Natura Viva Park and Sigurtà Garden Park

For those staying at Piccola Gardiola, a visit to Natura Viva Park and Sigurtà Garden Park is not to be missed.

Located in Bussolengo, just 45 km from the campground, Natura Viva Park, one of the most important in Italy, is home to many endangered species and participates in numerous conservation and protection projects for endangered flora and fauna. Many trails can be conducted here, admiring rare specimens and reproductions of extinct animals. Definitely not to be missed is the Trails of Africa trail, where visitors can safely observe animals up close thanks to natural barriers. The latest section opened is the Giant Greenhouse, a 1,600-square-meter pavilion dedicated to the theme of gigantism in nature, featuring Komodo dragons, giant otters, giant butterflies, anacondas and more. Natura Viva Park, founded in 1969, still receives large masses of visitors from all over the world, attracted by the uniqueness of the trails it offers and its immense wildlife heritage.

Sigurtà Garden Park, 43 km from Gardiola and whose foundation dates back to 1417, won the second prize as Europe’s most beautiful park 2015 edition. At the park it is possible to see one million tulips each year in March and April, representing the largest bloom in all of Southern Europe; the rose avenue, which from May to September hosts the blooming of 30,000 roses; and its huge labyrinth, opened in 2011 in place of the former parking lot, with 18 pools of water in which aquatic plants bloom. Amidst expanses of flowers, huge green lawns line the entire park, which is the size of 60 hectares.