Two-Day Trip in the North of Italy – 662 Km

Chapter 2

Summer 2019, July.

Leading destination: Lake Resia, and the mysterious bell tower buried in its waters.

This time, our adventure is a little bit longer: 662 Km (411 Ml), a two-day trip, and many Alpine passes to cross with our motorbike.

 

Day 1 – 368 Km (229 Ml)

1. San Marco Pass

Morning, 8 a.m.

We leave our beloved Bergamo, and we run throughout the Brembana Valley. Small towns and mountain pastures are along our road.

At the end of the valley, we reach the San Marco Pass and its 1,992 m (6,535 ft) of elevation.

Despite many other passes, dominated by people who come and go, here you can feel your closeness to nature. One step from heaven, still immersed in the green of the pass’ meadows.

2. Bormio

The descent takes us to Morbegno, in Valtellina.

We come across this beautiful land, famous for its fine wines, until we reach Bormio, a touristic destination located in the Stelvio National Park.

Even if we know how excellent its local cuisine is, we prefer stopping for lunch at the next point, where amazing food embraces a stunning view.

3. Stelvio Pass

So much difference in altitude from Bormio to our next stop. We are on the border between Lombardy and Trentino-South Tyrol.

Dozens and dozens of curves and we come to the Stelvio pass, at an elevation of 2,757 m (9,045 ft). It is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps and the second highest in the Alps, 7 m (23 ft) below France’s Col de l’Iseran. It’s defined as one of the most beautiful mountain passes in Italy!!

After so much road, we finally have lunch. There are bunches of places for eating. This place is full of motorcyclists and restaurants.

4. Lake ResiaShangri La Heritage Two Day Trip in The North of Italy Resia Lake

After lunch, we go down to the town Prato Allo Stelvio.

After 26 km (16 ml), we arrive at our Lake Resia, aka Reschensee, in Venosta Valley! This artificial lake is on the border with Switzerland, at an elevation of 1,498 m (4,915 ft). It is the largest lake in Trentino-South Tyrol and it’s located precisely in the municipality of Curon.

The first impression was a feeling of amazement (a bell tower in a lake?! What?!) followed by calm (the lake is so quiet, man). It’s something unique in the world!

But then, I start realizing that maybe it’s not as idyllic as can seem, indeed it even appears sad:

At one time, three natural lakes were located at the Resia Pass. Because of the construction of a large dam in 1950, the three lakes were unified, causing the complete submerged of the ancient town of Curon, which was transferred further upstream. Although the local population tried to oppose, 163 houses and 523 hectares of farmland are now on the bottom of the lake. Among them, there is also an ancient church of the fourteenth century, to witness that world almost lost.

5. Merano

Day one is running out. We cross the entire Venosta valley when it’s evening.

In this town, we stop for a beer and for having dinner at the Forsterbräu Merano. Beer is excellent, and you can have a typical Tyrolean meal.

After dinner and more than a couple of beers, we go to bed (we’ve booked in a lovely B&B).

Day 2 – 294 Km (183 Ml)

6. Bolzano

Also, the second day is full of emotions and places to discover.

We go to Bolzano, the capital city of the region. We make a quick visit to the magnificent old town. We regret getting up late. Unfortunately, we don’t have much time.

But we are ready to face the way back. Three mountain passes are waiting for us.

7. Mendel Pass

First step: Mendel Pass.

We are still in Trentino-South Tyrol, at an elevation of 1,362 meters (4,469 ft). Along the road, there are 17 panoramic hairpin bends, woods, and rocky walls.

In the nineteenth century and at the beginning of the twenty century, this place was a popular health resort for aristocrats and emperors. Considering how cool this place is, we understand why they chose to stay here.

8. Cles Lake

Crossing the pass, we come to Cles, in the heart of the Val di Non. There is a mountain lake, Santa Giustina Lake, also called Cles Lake, surrounded by apple trees famous throughout the valley.

9. Tonale Pass

We travel for the entire Sole Valley until we come to the Tonale Pass, 1,883 meters (6,178 ft).

This mountain pass, at the foot of the famous Presena Glacier (3000 m, 9843 ft), connects Lombardy and Trentino-South Tyrol. This road is also full of breathtaking hairpin bends.

We have lunch, and we go on with our trip.

10. Vivione Pass

We return to Lombardy, in the high Camonica Valley. We’re going through it all.

We arrive at the Vivione Pass at 1,828 meters (5,997 ft). It’s a very narrow and steep road, surrounded by woods and greenery! You are really in contact with wild nature. The highland at the top of the pass is reminiscent of the Scottish ones.

11. Clusone

We travel along the Scalve Valley and Seriana Valley, in the province of Bergamo, to Clusone.

This town is Daniel and Marco’s hometown. We decide to take a look to the Triumph and Dance of Death, a cycle of frescoes dated back fiftheen century, located close to the main church.

To finish our tour at best, we stop by our friend Gio for an happy-hour with a view in Piazza Orologio.

12. Bergamo

Other 30 km, and we are back home.

It’s been a long journey. But with all this beauty, how can you not do it?

Keep dreaming

Looking for the Shangri-La

 

One-Day Trip in Northern Italy – 307 Km

Chapter 1

I know everyone is thinking: “what will be my first road trip once we come back to reality?”

That’s why we want to share with you a one-day road trip to the Italian Alps, to remember what outside is waiting for us!

  • Elevation of 1.892 m (6,207 ft),
  • Located in the Northern Italian Alps,
  • Embraced by two lakes: Iseo and Idro …

You got what I mean, or do you need other clues?

