Chasing the Italian Lakes... From the Riviera to Lake Como

Day twelve

Today’s ride would take us from the French Riviera into northern Italy, finishing at the stunning shores of Lake Como. The route covered 399 km and took us 6 hours and 21 minutes of riding time, passing through Nice, Monaco, Imperia, Savona, Mele, Milan, and finally Lake Como.

We left Nice under cooler skies, which made for a comfortable start to the day. Riding through Monaco is always an experience, with its famous harbour, luxury yachts, and impressive scenery. Before long we crossed into Italy and began making our way along the coast.

The morning cloud soon disappeared and the temperatures climbed quickly. It turned into another incredibly hot day, with temperatures ranging from 31°C to 37°C. Thankfully, the roads kept us moving and there was always a welcome breeze once we got out into the open.

Much of the day was spent covering distance on the motorway, but there was still plenty to enjoy along the way. The route included numerous tunnels, sweeping roads, old stone bridges, and a number of historic structures, including an old tower that stood out against the surrounding landscape. Some of the most enjoyable sections were the roads that wound through the cliffs, offering fantastic views and a reminder of why touring by motorcycle is such a great way to travel.

As the kilometres passed, the signs for Lake Como started appearing and the excitement began to build. After a long day in the saddle, arriving at one of Italy’s most famous destinations felt like a real achievement. The scenery around the lake didn't disappoint, with beautiful water views, boats crossing the lake, and mountains rising in the background.

The cameras captured plenty throughout the day. We recorded motorway sections, tunnels, scenic roads, bridges, cliffside riding, and our arrival at the hotel. Once at Lake Como, we also managed to get some great footage and photos of the lake itself, including boats and paddleboards enjoying the calm water.

After another hot day on the road, arriving at the hotel and taking in the views over Lake Como was the perfect way to end the ride. It had been a day of long distances, high temperatures, and some excellent roads, making it another memorable stage of the journey through Europe.