France > Milan to Lisbon
Trip of a life time, touring the country roads of Europe, from the fashion hub city of Milan, Italy to the port of Lisbon, Portugal.
Our trip flows North from Milan to Como, situated on the most popular Northern Italian Lake and renown for its thriving tourist and business centers.
Leaving Como traveling up the West coast of Lago di Como we pass Isola Comacina and the Monastero Faustino arriving at our second destination of Menaggio. Staying in Menaggio we spend a few days crossing the lake in highly polished taxi boats visiting such towns as Bellagio and Lecco. This region is rich with quaint lakeside towns to explore while in commanding mountains envelop us in their vista.
Moving West up out of Menaggio we see the last glimpses of Lago di Como and very shortly driving along the banks of Lago di Lugano before visiting the town of Lugano. We are soon on our way, leaving Lugano and driving through the mountain forests to arrive in the town of Laveno. Crossing the largest Italian lake – Lago Maggiore. Driving onto the car ferry we enjoy the short ferry trip across the lake to arrive at the docks in the town of Intra, where narrow cobble streets cluttered with ‘buy me’ shops. From Intra it is a short trip skirting the Lake which brings us to Stresa our next overnight stop.
The town of Stresa is one of the Lake ports famous for visiting the Borromean Islands.
Leaving Stresa we find our selves driving up the Italian Alps leaving the Lakes in our distance and heading for the Simplon pass and straggling the start of the mighty Rhone river that ends up in the French Camague and Mediterranean Sea, passing on our left the renowned Matterhorn and on into Chamonix our next overnight stop.
From the majestic Alps we arrive on the banks of Lake Geneva visiting such locations as Yvoire and Lausanna. The views from the banks of Lake Geneva are ore inspiring comparing the rugged mountains to the calm lake waters.
Our journey turns South as we travel to the French region of Provence, we explore Aix en Provence, the market town of Arles and the regional high spots including Van GOGH cafe, Hospice, La Baux, St Remy to name a few. Following the days exploring the Provence our trip takes us through the great Camargue and the Medieval town of Aitgues-Morts.
Our tour continues along the Mediterranean coast exploring locations around and in between Narbonne, Barcelona, Valance, Seville as we complete our EuropeDriving.com tour in Lisbon the capital of Portugal.
Day 1
Milan; Your flight has been long from Australia, we meet at the Milan Malpensa Airport, collect baggage and make our way to our Hotel. As we are staying the following day in Milan, it offers time to unpack, explore the hotel and city. Milan has cultural events in the parks with theater, film and dance festivals, catch a concerts in the Park or watch outdoor movies at the Rotonda della Basana.
Suggested Hotel: – UNAHOTELS Cusani Milano
Day 2
Milan; This full day in Milan fashion center set in the Lombardy region of Italy, provides time for you to select areas you wish to visit in and around Milan from Alfa Romao Museum, the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, housing Leonardo da Vinci’s mural “The Last Supper,” to the Gothic Duomo di Milano Cathedral which all testify to centuries of art and culture or rest in the magic of the Hotel grounds. Milan’s men’s Fashion Week is held in June in conjugation with the Milano Food Week.
Suggested Hotel: – UNAHOTELS Cusani Milano
Day 3
Menaggio; Leaving Milan we drive North to Como. We spend time to explore a little of the busy City positioned on the Lake Como shores. We continue driving along the West coast to the town of Menaggio with its delightful flower studded lake side, the Chiesa di S. Stefano cathedral, attractive water front and ferry harbour. There is time for you to explore this town and the facilities of our executive country hotel.
Suggested Hotel: – Grand Hotel Victoria
Day 4
Menaggio; Adventure beckons, a personal ferry trip across the Lake to visit and explore the town of Bellagio. Bellagio is a village on a headland jutting out into Lake Como, in Italy. We wander it’s cobbled lanes, elegant buildings and Villa Serbelloni Park, an 18th-century terraced garden with lake views.
Nearby are the Tower of the Arts, a venue for exhibitions and performances, and the Romanesque San Giacomo Church. Close to rocky Loppia Beach, the Museum of Navigational Instruments displays sundials and compasses for those with a nautical interest. This evening we make our way to Isola Comacina and enjoy a typical local banquet in a unique location Locanda Dell’Isola Comacina – Ristorante (If still open) necessitating a short ferry trip to the Island Restaurant.