This high mountain pass is a trade union among three valleys in the city of Brescia:
•    Trompia Valley
•    Camomica Valley
•    Sabbia Valley

…  so, the answer is the legendary Croce Domini Pass!!

Many of you have already followed our adventures there. Now, I want to give you further details about a trip we made last summer, on a sunny day in August.

Bergamo-Lovere

45 Km (28 Ml)

It’s a warm Sunday. Luckily, the weather is on our side. After breakfast, we are on the road. A long and straightway. In less than 50 minutes, we come to Lovere (Bergamo), a quiet town that lies on the Lake Iseo.Back of the Croce Domini Pass One day trip in the North of Italy Shangri La Heritage

 

Lovere-Croce Domini Pass

48 Km (30 Ml)

The journey begins to become more attractive in the following step. We approach the Camonica Valley, land renowned for its historical past and rock sculptures that are a UNESCO site. The last piece of road welcomes many hairpins bends gaining altitude. When you come across the Italian Alps, you know you will be surrounded by uncontaminated landscapes and vast expanses of green. You can smell the freedom: a light breeze and a blue sky in front of you.

 

Croce Domini Pass-Lake Idro

39 Km (24 Ml)

Don’t believe that the trip is over, because the journey goes on and other beautiful places await us. We have ahead a long descent. You are not alone on the road. And even if nature is silent, your eyes are catching by green pastures and herds of cows. You may stop the Lake Idro or continue. We decide to go on because we want to see the waterfall of Gorg d’Abiss.

Waterfall Gorg d'Abiss Croce Domini Pass One day trip in North of Italy Shangri La Heritage

 

Lake Idro-Gorg d’Abiss

24 Km (15 Ml)

We leave the main road for a moment. Sometimes you have to leave the safe way to get into something unexplored. We come to this little town in the Trentino-South Tyrol region. We let the road signs along village roads guide us. It’s time to leave the motorcycle and continue walking. With our helmets in the hands, we are following a path in this magical wood. Sunlight filters through the leaves of the trees. And here there is this stunning waterfall that washes our faces with its finest drops.

 

Gorg d’Abiss-Lake Ledro

8 Km (5 Ml)

Our stomach is growling. We come back to the motorcycle and our destination is now the Lake Ledro. The road runs along the lake. We see a beach where you can stop. We have lunch, and we get the bathing suit out of our bags. We can not take advantage of the sunny day. It’s time for sunbathing and bathing in the lake.

 

Lake Ledro-Lake Garda-Salò-Bergamo

143 Km (89 Ml)

After relaxing, in a single shot, we get back to Bergamo. The sun is still shining when we leave, and we can see its reflection on the shores of the lakes beyond. We have to say goodbye to the Lake Ledro and admire the Lake Garda during the route. Thousand galleries carved into the rock of the mountains guide us. The sun lowers at dusk, and it’s nighttime when we are back.

Bergamo-Lovere

45 Km (28 Ml)

It’s a warm Sunday. Luckily, the weather is on our side. After breakfast, we are on the road. A long and straightway. In less than 50 minutes, we come to Lovere (Bergamo), a quiet town that lies on the Iseo lake.

 

Lovere-Croce Domini Pass

48 Km (30 Ml)

The journey begins to become more attractive in the following step. We approach the Camonica valley, land renowned for its historical past and rock sculptures that are a UNESCO site. The last piece of road welcomes many hairpins bends gaining altitude. When you come across the Italian Alps, you know you will be surrounded by uncontaminated landscapes and vast expanses of green. You can smell the freedom: a light breeze and a blue sky in front of you.

Back of the Croce Domini Pass One day trip in the North of Italy Shangri La Heritage

 

Croce Domini Pass-Lago di Idro

39 Km (24 Ml)

Don’t believe that the trip is over, because the journey goes on and other beautiful places await us. We have ahead a long descent. You are not alone on the road. And even if nature is silent, your eyes are catching by green pastures and herds of cows. You may stop the Idro lake or continue. We decide to go on because we want to see the waterfall of Gorg d’Abiss.

 

Lago di Idro-Gorg d’Abiss

24 Km (15 Ml)

We leave the main road for a moment. Sometimes you have to leave the safe way to get into something unexplored. We come to this little town in the Trentino-South Tyrol region. We let the road signs along village roads guide us. It’s time to leave the motorcycle and continue walking. With our helmets in the hands, we are following a path in this magical wood. Sunlight filters through the leaves of the trees. And here there is this stunning waterfall that washes our faces with its finest drops.

Waterfall Gorg d'Abiss Croce Domini Pass One day trip in North of Italy Shangri La Heritage

 

Gorg d’Abiss-Lago di Ledro

8 Km (5 Ml)

Our stomach is growling. We come back to the motorcycle and our destination is now the Ledro lake. The road runs along the lake. We see a beach where you can stop. We have lunch, and we get the bathing suit out of our bags. We can not take advantage of the sunny day. It’s time for sunbathing and bathing in the lake.

 

Lago di Ledro-Riva del Garda-Salò-Bergamo

143 Km (89 Ml)

After relaxing, in a single shot, we get back to Bergamo. The sun is still shining when we leave, and we can see its reflection on the shores of the lakes beyond. We have to say goodbye to the Ledro lake and admire the Garda lake during the route. Thousand galleries carved into the rock of the mountains guide us. The sun lowers at dusk, and it’s nighttime when we are back.

I know, man. Now you can’t wait to go there. Don’t rush! The pass is closed from November to May. So, you have time to think about making this trip one of your most beautiful memories.

Keep dreaming

Looking for the Shangri-La