Overview Bicycle Tours in Italy: Cycling Italy's Lakes District Plus! OVERVIEW Italy's Lakes District has always been a transition zone between peninsular Italy and Alpine Europe. This series of lakes created by the melt-water of alpine glaciers enjoys a unique micro-climate that harbors olive and citrus groves, exotic botanic gardens, villas, and extraordinary vistas. Long an attraction for writers and artists, the Lake District provides an incomparable bicycle experience. You'll cycle from Lago Maggiore to Lake Lugano in Switzerland onward to Lake Como, Lago d'Iseo and the finale on the shores of Lake Garda. Along the way you'll have a guided tour of Bergamo Alta - one of our favorite cities in Italy, where you will enjoy a sampling of fine Franciacorta sparkling wine and learn more about its history from a local vintner. ***If this sounds great but you'd prefer a shorter tour, check out our Cycling Italy's Lakes District tour.*** HIGHLIGHTS Lake Maggiore, Stresa, Lake Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland, Campione d'Italia, Lake Como, Madonna del Ghisallo Bicycle Museum, Four 2-night stays, Bergamo Alta - Guided tour, Monte Isola, Franciacorta sparkling wine tasting, Lake Garda TOUR FACTS Classic: Learn more about our Classic tours at https://www.experienceplus.com/tours/bike-tour- Tour Style styles/classic-tours 11 days, 10 nights' accommodation; meals as noted in itinerary, 1 wine tastings; Bergamo Alta; Includes ferry crossings; and the usual (see below). Countries Italy Begin/End Verbania / Salò Arrive/Depart Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) Total Distance 410 km (253 miles) Avg. Daily Distance 51 km (32 miles) per riding day This is a hilly/mountainous area so be prepared for some steep climbs and descents Tour Level most every day. We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour. Keep in Mind The currencies on tour will be Euros in Italy and Swiss Francs in Switzerland, though Euros will be accepted in Switzerland as well. Please note that it is not possible to withdraw Euros from ATMs in Switzerland with US-American credit cards. Please Note: We may have small itinerary changes to this trip after you download this PDF document. If you have booked this trip and there are major changes, including changes to towns or activities, we'll email you directly. However, you should always be sure to refer to the online itinerary for the most up-to-date trip information including arrival and departure tips before you depart for your trip: https://www.experienceplus.com/guided-bike-tours/italy/cycle-italys-lakes-district-plus 1 © ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours 1-800-685-4565 ExperiencePlus.com Dates & Prices Bicycle Tours in Italy: Cycling Italy's Lakes District Plus! DATES & PRICES Dates Price Single Supplement* *We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to Jun 24-Jul 4, 2022 USD$5395 USD$650 hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the single supplement rate. This fee will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a Sep 9-19, 2022 USD$5395 USD$650 roommate assignment is available this fee will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour. DAILY RIDE SUMMARY Day Distance/Gain Terrain Day Level Notes 1 Test ride 2 58km / 887m (36mi / 2909ft) Hilly 3 24km / 556m (15mi / 1824ft) Very hilly Today's ride is an optional loop ride 4 63km / 979m (39mi / 3211ft) Mountainous 5 37km / 962m (23mi / 3155ft) Very hilly Today's ride is an optional loop ride 6 47km / 793m (29mi / 2601ft) Very hilly 7 Rest day 8 41km / 386m (26mi / 1266ft) Rolling hills Today's ride is an optional loop ride 9 73km / 589m (46mi / 1932ft) Rolling hills 10 46km / 676m (29mi / 2217ft) Hilly 11 Last day 2 © ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours 1-800-685-4565 ExperiencePlus.com Travel Information Bicycle Tours in Italy: Cycling Italy's Lakes District Plus! ARRIVAL INFO Meeting time 2 p.m. - on Day 1, meet your fellow cyclists and Tour Leaders at the Day 1 Hotel specified on the itinerary. Note: As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are - in rare cases - subject to change. Before you make arrangements, check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary. The below information will help you plan your arrival. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. The fare and timing information listed below is approximate. We recommend flying into the Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP). If you arrive from within Europe, you will likely arrive at the Milano Linate Airport (LIN). Arriving at Milano Malpensa and continuing to Intra-Verbania: 1. Airport Shuttle from the Malpensa terminal to Verbania Pallanza (stop is called Piazza Antonio Gramsci) ( reservations required but payment in cash only on board) (1.5 hours/EUR 15) 2. Taxi from the bus stop to the hotel (15 min/EUR 15 – 20 ). Note: If you are on the September 11 departure, you can walk from the Imbarcardero Vecchio stop to the hotel. Follow the main road with the water on your left side. The hotel is on the right in 150 meters. Or: Taxi from the Malpensa Airport to the Day Hotel (1 hour/EUR 135-150) Look up Italian train schedules at Trenitalia.comor Trainline.eu. Questions? See our information on taking trains in Europe here or ask us. DEPARTURE INFO Your trip ends on the final day with a complimentary shuttle drop-off at the Desenzano train station, arriving at around 11:00 a.m. (your spot on the shuttle is already reserved). From Desenzano you will have frequent connections to Verona, Milan, Florence and Venice. The below information will help you plan your departure. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. We recommend flying out of Verona (VRN) or Milan (MXP) Flying out of Verona: 1. Train from Desenzano Del Garda-Sirmione to Verona Porta Nuova (20-30 min/fares vary) 2. Airport Shuttle from Verona Porta Nuova to Verona Airport (15 min/EUR 6) Flying out of Milano Malpensa: 1. Train from Desenzano Del Garda-Sirmione to Malpensa Aeroporto (change at Milano Centrale) (2 hours to to 2 hours and 40 min/fares vary) 3 © ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours 1-800-685-4565 ExperiencePlus.com Travel Information Bicycle Tours in Italy: Cycling Italy's Lakes District Plus! Or taxi from ending hotel to the Malpensa Airport (2 hours 10 min/EUR 200-250) 4 © ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours 1-800-685-4565 ExperiencePlus.com Day to Day Itinerary Bicycle Tours in Italy: Cycling Italy's Lakes District Plus! Tour Begins on Lake Maggiore North of Milan DAY 1 Highlights Italy's most famous Alpine lake, Stresa, the Borromean Islands Meals Dinner Lodging Hotel Ancora Meet this afternoon in Verbania, on the shores of Lake Maggiore, perhaps the most Grand Hotel Majestic celebrated 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.The September 11 departure will be at the Hotel Ancora. Ferry to Laveno, Bicycle to Lugano DAY 2 Highlights Ferry across Lake Maggiore, Lugano Switzerland, Rail to Trail Bike Path to Distance 58 km (36 mi) Ponte Tresa, Swiss chocolate Gain 887 m (2909 ft) Enjoy the views across Lake Maggiore and into the high Alps as we ferry across Lake Terrain Hilly Maggiore to Laveno, the only natural harbor on the east side of the lake. From here Level you'll pedal into the Cuvia Valley and over a small pass into Val Ganna where we join a Meals Breakfast, Dinner rails to trails bike path to Ponte Tresa, where we will cross the border into Switzerland. Lodging Hotel International au Your ride continues along Lake Lugano for more great views on the Swiss Alps before Lac arriving in the bustling city of Lugano, your destination for today. Rest Day on the shores of Lake Lugano DAY 3 Highlights Explore the bustling city of Lugano, loop ride Distance 24 km (15 mi) Gain 556 m (1824 ft) This morning you have plenty of options: take a little more time to explore this vibrant city's shopping and museum opportunities; or take the funicular to the top of Monte Terrain Very Hilly Bre' for a spectacular view over the lake. For those who want to ride there is the Level chance to go for a ride along the shores and hills of Lake Lugano your climbing efforts Meals Breakfast will be rewarded with great views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Lodging Hotel International au Lac 5 © ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours 1-800-685-4565 ExperiencePlus.com Day to Day Itinerary Bicycle Tours in Italy: Cycling Italy's Lakes District Plus! Bicycle Lugano to Menaggio, Lake Como DAY 4 Highlights Lake Lugano climbing towards the Swiss/Italian border, or ferry on Lugano Distance 63 km (39 mi) Lake back to Italy, Menaggio Gain 979 m (3211 ft) Unlike Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano, which are shared between Italy and Terrain Mountainous Switzerland, Lake Como is strictly Italian.