Get to Know San Zeno di Montagna

San Zeno di Montagna is perched on the western side of Mount Baldo, about 680 meters (or about 2,230 feet or just under half a mile) up in the hills, earning it the nickname of the “balcony of Lake Garda.” The residents of San Zeno di Montagna certainly have the best seats in the house, ensconced in a perfect microclimate that’s never too hot nor too cold and blessed with panoramic views of Lake Garda. Though the hamlet — with a population of under 1,500 residents — is small, it’s divided into 15 smaller neighborhoods, a legacy from a time when related families all lived together in a contrada, or district, separated by open fields and forests. Eventually, with the advent of tourism and more modern buildings, the districts were grouped together, but each contrada still maintains their distinct stone structures, and often, a central courtyard with a fountain or well.

Living in Veneto

The Veneto region is most well-known for its famous capital, Venice. But this large northeastern region that stretches from the River Po all the way to the Italian-Austrian border is much more than just Venice, boasting a bevy of microclimates. Here, you’ll find temperate towns along the shores of Lake Garda, Alpine villages on the slopes of Mount Baldo, beaches along the Adriatic Sea, and inland, long stretches of rolling hills of vineyards that produce some of the best wines in the country. It’s also home to Verona, Treviso, and Padua, cities bursting with history and culture. Though Veneto has adapted itself to modern times — including serving as home to many of Italy’s major amusement parks — its history is always close at hand, with ancient villas and cobblestone streets leading to family farms that produce the region’s famed Lake Garda olive oil and Prosecco wines.