Coming to the end of my 5 week Italian adventure - what to do for the last week?

[Chris_BLG_Ocean]

This might sound a bit odd and I know it’s a good position to be in.

Basically I’ve been in Italy a month and I’ve done all the usual major tourist sights, now I have a week left and I’m currently in Florence and wanting ideas of where to go next.

It may sound weird but I’ve seen enough Italian towns for this trip and I’m looking for a change, I was thinking about the Italian lakes or something.

Heading north preferably towards my train on 30th March.

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[Viktorgeorge]

Cannero Riviera, nice little camp site on the water front, also if you want accommodation, for a change, modest Sole Hotel (https://www.albergosole.it/ nearby with close by parking opposite the rooms) great restaurants in Cannero Riviera (just walk around, discrete but you'll find them, Banano, Giardino, Magnolia), good boat trips, Isola Madre & Villa Taranto a must if you like gardens, great Saturday market in Intra (aka Verbania) and Sunday in Cannobio etc. etc.

If you are reasonably fit, walk from Cannero Riviera to Cannobio via the Chiesa di San Gottardo in Carmine Superiore (unforgettable) through the chestnut woods (wear walking boots, not sandals and I always carry a Leki walking pole pointing to the front to tease out any snakes in the overgrown bits). Then take the boat back.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Switzerland.

 

[tedgina]

This might sound a bit odd and I know it’s a good position to be in.

Basically I’ve been in Italy a month and I’ve done all the usual major tourist sights, now I have a week left and I’m currently in Florence and wanting ideas of where to go next.

It may sound weird but I’ve seen enough Italian towns for this trip and I’m looking for a change, I was thinking about the Italian lakes or something.

Heading north preferably towards my train on 30th March.

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go to the top of lake garda and explore ww1 trenches up in the mountain's ,not to far away is the road of 52 tunnels also ww1 its different.

 

[B J G]

Lakes are good as is a run over the Alps to Austria & Switzerland assuming scenic routes are open.

 

[Nand0]

Lakes are good as is a run over the Alps to Austria & Switzerland assuming scenic routes are open.

We've had good weather for over 10 days and relatively warm for this time of year. A lot should be accessible.

I went past my local cross country ski tracks on the bike yesterday, and there was not a spec of snow

 

[Doorbundle]

This might sound a bit odd and I know it’s a good position to be in.

Basically I’ve been in Italy a month and I’ve done all the usual major tourist sights, now I have a week left and I’m currently in Florence and wanting ideas of where to go next.

It may sound weird but I’ve seen enough Italian towns for this trip and I’m looking for a change, I was thinking about the Italian lakes or something.

Heading north preferably towards my train on 30th March.

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[Doorbundle]

Go here, they're near Florence....Buy one of their portable pizza ovens.. A lasting souvenir!
(Covid prevented us!)

Pizza Party: Gas fired pizza ovens Wood fired pizza ovens and Pizza Peels

Buy your favorite pizza oven directly from the producer and save money with wholesale prices

www.pizzapartyshop.com

 

[Doorbundle]

go to the top of lake garda and explore ww1 trenches up in the mountain's ,not to far away is the road of 52 tunnels also ww1 its different.

Summit of Monte Baldo is an education in defence works.
Reached by Cable Car from Malcesine.

 

[B J G]

We've had good weather for over 10 days and relatively warm for this time of year. A lot should be accessible.

I went past my local cross country ski tracks on the bike yesterday, and there was not a spec of snow

I said that as some 50 years ago, long before Sat Nav, I went up a dramatic route over the Alps only to find a barrier at the top section, coming down was more scary for my Wife as a LHD car with her view mostly of nothing until the valley bottom a long way down. Fortunately the only one daft enough to go up at that time of year. Memorable.

 

[pluc99]

- Do you have mountain bikes? Choose a portion of the Francigena pilgrim route within Tuscany (it passes from the St Bernard pass through to Rome, so lots of legs to choose from)
- Again mountain bikes: the Campo dei Fiori area near Varese is excellent for bicycling. I'm not sure if camping Tre Lago (in Ghirla) is open but if so it would be a good base.
- Go to La Tuille or Courmayeur in the Val d'Aosta (which is basically on your route back home) and do a bit of skiing/snowboarding. I was there just last week in the fog but now the sun is back. It will be spring snow, so a bit more difficult for beginners in the afternoon.
- Have you been to Cinque Terre yet (on the coast south of Genoa).
- Head towards Monte Carlo / Nice then up the Route Napoleon. There is also skiing along the way.

