ITALIAN GRAND PRIX / STELVIO PASS / ITALIAN LAKES TOUR

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:	DATES September 3rd-13th 2010 (10 days/10 nights) September 8th-13th ( 5days/ 5nights)
:	COST PER PERSON, 10 DAY TOUR 1,975€ fixed in euros   £1,795 (based on £1=1.10€)
	COST PER PERSON, 5 DAY TOUR 1,195€ ( price fixed in euros) £995 (based on £1=1.10€)

 

DESCRIPTION 10 day tour, (with 5 day tour option), to watch the Italian Grand Prix in northern Italy's Monza with a stunning route through Luxembourg, France's Alsace region, ( where we visit the Schlumpf auto museum), Germany's Black Forest and Switzerland where we visit Lake Lucern and other Swiss lakes before arriving in Italy. Here we spend 6 nights in the Italian Lakes visiting four major lakes including; Lakes Orta, Maggiore, Lugano,and Lake Como where we spend 5 nights.We also drive twice over the Stelvio Pass,( in both directions), first from Davos on the road described on "Top Gear" as the best driving road in the world and then from Bormio at the southern foot of the Stelvio where we stay overnight.

THE 5 DAY TOUR OPTION JOINS THE MAIN TOUR ON DAY 6 ON LAKE COMO

Our 10 day tour starts with a Dover-Dunkerque ferry crossing.From here we drive across the Belgium border into the charming Luxembourg countryside where we spend our first night in a 4 star country hotel just outside Echternach..We then drive south over the Col du Donon at 1009 metres to France's Alsace region where we spend the night in Riquewihr, one of France's most beautiful villages, surrounded by picturesque vineyards.Our coffee stop the next morning is Eguisheim, another of France's most beautful villages. We then visit the world famous Sclumpf automobile museum in Mulhouse before crossing the river Rhine into Germany where we drive through the Black Forest and over mountain passes eventually crossing the border into Switzerland and down to Lake Lucern where our hotel is located on the shores of Lake Sarner just a few miles south of Lucern.The following day we drive over two more mountain passes before we drive over the Simplon Pass to Italy's Lake Orta.Our hotel overlooks this pretty but little known lake and Orta St Giulio the charming medieval town from which the lake takes its name..The following day we drive around nearby Lake Maggiore to Lake Lugano where once again we enter Switzerland before crossing back into Italy.We then drive around Lake Lugano and then head over the mountains to Menaggio on Lake Como before driving down the lake side to nearby Tremezzina.Here our hotel for the next two nights awaits us on the western shore of this pretty lake and to celebrate our arrival there will be a pre dinner drinks reception on the terrace overlooking the swimming pool.The following day we enjoy a relaxed tour of Lake Como visiting stunning villas and gardens.The following day we take a car ferry across Lake Como and head north across the mountains stopping off in St Moritz for lunch.After lunch we drive up to Davos and then over the Stelvio Pass from north to south.This, according to Clarkson and his "Top Gear" pals, is the best driving road in the world so we're going to put it to the test and see for our ourselves if it is!We then drop down to Bormio which nestles at the southern foot of the Stelvio pass and where our hotel is located.After the exhilarating drive,we spend the night in Bormio so afficionados have a chance to drive the Stelvio Pass from south to north the following morning before returning on a scenic mountain route back to St Moritz for lunch again and then south west to Lake Como where our new hotel for the next three nights is based in Cernobbio on the south west corner of the lake on a hillside with stunning views overlooking Lake Como and Como town.Our return route takes us down the east shoreline of Lake Como to Lake Lecco where we stop off in the afternoon to visit the Moto Guzzi motorcycle museum.On Saturday morning there is a choice; for those visiting the Italian GP a drive to Monza, approximately 30 miles to the south, to watch the practice and qualifying of the Italian Grand Prix.The alternative option for those not attending the grand prix is a trip to Maranello to visit the Ferrari museum and to Sant Agata to visit the Lamborghini museum and factory.The following day,Sunday, we return to Monza to watch the Italian Grand Prix, which is arguably, one of the most atmospheric Grand Prix races with almost a hundred thousand Italian fans cheering on their beloved Ferraris.Alternatively, you can relax on the shores of Lake Como or take a boat ride.On our final evening, on Sunday, there will be a drinks reception on the terrace prior to our final celebratory dinner.

