Retro lombardy out in a vintage car

Vintage cars have a fascination all of their own, which it is often thought is reserved only to collectors or limited to the duration of events like the Coppa Gabriele d'Annunzio, which, since last year, offers three spectacular days on the banks of the Lake of Garda.

However, it is possible to experience at any time a plunge into past eras by hiring an historic vehicle and travelling with it throughout the Lombard region.

Climbing on board a fascinating soft-top VW Beetle, or an elegant "2CV" Citroen from the ‘fifties or a Volkswagen van with a hippie atmosphere, you can leave on a unique itinerary through valleys and gentle curves, with everyone turning to stare as you go by.

To glimpse historical city centres of extraordinary beauty, the ideal solution is to drive from the eastern shore of Lake Maggiore to the western shore of the Lake of Lugano.

Starting out from Gallarate you soon reach Sesto Calende, a hamlet located at the southern end of Lake Maggiore, and then continue – enjoying splendid lake views – towards Angera, overlooked by the enchanting Rocca Borromea.

Crossing the "flowery coast" of Ispra, you reach Laveno-Mombello, one of the largest stopovers on the lake. The village has a wealth of churches – some a thousand years old – whose belltowers can be glimpsed from the lakeside.

From Luino, the ancient mediaeval village of Romanesque origin, you leave behind you the banks of Lake Maggiore. In fact, crossing over the border, you find yourself at Croglio, a Swiss town in the Canton of Ticino, and immediately afterwards, you come to the shores of Lake Lugano: Caslano, another Swiss town in the Canton of Ticino, rises to the foothills of Monte Sassalto and before you will be spread a magnificent view.

Returning to Italy, you can pass by Lavena Ponte Tresa which, with its atmospheric strait, divides the two basins of the lake.

Porto Ceresio is the location met immediately afterwards on board a vintage car; this is an enchanting little town, characterized by a splendid lakeside and breath-taking views.

At this point, the lakeside views make space for those of the mountains. Passing through Induno Olona, situated between the Varese pre-alps, on the slopes of Mount Monarco, you go all the way down to Torba, a place of interest because of its Benedictine Monastery, which has been recently listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

This tour is about to end:  only a few kilometres remain to reach Gallarate, the starting point to which you now return with a whole new baggage of unforgettable memories.