Bicycle Tours in Italy: Bicycling Italy's Lakes District Plus!

Day 1: Tour Begins on Lake Maggiore North of Milan

Meet this afternoon in Verbania, on Lake Maggiore, the most famous lake in Italy's lake district. Surrounded by 7,000 foot Alpine peaks Lake Maggiore enjoys a warm micro-climate that has attracted vacationers since the Milanese aristocracy began building villas here in the 17th century. Come early and visit the Borromean Islands, including Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori (of the "fishermen"), the villas of Stresa, and the botanic gardens of Pallanza. We fit bicycles this afternoon and will suggest a warm up ride for you on a bike path along the lake. Welcome dinner together. Distance: 10-20km (6-12 miles).

Day 2: Ferry to Laveno, Bicycle to Luino

Enjoy the views across Lake Maggiore into the high Alps as we ferry across the lake to Laveno, the only natural harbor on the east side of the lake. From here we pedal an easy route into the Cuvia Valley and on to Luino. Villages along the way enjoy mixed economies of farming, tourism, and small manufacturing. Luino has been a major market center since 1541. Dinner is together tonight. Distance: 40km (25 miles); extra ride to Porto Valtravaglia for those who wish.

Day 3: Bicycle from Luino to Lugano, Switzerland

We pedal along the Tresa River to Switzerland this morning. The Tresa drains out of Switzerland's Lake Lugano and into Lago Maggiore so it is an easy ride from one lake to the next. Just over the border in Switzerland we'll stop at a chocolate factory and small museum before stopping for a picnic on you own on Lake Lugano. We'll be in Lugano Switzerland after lunch today. Dinner is on your own tonight. Distance: 40km (25 miles) plus extra rides for those who wish.

Day 4: Bicycle Lugano to Lake Como

Unlike Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano, which are shared between Italy and Switzerland, Lake Como is strictly Italian. Lake Como (also called Lario and Lago di Lecco) is one of the most beautiful of the Italian lakes. It is famous for its villas, including Villa d'Este in Cernobbio and Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo. Our route takes us through Cernobbio and along the west shore of Lake Como where we catch a ferry to Varenna, our home for the next two nights. Dinner is together tonight. Distance: 57km (33 miles).

Day 5: Rest day on Lake Como

This is a rest day on Lake Como for those who wish or an opportunity for an extra ride along the lake. There are plenty of opportunities to explore, including visits to the lakeside gardens of Villas Melzi and Serbelloni near Bellagio. Serious cyclists who want to explore can pedal to the Madonna del Ghisallo chapel and bicycle museum at the top of the pass near Magréglio, not far from Bellagio. Alternatively, a boat ride and stroll in the delightful village of Varenna is another possibility. Dinner is on your own tonight. Alternative rides offer mileage from 20-40km or more (13-25 miles).

Day 6: Bicycle Lake Como to Lecco

Our ride today takes us along the Lecco arm of Lake Como and up a short climb to Asso. From here we head downhill and around Lago del Segrino on a bike path closed to automobile traffic. We enter the Brianza region of Lombardy, here, once an important center for the production of silk from mulberry trees. Our destination is Lecco at the southern-most end of Lake Como and Lecco. Dinner is together tonight. Distance: 50 km (31 miles).

Day 7: Bicycle from Lecco to Bergamo

Our route today follows the multi-use path along the Adda River through a deep gorge carved by the melting of the glaciers that formed Lake Como. Beginning in the 12th century the Adda became part of a dense network of canals that the residents of Milan created from the various rivers flowing out of the Alps. We cross the Adda River in the park created to protect it. Our ferry is the "ferry of Leonardo da Vinci," which utilizes the current of the river for locomotion to propel the ferry from one bank to the other. Our ride into Bergamo takes us straight into the Medieval City of Bergamo Alta. We have a special dinner planned for tonight. Distance: 60km (37 miles).

Day 8: Loop Ride out of Bergamo

Take the day to visit Bergamo Alta or take a ride up the Brembo River to Zogno and on to San Pellegrino Terme. San Pellegrino is one of Italy's biggest mineral water and soft drink companies. From Zogno there is a bike path along an old rail bed. The "rail trail" continues on up the valley to Piazza Brembana, so ride as far as you'd like. Dinner on your own. Distance: 60-84 km (37 to 53 miles) round trip.

Day 9: Bicycle from Bergamo to Lago d'Iseo and Franciacorta

Our ride from Bergamo takes us along the foothills of the alps to Lago d'Iseo, a smaller version of the larger Alpine lakes we've seen so far. Bordering the lake to the south is the densely cultivated Franciacorta region, famous for its sparkling white wines. The dense network of vineyards, church-topped hills and scattering of cypress trees here remind some people of Tuscany. Dinner is together. Distance: 50 km (31 miles).

Day 10: Cycling from Lago d'Iseo to Lake Garda

We leave Lago d'Iseo and pedal through miles of vineyards, including some of those that produced wine we had last night for dinner. Our route takes us through the center of historic Brescia with its two cathedrals, one dating to the 11th century, the other to the 17th century. We exit Brescia via bike lanes, pass by the museum of the Mille Miglia (plan to stop if you are fan of vintage automobiles) and head on to Lake Garda. Part of our route is small farm roads while a part is the Lake Garda bike path. We are in car-free Sirmione tonight surrounded on three sides by Lake Garda. Dinner is on your own. Distance: 65km (40 miles).

Day 11: Bicycle the Mincio River Bike Path from Lake Garda to Mantua

Take time to enjoy the views of Lake Garda and the Alps from Sirmione this morning before we head off to Peschiera del Garda and Mantua. Garda is the biggest among Italy's Alpine Lakes and formed part of the border between Lombardy and the Venetian Republic from 1549 until 1797. Peschiera del Garda was a fishing village turned military outpost by Verona and the Venetians. To this day it retains its 17th century military fortifications. We follow the Mincio River from Peschiera to Mantua along a wonderful bike path. We'll have our final dinner celebration together this evening in this Renaissance town which Shakespeare chose as the setting for Romeo and Juliet. Distance: 60km (37 miles).

Day 12: Our Bike Tour ends today in Mantua

We hope you've enjoyed bicycling Italy's Lake District to Mantua. Mantua is worth an extra day to explore if you have time. Otherwise, Venice, Bologna, Milan and Florence are short train rides away. Buon viaggio!