PLEASE NOTE: participants do not have to attend the Grand Prix races and an alternative itinerary will be made available for those not visiting the grand prix over the weekend.

TO SEE PHOTOS TAKEN ON OUR 2009 ITALIAN GP/STELVIO PASS TOUR SEE OUR "PHOTO GALLERY" VIA THE BUTTON/LINK ON THE MENU BAR ABOVE

 

ITINERARY 10 DAY TOUR, (THE 5 DAY TOUR JOINS THE MAIN TOUR ON DAY 6, WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH ON LAKE COMO)

Day 1 - Friday, September 3rd, Dover-Dunkerque ferry then Dunkerque-Echternach, Luxembourg, ( 290 miles including 150 on motorways)

Our tour starts with an 8.00am ferry crossing from Dover to Dunkerque.Upon leaving Dunkerque we take the autoroute south east through Lille and Tournai, to Mons where we continue east to Charleroi and Namur.Continuing east towards Liege we exit the autoroute at Huy, where our route takes us south east into the charming countryside north of Luxembourg where our lunchstop is Durbuy,a pretty village nestling in a river valley.In the afternoon we continue south east to Echternach which is north east of Luxembourg where a warm welcome awaits us from Carla the owner of our impressive four star hotel in the countryside just north of the town.

Day 2 - Saturday,September 4th, Echternach-Riquewihr,Alsace,France, ( 185 miles including 60 on motorways)

Our morning route takes us on the autoroute again as we head further south skirting around Luxembourg city and further south to Metz where we leave the autoroute and head south east on nice open roads towards Strasbourg.We then drive over the Col du Donon at just over 1,000 metres where we stop for lunch in a mountain hotel.In the afternoon we continue south east on country roads into France's Alsace region where our next hotel is based in one of France's most beautiful villages, Riquewihr, famous for its wine and its charming olde-worlde houses.Our dinner tonight is in a Michelin listed restaurant in the picturesque village surrounded by vineyards.

Day 3 - Sunday,September 5th, Riquewihr-Wilen,Lake Sarner, Switzerland ( 180 miles)

Leaving Riquewihr we drive a few miles south to Eguisheim our coffee stop and another of France's most beautiful villages where we stroll around the pretty streets.We then visit the world famous Sclumpf motor museum at Mulhouse now officially recognised as France's National Automobile Museum after which we travel east across the river Rhine into Germany stopping for lunch in a charming mountain inn.We then drive south through the Black Forest eventually crossing the border into Switzerland and down to Lake Lucerne where our hotel is based on Lake Sarner a few miles south of Lucerne.
For more information on the Schlumpf collection visit http://www.collection-schlumpf.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 4 - Monday, September 6th, Wilen, Lake Sarner-Orta San Giulio,Lake Orta, Italy, ( 150 miles)

Leaving Lake Sarner, our route today takes us to Lake Orta in Italy just west of Lake Maggiore.Our morning route takes us south across the scenic Brunig Pass south west towards Interlaken We then drive across the stunning Grimsel Pass then drive south west to Brig and then south east over the picturesque Simplon Pass where we stop for lunch.We then continue to Domodossola where we follow the road towards Lake Maggiore.At Gravellona we turn south to Omegna at the northern tip of Lake Orta the first of our Italian lakes.We then drive down the eastern shore of this pretty, yet little known lake, to Orta San Giulio where our hotel overlooks the lake.The medieval town of Orta St Giulio is absolutely captivating with its cobbled streets and historic buildings with frescoes.Its charming square on the lakeside overlooks Isola san Giulio a mysterious island where an order of nuns still live in a medieval convent.There is an opportunity to visit the island via a five minute boat ride.( for photos of Orta San Giulio see our photo gallery via the link at the top of this page and see photos from our Mille Miglia tour )

Day 5 - Tuesday, September 7th,Orta San Giulio-Menaggio, Lake Como, ( 125 miles)

We leave the captivating Lake Orta then drive east to Stresa on Lake Maggiore our morning coffee stopWe then drive clockwise around the lake stopping for lunch at the charming Cannobio on the western shore.After lunch we continue around the lake to the eastern shore to Luino where we leave the lake and drive across to Lake Lugano where we enter Switzerland and drive around the lake on a scenic minor road before arriving in Lugano the lake's capital.Continuing along the north shore of the lake we leave Switzerland again before climbing over the mountains past the small Lake Piano to Menaggio on Lake Como's western shore where our hotel for the next two nights,overlooking the lake is based. A warm welcome awaits us there from Alberto the owner who also owns five other hotels! This evening there will be a drinks reception on the terrace prior to dinner in the hotel's restaurant which is noted for its local cuisine.

