EV ICON ITALY 2 – TENUTA NAVELLI
We had said goodbye in Sicily, with the sea and the light of Giardini Naxos still in our eyes (read here our last article). From there, our journey took us north, to the shores of a lake that has the power to reflect ever-changing landscapes and surprise at every turn: Lake Garda. Our new stop was Tenuta Navelli, just a few minutes from Salò.
This time, I wasn’t alone. I wanted to surprise my brothers, Matteo and Andrea: a private lesson with a tennis coach – the sport they’ve always loved – and a massage among the vineyards, wrapped in the scent of grapes and the silence that only these places can hold. It was our way of inaugurating this new stage, celebrating the beauty of shared time together.
Salò and Lake Garda: a vibrant tranquility
Salò is not only its elegant promenade or intimate piazzas: it is a place with its own rhythm. Walking through the old alleys, you come across artisan shops, little bookshops, hidden courtyards that tell a more personal story of Lake Garda. It was also here that, during the Renaissance, one of the first Italian printing houses took shape – a sign of cultural ferment that can still be felt today.
And then, the lake, which knows no seasons: it changes with the weather, calm as a mirror on winter mornings, alive with energy on summer days. At Tenuta Navelli, your gaze embraces it all: water, hills, olive groves, and a horizon that seems endless.
Day 1 – Arrival at Tenuta Navelli
Tenuta Navelli revealed itself as a retreat suspended between nature and tradition. Located on a hill overlooking Lake Garda, the villa is surrounded by thirteen hectares of centuries-old olive groves and vineyards, painting the landscape like a timeless canvas.
As soon as we crossed the threshold, the large living room with its fireplace and the rustic kitchen welcomed us with a familiar warmth. Every detail – from the wooden beams to the curated furnishings – told a story of authentic, understated elegance. The bedrooms, spread across the main house and annex, are spacious and bright: some with a sauna, others with en suite bathrooms, up to the family suite in the attic that seems made for those who love intimacy.
Outside, the panoramic porch immediately caught our eye: from here, the lake unfolds like a changing canvas, shifting with the light of the day. We dined en plein air, with the scent of the wood-fired oven blending with the fresh air from the olive groves. It was just the beginning, and already it felt like a place that could restore and regenerate.
Day 2 – Between sport and relaxation, with the lake as a backdrop
The morning surprised us with a soft light filtering through the olive trees. After breakfast, we headed to the villa’s private tennis court. Rackets, laughter, the focus of a set played under a clear sky: the lesson with the coach was a gift that turned into a treasured memory.
The afternoon carried the taste of silence. A massage among the vines allowed us to slow down, while the wind stirred the leaves and the sweet scent of ripe grapes spread all around. Then the panoramic pool, lined with blue mosaic, welcomed us like an oasis: the water mirrored the sky, and in the distance Salò appeared like a village suspended between the hills and the lake.
As the sun set, painting Lake Garda with golden reflections, we gathered under the wooden gazebo near the pool. That sunset was more than beauty: it was an invitation to pause, breathe, and remember that some moments are worth more than any journey.
Tenuta Navelli was more than just a stop: it was an experience that united family, nature, and timeless moments. Leaving this place wasn’t easy, but the journey goes on: new roads await, new landscapes will open before us. And so, among the slow breath of olive trees and the light of Lake Garda, we hold on to a new memory to take with us.
