Italy Grand Driving Tour Villa d`Este – Mercedes-Benz
Great roads. Great cars. And Villa d’Este.
About This Tour
Four days behind the wheel of a classic Mercedes-Benz, the mountain roads and waterfront towns of Italy’s great lakes, and a day surrounded by some of the world’s most extraordinary collector cars at Villa d’Este. This is northern Italy made for car lovers.
From Milan Malpensa we transfer to the Hotel Splendid on Lake Maggiore, with time to settle in before meeting for welcome drinks. Then, rather than heading straight to dinner, we take to the water.
A private boat carries us across the lake towards the Borromean Islands and Isola dei Pescatori, where dinner awaits at Elvezia. Later that evening, we return across the darkened lake to our hotel.
This morning we meet our classic Mercedes-Benz fleet, choose a car and head for the mountains. The road climbs towards the summit of Mottarone, where on a clear day the panorama stretches across the lakes towards the Alps.
From here we descend to Orta San Giulio for lunch at leisure before setting off again through the countryside around Sacro Monte di Mesma. Back at the hotel, we meet for an early evening get-together, with dinner left free.
Today is all about the road. We head north into the Centovalli – the “Hundred Valleys” – where twisting roads cut through steep mountain scenery on the way toward Switzerland.
By lunchtime, we reach Ascona on Lake Maggiore. After time to explore and have lunch, we follow the lake south through Brissago and Cannero Riviera. Back at the hotel, there is time to relax before our transfer to Rampolina for dinner.
Our final full day behind the wheel begins towards the southern end of Lake Maggiore and Castello di Angera, where we stop for a guided visit. From there, we continue through Laveno and on to Verbania, with time for lunch.
The afternoon takes us back towards Lake Orta and Madonna del Sasso, beautifully positioned high above the water. One final drive brings us home to Lake Maggiore, with the evening entirely free.
Today the cars come to us. After breakfast and check-out, we transfer to Lake Como for the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este and a day amongst some of the world’s finest historic automobiles.
Late afternoon, we continue to Milan and check into the Hotel Indigo in the city centre. The evening is yours.
This morning we explore central Milan and step inside Teatro alla Scala, one of the world’s great opera houses. Afterwards, the afternoon is deliberately left open for lunch, shopping, galleries or simply enjoying the city.
That evening, we meet again for our farewell dinner at Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone, an elegant conclusion in the heart of Milan’s fashion district.
There is time for one last morning in the city before we transfer to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) for the journey home.
Italy
The Italian Lakes have attracted travellers for centuries, and it is not difficult to understand why. Alpine peaks rise behind gardens filled with palms and camellias, grand villas line the water and handsome lakeside towns retain an elegance that feels wonderfully removed from everyday life. For the driver, there is another attraction: roads that climb into the mountains, sweep along the shoreline and disappear into quiet valleys before opening onto extraordinary views.
Lake Maggiore is our base for three days of classic motoring. From here, our Mercedes-Benz cars take us over Mottarone to little Lake Orta, north through the dramatic Centovalli to Ascona in Switzerland and around the quieter southern reaches of Maggiore. Along the way are castles, pilgrimage churches, mountain roads and some excellent places to stop for lunch. The cooking reflects the geography: Piedmont and Lombardy meet the Alps, with lake fish, risotto and polenta alongside the wines of northern Piedmont.
Then we leave the driving behind for a very different celebration of the motor car. On Lake Como, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este brings together exceptional historic automobiles in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable. It is motoring as theatre: rare cars, extraordinary design and the unmistakable atmosphere of one of the world’s most prestigious concours.
Milan provides the finale. After lakes and mountain roads, we return to the energy of the city for La Scala, time to explore and a final dinner in the heart of the fashion district. From the driver’s seat of a classic Mercedes-Benz to the lawns of Villa d’Este, this is a journey through some of the most elegant expressions of European motoring culture.
Included
- Transfers from/to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP)
- Nostalgic classic Mercedes-Benz cars for self-drive incl. comprehensive insurance (€2,500 excess) and fuel
- 4 nights incl. breakfast at Hotel Splendid on Lake Maggiore
- 2 nights incl. breakfast at Hotel Indigo Milan
- 3 dinners
- Welcome drinks and get-together
- Boat transfers to the Borromean Islands
- Admission to the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este; public day Villa Erba
- Admissions and guided visits as outlined in the itinerary
- English-speaking tour director and support team
- Welcome gift
Not Included
- Meals unless expressly included
- Travel to/from Milan
Our Guests Say It Best
Discover what our guests say about this tour. Real experiences from drivers and travelers who have explored Europe’s most beautiful roads with us.
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- Nostalgic Travel Catalog
