MILLE MIGLIA

Mille Miglia & the Italian Lakes Itinerary
May 2012

Our overnight stops have been carefully selected for their charm, spectactular views and reputation for excellent cuisine. Having crossed the Alps we spend three nights relaxing by the charming Lake Iseo and, during the Mille Miglia tour, we will stay on three of the beautiful Italian lakes. During our stay in Iseo we have included a full day in Verona for a chance to do some sightseeing and we also go to Brescia for the start of the Mille Miglia 2011.

You will be able to get close to the cars, parked following their scrutineering in Brescia, as well as seeing the field passing at speed at viewing points along the 1000 Miglia route.

Leaving the Italian lakes we head to magnificent Tuscany and then return via the Apennines for overnight stays on Lakes Garda and Como. Some of the most amazing driving routes through the Alps and Switzerland await you on the three night return trip, before a final evening in one of our favourite family-run hotels with an excellent kitchen.

Saturday 7 May

Join the group at Dover for a mid-morning ferry arriving in Calais in the early afternoon. Today is perhaps the longest drive but making good time on fast roads we arrive in Nancy, former capital of the Duchy of Lorraine, for our first evening. Our hotel is in the centre of town and close to the famous Place Stanislas. We have arranged dinner in a nearby restaurant where there is plenty of atmosphere.

Sunday 8 May

After breakfast today we drive south through the Vosges mountains and to Mulhouse. Here we spend some time visiting the famous Schlumpf car collection before continuing on to Lucerne for our overnight stop at a stunning five star hotel situated in the Old Town opposite the lake, where we will also have dinner this evening.

Monday 9 May

Today we drive around Lake Lucerne to Schwyz and then to the Julier Pass where you can make a late lunch stop in the pretty village of Savognin before continuing to St Moritz where we spend the night in a hotel in the centre of town. Dinner this evening in the hotel is included.

Tuesday 10 May

After breakfast we continue on mountain roads, dropping down into Italy and over the Bernina Pass to Lake Iseo. We will stay for the next three nights in a wonderful four star hotel with dramatic views overlooking the lake. Dinner this evening will be in the hotel restaurant.

Wednesday 11 May

Today we have included a visit to Verona for those who wish. We will leave the hotel after breakfast by coach. In Verona the day is free for sightseeing and for lunch and we will return to Lake Iseo in the late afternoon. Alternatively, you can spend the day relaxing in the hotel or take a boat trip to the island in the lake. Dinner this evening in the hotel is once again included.

Thursday 12 May

After breakfast, we will travel by coach to Brescia for the scrutineering and the start of the Mille Miglia. During the afternoon there is an opportunity to watch the drivers and co-pilots in town making their final preparations before the start of the rally. We rejoin our group for the evening at a bar just beyond the start to see the participating cars on their very first timed stage.

Friday 13 May

Today we will follow the Mille Miglia route past Mantova and Bologna to Florence. Here we will stay amidst the unique Tuscan landscape at a rural olive oil mill dating back to the 13^th century. This evening we will have a traditional dinner at the hotel.

Saturday 14 May

We leave Tuscany this morning, ahead of the Mille Miglia, on the same route taken by the competitors over the Futa and Raticosa passes. We will make stops whilst watching the entrants come through on the road section. Afterwards we drive to Padenghe sul Garda close to Desenzano by Lake Garda and our hotel for this evening where dinner in the restaurant is included.

Sunday 15 May

Today’s leisurely drive takes us west, first by motorway as far as Bergamo and then across country to Lake Como. In Como you can stop for a leisurely lunch before enjoying the scenic lakeside drive to Menaggio. The lake views are stunning and you will drive through many picturesque small towns and villages along the way. Our hotel for this evening overlooks the lake and we will have dinner in the restaurant.

Monday 16 May

From Menaggio we drive back into Switzerland and take the St Gotthard, Furka and Grimsel Passes en route to our hotel for this evening in Menzberg. Along the way you will have stunning views and, as our hotel this evening is at the top of the mountains you will have continuing views until your departure in the morning. It is a traditional Swiss, hotel where the welcome is warm and the restaurant excellent. Dinner is, of course, included.

Tuesday 17 May

This morning we reluctantly leave our mountaintop and drive back into France to the Lorraine region close to the historic town of Verdun. Our final evening will be spent at a beautiful chateau on the banks of the river Meuse . On this our last evening together we will enjoy a cocktail followed by the best of local produce and some fine wines.

Wednesday 18 May

Today before departing for Calais you may visit the WW1 battlegrounds and memorials of Verdun, alternatively drive back via the old circuit at Reims with time to take photos in front of the old pits or perhaps stop in the historic city of Laon and enjoy lunch in the mediaeval centre. Arrival in Calais in good time to check in for your reserved ferry crossing.

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