TOURING - SUMMER IN ST. MORITZ

I’ve had some mail asking me to reprise a trip I described a few years ago, which was originally the media drive event for the 2006 Bentley Azure convertible.

Moltrasio

Our trip began in the village of Moltrasio, best known as the location of George Clooney’s villa on the western shore of Lago di Como.

We had a short drive to Menaggio, and then a 20-minute ferry ride across Lake Como to Varenna.

Although this drive crosses the border between Italy and Switzerland and takes us high into the Swiss Alps, in reality it’s just a short two and half hour trip, covering just over 100km from Varenna to St. Moritz.

Verceia

From Varenna it’s a pretty drive alongside the north-east section of Lake Como, past the beautifully quaint village of Verceia which hugs the eastern shore of Lago di Mezzola, with the SS36 tracking along the floor of valleys before reaching the historic town of Chiavenna.

In summertime you could be forgiven for thinking no-one lives there, because it’s only in winter that it comes alive with skiers, heading for Valchiavenna.

Chiavenna

From Chiavenna the road begins to climb, and then you are faced with the Malojapass, which snakes its way to the higher elevations of the region known as the Engadine.

Silverplanersee

Once at the top the road sweeps past the Silsersee, and then the Silverplanersee, before the final ascent into St. Moritz.

Possibly one of Switzerland’s most famous ski resorts, it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re into skiing or snowboarding. Each year the snow falls to a depth of at least two metres, and the terrain offers everything from beginner slopes to black runs that will challenge even the most competent.

In summer St. Moritz is a pretty quiet town, but the ski shops and boutiques are open, however they’re usually selling off last year’s fashions and ski gear. There's no shortage of good restaurants in St. Moritz, but in summer you are pretty much relegated to the hotels. We lunched at the Hotel Corvatsch, which was excellent.

Hotel Corvatsch, St. Moritz

This is a great driving route, even though it’s an up-and-back drive, rather than a circuit.

However, the roads are excellent, including all the variations in altitude, and in summer there is surprisingly little traffic. 

Just don’t forget your passport!