Self-drive Tour to the Italian Lakes by Car
DAY
ONE:
Arrive in Calais via the Eurotunnel and drive south to Épernay, where
you stay for one night
The Eurotunnel journey brings you to
Calais, from where you will drive south into the Champagne
region, famous for its eponymous wine. Nestled between the Aisne and Marne
valleys, Epernay and its nearby rival Reims are well situated to see the
champagne vineyards thrive. Your hotel, La
Briqueterie, is the perfect idyllic rural spot from which to venture out
into this fantastic landscape and try the local produce. Explore one of the
hundreds of underground chalky wine cellars in either Epernay or Reims that
belong to internationally renowned champagne firms, such as Moët et Chandon,
Mercier, and Lafitte. If time permits, visit a winery such as Champagne Tribaut.
This family run business supplies such prestigious companies as Krug and
Taittinger, and opens its cellars and vineyards for tours and tastings. Across
the Marne valley, however, you will find a number of vineyards that produce
wines from Pinot Noir grapes, or south, along the Côte des Blancs the wineries
specialise in mineral-rich Chardonnay. For an alternative to tasting the best of
the varied French wines, wander around the impressive Gothic Cathédral
Notre-Dame in Reims, famous for its wine-grower carvings, or around the Palais
de Tau.
DAY TWO:
Leave Épernay and drive across the
Swiss border to Lausanne, where you stay for one night
The drive
south to Lausanne from Épernay takes you past Troyes, Dijon, and across the
border around Jougne and Vallorbe. The Dent de Vaulion will be one of the first
Swiss peaks that you pass on your way to Lake Geneva. The enchanting city of
Lausanne will be your host for the next three nights, and your hotel, the Angleterre
et Residence is situated a minute’s walk from the Ouchy promenade. Ouchy, a
former fishing village, is a popular spot for Lausanne residents, as it boasts
its own Chateau, port, the Haldiman Tower, and three parks. Château d’Ouchy
alone is reason enough to visit, sitting as it does on the waterfront, with its
fairytale façade of white with a red roof. In the evenings, golden lights
illuminate the Chateau, adding to its splendour. Lausanne is also home to two
other châteaux, the Chateau de Chillon, also on the water’s edge, and with the
Alps behind it giving its peaked roofs and turrets a mystical aspect, and the
Chateau St. Maire. Both are very popular with artists. The Cathedral of Lausanne
is the heart of the old town, and dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Its
spectacular architecture has made it one of the most beautiful Gothic art
monuments in Europe. For a taste of the local Swiss wines, visit the Lavaux
vineyards, open for tours by foot or by miniature train. Various cellars are
open as you make your way around the estate, offering wines such as Chasselas.
It would be impossible to leave Lausanne without navigating the great Lake
Geneva, either by following the gentle walking tour around its shores,
punctuated by wooden viewing canopies in the most beautiful spots, or by having
dinner on one of the steamships that traverse the waters. During the daytime,
many water sports are available for visitors, such as sailing, waterskiing,
wakeboarding, and pedalo rides. Back in the town centre, follow the charming
medieval streets to the Place de la Plaud, and have lunch in a small outdoor
café. Or, for a more unusual activity, visit the Olympic Museum and the Olympic
Park on Ouchy Quay to see the exhibits which seamlessly combine nature, art, and
sports. The park also offers breath-taking panoramic views across Lake Geneva
and of the Alps. In the evenings, either dine in one of the many fine
restaurants in Lausanne, or in L’Accademia at your hotel, which specialises in
Italian cuisine.
DAYS THREE TO FIVE:
Cross from
Switzerland into Italy and stay on the Cannero Riviera for three
nights
Take the road southeast and cross the border at
Zwischbergen into Piemonte, Italy. Your journey next
takes you south over the many channels of the Fiume Toce, and finally along the
shore of Lake
Maggiore, on the very border of the region. Hotel
Cannero, where you will spend the next three nights is a building of
understated elegance. Its unassuming pastel façade gives way to intimacy and
undeniable comforts within. The waterfront position affords its guests the very
best views across Lake Maggiore. The lake itself gets its fame primarily from
its two castles, dating back to the 16th century, which sit on small islands
close to the shore. These castles, though now giving the landscape a pervading
sense of peace and beauty, have long histories carved out by bandits and
brigandage. Lake cruises are available for those wishing to see the castles
close-up. These cruises also offer invaluable opportunities for viewing the
Cannero Riviera’s many luxurious gardens and manor houses from a fresh
perspective. For those wishing to sample a little more of the area’s history, we
would recommend the Ethnographic Museum of the Brush, which specialises in the
farming traditions of the area, and the rustic crafts. The nearby village of
Oggiogno is home to a very old wine press. Back in the Cannero Riviera, view the
colourful murals of the Piazzetta degli Affreschi, which offer a vital, yet
alternative, glimpse into the heritage of the town’s streets. For a relaxing
afternoon’s stroll, either take in the views along the lakefront promenade, or
follow one of the many trails that lead past the famous citrus trees and into
the chestnut woods or vineyards. Pass the shrines that line the pathways and the
stone mortars that used to grind anything from nuts, to olives, and cereals. In
the spring, the Cannero Riviera comes alive with the Camellia Show, dedicated to
a flower whose name has become synonymous with the area. March brings with it
the Exhibition of Citrus Fruit, though the produce can be tasted all year round,
particularly in the form of the Mursciulitt, a citrus biscuit. And with July
comes the Lights on the Lake celebration.
