GPS Varese
Itinerari, percorsi, tracciati
in Provincia di Varese - Lombardia
 

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Lakes of Northern Italy Bike Tours
Activities beyond the tour for non-riders too

We also offer special activities for non-riders guests, or if you want a rest day during the tour. The routes run close to many villas, gardens, places of faith castles, fortresses, tourist places. So you can stop and visit them if you have . . . . . comfortable shoes !

Lakes of Northern Italy Bike Tours

“Pasta and Dolce Varese” cookery lesson, learning how to make homemade pasta, cakes and Dolce Varese (the traditional local cake), with tasting sessions and free recipes.

The routes run close to many villas, gardens, places of faith castles, fortresses ,tourist places. So you can stop and visit them if you have . . . . . comfortable shoes !
Collection of contemporary art at Villa Panza at Varese (in the afternoon after a daily ride):
It is surrounded by a magnificent Italian-style garden, the 18th century Villa Panza is famous around the world for the contemporary art collection that Giuseppe Panza di Biumo assembled there from the 1950s onwards. Today is owned by FAI, which takes care of the heritage that accommodates it.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fondo_per_l_ambiente_italiano/sets/72157622948415773/show
http://eng.fondoambiente.it/beni/villa-e-collezione-panza.asp
You can go by bus or on foot.

Sacro Monte of Varese and “Via Sacra” (in the afternoon after a daily ride):
It is on the list of UNESCO Worldwide Heritage sites, and is one of the most significant examples of “Via Sacra”on the italian peninsula.
The Sacro Monte of Varese is a devotional centre erected on the Velate mountain between 1604 and 1698; this evangelical structure was designed to celebrate the dogma of the Catholic Church in opposition to the spread of the protestant reform. The itinerary for pilgrims consists in a Sacred Way about 2 kilometres long, with 14 chapels designed to illustrate and promote meditation on the mystery of the Holy Rosary that finishes at the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Monte and which represents the fifteenth chapel.
http://www.unescovarese.com/en/15685/Varese-Sanctuary-of-Santa-Maria-del-Monte
http://www.flickr.com/photos/renzodionigi/sets/72157626399202770/show
You can go by bus and on foot.

There are Borromean Islands:
The Borromean Islands are a group of three small islands and two islets in the Italian part of Lake Maggiore, located in the western arm of the lake, between Verbania to the north and Stresa to the south. The town of Stresa enjoys a splendid location on Lake Maggiore in the Gulf of Borromeo, where it overlooks the eponymous islands.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borromean_Islands
http://www.isoleborromee.it/en/home/isola_bella
http://www.isoleborromee.it/en/home/isole_madre
You can go by train (from Varese to Laveno on shores of Lake Maggiore), and after you can go by ferry and by boat.

There are other touring places nearby Varese.
However they are along our usual daily routes and you can visit them on foot during one our stop ride.

Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso:
Its position on the lake is extraordinary and particularly spectacular, at the foot of a formidable rock cliff. The hermitage cannot be reach by car or bike, only on foot by descending 268 steps, or by boat. However there is an lift that allows access to everybody.
http://www.santacaterinadelsasso.com/en
https://www.flickr.com/photos/renzodionigi/sets/72157604119120811/show

Villa Della Porta Bozzolo:
Constructed in the 16th century as a country residence, Villa Della Porta Bozzolo was transformed in the 18th century into a prestigious aristocratic Villa. The interiors were embellished by rococo frescos and an impressive terraced garden with a splendid external staircase. The body of the Villa is flanked by interesting rustic out buildings, including stables, stalls, cellars. Today is owned by FAI, which takes care of the heritage that accommodates it, but a small part is a private house.
http://www.flickr.com//photos/fondo_per_l_ambiente_italiano/sets/72157623074303118/show/
Please look at the section description at the bottom of this page: http://eng.fondoambiente.it/beni/villa-della-porta-bozzolo-fai-properties.asp

Rocca Angera:
It stands on a spur of rock that dominates the southern shores of Lake Maggiore. It a splendid example of medieval fortification.
http://www.isoleborromee.it/en/home/rocca_d_angera

Monastery of Torba:
The place, that would go on to become the Monastery of Torba, started life in the late-Roman era (around the 5th century A.D.) as a military outpost. It subsequently passed into the hands of the Goths and the Longobards, before becoming a monastic seat, a place of prayer and work for Benedictine nuns. In 1453, it was abandoned by the Longobard monks and then converted into a rural farmstead. Today is owned by FAI, which takes care of the heritage that accommodates it.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fondo_per_l_ambiente_italiano/sets/72157622913543525/show/
Please look at the section description at the bottom of this page: http://eng.fondoambiente.it/beni/monastero-di-torba-fai-properties.asp
Invitation to visit Monastery of Torba: http://gpsvarese.it/download/Invitation_to_visit_Monastery_Torba.pdf

Village of Castiglione Olona - known as the “Tuscan Island in Lombardy” :
The Village of Castiglione Olona has very ancient origins. It was A Roman fortress. In renaissance times this area lived its period of maximum splendour owning to Cardinal Branda Castiglioni’s presence and its particularly enlightened initiatives. Thereafter, after a lengthy period of decline in the middle of nineteenth century, thanks to the industriousness and talent of Mazzucchelli family, Castiglione Olona becames one of poles industrial of our province.
http://www.comune.castiglione-olona.va.it/servizi/menu/dinamica.aspx?idArea=17361&idCat=17397&ID=17399
Church of the Collegiata at Castiglione Olona and Collegiata Museum: http://www.museocollegiata.it/en/collegiata-museum.html
https://www.flickr.com/photos/renzodionigi/sets/72157604986219559/show
Tourist Map 1th part: http://www.gpsvarese.it/download/Castiglione_Olona_Tourist_Map1.pdf
Tourist Map 2nd part: http://www.gpsvarese.it/download/Castiglione_Olona_Tourist_Map2.pdf

Lakes of Northern Italy Bike Tours

Bellow: (left) Villa Panza at Varese – (right) Heritage Santa Caterina del Sasso on shores of Lake Maggiore

   
gpsvarese_villa_panza.jpg gpsvarese_santa_caterina.jpg

 

 

 

   
GPSVareseinfo@gpsvarese.it - Tel.: +39  353 4546 958