Orio al Serio Airport is located just outside Bergamo, about ten minutes from the city center, and is connected to many European cities. Tell us which flight you're on and what time you land: we'll have your car waiting for you in arrivals or at another agreed-upon location.
Those flying from outside Europe often land at Malpensa Airport, about an hour's drive away. You can pick up your car there and drop it off in Bergamo, or vice versa. From Milan , it's about a 50-minute drive on the highway.
Bergamo is divided into two parts: the Lower City, with its shopping streets and the Accademia Carrara, an important art gallery, and the Upper City on the hill. Car access to the Upper City is limited, and on weekends, parking lots near the walls fill up quickly. If you're staying up there, we can arrange a delivery point with your hotel.
The easiest way to get there is by funicular, which departs from the Lower Town and arrives at Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe. From the other end of the Upper Town, a second funicular ascends to San Vigilio, the highest point, with views of the plain.
About half an hour east, Franciacorta begins, an area of hills and vineyards where the eponymous sparkling wine is produced using the classic method. Many wineries offer tours and tastings by reservation, and some have restaurants and rooms nestled among the vineyards.
Further north lies Lake Iseo. From Sulzano, a ferry takes you in just a few minutes to Monte Isola, a large inhabited island in the middle of the lake, where visitors are car-free: leave your car on the shore and explore the island on foot or by bike.
Heading up the Brembana Valley, in about 40 minutes you reach San Pellegrino Terme, the town that gives its name to the famous mineral water. The casino and the grand Art Nouveau hotel recall the spa's heyday in the early 20th century.
The Bergamo valleys are also a land of cheeses, such as Taleggio, which takes its name from a small side valley. The roads climb narrowly through woods and stone villages: drive slowly and let buses pass through the narrowest sections.
Brescia is about 45 minutes away by highway. Every year, usually in June, the city is the starting and finishing point of the Mille Miglia, the classic car regularity race that commemorates the historic race to Rome and back. The Mille Miglia Museum tells its story with vehicles and documents.
The center also houses the Santa Giulia monastic complex and the Roman ruins of the Capitolium, a UNESCO World Heritage site. On race days, hotels and streets along the route are very crowded: if you want to see the cars pass by, plan ahead.
About 20 minutes west, Crespi d'Adda is a late 19th-century workers' village built around a textile factory, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's an easy stop to combine with your journey to Milan.
On the Lecco side, Lake Como is close by, and the road along the eastern shore takes you to Varenna in about an hour. On Lake Garda , Sirmione can be reached in about an hour via the A4 motorway. With delivery and collection at different locations, you can start your journey in Bergamo and end it on either lake.
Spring and early autumn are the best times to combine cities, hills, and lakes: the days are mild and the roads along the shores are less busy. In summer, the shores of Lake Iseo and Lake Garda are crowded on weekends, so it's best to leave early in the morning. In winter, the Città Alta is quieter, and snow falls in the upper valley.
For Franciacorta and the lakesides, a convertible like the Ferrari Roma Spider is pleasant on the roads between the vineyards. For a day in Brescia and the Mille Miglia museum, a Porsche 911 (992) S Coupé, among our sports cars , is the choice for those who love driving. In the valleys, where the roads narrow, a compact SUV like the Audi RSQ3 or the Maserati Grecale is more maneuverable than a large model.
If you're arriving in a group at Orio al Serio, with a Mercedes-Benz V-Class you can drive to your hotel with all your luggage in Bergamo, Milan, or the lakes.
How far is Orio al Serio Airport from the city center? About a ten-minute drive from the Lower Town.
Can I drive up to the Upper Town? Access is limited: it's easier to take the funicular and leave your car at the hotel.
Can I leave my car in Milan at the end of my trip? Yes, at a hotel, a private address, or at one of Milan's airports.
Can you bring your car to Monte Isola? No, visitors' cars aren't allowed on the island: you can leave your car on the shore and take the ferry.
Can you visit the Mille Miglia Museum in one day? Yes, Brescia is about 45 minutes away: you can combine it with a stop in Franciacorta on the way back.
Do you have a van for groups? Yes, a Mercedes-Benz V-Class, for arrivals from the airport or for a day in Franciacorta. Like all our vehicles, it is rented without a driver only (self-drive).
What guarantees do I have when I book? Two: the booked model is always guaranteed, and cancellation is free up to 72 hours before delivery.
