Lake Como is a fabulous place to drive to, from and around.....albeit that the roads are a little narrow at lakeside and is not for the faint hearted or those with large cars. Getting to Lake Como can be such a great drive however. Swing down through the beautifully manicured Swiss countryside across the border and into the more real Italy. Or drive up to St. Moritz or try the 48 famous switch back Stelvio Pass....You will of course need a car and this is what Italy does best!! The names are to dream of for most people...Ferarri, Bugatti, Maserati, classic Fiats, Alfa Romeos and more, the list just goes on. You will often see classic Italian cars around Lake Como and there is a great racing following on the track.

For example there Monza.... Autodromo Nazionale Monza is a motorsport race track near the town of Monza, Italy, north of Milan. It is one of the most historic motor racing circuits in the world. The site has three tracks – the 5.793 km (3.600 mi) Grand Prix track, the 2.405 km (1.494 mi) Junior track and a decaying 4.25 km (2.64 mi) high speed track with steep banking. Major features of the main track include the Curva di Lesmo, the Curva Parabolica, and the Variante Ascari. The high speed curve, Curva Grande, is located after a slow corner but usually taken flat out by Grand Prix cars.

The Monza circuit has been the arena of some of the most tragic episodes in Formula One racing, especially in the early years of the world championship. Since those times, modifications have been introduced to improve spectators safety and reduce curve speed, but it is still criticized by the current drivers by its lack of run-off areas, most notoriously at the chicane that cuts the Variante della Roggia. The circuit is also known to be the spiritual home of the Scuderia Ferrari and their passionate supporters, the Tifosi.

Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este

Over a weekend, generally in April, the splendid grounds of the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este and the Villa Erba in Cernobbio on Lake Como are transformed into a unique backdrop for the most beautiful cars from eras past and the most unusual concept cars of today. First staged in 1929 at this same location, the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este today ranks as the world's most tradition-steeped car event of its kind.The event opens on a Saturday for invited guests and Sunday sees the Concorso offering all car fans another chance to experience these fabulous motors in the adjoining parkland of Villa Erba. In addition to the models presented the previous day, there are also numerous other prestigious classics on display in special exhibitions. Admission to Villa Erba, which is located in Cernobbio on Lake Como, is 10 euros (single), 20 euros (family ticket) or 8 euros (with concessions).

In 2009 the underlying theme will be both BMW and the Concorso's 80th anniversary. BMW promises to bring a large display of historic cars from its own collection, as well as a feature exhibit of its Z-car roadster line, including the Z1, Z3, Z8 and new Z4. Other notable registrations for this years show include a 1938 Bugatti Atlantic 57SC that is the last of only three ever built, a 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta that is one of only six ever built and returning to Italian soil for the first time since 1947, a 1972 Momo Mirage 2+2 Coupe that is just one of five ever built and a 1969 BMW 2800 Spicup Coupe which is making its first public appearance following its discovery in Holland last year and a complete restoration.

The 2009 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este will take place on April 24 to 26 at the Grand Hotel Villa d'Este in Cernobbio, Italy, on the shores of Lake Como near the German border. Saturday will be a special invite-only event, but the show will be open to the public Sunday. Book your travel now, this isn't a show to miss.

Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore also have car exhibitions and shows, none as prestigious as that at the Villa D'Este of course but still a good day out from Lake Como.

There are many other car rally's around Italy and none more famous than the Mille Miglia which was a historic race from Brescia to Rome, finally stopped in 1957 due to the inherent dangers. It is now replaced by a rally of the same name with pre-1957 cars. Only a limited number of people can enter and some of the worlds most expensive cars partake. More information can be found here.

Lake Como Homes has a wide range of properties around lake como that are suitable for cycling excursions. Please enquire or search here....