Cycling the Italian and Swiss Lakes
8 Days Starting in Armeno and ending in Menaggio
Visiting: Italy, Switzerland
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MEL
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Physical rating:
Moderate
Age range:
16 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
The Italian lakes of Como and Maggiore are famed for both their spectacular scenery and their well-heeled residents. The rich and famous clearly have good taste as the scenery here is simply wonderful with forested hills and medieval properties overlooking the glistening blue waters. This is a fascinating place to discover on two wheels with excellent roads that closely follow the winding shores. Amongst others, we visit the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso, a striking overhanging abbey built by a rich merchant. The Villa del Balbianello with its ornate Italian gardens may look familiar to film buffs, having featured in international movies such as Bond’s Casino Royale and Star Wars: Attack of the clones. There will be opportunities to taste plenty of delicious local produce en route, including cheese, cold meats, honey, wines and ice cream, before riding across the border to Lugano in Switzerland for a chocolate tasting. The excellent rides will certainly build up an appetite!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Armeno
Meals Included: dinner
Our trip starts in Armeno, a small villageon the eastern hills of Lake Orta.
Optional stroll through the alleys of Orta San Giulio, a stunning town
listed among the "Most beautiful towns of Italy". Our accommodation on the
first night is in a green park near Lake Orta, at the foot of Mount
Mottarone. It is part of a complex who also organise spiritual retreats,
making it a relaxing place to start the trip.
Day 2 : Ride South To Lake Maggiore Through Lagoni Di Mercurago Natural Park, Grappa Tasting.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
On our way to Lake Maggiore we ride south along Lake Orta through the
amazing Lagoni di Mercurago Natural Park; home to a huge variety of
different environments, from swamps to pastures, horses stables to
archaeological sites. We continue to the medieval town of Angera, where, as a
perfect ending we taste Grappa; one of the most renowned Italian spirits from
a local and historical distillery. In Angera, where we overnight, there will
be an opportunity to swim and relax on the lake beaches.
Day 3 : Cycle Along Lake Maggiore To Porto Valtravaglia Through Santa Caterina Del Sasso Hermitage, Cheese Tasting.
Meals Included: breakfast
Cycling along the shores of Lake Maggiore we make our way to the Hermitage of
Santa Caterina del Sasso; directly overlooking the water it is one most
charming sights of the lake. We take some time to visit this incredible abbey
and then we stop in a traditional “locanda” (cosy typical restaurant) to
enjoy a tasting of local cheese, cold meats and honey. After the tasting we
continue through the picturesque village of Laveno to Porto Valtravaglia,
where we spend the next two nights. When the weather allows there will be
time to explore the local beaches.
Day 4 : Free Day To Relax On Lake Maggiore, Or Take A Ferry To The Famous Borromeo Islands.
Meals Included: breakfast
On this leisurely day you have some time to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of
Lake Maggiore or to take a ferry to the famous Borromeo Islands. The
archipelago is formed by four Islands. The main one is the monumental Isola
Bella, with its 17th-Century Palazzo Borromeo, surrounded by flam boiled
gardens. Then we have the picturesque Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen’s
Island), Isola Madre, noted for its botanical garden, the little Island of
San Giovanni, and the Rock of Marghera.
Day 5 : Cycle To Lugano, Enjoy A Chocolate Tasting In A Historic Cafe` And Visit The Town Of Menaggio.
Meals Included: breakfast
Today is quite exciting as we cycle into the second country of our trip:
Switzerland. We will reach the enchanting city of Lugano, lied down on the
shore of iconic Lake Lugano. We take some time to stroll and explore the city
independently and after our lunch at leisure we will get the chance to
enjoy a delicious chocolate tasting at the historical Caffé Vanini, situated
in a picturesque square in the city centre. The day ends in the charming
town of Menaggio, on the shores of Lake Como, where we will stay for the next
three nights.
Day 6 : Ride To Balbianello Villa, Visit To A Traditional Gelateria And Gelato Tasting.
Meals Included: breakfast
On today's ride we head to the beautiful Villa del Balbianello, riding south
along Lake Como. Built for a prominent Italian family during the 19th
century it has been recently chosen as setting of international movies such
as 007: Casino Royale and Star Wars. After lunch, on our way to the city of
Como we enjoy a relaxing break at a traditional gelateria, to try to learn
the secrets of real Italian gelato. In Como you will have time to discover
the city's main sights, such as the remarkable Renaissance Cathedral, at your
own pace, before returning to Menaggio by ferry boat.
Day 7 : Circular Ride To Colico, Wine Tasting.
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch
Today we take a final circular ride around the Northern side of Lake Como to
Colico. En route we stop at a local wine cellar to taste some of the
excellent wines of the area and to enjoy a light lunch with local products.
Once at Colico, you can visit the Cistercian Santa Maria di Piona Abbey,
masterpiece of the Lombard architecture. Built in the 12th century, it
represents the first source attesting a monastic community present in the
territory. After the visit we return to Menaggio by ferry, another great
chance to admire the beautiful views that the lake is offering.
Day 8 : End Menaggio.
Meals Included: breakfast
Our trip ends in Menaggio.
What's Included
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Local bike hire
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All accommodation (see below)
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All breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner included
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Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
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Tour leader throughout
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All transport and listed activities
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinners.
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All breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner includedAll accommodation (see below)All transport and listed activitiesTour leader throughoutFlights from London (if booking incl. flights)Local bike hire
What's Not Included
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Visas or vaccinations
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request)Visas or vaccinations
Food
All breakfast, 2 lunches and 1 dinner includedAll breakfasts are Continental in style, consisting of coffee or tea, bread, jam and/or honey. For lunch and dinner, when not included, our leader will be on hand to recommend his favourite restaurants based on your budget and preferences. The standard of food and drink throughout the tour is extremely high and the Chocolate Museum visit in Switzerland will be an added value to the experience. The cuisine of that lakes region encompasses traditional recipes with new ingredients where the main characteristic is the usage of local products. Typical dishes are: minestrone, fish and polenta, risotto, roasted meats (rabbit, kid), stewed, polenta with Bologna sausage or braised meat and many other delicious proposals.
Accommodation
Check out our Q&As
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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