Think of the Italian Lakes and you think of A list celebrities, old stone towns reflected in calm waters with alpine peaks towering behind them. You think of a mist covered lake shrouding Bellagio's Romanesque Church at the pinnacle of Como's peninsula. The beauty and drama of the Italian lakes has made them a huge draw for many years and the great bonus for motorcyclists is all this beauty nestles under the Alps.
Lakes and Mountains: Italy is an easier paced tour but it is still packed with great riding. You start with a couple of longer days as our route first heads towards Troyes. To get you in the mood our first night is spent on the shores of the Lac D'orient in the heart of the forest of the same name. We continue south to Switzerland through the Jura Mountains and on to Lake Lausanne. From here the riding days get shorter and more fun.
The Simplon Pass, once a smugglers route takes you up over 2,000m as you cross from Switzerland to Italy en route to Lake Maggiore. Considered one of the most picturesque of the lakes it is home to the tiny Borromean Islands with terraced gardens and old villas reflected in the lake. Although we are here only one night the ride in is just 170 miles so you should still have time to soak in the beauty of Maggiore. It is just 100 miles to Lake Como, but these are slow miles hugging the shore of Lake Maggiore and then Lake Como. It is a day to ease back on the throttle and enjoy the views. Tunnels and villages line the lakes. Stop for Gelato or a cappuccino and bask in the reflected beauty of the lakes. You have two nights on Lake Como. Take the day to explore the towns, or a boat trip on the lake for a new perspective?
Two nights on Lake Como are followed by two nights on Lake Garda. Italy's longest lake, like the rest of the region it was formed as glaciers flowed from the mountains a millennia ago at the end of the Ice Age. Dip your toe in the water and it feels like the ice has only just melted. More time to relax, take a boat trip or walk the shore side.
It is under 200 miles from Lake Garda to Celeriina next door to St Moritz but what a 200 miles it is. The Passo Gavia and the infamous Stelvio Pass are both en route, making it a dream day for a rider. A night close to St Moritz is the first with no lake in sight. From here we traverse Switzerland using some motorway stretches to get the miles done before a night on the Swiss German border. This leaves you just to the south of the Black Forest and the famous Schwarzwaldhochstrasse. The Black Forest High Road or B500 is one of the best roads in Europe and most of the following day is spent riding from it southern most point to Baden Baden. Through the forest with the twists and turns as it climbs and then descends to Baden Baden the B500 always delivers.
From the Black Forest to the forests of the Ardennes and our final night in the heart of the Ardennes at one of our regular favourites. The Chateau Fort Sedan dates back to the 1,400's and now contains a hotel. A great location to spend our last night, toast a great tour and relive the rides over dinner. All that remains is 200 miles back to Calais and your train heading for home.