Ok, here's the promised update, I apologize for the short delay but I wrote this up (off-line) on Monday night and promptly ... crashed and lost the file.
We spent Friday 8 December checking out Lake Garda, Lake Iseo and the east coast (right leg) of Lake Como. The plan was to get a general idea, weigh it up, before deciding which way to go.
After our marathon trip (which was entirely on impulse and not planned at all) around 6 other countries (see the upcoming "3 Stooges" thread in this section), we came back, targeted Lake Iseo and spent Wednesday (12 Dec), Thursday (13 Dec) and Friday (14 Dec) morning checking out campsites, hotels, ride routes, restaurants etc.
I ruled out Lake Como (the eastern leg) as there was limited selection of accommodation. Como town itself (which I know quite well) is on an incline and with limited campsites and not (in my opinion) suitable for a bike rally.
Lake Garda, although beautiful, was way over-commercialized by the tourist industry (thanks to the tour operators).
I had been there on several occasions before (including a detour to visit a friend on my way up to the Asendorf rally - as you may recall) and was amazed at the traffic levels (I got stuck in a traffic jam during my detour, which delayed me somewhat).
Anyhow, I was reminded of the traffic (although no jams) again now … and this was winter!
I was picturing a nightmare ride out for us.
Lake Iseo seems to be ideal, including options for rides (I now have several possibilities in mind).
I have narrowed accommodations down to two campsites (one large and one much smaller - almost private) and one hotel.
The larger campsite is just metres from a tiny stream that goes into the lake that is around 30 metres away.
I checked with the management and we can park our bikes here, right next to the pitch area and near to the stream on the other side (or canal ... as they call it)
The smaller campsite leads right onto the lake (perhaps 10 metres).
The picture was taken from the entrance gate.
The Hotel Ambra is right on the main square of Iseo Town and the campsites are around 600-800 metres on either side from the main square, respectively.
The hotel is the building on the right (the square is tucked in further to the right).
The tree that is visible to the left of the building does actually get a little in the way of the view of the lake.
I have also found several venues (including for the "award ceremony" evening - if not held on the campsite itself) for dinners, lunches and some great routes for rides.
In all cases I will have confirmations of availability in mid to end of January (which is when they will sort out and open their bookings).
Although both campsites are great, I think perhaps we should aim for the smaller one and have the larger one as a "fallback" solution.
The hotel and the larger campsite have more or less confirmed availability to me already but I think we should wait for the smaller campsite (I am possibly getting help twisting arms etc.), if you all agree.
Costs are in the region of 14 Euros per pitch and 70 Euros per twin room - all per day.
Their peak season is from 15 July to 15 August, so we are right in the apex of their peak season (1-4 August).
Some pictures for your viewing pleasure:
A reataurant we checked out ... heavily!
The view of the lake from the restaurant.
Ok Ladies and Gentlemen (and the others
) ... that's about it.
Is it July yet?