 

 

 

Day 6- Wednesday,September 8th,Tour of Lake Como, (80 miles) (PARTICIPANTS ON THE 5 DAY TOUR JOIN THE MAIN TOUR TODAY.)

After 5 days of reasonably demanding driving we enjoy a relaxing tour of Lake Como visiting famous villas and gardens as well as exploring some charming unspoilt villages.Our morning starts with a drive south down the lake shore on a charming minor road passing George Clooney's Villa Oleandra in Laglio stopping off in Cernobbio for a coffee where the world famous hotel Villa d' Este is located, ( see our photo gallery for photos taken here at this year's Concorso d' Eleganza).From here we drive to Como the lake's capital and then up the west coast of the peninsula on the scenic road overlooking the lake to Bellagio our lunch stop described by many as "the prettiest village in the Italian lakes".Shelley, the poet, in fact described Bellagio as the prettiest village in the world! After lunch we catch the car ferry to Varenna and then continue up the east coast of the lake to Colico on the north east coast.We then drive anti clockwise around Lake Como stopping for coffee in Menaggio followed by a visit nearby Villa Carlotta where we can enjoy the gardens and impressive villa.

Day 7- Thursday,September 9th, Menaggio, Lake Como-Bormio via St. Moritz and the Stelvio Pass, (160 miles)

We leave Menaggio and drive north along the lake to the northern shore where we leave Lake Como and head north east to St. Moritz in Switzerland our lunch stop.In the afternoon we stay in Switzerland and drive north east to Zernez where we start to drive the route rated by Clarkson and Top Gear chums as the world's best driving road over the Ofenpass/Pass dal Fuorn through Santa Maria eventually leading east on minor roads to the notorious Stelvio Pass, rising to 2,757 metres with 60 hairpins,( see photo and details below).We then drive over the Stelvio from north to south to Bormio nestling at the southern foot of the Stelvio.Suitably impressed and no doubt intoxicated from the driving experience we spend the night in a wonderful atmospheric 5 star hotel in Bagni di Bormio just next to Bormio at the foot of the Stelvio Pass.The hotel is a spa resort so there will be an opportunity to relax in this magnificent setting.

Stelvio Pass The original road was built in 1820-1825 by the Austrian Empire to connect the former Austrian province of Lombardia with the rest of Austria, covering a climb of 1871 m. The engineer and project manager was Carlo Donegani (1775 - 1845, Brescia). Since then, the route has changed very little. The 60 hairpin bends, 48 of them on the northern side numbered with stones, are a challenge to motorists. Even Stirling Moss went off the road here during a vintage car event in the 1990s, with an onboard video of his incident being shown on satellite TV. Before the end of World War I, it formed the border between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Italian Kingdom. Even the Swiss had had an outpost and a hotel (which was destroyed) on the Dreisprachenspitze. During World War I, fierce battles were fought in the ice and snow of the area, with gun fire even crossing the Swiss area at times. The three nations made an agreement not to fire over Swiss territory, which jutted out in between Austria (to the south) and Italy (to the north). Instead they could fire down the pass, as Swiss territory was up and around the peak. After 1919, with the expansion of Italy, the pass lost its strategic importance. The Stelvio Pass does retain an importance for sport when it is open from June to September. Countless cyclists and motorcyclists struggle to get to the highest stretch of road in the Eastern Alps. The Giro d'Italia cycling tournament often crosses the Stelvio Pass. In a 2007 episode of the BBC television programme Top Gear, presenter Jeremy Clarkson named it the best driver's road in the world, after driving it in a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera with colleagues James May, in an Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24 track car, and Richard Hammond, in a Porsche GT3 RS. In 2008 Moto Guzzi started selling a Stelvio model, named after the pass. For more information please click this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stelvio_Pass

 

Day 8- Friday, September 10th, Bormio-Cernobbio, Lake Como, via the Stelvio Pass, ( 170 miles)

 

Not satisfied with purely one drive over the Stelvio we drive over the Stelvio Pass from south to north in the morning before returning on yet more scenic roads through the mountains over the Fluela pass to Davos where we stop for lunch.We then continue south west over the Splugen Pass back to Lake Como where we stop for afternoon coffee at Colico's pretty harbour front on the north east of the lake.We then drive south along the eastern shore of Lake Como towards Lecco stopping off at Mandello del Lario to visit the Moto Guzzi motor cycle museum.We then continue south along the shores of Lake Lecco to Lecco which gives this part of the lake its name and then drive west to Como town.From here it is 15 minutes to our new hotel at Cernobbio where the world famous Villa d'Este, venue of the annual Concorso d' Eleganza is located.Our hotel will be our base for the next three nights.

