Euro Road Trip 09
- Thread starter Road Trip
- Start date
Cheers 
Day 4 - Celerina to Iseo (Italy) - 206 miles
Nipped onto St Moritz for a look see before heading east
Instead of taking the Ofen Pass (which I have driven before and is excellent) to Stelvio, I thought I'd check out another road which added quite a few miles to the day (all in the name of research). So we headed north/east to Nauders in Austria.
Unfortunately the road is not one I can recommend. Ah, well. You live, and learn.
Crossing the border into Austria and the Reschenpass (1455m)
Back into Italy then Switzerland for a fuel stop
Heading for the mountains
Start of the Umbrail Pass
More digging
This isn't roadworks, this is the road; or should I say "dirt track"!
It's like a rally stage
Heading south, back on the tarmac
Looks a bit grim up there
Looking up to the Stelvio summit
Heading for the border crossing back into Italy
We join the Stelvio and head even higher
Stelvio summit, 2757m (9045ft)
I really love this place. This is my 3rd visit and I never cease to be amazed by the engineering triumph of this road. You don't have to drive it like a lunatic to enjoy it, and you never know what cars you're gonna find at the top.
This time it was the Frazer Nash folks
Checking the map
Off they go
The descent to Bormio
Look at this rock formation
The locals
We eventually arrive in Iseo, on Lake Iseo
A well deserved desert
Day 4 - Celerina to Iseo (Italy) - 206 miles
Nipped onto St Moritz for a look see before heading east
Instead of taking the Ofen Pass (which I have driven before and is excellent) to Stelvio, I thought I'd check out another road which added quite a few miles to the day (all in the name of research). So we headed north/east to Nauders in Austria.
Unfortunately the road is not one I can recommend. Ah, well. You live, and learn.
Crossing the border into Austria and the Reschenpass (1455m)
Back into Italy then Switzerland for a fuel stop
Heading for the mountains
Start of the Umbrail Pass
More digging
This isn't roadworks, this is the road; or should I say "dirt track"!
It's like a rally stage
Heading south, back on the tarmac
Looks a bit grim up there
Looking up to the Stelvio summit
Heading for the border crossing back into Italy
We join the Stelvio and head even higher
Stelvio summit, 2757m (9045ft)
I really love this place. This is my 3rd visit and I never cease to be amazed by the engineering triumph of this road. You don't have to drive it like a lunatic to enjoy it, and you never know what cars you're gonna find at the top.
This time it was the Frazer Nash folks
Checking the map
Off they go
The descent to Bormio
Look at this rock formation
The locals
We eventually arrive in Iseo, on Lake Iseo
A well deserved desert
Day 5 - at leisure in Iseo
Fortunately the temperature is in the 20's in Italy. Whilst in Switzerland we never saw double figures. We only packed shirts and tee-shirts, hence the roof being up for the past 4 days. No driving today though.
Having visited the main 3 northern Italian lakes, Garda, Como and Maggiore, several times we decided to have a look at a couple of the smaller, quieter lakes. We really liked Iseo.
Our hotel is only 5 mins from the lake
Dinner by the lake
Fortunately the temperature is in the 20's in Italy. Whilst in Switzerland we never saw double figures. We only packed shirts and tee-shirts, hence the roof being up for the past 4 days. No driving today though.
Having visited the main 3 northern Italian lakes, Garda, Como and Maggiore, several times we decided to have a look at a couple of the smaller, quieter lakes. We really liked Iseo.
Our hotel is only 5 mins from the lake
Dinner by the lake
Is the picure the "locals" the same bit of road used in Goldfinger ?
I think that was the Furka Pass, hugh.
Day 6 - Iseo to Cisano - 128 miles
The direct route to Garda today was on the Autostrada and was about 54 miles, but there's no fun in that. My route took us into the mountians and the little known Passo Maniva and the Passo Croce Domini.
Climbing out of Iseo looking back at the lake
Maniva Pass
Passo Croce Domini - check out the wooden armco
When they say "falling rocks", they mean it. Look at the size of those two at the edge of the wall!
Into the coulds
As we exit the could we can't fail to notice a massive structure built on top of the mountain
Day 6 - Iseo to Cisano - 128 miles
The direct route to Garda today was on the Autostrada and was about 54 miles, but there's no fun in that. My route took us into the mountians and the little known Passo Maniva and the Passo Croce Domini.
