Things to Do Beyond Ivrea
There are so many amazing places to see and experience beyond Ivrea and many of them are only a short drive! I am providing some information on some of my favorites and the favorites of other guests that have stayed at the apartment. There are a few places that are a further drive, however, if you have the time, are pretty awesome. That being said, you could be in and around Ivrea for a week and have plenty to explore and visit without having to go too far!
Should you decide to travel by train, the train station is approximately a ten minute walk from the apartment! Train travel is cheap in Italy, and a fun way to explore. If you want more freedom, obviously, a car is the best means for you to travel!
Each section below has the following information:
Click on the photo and that will take you to a website if there is one.
Click on the word map and that will give directions from the apartment.
**I was going to share an album for each place below, HOWEVER, I don't want to give you spoilers! You'll just have to check them out on your own and share YOUR great photos with friends and family!
Fondo
Have you ever walked across a Roman bridge that was a thousand years old? Fondo is a small hamlet located up in the mountains, not far from Ivrea, and you can check out the old Roman bridges there! During the summer, lots of folks wade into the river to get cool, and the scenery there is stunning...It is literally like a post card! Parking on side of road, walk into the hamlet!
Aosta
Once upon a time, an old Roman city, Aosta is a city filled with French influence and beauty! Tour old ruins, an old amphitheater, and wander down the main street in the downtown checking out all of the great shops and sights. This is a gorgeous city...well worth the drive...could be a stop on the way to OR from Courmayeur and The Skyway!
The Skyway
If you want breathtaking views from the highest point in the Alps, come to The Skyway and go to the top of Mont Blanc! A round enclosed gondola that rotates 360 degrees will take you to the top! Gift shop, restaurant and amazing views will leave you wanting more! Some parking above ground and some below. You need to purchase tickets. While you're there, you could also check out Courmayeur. Beautiful little city!
Castle Masino: Castello Masino
A short drive from Ivrea, and only about $11 euro per person for a tour, this 15th Century castle, with its grounds and views will absolutely amaze you! No such castle exists in the US that would have the architecture, furniture, art, and beauty that Castle Masino has. You are sure to not be disappointed!
Ceresole Reale
Ceresole Reale is about 75-80 minutes from Ivrea and is small town with a manmade lake and dam. You can walk around the lake and see beautiful crystal blue water and huge mountains surrounding the lake. A great ride up (easy) and some picturesque small towns on the way. Beyond Ceresole Reale is Nivolet and the Nivolet Pass.
Nivolet Pass
The Nivole Pass is just beyond Ceresole and takes about 2 hours from Ivrea. The road is extremely windy on the way up and it is recommended to have a small car and an automatic if possible. The views are absolutely amazing. This pass appeared in the movie "The Italian Job". There is a great restaurant just prior to the top near the small cathedral.
Torino
Not quite a million people, Torino is a city with Baroque influence, beautiful large open squares, and amazing shops and restaurants, along with museums, theaters, and lots to see and do! Underground parking in Piazza Vittorio Veneto at a reasonable cost and then walk to other squares like Piazza San Carlo! Map will take you to Piazza Vittorio Veneto to park.
Superga: Basilica in Torino
The Basilica of Superga rests on a hill that overlooks the city of Torino. The Basilica offers tours and is the burial site for the Savoy family. On a clear day, you can see the Alps behind the city of Torino, which makes for breathtaking photos! You can drive up to the basilica and park or you can take a small tram for a fee from the base for the ride up!
Sacra di San Michele
Sometimes known as Saint Michael's Abbey, is a religious complex on Mount Pirchiriano, situated on the south side of the Val di Susa in the territory of the municipality of Sant'Ambrogio di Torino, in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. The abbey, which for much of its history was under Benedictine rule, is now entrusted to the Rosminians.
Lago Maggiore
This is about a 75 minute ride from Ivrea. Be sure to take the water taxi from Stresa to the island Isola Madre, with the palace and botanical gardens. Lake Maggiore or Verbano is a large lake located on the south side of the Alps. It is the second largest lake in Italy and the largest in southern Switzerland. The lake and its shoreline are divided between the Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy and the Swiss canton of Ticino.
Milano
As most people know, Milano is one of the fashion capitals of the world. Only a 90 minute drive to Ivrea, Milano has the world famous Duom in the center Piazza. You can stroll the streets and check out some haute couture stores like Dolce and Gabbana, along with other world famous clothiers!
Sirmione
Sirmione is a peninsula on Lake Garda (Lago Garda) that also has a 13th century castle with breathtaking views! It's about a 2.75 hour drive from Ivrea when traffic is light, and the cost to tour the castle is about $6 euro. The town of Sirmione is a popular vacation spot in the summer, and the meandering streets have great shops, restaurants, and of course, you are on a large, beautiful lake!
Donkey Rescue: Il Rifugio degli Asinelli, Biella, Italy
If you're an animal lover, you won't want to miss the opportunity to see a lot of really cute donkey's that have been rescued! Biella is a short drive from Ivrea, and you get to visit these beautiful creatures, and also visit the gift shop that accompanies the refuge. We went right up to the fence and while this was an unexpected trip for me, it was one of the highlights of my summer visit to Italy!
Portofino, Italy
Portofino is a fishing village on the Italian Riviera coastline, southeast of Genoa city. Pastel-colored houses, high-end boutiques and seafood restaurants fringe its Piazzetta, a small cobbled square overlooking the harbor, which is lined with super-yachts. A path leads from the Piazzetta to Castello Brown, a 16th-century fortress and museum with art exhibitions and panoramic views of the town and the Ligurian Sea.