[+] Lake Como

[+] Lake Como

[+] Lake Lugano

 

Day 9- Saturday, September 11th, Cernobbio-Monza-Cernobbio for Italian grand prix practice and qualifying, ( 70 miles)

Today we drive down to Monza approximately 30 miles south of Como town where we watch the practice and qualifying of the 2010 Italian Grand Prix, ( see below for other options for those not wishing to see the Grand Prix practice).

The Monza circuit opened in 1922 with a speed oval running as part of the lap.In 1961, the year Phil Hill won the Italian grand prix and became world champion, the oval part of the circuit was dropped.In 1972 chicanes were added to the track to break up the high speed open sweeps. Monza to this day remains one of the few grand prix circuits with no start/finish straight and, although not one of the most modern circuits, Monza remains one of the prettiest and atmospheric of circuits with an almost unbroken link to grand prix history.Since 1953 no Italian has ever been champion although Ferraris, driven by none Italians, have certainly won many times including 5 times in the last 10 years.

Grand Prix ticket prices are approximately:

General admission £ 90 ( allows access for 3 days, Friday- Sunday). Grandstand seats for Sunday's GP vary according to the location:

Central Stand £450, First Chicane £300, Parabolica £200 and Vedano £200

Following the practice and qualifying at the end of the afternoon, we return to our hotel.

Alternative itinerary for those participants who do not wish to attend the Grand Prix. We will provide a choice of options including spending the day on cruising on a passenger ferry on Lake Como or visiting nearby Como town or Milan.Alternatively, we can arrange a visit to Maranello to the Ferrari museum and shops and to Sant Agata to viisit theLamborghini factory and museum.For those interested in this option in the morning we drive to Maranello, home of Ferrari where we visit the "Galleria Ferrari" a modern museum dedicated to Ferraris.There is also an opportunity to visit the official Ferrari shops and to take a peak through the hedge at the Ferrari's test track where we may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a car under testing ! In the afternoon we drive to nearby Sant Agata Bolognese where we visit the Lamborghini museum and, depending on numbers, the Lamborghini factory.

 

 

 

Day 10- Sunday, September 12th, Cernobbio-Monza-Cernobbio to watch the Italian Grand Prix, (70 miles)

Today is the Italian Grand Prix so we travel back to Monza to watch, what many describe, as the most atmospheric of all the grand prix races.After the racing we return to our hotel for a drinks reception prior to our celebratory dinner on the last night of the tour.

Alternative itinerary for those participants who do not wish to attend the Grand Prix

A free day to delax on the banks of Lake Como perhaps with a boat trip across the lake ?

 

 

 

Day 11-Monday, September 13th,

END OF TOUR

Participants are free to make their own way home at their own pace.

THE 11 MAJOR MOUNTAIN PASSES WE DRIVE OVER ON THIS TOUR ( in chronological order)

Just a little extra information for those with a head for heights! In chronological order based on the route.Remember, the summits of Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell, the three highest mountains in Scotland, Wales and England respectively are just over 3,000 feet.or 914 metres above sea level but this is not the road level unlike the following where we actually drive over these passes.Their combined heights above sea level is over 44,300 metre !

DAY 2, SATURDAY

Col du Donon 1,009m

Col de Ste Marie 772m

DAY 3, SUNDAY

Waldparkplaz Kreuzweg 1,079m

DAY 4, MONDAY

Brunig Pass 1,002m

Grimsel Pass 2,165m

Simplon Pass 2,005m

DAY 7, THURSDAY

Klausen Pass 1,948m

Fluel Pass 2,383m

Ofen Pass 2,149m

Stelvio Pass 2,757m north to south

DAY 8, FRIDAY

Stelvio Pass 2,757m south to north

Ofen Pass 2,149m east to west

Julier Pass 2,284m

 

 

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