Italy: from Veneto to the Simplon pass

We leave Slovenia and ride swiftly through the Italian plains. We meet numerous warm and friendly people before attacking the last big difficulty of our world tour: the Simplon pass in winter. Switzerland here we are!

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Last country before Switzerland

Multiple encounters transform our road in the Northern part of Italy to much more than the usual series of camping and sandwiches. In Carbonera, we discover the sweet bitter taste of radicchio (Italian chicory) thanks to Vania who spontaneously invites us when she reads that we are travelling in the region.

Vania takes us to a local bakery which is famous for its pastry

In Padova, we are hosted by Paolo who takes us around in the old town and introduces us to the spritz: "If you did not taste spritz, you haven't been to Padova!". Just take some prosecco (an other specialty of the region), mix it with Campari and top it with sparkling water, voilà!

Paolo, my former university professor

Italian plains on our way to Verona

We followed them blindly without knowing that they were not going in our direction

We arrive in Verona in the evening

The Arena, highlight of Verona's old town

As we are looking for an accommodation in Verona, we speak with Michele who is showing our bicycles to his 2-year-old son. He guides us to the local youth hostel and invites us for the New Year's Day lunch at his place. We share our travel stories around a gorgeous Italian meal prepared by his wife Alessandra. After lunch, Michele jumps on his scooter and guides us to the road for Brescia.

Alexandra, Giacomo and Michele

We ride by the Lake Garda, the largest in Italy

It rains heavily during the entire following day to Bergamo. Close to the city, we find ourselves on a highway entrance and have no choice but to ride for about 1 km to the next exit. We arrive soaking wet and sweaty to a hostel, expecting a good night's sleep. Unfortunately, this hostel also hosts one pretty rude worker who makes a tremendous amount of (coughing, farting and burping) noise while packing at 4:30am.

Back in a grey, cloudy weather

Initially, we planned to camp around the Lake Maggiore. However, heavy rain is again forecasted on the second day. We therefore change our plan to combine the two days and arrive late at night after a long 170-km ride to Domodossola. We earned some good days of rest!

Riding uphill to Domodossola in the night

After two days, it's time for the last big difficulty of our world tour: the Simplon pass in January.

It's 2°C when we start at dawn, the warmest temperature of our day

Left: the sign planted by our relatives, Right: we're clear to climb

The ideal season to cross the Alps

After 17 months and 19'000km, a familiar sign

At least, the winter maintenance is perfect...

...on the main road only!

We stop in a village to buy some groceries. The owner is really friendly with us and when we tell her our story, she even offers us a home-made alpine cheese! Great first experience back in Switzerland.

Our first Swiss grocery store

It's better to steer clear of the icy edges

The bike doesn't need a stand anymore

Switzlerand has also nice scenery

Two tourists climbing the Simplon

The last pass of our world tour!!!!!!!

The Simplon hospice, 2005 m

Look for the odd one out

We are now resting and presenting our journey to students participating in a "reflexion camp" at the Simplon hospice. Next stop in Geneva, on January 12 at 1pm. We can't wait to meet you again!!!!