Escorted Motorhome Tour
IMPRESSIVE ITALIAN LAKES & CITIES
Impressions “Impressive Italian Lakes & Cities” tour 2018
Touring Information
Start: Locarno
End: Bardolino
Tour days: 14
Non-Driving days: 8
Average daily milage: 36 miles
Max. daily mileage: 63 miles
Total mileage: 216 miles
Calais-Locarno: 574 miles
Pets allowed
Minimum number of units: 4 motorhomes
Highlights
- Wine tasting with local products and dinner at a vineyard in Franciacorta
- Lakes: Lago Maggiore, Lago d’Orta, Lago d’Iseo und Lago di Garda
- Cities: Milan, Bergamo, Brescia and Verona
The Escorted Motorhome Tour
During this tour you will see romantic lakes, bustling cities and will also experience the centuries old cultural history of this region.
We will start our tour in the Swiss canton Ticino on the northern banks of the Lago Maggiore. Here Italian Dolce Vita is combined with Swiss precision, and the snow-covered mountains of the Alps encounters the Mediterranean climate of the lakes. After arriving in the Piemont region we will stay two nights at the southern part of the lake close to the Borromean Islands. From here we will drive along a scenic route across the mountains to the second of the Upper Italian Lakes – the Lago d’Orta. We then move on to Lombardy and visit Milan, and as a group admire one of the most famous paintings in the world: The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. From Milan, we travel to the Lago d’Iseo and have time on route to stop at the picturesque city of Bergamo. We will spend the night at a vineyard in the wine region Franciacorta and try the local wine and regional products. The last three nights we will spend at Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake, giving you enough time for day trips to Venice, Verona, Sirmione or Riva.
Day 1 and 2: Locarno, Lago Maggiore
The first day we will meet at the northern part of Lake Maggiore near Locarno in Switzerland. In the evening we will have a group dinner in order to get to know each other. During the second day, you have enough time to go for a stroll through Locarno and enjoy the Mediterranean climate on the lakeside promenade, or just relax at the pool on the beautiful campsite.
Day 3: Locarno – Stresa, Lago Maggiore
Discover the beauty of lake Maggiore on your way south. Stop at one of the many picturesque towns along the lakeside road, or at the busy city of Verbania. Here there is a unique botanical garden with 500 species of rhododendron and thousands of other flowers. There are plenty of attractions close to the campsite that you can visit the following day.
Day 4: Stresa, Lago Maggiore
Use this day for excursions, take for example a boat trip to explore the lake and the Borromean Islands, or a cable car ride up to the Mattarone mountain. This is the highest mountain between Lake Maggiore and Lake d’Orta and offers magnificent views. Alternatively, you can go for a walk to the town.
Day 5: Stresa – Orta San Giulio, Lago d’Orta
Today we will drive to the quiet Lake d’Orta. Drive along the southern panorama route, or take the scenic way via small, winding roads up to the village of Miasino. During the descent enjoy the wonderful view down to Lake d’Orta. Orta San Giulio is car free and the perfect place for a stroll, or a dinner at the lake.
Day 6: Orta San Giulio – Milan
We will now leave the Upper Italian Lakes and drive to Milan, the secret capital of Italy. Use the afternoon in the city to go shopping and experience the lively activity in the bars and restaurants at the “Naviglio Grande” canal.
Day 7: Milan
Milan is Italy’s second largest city and well known for its fashion and shopping. But it has also an abundance of important cultural and historic sites. The most significant ones are the Cathedral, the fortress “Castello Sforzesco” with the park Sempione and of course the church and dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, with one of the most famous paintings in the world: the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci.
Day 8: Milan – Iseo, Lago d’Iseo
After the eventful day in the bustling city of Milan we will now travel to the charming Lake d’Iseo. On route, you can visit Bergamo with its picturesque Città Alta: the long town wall, squares, churches and the fortress in particular are well worth exploring. Afterwards relax at the campsite and enjoy the view of the lake and mountains, or pay a visit to the nearby town.
Day 9: Iseo, Lago d’Iseo
Today you can go for a boat ride to the largest lake island in Europe: Monte Isola or go up to the Regional Reserve of the Pyramids of Erosion. Alternatively stay at the campsite and relax or go for a swim.
Day 10: Iseo – Franciacorta
On the way to Franciacorta you can take a mini detour and visit Brescia, where roman villas, temples, Romanesque churches and renaissance palaces tell the 2000-year-old story of the city. For those who like to shop, there is also an outlet centre close by. During the evening, we will have a wine tasting, try typical local products and enjoy a meal at a vineyard where we will spend the night.
Day 11: Franciacorta – Bardolino, Lago di Garda
Now we move on to Bardolino and stay on the banks of Lake Garda. On the way you can visit Desenzano del Garda. It is the largest city on Lake Garda and has a charming old town with picturesque arcades and Palazzi. Then either take the delightful roads along the mountains and through the tunnels to Riva and then south along the Gardesana Orientale enjoying fascinating views or take the shorter route south to Bardolino and visit the small peninsula of Sirmione and the castle with it’s marvellous view of the harbour. Afterwards relax at the campsite on the lake.
Day 12 and 13: Bardolino, Lago di Garda
Our tour is coming slowly to an end and you will have time to visit some of the beautiful towns and villages on the banks of the lakeor to relax at the campsite before the long journey home. If you are feeling adventurous you can take the bus to Verona, visit the romantic historic town and see the balcony where Romeo – according to Shakespeare – confessed his love to Juliet. You could also take the bus or train for a day trip to Venice.
Day 14: Departure and end of tour
Dates
Touring Season 2024
Sunday 1st September – Saturday 14th September 2024
Calais pick-up: Friday 30th August 2024
Prices
What is included:
All services are for a motorhome with 2 people
- Welcome Dinner
- Wine tasting with local products and dinner at a vineyard in Franciacorta
- 13 nights at campsites / motorhome parks with electricity (where available)
- Assistance of a multi-lingual motorhome guide during the whole tour
- Travel pack containing maps, a detailed road book with directions to the campsites, suggestions for sightseeing and general advice on motorhoming in Europe
- Secured Payment Certificate
What is included in the optional Calais pick-up service:
- Flexible return ferry crossing from Dover
- Pick-up by motorhome guide in Calais
- Two additional nights at campsites in Luxembourg and Switzerland
Price for tour only: 2,370 EURO
Optional Extra Calais pick-up service: 580 EURO
Earlybird discount (for bookings made by 31.12.2023): 100 EURO
In addition to the Earlybird discount, we offer to all customers booking more than one tour during one touring year a 60 EURO discount on the second tour booked!
All prices are for 2 people travelling in their own motorhome (motorhome rental optional)
– Other prices upon request –
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