Heading down to Lake Garda from the UK in a couple of weeks.

Anyone have suggestions for places to see / stay, roads to ride. The Stelvio is on the list of course, and I think I'll swing round Switzerland to avoid the road fees - unless someone tells me otherwise?

Will be taking a tent, and doing a mix of camping and B&B depending on the weather. Again, suggestions for accommodation most welcome.

Thanks in advance!

Dave.

Give Garda a miss and go to Orta instead, much quieter and less traffic, not that that's saying much central London or Istanbul has less traffic than around Lake Garda.

Cheers
Pete

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No need to avoid Switzerland unless you are wanted there for previous heinous crimes! You only need to buy a "Vigniette" if you want to use the motorways (NOTE; the road signs are the opposite to UK...green is for motorways, blue is "nice" roads), although if you want to get anywhere in much of a hurry then you'll pretty much have to as speed limits can be horribly low and seem to be very long with small gaps. Away from built-up areas though it's a lovely country with cracking scenery and cheaper fuel than most countries surrounding it.

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Just going for a short ride on my bike....

La Roche en Ardenne and Saarborg coming from the north.

If you decide to go further south of Geneve, try to avoid going round lake Annecy at the weekends in July / August. It was crowded when I was there. Col de petit St. Bernard avoids the Mount Blanc tunnel, but check the weather forecast, it was foggy on the 2 occasions I used it.

Just came back from that part of Europe about a month ago, I could never understand why people avoided Switzerland, used to work there, so thought Id cough for the 40 euros and ride through it.. And I was impressed to say the least.

Coming in from the Basel side, id motorway it down to San Gottardo, then take the pass up the mountain.. From there I went to San bernadino, again, all through pass roads.. Fabulous scenery and amazing riding roads... From there to Davos, and then the long road out of Davos to Stelvio.. the first 15 miles out of Davos is the key...

If you take the long road out of Davos via St Moritz etc, you will pass through some more amazing passes along the way... Stelvio itself, I wouldnt say its a riding road at all, but 30 odd hair pins up the south side and 47 down the north side makes for a fairly interesting experience.. I can recommend camping at the end of the North side in Trafoi just for the view.

I then headed to Como but again the long way round, via Belzano (mate had a problem with his Buell and had to go to HD dealer), it took twice as long, but it leads you through the Dolomites and the Tonale Pass... again areas I would recommend as not to be missed.. all in all from Basel to Tonale, took approx 3 days, but that was riding slowly and setting off at 10am stopping for about 4.30 ish to camp B&B..

Add in some long lunch breaks etc, and you could comfatably do the whole lot in 1-2 days...

Advice - Self catering in SZ as its expensive.. was glad to arrive in Italy for the cheap food and ...

But dont miss out Switzerland, it offers a lot more than a diversion on the map!

Just my pennies worth.. heres some videos I made after the trip... cheesy I know ... enjoy your holiday which ever route you take!


YouTube - Tour 2010 Preview

YouTube - Tour 2010 San Bernadino Davos

YouTube - Tour 2010 Davos to Stelvio

YouTube - Tour 2010 Stelvio PassNew version

YouTube - Tour 2010 Setting up the camp! (ok a little off topic, but it was the trafoi campsite).

Shamelss self promotion, I apologise!