Weekend in Franciacorta between SPA and wine tasting

13 September 2024 • 6 minutes read

We have selected the milgiori ideas for spending weekends in Franciacorta combining relaxation, excursions and visits to historical places.

Among the various locations for wine tasting, don't miss Monferrato, Valpolicella and Valdobbiadene.

1. Wine tasting and visit to Bornato Castle

Bornato Castle and Villa Orlando, are located in the heart of Franciacorta and are a rare example of a Renaissance villa built inside a medieval castle.

You can decide whether to take a winery tour and tasting, or a vineyard walk and wine-tasting, or a tour with lunch following the guided tour of the castle.

Prices start at €25 per person and always include a guide who will accompany you throughout the experience

Link to book →

2. SPA day: Albereta Relais and Cappuccini SPA

The spa is a great idea for those looking for total relaxation, so we want to recommend 2 top-notch options that will make your weekend unforgettable.

L'Albereta Relais offers the Chenot Espace SPA, which, with two pools, a sauna and a Turkish bath, putshydrotherapy at the center of wellness. It also houses various professionals such as dieticians, osteopaths and estheticians.

The second option is the Cappuccini SPA, which has a surreal location to say the least as it is located in a former convent. In this SPA you can enter with a ticket that starts from 85€ per person

3. Horseback riding among the vineyards

On this horseback ride through the vineyards you will experience a unique activity surrounded by the tranquility of nature. The ride will start from Corte Franca and you will pass through some villages and some of the most renowned wineries such as Berlucchi.

The rides are suitable for everyone; the instructor will teach you the basics of riding as well as accompany you throughout the itinerary.

You will be able to choose between 2 options depending on the duration. The price starts from 30€ per person and includes riding equipment

Link to book →

4. Visit to the Benedictine Abbey of Rodengo

Between tastings, we recommend a short visit to theOlivetan Abbey of St. Nicholas.

This Abbey is located within a stupendous complex, the oldest parts of which date back to the 2nd century BC. In total, this abbey features 3 cloisters, differing in size and functionality, but all worth seeing.

Admission is free daily from 9:00 am to 11:30 am and 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm

5. Quad bike ride through the vineyards

If you are looking for an activity to enjoy over the weekend, anATV ride through the vineyards may be for you.

You can choose from 2 tours: the first includes a quad bike excursion with a final aperitif, and the second includes a quad bike excursion with a winery visit and tasting.

The cost starts from 75€ per person and includes the presence of a guide throughout the tour. It is possible to drive the quad bike with a B license and you must be at least 7 years old to ride as a passenger

Link to book →

6. Lunch at the Cascina Carretto farmhouse

If you are looking for an authentic place that offers fresh, local produce, then we recommendCascina Carretto Agritusismo.

In this agritourism you can find rooms to stay overnight, a wine cellar where you can try artisanal wine and a kitchen that will make you enjoy natural and km 0 dishes

7. Visit to the Monastery of St. Peter in Lamosa

If you are interested in history or art, we recommend a visit to the Monastery of St. Peter of Lamosa.

This Romanesque-style structure, dating back to the 11th century, has several frescoes and oil paintings inside, while outside there is a cloister dating back to the 1500s.

Visits are allowed Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 5:30 pm and on weekends from 10 am to noon and 3 to 5:30 pm. To enter you can purchase a ticket that costs 2€ per person over 12 years old

8. Dinner at Al Malò restaurant

"Colorful, contemporary and thoughtful in creative presentations" is how the cuisine of Al Malò restaurant is described.

The specialties are meat and fish dishes, but there is no shortage of vegetarian dishes. Also impressive is the wine list, which favors, of course, local options.

The closing day is Wednesday and reservations can be made online

9. Panoramic walk on Mount Orphan

If you are looking for a bit of exercise, but one that also brings with it a great panoramic view, hiking up Mount Orphan is perhaps the best option.

An easy, circular 10km walk suitable for everyone, including children, with 230m of elevation gain and a total duration of 3 hours and 30 minutes.

The trail begins, and ends, at the town of Rovato on Piedimonte Street, near the Shrine of Our Lady of St. Stephen

10. Golf game at Franciacorta Golf Club

For golf enthusiasts and others, the Franciacorta Golf Club offers a chance to have fun in a location that seems separate from the surrounding life.

The Golf Club consists of 80 hectares surrounded by greenery, woods and vineyards and features 3 courses with 27 holes in total.

In high season, from March to October, the cost to play seems from €45 per person for the 9-hole course and it is also possible to rent a cart and golf car

11. Visit to the castle of Brescia

A short distance from Franciacorta is the city of Brescia, and a visit to its castle is highly recommended.

It is open every day of the year and access to the castle area is free, but if you would like to go inside to see the interior, you will have to pay a ticket that costs 12€ for adults and 7€ for those under 26.

Inside, the castle houses 2 museums: the Luigi Marzioli Weapons Museum and the Museo del Risorgimento Leonessa d'Italia