Climbing out of Iseo looking back at the lake
Maniva Pass
Passo Croce Domini - check out the wooden armco
When they say "falling rocks", they mean it. Look at the size of those two at the edge of the wall!
Into the coulds
As we exit the could we can't fail to notice a massive structure built on top of the mountain
south yorkshire
great trip and write up! Sorry to hear of ur tough times before going!
Day 6 cont
We find what looks like a service road heading up the mountain to the structure and I can't resist taking a closer look
The whole facility is fenced and gated, but the small entrance gate has been broken down. The place is totally deserted and quite beaten up. Kathryn is not happy, but I drive through the gates and take a couple of quick pics
I would have liked to have spent longer here, snooping around and taking pics, but Kathryn was just shouting for me to get back in the car and get out of here! Seeing as we were on our own and had not seen anyone else for miles it probably was for the best. I was a really spooky place. The film "Hostel" sprang to mind!
We head back down to the main road and carry on the road you can see in the distance on the pic below. Soon after the tarmac ends and the Goletto del Crocette (2070m) road becomes a dirt track full of deep pot holes. I decided not to risk it and we headed back the way we came to the Maniva Pass.
Since we got home, after a bit of research, all I can find is that the facility is an abandoned NATO radio station.
In the distance we see some locals emerging from the mist
We head back to the junction with the Maniva Pass, but it's unclear where we should go. The road seems to end at a massive unsurfaced carpark
Right at the far side of the carpark we see a sign
This is the road
Back on the main road heading toward Lake d'Idrol
Lake d'Idrol
Great section of twisties as we near Riva
Late lunch at Riva del Garda
Castle at Malcesine
Took the cable car up to Monte Baldo where I done some mountain biking in 06.
Our friends Paul & Lisa were holidaying in Malcesine and we'd arranged to meet up for a coffee
Took a tour of the castle with great views from the top - looking north
Looking south
We find what looks like a service road heading up the mountain to the structure and I can't resist taking a closer look
The whole facility is fenced and gated, but the small entrance gate has been broken down. The place is totally deserted and quite beaten up. Kathryn is not happy, but I drive through the gates and take a couple of quick pics
I would have liked to have spent longer here, snooping around and taking pics, but Kathryn was just shouting for me to get back in the car and get out of here! Seeing as we were on our own and had not seen anyone else for miles it probably was for the best. I was a really spooky place. The film "Hostel" sprang to mind!
We head back down to the main road and carry on the road you can see in the distance on the pic below. Soon after the tarmac ends and the Goletto del Crocette (2070m) road becomes a dirt track full of deep pot holes. I decided not to risk it and we headed back the way we came to the Maniva Pass.
Since we got home, after a bit of research, all I can find is that the facility is an abandoned NATO radio station.
In the distance we see some locals emerging from the mist
We head back to the junction with the Maniva Pass, but it's unclear where we should go. The road seems to end at a massive unsurfaced carpark
Right at the far side of the carpark we see a sign
This is the road
Back on the main road heading toward Lake d'Idrol
Lake d'Idrol
Great section of twisties as we near Riva
Late lunch at Riva del Garda
Castle at Malcesine
Took the cable car up to Monte Baldo where I done some mountain biking in 06.
Our friends Paul & Lisa were holidaying in Malcesine and we'd arranged to meet up for a coffee
Took a tour of the castle with great views from the top - looking north
Looking south
Day 7 - Day trip to Verona - 38 miles
Verona
Roman Amphitheater, commonly known as The Arena
The home of Opera in Verona
Palazzo Barbieri (town hall)
Palazzo Mafei
Tower Lamberti
Romeo & Juliet's Balcony
Juliet
Refreshments
Back at our hotel, watching the boat drop off
Dinner
Verona
Roman Amphitheater, commonly known as The Arena
The home of Opera in Verona
Palazzo Barbieri (town hall)
Palazzo Mafei
Tower Lamberti
Romeo & Juliet's Balcony
Juliet
Refreshments
Back at our hotel, watching the boat drop off
Dinner
Road Trip said:
Cheers
. Annoyingly, the powerboard in my DSLR died 2 weeks before we were due to go. It wasn't repaired in time, so I relied on my cheapo £40 Samsung compact digital which I keep in my mountain-biking backpack. Not the same, but still got some half-decent pics. I'll do a thread similar to yours when I finally get them uploaded (just debating a switch to flickr from photobucket...)