 

[Nand0]

I said that as some 50 years ago, long before Sat Nav, I went up a dramatic route over the Alps only to find a barrier at the top section, coming down was more scary for my Wife as a LHD car with her view mostly of nothing until the valley bottom a long way down. Fortunately the only one daft enough to go up at that time of year. Memorable.

haha, yes, some mountain passes will be closed, even if they are clear of snow, because even if there's no snow, there will be fallen rocks and such. But you can see in advance which passes are open. They also have a sign at the bottom of the pass telling you if it's open or not.

 

[Bumble The Van]

Well on of the highlights of our holiday in lake como was hiring a boat on the lake, they hire you a speedboat with no licence needed and i could not believe how quick it was lol , was around £140 quid for 2 hours sp not cheap but worth every single penny . but the total joy was just going up to the most amazing villas on the lake side , and the hotel d'este , with bransons stunning mansion and versaces..... and then hopping over to Switzerland on the way back and staying at camping Vitznau with the most unreal views of anywhere i have ever been

 

[Wrinkly Ninja]

Agree with Bumble
The lakes are great and Como is the jewel. Ballagio is great to visit for lunch by the lake.
Get on the water somehow to view the beautiful villas...
Branson, Versace, Clooney and many more can't all be wrong

 

[Chris_BLG_Ocean]

Settled up with Lake Maggiore with a like side pitch for a few days relaxing but first a 30km ride along to shore to the supermarket on the bike


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[Chris_BLG_Ocean]

Their new s a Swiss Mojave beige 6.1 Ocean along from me on the same site so if that’s you, Hi


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[Viktorgeorge]

Their new s a Swiss Mojave beige 6.1 Ocean along from me on the same site so if that’s you, Hi


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Chris I am probably mistaken, but that looks a bit like the lakeside campsite at Cannero Riviera to me.

 

[calibusje]

Lakes are good as is a run over the Alps to Austria & Switzerland assuming scenic routes are open.

That is a nice recommendation. The region there (including South Tyrol; check Reschensee, Reschen/Resia) is very beautiful and you have some beautiful passes to Austria, for example.

 

[Swiss Cheese]

The weather here as been awesome this week, so I hope you managed to spend a couple of days in Switzerland?

 

[Chris_BLG_Ocean]

Chris I am probably mistaken, but that looks a bit like the lakeside campsite at Cannero Riviera to me.

Camping Solcio, Lesa, Lake Maggiore


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[Chris_BLG_Ocean]

The weather here as been awesome this week, so I hope you managed to spend a couple of days in Switzerland?

Hasn’t it just, I spent a few days at Lake Maggiore and then headed to Lake Annecy in France where it was equally nice (see picture)

I am now home after my 3700 mile trip during a period of large fuel bills oh well it’s only money, no point being the richest man in the graveyard (only 36 so plenty more trips I hope)


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[66tim99]

Well on of the highlights of our holiday in lake como was hiring a boat on the lake, they hire you a speedboat with no licence needed and i could not believe how quick it was lol , was around £140 quid for 2 hours sp not cheap but worth every single penny . but the total joy was just going up to the most amazing villas on the lake side , and the hotel d'este , with bransons stunning mansion and versaces..... and then hopping over to Switzerland on the way back and staying at camping Vitznau with the most unreal views of anywhere i have ever been

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I see you’re back now, sounds like a fantastic trip! Thought I’d post a suggestion anyway for next time or for others.
I love Como - my first holiday with my partner was in Bellagio, such a picturesque town on the elbow of the lake. We’ve been back and stayed in Como, caught the funicular and stayed at the top before a 3 day hike over the tops through the forest to Bellagio staying with local people. They gave us a packed lunch and took our bags to the next place.
You could park at Bellagio, catch the boat ferry back and do the walk in 2 days if you’re fit (we had an 8 year old with us) You could then put your Cali on the ferry and cross to continue your journey north.
https://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/family-walking/travel-guide/lake-como