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
At a Glance
Tour Dates
08 Jun 2025 20 Jun 2025
Duration
13 Days
Tour Starts in
Folkestone, UK
Tour Leaders
Where We Ride
Travel Distance
Approx 2035 miles
Difficulty
Roads
100% Tarmac
Hire Bikes
Available
Price From
3195 £
Tour Overview
Lakes and Mountains: Italy is an easier paced tour but it is still packed with great riding. For the first night we are heading to the Ardennes and one of our favourite hotels. The Chateau Fort Sedan dates back to the 1,400’s and the castle now contains a hotel. From the forests of the Ardennes to the Black Forest via the Vosges Mountains and charming Obernai for the night. The Black Forest High Road or B500 is one of the best roads in Europe and we spend most of a day riding to its southern most point before a night in Baden just over the border in Switzerland. From here we traverse Switzerland using some motorway stretches to get the miles done. A night close to St Moritz is the last with no lake in sight.
It is under 200 miles from Celerina to Lake Garda 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. Then we have 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. Here we have time to relax, take a boat trip or walk the shore side. This is followed by a night on Lake Como. Plan an early arrival on Lake Como and you will have time to explore the towns, or take a boat trip on the lake for a new perspective?
It is just over 100 miles to Lake Maggiore, but these are slow miles hugging the shore of Lake Como and then Lake Maggiore. It is a day to ease back on the throttle and enjoy the views. Tunnels and villages line the lakes. Stop for a cappuccino in the morning and a gelato in the afternoon and bask in the reflected beauty of the lakes. Considered one of the most picturesque of the lakes, Maggiore is home to the tiny Borromean Islands with terraced gardens and old villas reflected in the lake. With two nights spent on the shore here you have time to soak in the beauty of Maggiore.
The Simplon Pass, once a smugglers route takes you up over 2,000m as you cross from Italy to Switzerland en route to Lake Lausanne. Our final lakeside night of the tour! The next day continue north through Switzerland to the Jura Mountains and on to the centre of the French Burgundy region and the old walled town of Beaune with is beautiful architecture. The following day is the only riding day over 200 miles as we head for our final night in the heart of the Champagne Region – Reims.
Our hotel is in the shadow of the famous Heart of France Statue and a short walk from the Cathedral. A lovely 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 LeShuttle heading for home.
The Italian Lakes are a great destination for scenery, Italian charm, food and boat cruises.
Motorrad Tours welcome all makes and models of bike on tour. We also have a range of BMW bikes that you can hire. All our hire bikes for Classic and European Explorer Tours are current model BMW’s complete with ABS, Heated Grips, Panniers, Top Box, Tank Bag, Inner bags for all boxes and a pre programmed BMW Navigator GPS included.
| Price option | Solo Rider Shared Room | Solo Rider Single Room | *Rider and passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riding Your Own Motorcycle | 3195 | 4195 | 4895 |
| Including an F800GS, F900GS or F900XR Hire Bike | 4560 | 5560 | 6260 |
| Including an R1300GS, R1250RS or R1250RT Hire Bike | 4820 | 5820 | 6520 |
| Including an S1000XR Hire Bike | 4885 | 5885 | 6585 |
| Including an R1300GS Adventure Hire Bike | 5015 | 6015 | 6715 |
| Including a K1600 Grand America Hire Bike | 5080 | 6080 | 6780 |
* Rider and Passenger price is for both people, not per person.
HIRE BIKES: If you are booking with a hire bike we will hand your bike over on the afternoon prior to the first tour day. This will give you a chance to get familiar with the bike, make any adjustments, arrange your packing and not waste any time on the first day riding.
Day 1 Morning LeShuttle from the UK to Calais and an autoroute blast to eat the miles before a pleasant ride into the Ardennes
Day 2 From the Ardennes through the Vosges Mountains to Obernai sitting close to the French / German border
Day 3 Today is about the Black Forest as we head from the Vosges through the heart of the Schwarzwald
Day 4 We take the motorway to circumvent the congested centre of Switzerland around Zurich before an epic days ride in the Alps with the option to add the Furka and Grimsell Passes (adds 60 miles)
Day 5 The Stelvio Pass is one of the worlds iconic roads and regularly appears in top ten road of the world lists. Today it is on your route
Day 6 After all the Alpine roads it's time to chill or climb the 167 steps of the Torre Apponale in the Piazza III Novembre near the waterfront for the best views of Rive del Garda
Day 7 Another great day as we ride Passo San Marco en route for Lake Como. Time for some gelato on the lake sure?
- Stay in a converted 14C Chateau Fort
- Great riding and endless twisties in the Black Forest and Vosges Mountains
- Ride the Passo Gavia and the Julier, Furka, Grimsell and Susten Passes
- Ride the iconic Stelvio Pass
- Two nights at Lake Garda
- Climb the Torre Apponale in Riva del Garda
- Two nights at Lake Maggiorre
- Easy mileages mixed with challenging Alpine riding
A fantastic way to visit the Italian Lakes over the Swiss mountains and returning through the Black Forest - Go!
What's Included
- Pre tour pack including tour information, Michelin maps, route notes and GPS routes in Garmin/BMW format
- Electronic copy of the World of BMW Touring Essentials Book
- All accommodation as listed in the itinerary in 3 or 4 star hotels
- All breakfasts
- Welcome and farewell dinners (excludes beverages)
- One dinner at Lake Garda and one at Lake Como (excludes beverages)
- Motorrad Tours Tour Leader throughout the Tour
- LeShuttle Return Crossing
- Commemorative Polo Shirt for all riders and passengers
- Expert advice and support throughout
- The protection of booking with a fully bonded tour operator
Not Included
- Fuel
- Lunches
- Dinners other than those listed
- Travel Insurance
- Swiss Motorway Vignette – Required for suggested routes
- Anything not listed as included
Tour Availability
| From | To | Days | Nights | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
08-June-2025 |
20-June-2025 |
13 |
12 |