And regrettably mine wasn't in the Z4: VW Transporter T5 van plus awning plus mountain-bikes all the way
- France, Switzerland, Germany (inc the 'Ring and Porsche Museum), Belgium (inc Spa) and Netherlands.Italy looks amazing BTW - hoping to go to the Finale Ligure area for mountain-biking next year
Where's that then?
I can certainly recommend the biking at Monte Baldo 8)
Day 8 - day trip to Sirmione - 43 miles
First job of the day was a visit to the local car wash
Parked up at Sirmione
I was just chilling out in the shade when Kathryn took this pic. Can't think why.
I can certainly recommend the biking at Monte Baldo 8)
Day 8 - day trip to Sirmione - 43 miles
First job of the day was a visit to the local car wash
Parked up at Sirmione
I was just chilling out in the shade when Kathryn took this pic. Can't think why.
A great write up, thanks for sharing your pictures. I can't believe the amount of snow at the top of the passes. It was snowing when I rode my bike over the Susten Pass but nothing like the stuff you came across. I'd like to do this trip in my Zed but when push comes to shove I always take the bike!
Day 9 - Cisano (Lake Garda) to Brusimpiomo (Lake Lugano) 142 miles
Took a quick pic outside the hotel before we leave. I love this mountain range, it looks like a mans face, laid down in profile
First stop was a visit to the Mille Miglia museum in Brescia. I visited before a couple of years ago, and having driven most of the route, really enjoyed it.
A group of little old Fiat Grand Prix were also visiting
Look at the size of the M next to these litlle raskels
Inside - some of the lovely old cars that took part in this epic race
Bugatti
1936 Riley
BMW 328
Fiat
Alfa Romeo
Lotus
Porsche
MB 300SL
Bandini
Abarth 750 Zagato
Spotted this new 911 Turbo a a fuel stop. Give the driver the big thumbs up. He saw me struggling with the automated pumps and kindly offered assistance.
Took a quick pic outside the hotel before we leave. I love this mountain range, it looks like a mans face, laid down in profile
First stop was a visit to the Mille Miglia museum in Brescia. I visited before a couple of years ago, and having driven most of the route, really enjoyed it.
A group of little old Fiat Grand Prix were also visiting
Look at the size of the M next to these litlle raskels
Inside - some of the lovely old cars that took part in this epic race
Bugatti
1936 Riley
BMW 328
Fiat
Alfa Romeo
Lotus
Porsche
MB 300SL
Bandini
Abarth 750 Zagato
Spotted this new 911 Turbo a a fuel stop. Give the driver the big thumbs up. He saw me struggling with the automated pumps and kindly offered assistance.
Day 9 cont
As we were heading for Lake Como we saw a sign above the road in one of the villages we were passing through, and thought it was worth a short detour.
Oh, it was!
A street full of Ferraris, in Italy - heaven!
Scuderia
Oh no. Someone has stuck a Scuderia badge on a 430!
As we were heading for Lake Como we saw a sign above the road in one of the villages we were passing through, and thought it was worth a short detour.
Oh, it was!
A street full of Ferraris, in Italy - heaven!
Scuderia
Oh no. Someone has stuck a Scuderia badge on a 430!
WOW!!!
What the hell was going on there to result in all the Ferrari's? What as awesome find - so many nice cars, love the looks of the F40, not pretty but still looks great.
Love the picture with the red Fiat Panda at the LHS of the shot, next to all the red Ferrari's - I wonder if the owner was trying to make a point
What the hell was going on there to result in all the Ferrari's? What as awesome find - so many nice cars, love the looks of the F40, not pretty but still looks great.
Love the picture with the red Fiat Panda at the LHS of the shot, next to all the red Ferrari's - I wonder if the owner was trying to make a point
Day 9 cont
Lake Como, heading for the ferry
Ferry to Menaggio
All aboard
Safely on board, and we set sail
Looking back to Verenna
Heading for Menaggio
After a short drive over the mountains we descend to Lake Lugano
Had a late lunch in Lugano (4pm, we were bloody starving)
From here it was only about 10 miles to our hotel in the lovely little village of Brusimpiano