical products that delight guests' palates are deeply rooted in the territory: exquisite cheeses, honey and jams, mushrooms, mountain herbs and truffles. Not to mention berries, black cherries, marrons and chestnuts, which are the delicious and healthy raw ingredients for the many traditional recipes.

As you pedal along the route, you can admire the enchanting views of Lake Garda, with its attractions, medieval castles, historic homes and gardens. On the western shore of the lake, you'll find Limone sul Garda, immersed in a verdant Mediterranean landscape and one of the most popular places for lovers of sport, relaxation and nature. The famous Ciclovia del Garda, inaugurated in 2018, begins here in the old town and winds its way through ancient lemon groves and romantic views. The track in some stretches is suspended over the water and provides some spectacular views for those going along it.

Thanks to a particularly mild climate, in Limone sul Garda you can taste delicious citrus fruits, cultivated since the 18th century in traditional lemon houses that are still in operation and open to the public.

The Giro d'Italia leaves Lombardy and passes into Trentino Alto-Adige in Riva del Garda, a town that boasts the nickname 'pearl of Lake Garda', because it offers extraordinary views of the mirror of the lake with the Brenta Dolomites as the backdrop.

The ancient village climbs up the rock. The new-generation inclined panoramic lift takes you up to the Venetian Bastion which overlooks the town from the foot of Mount Rocchetta. Don't forget to visit the Castle built in the 12th century to defend the village, which today houses one of the MAG - Upper Garda Museum, which contains valuable artefacts, some dating back as far as the Copper Age.

Riva del Garda is a land of outdoor activity, fromclimbing to windsurfing, and an ideal location for those in search of artistic and culinary excellence.

In nearby Trento, a visit to the MUSE – Science Museum is a must, for a fascinating journey for all ages through scientific discoveries and facts about the Alpine environment. For those with desire for further wonders, time is well spent visiting Buonconsiglio Castle, the most important monumental complex in Trentino Alto-Adige. In this sumptuous residence of the prince-bishops, you can see medieval and Renaissance fresco cycles and enjoy the incredible view of the city from the stately windows. In Trento, as in the entire region, gastronomy is a fundamental part of traditional culture. Here you can sample dishes of a varied cuisine, prepared with raw materials of exceptional quality from the nearby mountains. The wine-growing tradition is of equal importance, and numerous grape varieties are cultivated in Trentino for the production of excellent wines, such as: Müller Thurgau, Chardonnay, Traminer, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Pinto Blanc, Teroldego and many others.

We come, at last, to the final location of the 16th stage: Monte Bondone, considered to be one of the most spectacular panoramic terraces in the Alps, in the extraordinary natural setting of the Integral Nature Reserve and the Alpine Botanical Garden, where more than 2,000 species of plants and flowers grow.

This area is a succession of evocative views, age-old traditions, genuine flavours and unspoilt nature.

Here, you can experience the feeling of freedom and lightness in a range of activities, such as walks in the dense forests of spruce trees, where you might come across the occasional roe deer or a few of the many species of birds that inhabit the area in summer; or, experience the excursion trails climbing the 3 peaks of the mountain, perhaps by mountain bike, or the numerous via ferrata for climbing. In winter, about 20 kilometres of ski slopes are connected to the surrounding resorts, thanks to the Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta ski pass, taking advantage of a total of 380 kilometres of slopes and 150 ski lifts: a dream location for those who love skiing and snowboarding.

After much effort, refreshments in one of the many refuges offering local traditional dishes, such as typical canederli: bread dumplings, kneaded with milk, eggs, and flavoured with speck, a product of PGI excellence, in meat broth. There is also risotto al Teroldego, a DOC red wine that gives the dish a distinctive violet colour, and 'carne salada', an exquisite charcuterie to be enjoyed either raw in carpaccio or grilled. Finish off with the 'torta de fregoloti', a recipe based on flour, eggs, butter and almonds, with the addition of a small glass of grappa for a hearty dessert, perfect after a day of outdoor activities.