Suggested Hotel: – Grand Hotel Victoria
Day 5
Menaggio; A visit to Lecco on the South Eastern tip of the Lake and a return to Como for a second visit enabling a visit the Gothic Como Cathedral (Duomo), the scenic funicular railway visiting St Andrea church and to take in the vista or a wander along waterfront promenade.
The Museo Didattico della Seta traces the history of Como’s silk industry, while the Tempio Voltiano museum is dedicated to Italian physicist Alessandro Volta or a visit to the lakeside gardens of the palatial Villa Olmoto.
Suggested Hotel: – Grand Hotel Victoria
Day 6
Stresa; Leaving Menaggio we see the last glimpses of Lago di Como and new views of the second lake – Lago di Lugano. We stop and explore the city of Lugano. Taking a country road we through the mountain forests to arrive in the small town of Laveno. Here we board a local car ferry crossing the largest Italian lake – Lago Maggiore being our third lake. Enjoying the short ferry trip across the lake to arrive at the docks in the town of Intra, where hidden narrow cobble streets cluttered with ‘buy me’ shops. From Intra it is a short trip skirting Lake Maggiore which brings us to Stresa our next overnight stop where we can settle in to the hotel and explore the town.
Suggested Hotel: – Hotel Villa e Palazzo Aminta
Day 7
Stresa; Today we can explore the palatial palaces on the Borromean Islands situated off shore or take a guided tour visiting the three Borromean Islands (Superiore, Bella & Madre) with a private tour guide.
Suggested Hotel: – Hotel Villa e Palazzo Aminta
Day 8
Stresa;
A day of rest and relaxation in Stresa however a tour of Orta San Giulio on Lake Orta is there for the taking.
Suggested Hotel: – Hotel Villa e Palazzo Aminta
Day 9
Chamonix; Driving through the Italian Alps leaving the Italian Lakes in our distance. We drive Simplon pass and follow the start of the mighty Rhone river that ends up in the French Camague and Mediterranean Sea. The snow topped mountains which we drive through, passing on our left the renowned Matterhorn before reaching the town of Chamonix and our designated hotel being our next overnight stop.
Suggested Hotel: – Les Rives d’Argentière
Day 10
Chamonix; Today there is the option to catch a funicular cable car to visit the large mountain glazier.
Day 11
Yvoire; From the majestic Alps we arrive on the banks of Lake Geneva where we found our over night accommodation in Yvoire a Medieval town complete with castle and city wall’s. Exploring the town see’s the end of another busy day.
Day 12
Yvoire; To the Port, as we board one of the beautiful white paddle-steams, taking us across lake Geneva to the towns of Lausanne and Ouchy, while on board ship lunch is served, enabling you to take in the magic surrounding views while dining.
Day 13
Yvoire; Exploring Geneva takes up the day.
Day 14
Grenoble; Our day is spent driving South to Annecy the Venice of France, after exploring this town we pass through Aix les Bain and arriving in the ski town of Grenoble where we stay the night.
Day 15
Aix en Provence; Travelling the Napolian road route we arrive in the vibrant university city with its outdoor dining, cobble streets and local history.
Day 16
Aix en Provence; the day offers us the options of either exploring the Old Town or a short drive to Cassis Port a magic old fishing village.
Day 17
Arles;
Day 18
Arles
Day 19
Arles
Day 20
Aigues-Mortes
Day 21
Narbonne
Day 22
Carcassonne
Day 23
Lourdes
Day 24
Lourdes
Day 25
Donostia San Sebastian
Day 26
Burgos
Day 27
Braganca
Day 28
Porto
- This map is indicative only.
- As per all tours, all details (hotels, locations and points of interest) can be customised to suit your individual taste.
- Subject to currency fluctuation.
- Subject to availability.
- Trips described on this site are not a quote or a set schedule, but a suggested trip that can be modified and await your confirmation.
- All driving travel is subject to road and traffic conditions. If unforeseen conditions, deviations may be necessary.
- Any nominated roads are shown as an indication only and not necessarily the roads travelled.
- Full Travel/Health/Baggage Insurance is to be taken out by each traveller.
- There are some accommodation locations that are most popular therefore the earliest confirmation of your intentions is recommeded.
- Double room accommodation; Single room options available.
- Free Day or Free time indicates that you have time to yourselves to explore, rest or sit around the pool.
- Lists of sightseeing opportunities are available.
- Non smoking trips
- Full disclosure of any medical conditions is imperative including next of kin details.
- Meal inclusions indicated are to a given value.
- Legend:
- [B] Breakfast included
- [L] Lunch included
- [D] Dinner included
