Lakes, islands, rivers, natural parks, wildlife sanctuaries, botanical gardens, places of worship, historic settlements, wine and food tasting, adventure parks....... a full and environmentally-friendly holiday to explore the land of the pre-alpine lakes. The healthy and pleasant sound of your bike (mountain or hybrid bike) as long as nature's one, will be the soundtrack of your active bike holiday. Suitable for everybody: cyclists, families, group of friends and non-cycling companions too!

Day 1: Arrival in Ispra and settling in hotel. Free day.  Evening pre-tour briefing.

Day 2: Stage 1: Ispra – Ispra, 26 km. Total climbing 268 m, unsurfaced road 35%, cyclability 100%. Angera and around – The views over Lake Maggiore, the forests and the wildlife sanctuary that you ride through, will make you feel at one with nature. If you wish, there are also lots of sightseeing (the transport museum, the Rocca di Angera....) or photo opportunities.

Day 3: Stage 2: Ispra - Ispra, 51 km. Total climbing 450 m, unsurfaced road 0%, cyclability 100%.
The lakes and their cycleways – A day dedicated to the lakes Comabbio, Varese and Monate. Not forgetting the local culture with a visit to the ice-houses and another to a barrel room with associated local grappa-tasting. 

Day 4: Stage 3: Ispra - Ispra, 66 km. Total climbing 690 m, unsurfaced road 15%, cyclability 100%. The parks and Arona – A long stage that can be reduced to 50 km. Ride along cycle ways, you’ll crossing two natural parks. You will also have the opportunity to do shopping at the weekly market in Arona.

Day 5: Rest Day - Cruise on Lake Maggiore. You can visit the famous Borromeo islands (Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola dei Pescatori) or Stresa.  Pleasant lunch in one of the traditional lake restaurants on Isola dei Pescatori.

Day 6: Stage 4: Ispra - Verbania, 44 km. Total climbing 540 m, unsurfaced road 0%, cyclability 100%. Hermitage, noble villas and forests. You’ll reach and visit the hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso (perched on a rocky cliff overlooking Lago Maggiore), if you wish a splendid noble villa and the picturesque local villages you’ll ride through. Crossing the lake (by boat) you reach Verbania.  

Day 7: Stage 5: Verbania - Verbania, 36 km. Total climbing 470 m, unsurfaced road 0%, cyclability 100%. Lakes, marble quarries and Piedmontese specialities.  You’ll  ride on Lake Maggiore and Lake Mergozzo shores. If you wish, you can stop and visit the fascinating marble quarries from which the stone of the Duomo in Milan was extracted. A lunch in an ancient Piedmontese trattoria will wait for you before returning to Verbania.
Alternatively: Lakes and adventure / amusement park. (31 km, 250 m of climbing, unsurfaced road 0%, cyclability 100%).

Day 8: Stage 6: Verbania - Ispra, 35 km. Total climbing 570 m, unsurfaced road 0%, cyclability 100%. Gardens, Sacred Mountains and lakeside marinas. You'll be able to visit one of the most suggestive "Sacred Mountains" and you can do the same with the magnificent nearby botanic gardens. Along your way to the hotel, you’ll ride through a series of attractive marinas.

Day 9: goodbyes and departure.

For further information, general conditions, services not included etc. you are kindly demanded to check what specified on the tour operator web site.

*Period:
Formula self-guided: from April to October, each Saturday.
Formula guided: 15/06/2013 – 10/08/2013 – 12/10/2013.
Upon request, from April to October, we can organize guided departures on other dates.