Overview

Welcome to one of Italy’s most romantic places, where writers and travelers from all over Europe have come to sing the praises of this enchanting landscape. Meet your Trek Travel host at the fantastic Bike Hotel Belvedere overlooking the lake. Settle in and make yourself at home while your host gives you a brief orientation of the week ahead. Your host will also fit you to your bike, ensuring you are comfortable for the week. Then, it's off on your first scenic ride along the shores of the lake to the stunning Rocca d'Angera. Located on a lakeside hilltop, this imposing structure dominates the landscape. As you get acquainted with your bike, you will loop around the town of Taino before finishing back at the hotel. Tonight, we suggest dining at the hotel's restaurant, renowned among locals for its excellent dishes. Alternatively, enjoy dinner at one of the town's restaurants chosen from a provided list of our favorites. The choice is yours!

Overview

Another memorable day awaits you on your Lago Maggiore Self-Guided bike tour, as you'll head to the unique village of Arcumeggia, known as "The Painted Town." In 1956, the local tourist board promoted an initiative called "Painters on Vacation," attracting acclaimed national artists to visit the town and paint the external walls of the houses, transforming the village into an open-air museum. If you feel like adding more elevation today, the avid option will satisfy your hunger for a challenge! This route will have you climb Passo del Cuvignone from Cittiglio, a six-mile climb with an average gradient of 8.2%. After exploring the town of Arcumeggia you will reconnect with the "Today's" route, heading to the village of Caldé for lunch. After lunch, a lovely ride along the lake shore will take you back to Ranco, where you you can relax at the pool before deciding your plans for dinner.

Overview

Today we suggest to take a ferry boat ride to Arona so you have the chance to visit the Piedmont side of the lake. Our route takes you to Orta San Giulio, a delightful little town overlooking the charming Lago d'Orta, famous for the purity of its water and declared the cleanest lake in all of Europe! As you wander through the cobbled alleyways of Orta San Giulio, we suggest you stop for lunch and order a delicious risotto—the local specialty. Before leaving, take a short walk up to the top of the scenic hill to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sacro Monte di Orta, a sacred site devoted to the life of Saint Francis. You'll enjoy unparalleled views of San Giulio Island, which sits in the middle of the lake. When you are ready, saddle up to continue your ride along the panoramic road Alto Vergante back to Arona. From here, you'll board a ferry boat back to the Lombardy shore to reach your hotel. Tonight, make good use of our hand-selected recommendations for dinner as you explore Ranco at your leisure.

Overview

This morning, you will ride on a quiet woodland road that winds through the Regional Park of Campo dei Fiori. Your destination is the quaint hamlet of Santa Maria del Monte, sitting high on the mountain, offering breathtaking views of the Alps, pre-Alps, and the lakes. It is well worth dedicating some time to explore the maze of little cobbled lanes which form this Italian village. If you are keen, you can walk to the shrine at the top of the Sacro Monte di Varese. The avid option will have you climb an additional six miles to reach a fantastic view point. After enjoying lunch in Santa Maria del Monte, you will descend and ride past the lake of Monate, a smaller lake with crystal clear water, before heading back to your lovely bike hotel in Ranco. Tonight, celebrate with one last dinner in great style at the hotel and toast to a fantastic self-guided Lago Maggiore bike tour spent experiencing glittering lakes, endless mountain landscapes, and phenomenal Italian food.

Overview

This morning's loop is the perfect final ride and farewell to the lakes and mountains of Northern Italy. If you'd rather skip the ride, you can sleep in, have a leisurely breakfast, and then enjoy a final stroll in town to savor these few last moments and perhaps pick up some souvenirs and gifts. Your Trek Travel host will meet you at the hotel at 11:00 AM to take your bike and say farewell before you depart from your Italian vacation of a lifetime.