Today’s journey took us from the picturesque shores of Lake Garda in Italy to the charming town of Grono in Switzerland, with a delightful stopover on route, in the quaint town of Brivio. Join me as I recount our day of sipping coffee, savouring authentic Italian cuisine and exploring two beautiful lakes. Finally I’ll touch on our eclectic hotel stay in Grono, and embracing the local camaraderie with a night of drinks with the locals.
Our journey for the day began at the stunning Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, encompassed by majestic mountains and charming lakeside towns. We had spent a great couple of days enjoying the town of San Zeno di Montagna. However, it was time to get back on the road again.
As we made our way towards Grono, we stumbled upon the hidden gem of Brivio. This charming town nestled on the banks of the Adda River welcomed us with its authentic Italian vibes. Our coffee stop at a local café proved to be a pleasant one, as we indulged in rich espresso and a tasty bruschetta by the river, what better way to keep us fuelled for the rest of the ride.
After a bit of filming for my YouTube channel we bid farewell to Brivio and continued our journey towards Grono.
As we ride the winding roads, the breathtaking vistas stretch as far as the eye can see. Those vistas were only going to get better and better as our route to Grono would see us carve out time to stop at two of Europes most famous lakes – Lake Como and Lake Lugano.
Nestled in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Lake Como is renowned for its mesmerising beauty. It certainly made an ideal destination to unwind before continuing our ride to Switzerland.
As we leave Lake Como behind and venture northwards, we find ourselves leaving Italy for the shores of Lake Lugano.
Tucked away in the southern part of Switzerland, Lake Lugano and Lugano itself were great places to visit, if only briefly as we needed to embark on the final leg of our ride to Grono.
The road to Grono took us through quaint villages, lush valleys, and rugged mountain passes, providing yet another day of unforgettable riding experiences.
We arrive in Grono, a small Swiss town with cobbled streets, quaint architecture, and serene surroundings around 5:30 pm. It was chosen as our overnight stop for its proximity to the Swiss passes we were looking to ride the next day.
As we unpacked the heavens opened and yet another heavy rain storm drenched us as we unloaded the bikes.
After a complete soaking, I dumped my bags in the hotel, got changed and headed to the cafe for a few beers with the my riding companions, so we could discuss our plans for the next day. With our route for next day decided, we headed back across the plaza to the hotel for meal.
The clouds above were looking very moody, so we decided to leave our customary post dinner walk around our location until the morning and headed back to the cafe to review the days experiences. The locals and cafe owners were intrigued by three middle aged men turning up from England on big Adventure bikes. However, everyone we met was really friendly and welcoming. So eager to embrace the town’s spirit, we settled in and made a dent in the cafe’s beer stock.
We certainly retired to our hotel a little worse for wear but safe in the knowledge that whilst Grono may not be your typical tourist town, it was a very friendly hospitality one to us.
The next morning I woke up early and had a walk around this quaint town whilst my companions slept. I enjoyed watching the locals go about their daily routines; Grono certainly seemed to embrace a more laid back lifestyle compared to the UK.
As my friends appeared from the hotel it signalled that our time in Grono was coming to an end. So, we got our bags packed and bikes loaded, ready to hit the road again and ride some of Switzerland’s stunning mountain passes.
Conclusion: Our journey from Lake Garda to Grono via Brivio was a memorable and enriching experience that immersed us in the beauty of diverse landscapes, culinary delights, and warm local hospitality. From sipping coffee by the river and savoring authentic bruschetta, then venturing through the serene landscapes of Lake Como and Lake Lugano only added to the magic of the journey. Finally we indulged in a night of revelries with the locals of Grono, reminding us that the true essence of travel lies in connecting with people and embracing the unique cultures that make each place special. This journey will forever hold a cherished place in our thoughts, reminding us of the magic that can unfold when we wing it and book your accommodation on the fly.
KILN MOTO 
Leave a comment