DAYS SIX TO
EIGHT:
Head southeast around Lake Maggiore, past Lake Lugano, to Lake Como,
and stay for three nights in Bellagio
Your journey through the
Italian Alps continues with a stop on Lake Como in Bellagio. The town itself is
built on a promontory that forks the southern half of the lake, and the Grand
Hotel Villa Serbelloni sits in prime position for admiring this natural
phenomenon. Its exceptionally grand and cavernous public rooms prepare visitors
for the luxury of the hotel’s service, be it in the elegant high-ceilinged
restaurant, or in the comfort of your own room. Spend your mornings taking in
the views from the waterfront promenade, before exploring one of the many villas
that line the lake’s shore. The Villa Melzi, for example, boasts extensive
beautiful gardens and an orangery, while the Villa Serbelloni (a different
building to your hotel) is characterised by its quaint blue-roofed pavilion and
the shady water gardens. The gardens of this second villa enclose the main hill
of the promontory, and thus offer views that cannot be accessed anywhere else in
the town. A grotto rests just under the hill’s summit, and ornamental water
features, a variety of flora, and the ruins of an old defensive fortress line
the pathway to the top. Tickets must be bought before visitors can enter. The
Romanesque Basilica di San Giacomo features several delicately painted frescoes,
and beautifully crafted statues, as well as a bell tower and apse. A medieval
tower in Bellagio is one of the only remaining parts of the town’s original
defences, and the central fountain was commissioned to celebrate Queen
Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. From the tip of Bellagio’s promontory a ten minute
walk will bring you to the peaceful fishing hamlet of Pescallo. From here, walk
on to see the agricultural ruins, the empty Villa Giulia, and the Vialone. The
waterside San Giovanni is just a short walk away, and is home to a grotto
dedicated to the Madonna of Lourdes, and a quirky museum dedicated to
navigational instruments. Boat trips are available from Bellagio across to
Varenna, which offers a tiny secluded beach, a small café, and gardens, and to
Lenno, the home of the finest villa on the lake.
DAYS NINE TO
ELEVEN:
Drive further east to the Gardone Riviera, where you will stay for
three nights
The next stop on this touring holiday brings you to
Lake Garda and the Gardone Riviera. Surrounded by its own luscious collection of
olive, cypress, palm, and pine trees, the Villa
del Sogno is a majestic building with equally majestic views across the
lake. Very close to the hotel sits the unmissable Il Vittorale degli Italiani,
the residence of Gabriele d’Annunzio. Far more than just a villa complex, this
estate is built more like a small town, with eccentric buildings, squares,
avenues, fountains, exhibitions of vintage cars, an open-air Greco-Roman
theatre, a war museum, and a lakeside restaurant. We recommend that you book
tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. Also on the lakeside is the town of
Salò, famous for its long promenade, and for being the seat of the Fascist
government. Limone sul Garda is recognised for being one of the most northerly
places in the world to successfully cultivate lemons. Isola del Garda is home to
a stunning Neo-Gothic villa and vast Italiante gardens, while Peschiera del
Garda is surrounded by canals, and has an impressive pentagonal 15th century
fortress. However, if you are to visit just one of these lakeside towns, make
sure it is Sirmione, the ‘Pearl of Garda’. The 13th century Rocca Scaligera
fortress is built out into the water, and so the turquoise waters of Lake Garda
lap around its austere walls. The Grotte di Catullo on the waterfront was
reputedly owned by Catullus, but now stands as a formidable ruin of arches and
courtyards facing out to the sea. To the east lie Verona,
Venice, Padua
and Vicenza, the favourite cities of Palladio. For an in-depth insight into his
Mannerist style, and a tour of his finest works, visit Vicenza in particular. In
Verona, tour the sites that are proclaimed to be the setting for various scenes
in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The crypt of the Basilica of San Zeno
Maggiore is said to be the setting of Romeo and Juliet’s wedding, while the
statue in the courtyard of the Casa di Giulietta will bring you good luck in
love. After each of your days of exploration, return to the Villa del Sogno for
a relaxed dinner overlooking the calm waters of the lake.
DAYS TWELVE TO THIRTEEN:
Drive back west and spend two nights in
Erbusco
The road from Bellagio to Erbusco takes you past Bergamo,
a larger town rich in history. You may wish to stop off here for a few hours to
explore the streets of palaces and towers that used to belong to old nobility,
and to see the basilica, the baptistery, the vast convents, and the aqueducts.
