Borghetto di Valeggio sul Mincio: spa luxury in the birthplace of tortellini

You can hardly go wrong with Italy as a destination. Whether you choose historic cities such as Rome or Florence, or sun and beaches in Sicily or along the east coast, it is usually a success.

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So expectations were high as we headed for less familiar territory in the north of Italy. Veneto is the country's fourth largest region and home to cities such as Venice and Verona. The aim of the trip was total relaxation, so we chose the small, picturesque village of Borghetto sul Mincio in the municipality of Valeggio sul Mincio.

The village has been named the most beautiful in Italy and is a 30 to 40 minute drive from Verona. Borghetto is also a 20 minute walk from the slightly larger town of Valeggio. In other words, a perfect destination for a romantic weekend.  

Book the hotel: See available rooms at Corte Regia Relais

Corte Regia Relais spa hotel

There are several places to stay in the village, but we chose the spa hotel Corte Regia Relais. It sits idyllically right by the river Mincio, looking across to the village on the other side. The building itself traces its roots back to the 9th century.

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A lot has happened since then, and today the hotel has a restaurant, a spa, a sauna and two pools. One takes its water straight from the river and is lovely and cooling on a hot summer's day.

There are 29 large, luxurious rooms in total, including several suites. The hotel is also adults only, so there is no kids' club or children's pool to break the silence.

The spa has a sauna, a steam room and a hot tub. Corte Regia Relais also offers massages and treatments, which must be booked in advance.

Book a central hotel in Verona: See available rooms at Best Western Hotel Armando

Valeggio sul Mincio: the birthplace of tortellini 

It is not written down anywhere, but it is fairly certain that travelling to Italy and not eating pasta several times a day is a deadly sin. For tortellini lovers, Picolo has good news: Valeggio sul Mincio claims to be the birthplace of the filled pasta.

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Locally the pasta is called Nodo d'Amore, or love knot. The legend says the dish was born of the love between a nymph who lived in the river Mincio and her human lover. The two are said to have tied knots of yellow silk and left them on the riverbank as a sign of their love.

Book a central hotel in Verona: See available rooms at Best Western Hotel Armando

Trattoria San Marco

Filled with everything from different meats to vegetables and cheeses, there are plenty of variations served around the area. At Corte Regia Relais' own restaurant, Trattoria San Marco, tortellini is of course on the menu, along with excellent pizza, and the terrace has an idyllic view of the little village.

Book the hotel: See available rooms at Corte Regia Relais

The restaurant La Vecchia Bottega di Cappellaro Francesco, a minute's walk from Corte Regia, also specialises in tortellini and offers many variations. Meat filled tortellini in a butter and sage sauce is warmly recommended. The restaurant also sells dried tortellini, so you can take some home in your luggage. 

If you feel like a walk, there is a bigger choice of restaurants in the centre of Valeggio, about 20 minutes from Borghetto sul Mincio. 

Make pasta and drink wine like an Italian 

If you want to learn how to make pasta as well as eat it, there are pasta courses in Borghetto. One of them is held at the restaurant Giardini di Borghetto. You learn about the origins of tortellini, why it means so much to the town and, of course, how to make the perfect love knot.

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The course needs no previous experience and takes around two hours. Once the pasta is made, you enjoy your own work of art in the restaurant with a glass of local wine. In Veneto, Valpolicella and Amarone dominate the wine lists. 

Visit Parco Giardino Sigurtà 

A 30 minute walk from Borghetto, on a hilltop, you find the park Parco Giardino Sigurtà. For several hundred years the park of more than 60 hectares was closed, but in the 1970s its then owner, the Italian pharmaceutical billionaire Carlo Sigurtà, decided that the rest of the world should also enjoy the vast green spaces. 

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Inspired by a traditional English garden, it has everything from roses, tulips and trees to small ponds with turtles. 

The Sigurtà family still owns the park, and it is open to the public from March to November. Concerts, exhibitions and other events are held throughout the season. See the website for more information. 

Book a central hotel in Verona: See available rooms at Best Western Hotel Armando

Cycle from Borghetto sul Mincio to Peschiera del Garda 

Even with the focus on as little physical activity as possible, the laziest of us can get restless. The landscape around Borghetto and Valeggio looks like it is straight out of a travel brochure about, well, Italy, and the area is perfect to explore by bike. 

Along the Mincio there is also a 46 kilometre cycle path from Mantua in the south to Peschiera on Lake Garda in the north. Borghetto sul Mincio is roughly halfway.

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Despite the distance, there is no need to be put off even if you are not in top shape. It is flat all the way, and with an e-bike it is even easier. From Borghetto to Peschiera it takes just under an hour. 

Corte Regia can help you rent a regular bike or an e-bike.

Please note that Norwegian covered the flights for this story. Picolo is free to make its own editorial choices.

Frequently asked questions about Borghetto sul Mincio

Where is Borghetto sul Mincio?

Borghetto sul Mincio is a small village in the municipality of Valeggio sul Mincio in Veneto in northern Italy. It is around a 30 to 40 minute drive from Verona and about a 20 minute walk from Valeggio, and has been named one of Italy's most beautiful villages.

Where can you stay in Borghetto?

Picolo stayed at the Corte Regia Relais spa hotel by the river Mincio. It is adults only and has a restaurant, a spa with sauna, steam room and hot tub, and two pools, one of which takes its water straight from the river. Massages and treatments must be booked in advance.

Why is Valeggio famous for tortellini?

Valeggio sul Mincio claims to be the birthplace of tortellini. Locally the filled pasta is called Nodo d'Amore, the love knot. Before the 19th century tortellini was reserved for the rich, and today tasting it is a must when you visit the area.