Italy: Luino
Three days rowing
Rowing Trip Overview
Luino, Lago Maggiore, Italia! Spoken in Italian it sounds wonderful. It is even better when you experience it. La vita is definitely bella here. Come for a Lago Maggiore row. Travellers have been drawn to the Italian Lake District for centuries, attracted by the mild and sunny climate as well as the stunning scenery and of course superb food and wine. Enjoy the best of the Italian lifestyle as you practice your favourite sport. Row past palm trees or with a view of snow-capped mountains, working hard or enjoying a leisurely outing. The afternoon is yours. Enjoy a long lunch, then stroll the waters edge to find the perfect gelato. Hike into the hills for views of the longest lake in Italy where you were just rowing. Bellissimo.
In 2015 Canottieri Luino organized the 2015 World Rowing Tour. Over 70 rowers from 19 countries rowed the length and breadth of Lake Maggiore. Rowing The World has worked with Canottieri Luino since 2016, running group and guided trips in different parts of Italy. We tested the Independent Rowing Experience concept here. Canottieri Luino has a depth of experience in organizing many rowing tours for rowers from all over the world. They bring this experience to your Independent Lago Maggiore Rowing Experience. From the Luino clubhouse you will row coastal boats which can handle big lake conditions. Row Olympic class boats from the boathouse at Ponte Tresa on more sheltered waters. There is a lot of rowing to experience here.
Luino sits on eastern shore of Lago Maggiore in Lombardy, northern Italy. With high hills on one side and crystal blue waters on the other, Luino is perfectly poised for rowing excursions to the south, north and west, and then some. The scenery from the boat is glorious. Charming villages with pastel coloured buildings and stone churches climb up the steep hillsides. Castles sprout from islands. Tiny chapels dot the hillside among olive groves and forests. The lake is long and narrow, offering views of snow-capped Alps in Switzerland to the north, and in other directions there are tantalizing curves that entice you to row just a little bit further. Canottieri Luino also has a boathouse on the Italian shore of Lago di Lugano at Ponte Tresa.
Included
- Private rowing outings, tailored to you. Duration likely 15 to 25 km, approximately 3/4 hours but very flexible.
- Use of coastal and Olympic class boats.
- Guide/coach on water with you in a support boat or rowing.
- Meeting with guides and welcome drink the evening before the rowing begins
- Detailed Information Package, with specifics on getting there, arrival details and contacts, recommendations for accommodation and restaurants. We provide suggestions on other activities to enjoy in the region when you are not rowing.
Trip Details
Meet your local guides
Catriona Cameron
British. Lived in Italy for over 25 years. Started rowing at Canottieri Varese following in daughters’ footsteps nearly 15 years ago. Club member and contact for visiting teams/clubs who book training camps in Varese. Since 2010 involved in the organisation of all the major international rowing events held in Varese and coastal rowing events on Lake Maggiore. From 2012 to 2017 Assistant to the General Manager of the Varese Organising Committee for the World Rowing events. Rowing guide for World Rowing tour and Rowing The World. Honorary Member of the Italian Rowing Federation.
Luigi Manzo
Since boyhood he “belongs” to Rowing, a discipline that has seen him covering a multitude of roles. From athlete, to coach, to rowing club president, to local Italian Olympic Committee manager, to manager of the Schools Sector for the Italian Rowing Federation and to the organisational manager of major international and national rowing events. One of the most important figures in the development of Coastal Rowing in Italy. Director in an important Italian banking group with particular professional skills and responsibilities in credit, finance, balance, budgets, legal and commercial areas. From 2013 to 2017 General Manager of the Varese Organizing Committee for the World Rowing events. Luigi and his team ran a World Cup event in Sabaudia in 2021. President of Canottieri Luino rowing club. Also Council member of the Lombardy Regional Committee of the Italian Rowing Federation.
Itinerary
Arrival in Luino area. Welcome drink and briefing to meet your guides and discuss routes. The following is a recommended itinerary, but each day will be planned with your preferences, taking into account water and weather conditions. Independent Tours are usually planned over 3 days rowing different routes each day. During a break in rowing it is possible to enjoy a visit to one of the many interesting sights around the lake, lunch in a local restaurant or simply a cup of coffee at a lakeside café.
From the clubhouse in Luino, you will row across the lake to Cannero di Riviera, first circling Castelli di Cannero. Follow the western shoreline, head south, passing (and perhaps stopping) at a café with echoes of Earnest Hemmingway. Row the boats back to Luino.
Today you will row north. First, cross the lake and pause to admire the stunning town of Cannobio. This might be a place to stop for a coffee or ice cream, or stroll the streets and window-shop. If a long row makes sense, you can cross the border into Switzerland – no passport required!
For your last day of rowing you have the opportunity to explore a different lake and again potentially row into Switzerland. Canottieri Luino has a base on Lago Lugano at Lavena Ponte Tresa. This is on the sheltered Italian part of the lake. Here you will row Olympic class boats.
If you would like to add extra days, it is possible. We also organise itineraries for non-rowing guests, and alternative itineraries in case of bad weather conditions when it is not possible to row on the lake.
Price per person
| Three day Independent Rowing Experience - 2 and more rowers | €585 per person |
| Three day Independent Rowing Experience - 1 rower | €695 |
| Additional rowing day (up to 2 extra days possible) | €150 per person |
| Cultural tour | €100 per person |
Maximum group size is 4. For larger groups, please contact us – special pricing can be calculated.
Guests will be responsible for the equipment that they use. An equipment damage deposit of Eur 500 will be taken at the time of booking. If there is no damage to the boats and oars, the deposit will be refunded via original payment method. If damage occurs, the payment due will be assessed.
Ideas, information and inspiration
Love Italy and want other rowing options? Rowing The World offers premium group and guided rowing tours. Some trips are in the Italian Lakes region – other opportunities for a Lago Maggiore row. Our Vogalonga weekend is a perennial favourite, plus we explore other destinations. We love Italy! Have a look at the posts on our Rowing Travel Blog and The Thoughtful Rower. What is the connection between Lago Maggiore and Earnest Hemmingway? Or with women’s rowing on this beautiful lake?
FAQs
Our full list of Frequently Asked Questions answers all your questions. Or Contact Us – we are happy to help.