Italian Lakes Classic Car Tour

Our Italian lakes tour started when we were planning the trip from the UK to Italy. We had decided to have our cars transported rather than face the slog through France and over the Alps. Although there was room for seven cars on the transporter, we eventually had four commit to the trip. Having attended over 40 tours with the Classic cars this was the first time that we had considered the transportation route. Having done some initial calculations it turned out that with four cars it was approximately £50-£100 more expensive, including the flights to Verona airport and return. We delivered the cars to Indigo blue near Petersfield a week before the tour was due to start.

Welcome cocktail and briefing

Having arrived the night before to Verona on the Friday, the transporter arrived on time ready for us to pick up the cars and move on to our first tour Hotel.

We had devised a route that took us into countryside and over the hills dropping down into Salo rather than the Autostrada route which may have been quicker but no where near as scenic. We stopped for coffee en route, at Manzambano, a small village enjoying the autumn sunshine along with locals out for their daily coffee and get together. 

By mid afternoon, we arrived at the first hotel, Lauren Hotel, Salo, where we were met by Paul and Sally, our tour hosts, who gave us a quick download of what we were to expect in the next few days. Throughout the afternoon participants arrived and by teatime we had five E-type, several newer cars, an XK 120, Mark 4 JAG and an original SS Jaguar that had competed in the Mille Millie  Race. The split of nationalities seem to be about 50/50 Swiss and British. That evening we enjoyed a drink and nibbles welcome on the veranda before a lovely meal.

The hotel had a lot of history which was outlined by Paul, especially during the war when it was used as a ministry location for the Italian government. It also had featured as a meeting point for the Garibaldi government during the formation of the united Italy. One was left to wonder if the sumptuously decorated dining room had seen visits from Mussolini in the WW2 days.

The following morning was our first days tour which exited the town up and over the hills. A coffee stop allowed us all to discuss how to get used to the Beeline navigational app and swap stories over our experience in using it so far. More history of the area came as we visited a special chapel, Ossuary Chapel of St Martin, dedicated to those who fought in a battle to regain territory for Italy from neighbouring Austria. The chapel commemorated the fallen soldiers from both sides by rather bizarrely placing skulls around the altar.

A short drive saw us at a small vineyard, Trattoria Da Arturo, owned by a very old Italian family where we had a quick tour followed by lunch and a tasting of their wine, with a scenic drive back to the hotel ready for more food that evening!

Cruising along Lake Garda

The second tour took us along the Garde lake side and into the mountains with some twisting roads all the way to lunch at Bagolino. We took a further two smaller lakes in, including Lake Idro. Only downside was it was Sunday so we had to share the roads with motorbikes and cyclists all out to enjoy the sunshine. Lunch saw us at a very local restaurant sampling some simple pasta and cold meat. Having arrived back at the hotel, we took a stroll into Salo down by the lake side where the Italians promenade through a local Sunday market. We had enjoyed warm sunny weather so far, but the forecast suggested that was about to break with some stormy weather the following day.

Clouds did not stop play

The day started brightly for our first change of hotel but soon deteriorated into some thunder and lightning throughout the day. Up until then all the cars seemed fine but the rain proved too much for one of the E-type windscreen wiper motors which failed during the route. Paul, using his command of Italian, managed to locate a classic car garage and direct Steve and Alison to their location. Unfortunately, after inspection it appeared that the motor had burnt out so Steve had to complete the journey in between showers before applying a good dose of “ Rainex” to enable them to carry on between the showers for the rest of the tours.

We drove along lake Isaiah and despite the rain we enjoyed a coffee stop overlooking the lake with storm clouds rolling in on the surrounding hills. As we arrived at the hotel resort and spa Miramont Paul and Sally were again there to greet us and direct all the cars to various parking sites. 

Our Hotel was a peaceful location with a magnificent panoramic view down the valley. Many of the participants took advantage of the spa and pool that also had great views over the valley via an infinity pool.

During the evening, we enjoyed what many considered to be the best meal of the tour ending with a glass of grappa invented by the head chef and served by him.

The following days run was among the mountains where we encountered very little traffic and lovely sweeping roads, ideal for E-type driving, which swept down to Pellegrino where the sparkling water comes from. The return drive was via the sanctuary Cornabusa, which is a remarkable shrine set into the rock face, with once again magnificent views back over the valley to our hotel and beyond. 

The afternoon saw many of us making pasta in the kitchen of the hotel with varying degrees of success. This was served that evening for dinner but thankfully along with some other more professionally made food.

Gremlins and dampness had affected a number of cars but as they got going during the morning, most problems seem to disappear.

Car ferry on Lake Como

Our hotel transfer journey took us along  Lake Como through Lecco town and to the chaotic Verenna ferry crossing to Menaggio. The port is a funnel with foot passengers and cars vying for tickets and space on the entrance area to the boats. Luckily Paul and Sally had organised for us to have priority with all the Classic cars at least providing entertainment for the frustrated other passengers while they waited. 

After a quick lunch in Menaggio we had a scenic drive over the hills travelling along Lake Lugano. The town itself was a bottleneck with traffic lights seemingly at every junction but not in sync with the next set. The final run along Lake Maggiore afforded a great view of the lake and onto the final elegant Hotel La Palma.

The three hotels we used on this tour had obviously been carefully selected with the first being full of Italian history, the second a quiet retreat with magnificent views down the valley, and the third a very elegant Hotel along the  lake front in Stresa. 

Our next days run took us over the hills to Lake Orta and the beautiful village of Orta San Giulo where we had some time to look around the village and a coffee on the lakeside. We then drove round the lake to have a lovely lunch at Giardinetto Hotel overlooking the lake with Orta in the distance. An afternoon return to Stresa allowed us some time to visit the old part of the city before returning to the hotel ready for our gala dinner.

Paul and Sally had arranged for drinks and entrees to be served in the Sky bar on the roof of the hotel with fantastic views across the lake to the mountains beyond where we could see a storm coming in and covering the mountains. 

Our transporter arrived early in the final morning to pick up the cars so we were able to take the opportunity to take a ferry on the lake around several small islands before lunch at the hotel and finally taking a taxi to Milan Milpensa airport for the return flight home. 

For anyone who is looking to visit the spectacular Italian lakes this tour is a great way to experience them. Paul and Sally were great hosts with attention to detail and always happy to help with any problems that arose. The use of a transporter to take the cars and return we considered to be a success. I would recommend this type of arrangement to anyone wishing to travel through France onto Italy avoiding the slog of the motorways and tolls.