Road to Italian Lakes

[welshman]

Does anyone know a scenic route from Calais to Lake Como in Italy. We would like to go through Switzerland. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks

[puggit]

I can tell you to finish with the splugenpass My profile pic is taken on top.

To get to Como drove via Nice (as you do) and then when we left we headed NE, driving to Munich for the Oktoberfest, so not much use!

[odyssey2200]

Once you get to Switzerland all routes are scenic.

We did Zeebrugge through belgiun, Luxembourge, SE France and into Switzerland and over the Simplon Pass to Italy.

Breath taking scenery!
highly recommended!

[welshman]

Thanks. That's given me some ideas. Will study map for your route.

[gavmobile]

Drove to Como last year.

Calais, Strasbourg, (Autobahn), Interlaken (overnight stop), Grimsell Pass, Furka Pass, Lugano (got lost here for a bit - seems that the Swiss don't like to advertise the fact they have a border with Italians ) then finally onto Menaggio!

Drove back via Turin, Nice, Gap, Grenoble

Both stunning, stunning drives....Enjoy

[welshman]

thanks gavmobile. Your route sounds good. Did you book accomodation for the week in Como. We are thinking of doing B+B as we go along. Is that a good idea? Thanks

[dcb]

welshman said:

Does anyone know a scenic route from Calais to Lake Como in Italy. We would like to go through Switzerland. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks

I wouldn't bother with CH if I were you.

Way way way overpriced and the same Alpine stuff is available
in Austria miles cheaper.

Suggest

Calais - Brussels - Aachen - Koln - Frankfurt
- Wurzburg - Ulm - Fussen - Landeck [ lovely place]
- St Moritz - L.Como

Optional detours over the Stelvio as well.

[gavmobile]

welshman said:

thanks gavmobile. Your route sounds good. Did you book accomodation for the week in Como. We are thinking of doing B+B as we go along. Is that a good idea? Thanks

We stayed in an apartment around Como. Found it on one of those Owners Direct type websites. Nice place with a garage for the car too.

For the rest of the trip we winged it, mainly staying in campsites around the alps and were never turned away even though it was August. Used internet points in service stations to find a few hotels further north using this site: www.accorhotels.com, found them a reasonable standard/price and you can cancel at the last minute without charge should you want to press on a bit.

[welshman]

thanks DCB and gavmobile. Your suggestions are appreciated. If CH is that expensive then think will take Austrian option. Was going to CH because article in Sprint mag said that Lake Brienz was a must visit?
Thanks for replies

[dcb]

welshman said:

thanks DCB and gavmobile. Your suggestions are appreciated. If CH is that expensive then think will take Austrian option. Was going to CH because article in Sprint mag said that Lake Brienz was a must visit?
Thanks for replies

Magazines to say things like that.

Usually just before they tell you it's worth spending
twice as much for about 20 more BHP.

Fun to read, but not exactly real world.

[time bandit]

Approach from Southern Germany via Chur/Julierpass/St. Moritz/Malojapass then west shore of Lake Como. Alternatively go further east via Landeck/Reschenpass/Stelvio/Sondrio again coming in at the top end of Lake Como. Check out www.alpineroads.com primarily for bikers but still useful.

It's not where you're going, It's how you get there that counts

[welshman]

totally agree with you time bandit! Always worth the journey in a TVR!

[Martin Keene]

We did this for Honeymoon last year and went Calais-Riems (via the circuit of course)-Strausborg-Basel-St Gotthard Pass-Como. Came back Como-Milan-Turin ish direction-Aosta-Mount Blanc-Geneva-Djion-Troyes-Riems-Calais.

St Gotthard was a let down due to the weather. I crawled over the summit at 20mph, with light, wipers, fogs, etc all at full tilt and *still* couldn't see the end of the bonnent. View from half way up was superb though.

Here's some pictures:
Riems:


Halfway-ish Up St Gotthard:

[welshman]

Thanks Martin the pictures look great - even though it looked wet! It has wetted my appetite - if you pardon the pun! Many thanks.

[308mate]

Another one for St Gotthards

When you get to Lake Como, go to the Hotel Nautilus. Its halfway between Lecco and Bellagio and the owner is an ex PowerBoat world Champion with an amazing collection of Riva speedboats. And its cheap and its built RIGHT out on the lake. Great place.

Ive got some pictures if youre interested.

[welshman]

Thanks 308mate - I would be very interested in any info regarding the hotel. Sounds ideal.

[308mate]

welshman said:

Thanks 308mate - I would be very interested in any info regarding the hotel. Sounds ideal.

Cant find the website anywhere, but Ill dig out the pictures. Its easy to find if you follow the road from Lecco up to Ballagio.

Its on your right immediately after a tunnel exit.

[mrobin33]

Try Reims (visit Gie-Reims circuit, Langres (Hotel de Europe fine), Bescancon, Ornans (Hotel de France good alternative to Langres), to Interlaken (Hotels along Thunersee all fine views) and then Sustenpass - worth taking your time. Hotel Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio great, but you pay for it, Bellagio great base for Ferries to places like Varenna. Try taking route to St Moritz and Klosters on way back - numerous fantastic climbs and passes en route, and lots of good air.

I put a few photos here for you: http://homepage.mac.com/mrobin33/Road

[julesv]

Except when your pipe was on the go!

[welshman]

Thanks for input guys - getting loads of ideas for routes. Thanks for links too!