Lake Como & the Stelvio Pass

Lake Como & the Stelvio Pass A Wonderful 10 Day, 9 Night Tour including 5 Nights in Lake Como & visit to the amazing Stelvio Pass Lake Como has so much to offer. The resorts of Menaggio, Tremezzo, Cadenabbia and Lenno, are situated on the sunny, western shore with Bellagio perched on the promontory that divides Como and Lecco. Bellagio and Menaggio, the largest resorts, are characterised by a cosmopolitan atmosphere with quaint, cobbled alleyways and café-filled piazzas. The adjacent village of Tremezzo and Cadenabbia hug the road from Como to Switzerland and provide great bases for exploring. The Stelvio Pass at 2757m is one of the highest and most dramatic mountain passes in the Alps. Best approached from the north west, you ll experience the drive up the famous switchbacks driving through the heart of Stelvio National Park before starting the ascent, taking you through some great stretches of alpine forest and fast sweeping roads prior to your arrival at the foot of the pass. The drive down towards Bormio is also a spectacular drive and has a number of good vantage points to stop and take pictures of the village. 10 DAY / 9 NIGHT TOURS From 799* Per Person Return P&O Ferry Crossing Dover/Calais See below for Euro Tunnel or other ferry supplements 2 overnight stops on outward journey 5 nights at the Hotel Lario, Mezzegra 9 breakfasts and 9 dinners 2 overnight stops on homeward journey Detailed Road Book with maps, directions etc. Complimentary car parking at all hotels * Prices are per person and based on 2 persons occupying a car and room. Single occupancy supplement 340 (full duration) ALTERNATIVE FERRY ROUTES &SUPPLEMENTS EuroTunnel Supplement 50 per car return. Stena Harwich / Hook of Holland 90 per car return. Inside 2 berth cabin supplement of 54, outside cabin supplement of 65 each way. North Sea Hull / Rotterdam 73 per car return. Inside 2 berth cabin supplement of 90, outside cabin supplement of 105 each way. DFDS Portsmouth / Le Harve 45 per car return plus 77 cabin supplement each way. Brittany Ferries Prices on request for all routes. See next page for a full list of dates and prices

2015 Tour Dates 03 June Hotel Lario, Mixed Marque Tour 799 09 September Hotel Lario, Mixed Marque Tour 849 Prices are per person and based on 2 persons occupying a car and room. Single occupancy supplement 340 (full duration) Lake Como Map

Tour Itinerary & Suggested Drives Please note: All routings and excursions are purely our suggestion, it is entirely your choice as to whether or not you follow our suggested routings and excursions, albeit on the day we have indicated, or at all! DAY 1 - AM P&O Ferry crossing Dover/Calais, where you ll have the choice of taking a Scenic or direct drive through France to Nancy for the first of two overnight stops - Mileage approx. 320. DAY 2 - Breakfast followed by AM departure from Nancy. Again, you will have the choice of taking a Scenic or direct drive through France and Switzerland before arriving in the Lake Reschensee area on the Austrian/Italian border for the second overnight stop - Mileage approx. 320. DAY 3 - Today after breakfast, the fun begins with a morning descent of the infamous Stelvio Pass (approx. 25 miles). We recommend that you get to the Stelvio Pass early before it starts getting too busy. The descent to Bormio takes approx. 35 minutes. After your Stelvio experience the journey continues through Italy to Lake Como - Mileage approx. 175 miles. DAY 4 - Day at leisure or enjoy the drive to Como, the capital of the Lake. Como is situated at the head of the lake and is an ancient town over 400 years old with magnificent churches and historic monuments, plus lots of great shops, bars and restaurants. Mileage 38 miles (round trip). DAY 5 - Day at leisure or take a tour to Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore. Departing Lake Como, our drive takes you over the mountains via some great winding passes into Switzerland with a visit to Porlezza and Lugano before travelling onto Lake Maggiore, again taking the road across the mountains with more spectacular drives. The route then takes you along the lake shore passing through the popular towns of Castelveccana and Laveno-Mombello before heading back to Lake Como. Mileage 109 miles. DAY 6 - Day at leisure or enjoy a day on the lake using the regular and efficient ferries. Take a short crossing from Tremezzo to Bellagio, thought by many to be the most beautiful town in Italy. Spend some free time here before taking another ferry back to Tremezzo. DAY 7 - Day at leisure or enjoy a spectacular drive across the Swiss border to St Moritz with some free time before taking one of the world s most spectacular raliway journey s on the famous Bernina Express, returning to Lake Como late afternoon/early evening, or enjoy a memorable visit to Lake Iseo and Brescia, home to the Mille Miglia Museum which vividly documents the history of the Mille Miglia, Italy s legendary motor race. The exhibition also includes vintage cars associated with the race. A must see for all car enthusiasts! Mileage 190 miles. DAY 8 Departing the Hotel after breakfast, today you begin the homeward drive through Italy and into Switzerland where you ll have time to enjoy some of spectacular passes in the Swiss Alps. These include the Furka Pass, St Gotthard Pass, and finally the Grimsel Pass, which at 2165m is one of the most spectacular passes in the Alps. We ll then make the first of two overnight stops in Lucerne - Mileage approx. 160 miles. DAY 9 Departing after breakfast, today s journey will see you crossing the border into France. As with the outbound drives, you will have the choice of taking a Scenic or direct drive en route through France into Luxembourg and the town of Bascharage where you ll enjoy your second overnight stop. Mileage approx. 286 miles DAY 10 Departing after breakfast today sees you making your final journey back to Calais and the UK. You will have the choice of taking a Scenic or more direct drive to rendezvous with your return P&O Ferry crossing back to Dover. Hotel Lario Mezzegra, Lake Como Overlooking Lake Como in the Tremezzina area, famous for its historic villas and gardens. All of the guest rooms feature air conditioning, satellite TV, and balcony with a view of the lake or Mount Crocoine. The Lario offers traditional Italian cuisine, a garden with swimming pool, and free Wi-Fi. The restaurant has a poolside veranda. Breakfast if buffet style, while dinner is served at the table with a selection of dishes from the Lombardy region. The hotel offers free underground parking.

The Stelvio Pass At 2757 metres (9045 feet), the Stelvio Pass in Italy is the highest (paved) pass in the Eastern Alps, and the second highest pass in the entire Alp region. The original road was built in 1820-25 by the Austrian Empire and is today considered one of the best driving roads in the world. The reason for this being the challenging nature of the hairpin bends that form the pass up and down the mountain. As a result of this it s a popular destination for all kinds of motorist. Whilst it is a stunning drive, the very thing that attracts drivers is ruined by the number of them who head there during peak season. It s worth going for the experience, but don t expect clear roads! The official road name for the Stelvio Pass is the SS38 and it runs from Bormio to Spondigna across the Eastern Alps. There are opportunities to stop and take a break and photos along the route. There are also plenty of places to stop for refreshments due to the touristy nature of the pass.