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Among vineyards, villages, and scents: a slow journey on Lake Garda

There are places to visit. And then there are places to savor slowly, like a freshly baked brioche or a glass of Lugana at sunset.

The cycling stages we recommend between Lugana di Sirmione, the moraine hills, and the Mincio River express precisely this: a land to be experienced slowly, letting yourself be guided by the scents of the countryside, the silence of the vineyards, and those little wonders that can only be discovered by pedaling slowly.

For La Fenice Pasticceria Bistrot, this itinerary can become much more than a simple excursion: an experience to be savored. Because each stop has its own flavor, its ideal dessert, its perfect moment.

The slow awakening of the Frassino lake

The journey begins at the Frassino lake, a small natural oasis surrounded by greenery, vineyards, and suspended silence. Here, time truly seems to slow down. The migratory birds, the calm water, and the morning light create an almost poetic atmosphere. The perfect dessert? A soft brioche with light vanilla cream. Fresh, delicate, and luminous like the landscape. You can pick it up at our pastry shop, ready to enjoy as a quick refreshment upon arrival.

The Tower of San Martino and the Taste of Memory

Pedaling through the moraine hills, you reach the Tower of San Martino della Battaglia, a place rich in history and spectacular views. Here, the land speaks of memory, tradition, and deep roots. It’s the perfect time for an authentic break: a generous portion of fresh fruit tart with homemade cream, perhaps accompanied by a glass of delicious orange juice, which you’ll find in your brunch basket at La Fenice. We prepare it upon request for those who want to pedal away from the city, surrounded by nature and the countryside.

Castellaro Lagusello: the postcard-perfect village

Through narrow streets surrounded by greenery and romantic views, you reach Castellaro Lagusello, one of the most charming villages in the area, overlooking the famous heart-shaped lake. Here, our La Fenice pastry shop could express the sweetness of love with a small dessert: a vanilla mousse with a glossy glaze, named “Infinitamente vaniglia” (Infinitely Vanilla), ideal for such a romantic setting.

Borghetto sul Mincio: Poetry on the Water

Arriving in Borghetto sul Mincio is one of those moments that truly lingers in your memory. The mills suspended over the water, the sound of the river, the ancient bridges, and the houses that seem to rise from the Mincio River transform the journey into a scene straight out of a movie. Here, the perfect pairing is something simple yet unforgettable: a crispy millefeuille with Chantilly cream, to be enjoyed slowly while watching the water flow (we can make it especially for you upon request!).

The quiet of San Pietro in Monzambano

The road becomes more secluded, almost intimate, until you reach the Church of San Pietro. A silent place, completely immersed in nature, where the bicycle seems to follow the rhythm of your breathing. For this stop, we imagine a dessert with an ancient flavor: a selection of our almond cantucci, simple and authentic, like the surrounding landscape.

The perfect ending: Ca’ dei Frati

And finally, a return to the aromas of wine. The Ca’ dei Frati winery welcomes travelers with tastings and the warmth of family tradition. Here, the most natural pairing is born: mini pastries accompanied by a glass of Tre Filer, the winery’s renowned passito wine made from Turbiana grapes, famous for its Lugana DOC. Because, after all, the beauty of these itineraries isn’t in arriving. It’s in stopping and discovering. Stopping for a view. For a chat with a local. For a shared dessert. For the smell of freshly baked bread after a long ride. And it’s precisely there that La Fenice Pasticceria can become part of the journey: not just a stop, but a memory to take with you on your rides and, ultimately, why not, even home.

Download our guide to these places now, with the points marked on the map

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Easter in Italy is a riot of symbols, rituals and flavours that are passed down from generation to generation. Among the most beloved sweet icons is undoubtedly the Easter dove, a symbol of peace and rebirth, the undisputed star of spring tables. But if there is a special way to rediscover this traditional dessert, it is to savour it in its most authentic and artisanal form: that of the Caffetteria Pasticceria La Fenice, a gem set on the shores of Lake Garda.

Behind every colomba from our Pasticceria La Fenice lies a meticulous and passionate process, which you can observe in our glass-enclosed laboratory on Lake Garda. The dessert is born from a live sourdough starter, cultivated with dedication by our Master Pastry Chef Manuel Pedrali, and from two separate doughs that rise for over 24 hours—and sometimes up to 36—before being baked. But it doesn’t end there: after being baked, the colomba is left to cool upside down for at least ten hours and then left to mature for a week, so that every aroma blends perfectly.

For its most refined and classic version in the history of our pastry shop, the apricot colomba, La Fenice uses Armogiana apricots from Costigliole Agrimontana, candied whole with the stone to maintain softness and release a unique flavor. These are pitted by hand in our laboratory. To complete the aromatic profile there are natural vanilla pods and selected dairy butter. Each colomba is then packaged by hand, with care and respect for its artisanal nature.

Savoring the colomba from La Fenice is not only a delight for the palate, but a true ritual. The Master Pastry Chef’s advice? Warm it slightly before tasting it, to enhance its aroma and softness. Each slice tells the story of a dessert made with love, dedication and that artisanal care that has distinguished our pastry shop for over ten years.

Whether for the Easter table, an elegant gift or a moment of personal pampering, the artisanal colomba from La Fenice is much more than a dessert: it is a gesture of beauty and quality, an invitation to rediscover the slowness and authenticity of Italian confectionery craftsmanship. Also available on the online shop, as well as in the shop in Lugana di Sirmione, it reaches every corner of Italy, bringing with it the memory of Lake Garda and the passion of those who still believe in the magic of things done well.