The many castles of the area once served a defensive purpose and separated the
Republic of Venice from the Duchy of Milan. The Hotel
L’Albereta is situated just slightly inland from the shore of Lake Iseo, in
Erbusco, and is the perfect point from which to begin exploring the Franciacorta
wine region and the delights of the lake itself. Franciacorta wine is known for
being a highly refined sparkling wine, produced in the same way as the champagne
in Epernay. To taste the wines of the area, head out to one of the many historic
buildings that punctuate the landscape. The Terra Moretti in Erbusco is
particularly popular, though if you use Brescia as a starting point, many more
wine routes can be explored. While on the shore of Lake Iseo, catch a boat trip
across to Monte Isola, the largest lake island in the whole of Italy, and
dominated by the eponymous mountain. The small, privately owned Isola di Loreto
cannot be visited by tourists, but the majesty of the castle can still be
appreciated from the water. The landscape of Monte Isola and the sloped lake
side are perfect for those looking for cycling, climbing, and caving
opportunities, as well as more gentle strolls. Monasteries, churches, and roman
ruins line the shore. Water sports such as sailing, diving, and kite surfing are
available through one of the local businesses, or you may choose to relax on one
of the many small beaches. In the evenings, return to your verdant hotel, and
relax beside the pool.
DAY FOURTEEN:
Cross back into
Switzerland and spend one night in Schwyz
The drive from Erbusco
to Schwyz takes you northwest past Lake Como, and across the border in Chiasso.
From here, you pass the Swiss side of Lake Maggiore and drive along the winding
roads that navigate the snow-capped Alps. The village of Schwyz is just a short
drive from the banks of Lake Lucerne, set in a valley between the verdant Swiss
mountains. Schywz’s central square has been voted one of the most beautiful in
the whole of Switzerland, in part because of its unique Town Hall painted with a
mural depicting the Battle of Morgarten. The intrigue continues as you enter,
with the cantonal council chambers, conference hall, and the wooden-panelled
ceiling of the courtroom. The building certainly oozes the Swiss culture and
design that we have come to associate with the country. If time permits, travel
out of the village to Einsiedeln to see the magnificent abbey, still used by
monks today, and the octagonal Chapel of Grace, with its black marble
centre-piece. The bridge that links Hurden with Rapperswil over Lake Zurich will
allow you to experience the sublime scale and formidable nature of the Swiss
landscape, taking you out, by foot, into the middle of the lake to bask in the
vastness of the 360 degree panoramic views. Your hotel, the Hotel Wysses Rossli,
is a very rustic and traditionally Swiss building, ornamented by a similar
wood-panelled style as the Town Hall that sits just next door. Make the most of
the homely comforts before beginning your journey back into France.
DAY FIFTEEN:
Return to France for a final night in
Rouffach
Cross the border back into France at Basel. Alsace is known for the diversity of
grapes that grow in its vineyards, from Gewürtztraminer, Muscat, and Pinot
Blanc, to Sylvaner white wines, and Pinot Noir red and rosé. Just a stone’s
throw from your hotel, the Château
d’Isenbourg, the vineyards at the foot of the Vosges Mountains have been
cultivated since Roman times, and were originally protected by the monasteries
of the area. In nearby Soults-Haut-Rhin is the Cave Vinicole de Vieil-Armaud,
sitting amidst 150 hectares of stunning vineyards that serve over 130
wine-growers. In the basement, there is a very informative wine museum.
Riquewihr is the home to such renowned firms as Dopff et Irion and Hugel et
Fils, and in Wintzenheim each individual label at the Josmeyer estate is
designed by an individual artist. Before driving back up to Calais, wander
around the beautifully atmospheric medieval Kientzheim, take a brisk hike across
the Vosges Mountains, explore the imposing 12th century Chateau de Haut, or walk
the Route de Cinq Château from Husseren-lés-Chateau to the Keep of Pflixbourg
and its marvellous views of the Fecht Valley and the plain of Alsace. ‘Little
Venice’, or Colmar, is just slightly north of Rouffach, and is perfect for an
enchanting canal boat ride. The Château d’Isenbourg is situated in an enviable
hilltop position, with unrivalled views across the countryside. Perfectly
decorated for a romantic evening in the restaurant or beside the pool, it is a
wonderful idyllic retreat with which to complete this tour.
DAY SIXTEEN:
Drive back up to Calais for your return Eurotunnel
crossing
Leave your hotel early on your final morning to ensure
you have time to explore the parts of Alsace that you have not yet had time to
see. Afterwards, begin the drive north to Calais, where you will return to the
UK via the Eurotunnel.
Driving times for this touring
holiday:
Calais to Epernay: 2 hours 45 minutes
Epernay to
Lausanne: 4 hours 45 minutes
Lausanne to the Cannero Riviera: 3 hours 45
minutes
The Cannero Riviera to Bellagio: 2 hours 30 minutes
Bellagio
to the Gardone Riviera: 2 hours 25 minutes
The Gardone Riviera to Erbusco:
55 minutes
Erbusco to Schwyz: 3 hours 35 minutes
Schwyz to Rouffach: 2
hours 20 minutes
Rouffach to Calais: 6 hours 15 minutes
Click
the 'Hotel Information' tab to find out more about the hotels featured in this
touring itinerary or click here
to download a pdf with information about some of our suggested Italian
touring holidays.