Vanomobil On The Road: Italy (Latsch) 2024
In July, the moment finally arrived: the Vano On The Road hiking and cycling trip to Italy (Latsch) kicks off! All participants are expected at the beautiful Goldrain Cevedale campsite. A campsite where they will experience many adventures over the next two weeks, but of course, there will also be plenty of rest and relaxation. In the blog below, we give you an overview of this fantastic journey!
The atmosphere was great from the very first moment!
The initial ‘quick’ introductions upon the participants' arrival immediately took place in an excellent mood. Many stories were shared about experiences, camper spots, enjoyable visits, and delicious meals on the way to the campsite. The most memorable anecdote: Two couples mentioned that a chance encounter with other Belgians on the way, suddenly turned into the realization that they were all participants in this Vano On The Road vacation! Small world, or just a lot of Vanomobil family members out there, who can say? ;)
In the evening, there was the ‘real introduction’ at the campsite. Since the weather was rather stormy, the friendly campsite owner provided us with his "meeting room" where everybody had the opportunity to get to know each other with some snacks and drinks, and we also went over the schedule and arrangements for the next two weeks. The atmosphere was already great from this first moment!
Settling in at the campsite and exploring Latsch & Kastelbell
To give the participants some rest after the journey to the campsite, the first day is a blissful day of relaxation. Everyone can sleep in, enjoy breakfast, and relax with the other participants. In the afternoon, the group embarks on a first exploratory trip to the main town of Latsch, where they can't resist the local delicacies!
As will become evident over the next few days, the free public transport, and the train and bus station within walking distance of the campsite are an enormous and highly appreciated advantage in the practical organization of this vacation. On the ‘real’ first day, the group immediately takes advantage of this.
The first train ride heads towards Kastelbell, a quiet village not far from the campsite. The group is introduced to a walk along the many 'waalwegen' (ancient irrigation channels) that were once built here. Halfway through the walk, there’s an opportunity for a pleasant stop, conveniently near a small train station. This gave some participants the option to return to the campsite from here. It’s great to have this flexibility, allowing everyone to choose whether or not to fully participate in certain activities based on their preferences or needs!
With the cable lift, the group faces an unexpected adventure
Today, a beautiful but slightly more challenging hike is on the agenda. The group takes the cable lift towards 'Tarsch Alm' and begins a hike with stunning views. Around noon, it's time to sit down and enjoy a meal at the cozy mountain restaurant. The local dishes catch everyone's eye, even if it means enduring a wait. But the group doesn’t mind: the company is so cheerful that almost no one is paying attention to the clock.
Afterwards, it’s time to return with the same cable lift, although some decide to take the walking path down... But due to the slow lunch and the unexpectedly challenging descent, they realize upon arrival that the last bus back to the campsite has already left! Fortunately, the owner of our campsite comes to the rescue once again with a solution: his mini-van brings everyone safely back to the campsite. You might call this a ‘setback,’ but the opposite happened. The adventurous trip instantly boosted the group spirit!
We feel like 'professional bike riders' in the Giro d’Italia
After the beautiful but intense hike, the next day is a relaxing day at the campsite, with the pool providing some much-needed cooling down. However, a few brave souls in the group chose to embark on an intense bike ride to the Stelvio. This route is a frequent part of the Giro d’Italia and is not to be underestimated. Those who stayed behind ‘tipped their hats’ to the great achievement when the group returned full of satisfaction, having successfully completed the ride.
After the day of rest, it was time for everyone to get their bikes out! The ride was a bit less challenging than what the ‘riders’ of the Giro d’Italia faced yesterday, but it offered beautiful views through the orchards. The route led to Schlanders, where the imposing church was the first stop. During the visit, we were surprised by beautiful organ music, delightful! Additionally, it was market day in Schlanders: the atmosphere was great, and everything alligned perfectly with our activities.
During the visit to the village, a short walk was taken to the picturesque waterfall in Schlanders. After lunch, everyone cycled back to the campsite at their own pace, where a cozy pizza night was planned for the evening. Music was played, glasses were filled, and the entire group enjoyed a pleasant evening together. When, late at night, a canopy needed to be closed, it turned out to be a bit less enjoyable, as it suddenly became much more difficult than before. ;)
Market day in Merano
The next day, it's time for market day in Merano, the largest city in our immediate surroundings. We had planned to visit this city by bike, but unfortunately, intense thunderstorms swept across the valley that day. So, the cycling plans were literally 'washed away.' Staying home was not an option for this enthusiastic group, so we opted for a train ride to Merano instead. As the day went on, the sun began to peek out again, allowing us to fully enjoy the afternoon in Merano!
A Picturesque Hike in Schlanders
Today, an extensive but picturesque day hike is on the agenda. The backpacks are neatly packed, and the group takes the train towards Schlanders. Even the non-hikers join and can enjoy a relaxing day in the village.
The following day also has a hike on the schedule! This time, the group doesn’t take the train to the starting point but instead uses the impressive St. Martin cable car. Once at the top, a leisurely walk follows to a typical mountain farm/restaurant where our seats had been reserved in advance. For many, it’s their first encounter with some typical regional dishes. The 'kaiserschmarrn' is especially enjoyed by many as a delicious sweet treat.
Time for a Legendary Two-Day Adventure!
Time for another blissful rest day! But there’s something special to celebrate: today, it's the birthday of someone in the group and it’s celebrated with a fun, unexpected group activity and a particularly enjoyable treat. This highlights the great atmosphere of the participants even more!
The next day, it’s time for an activity that has been talked about since the beginning of the trip: the two-day mountain excursion with an overnight stay in a mountain hut. Ultimately, about ten participants take on this adventurous challenge, though everything was carefully explained beforehand, and all reservations were made in advance. A legendary journey, with phenomenal views along the way leaving a deep impression on everyone. Many are glad they can experience this even ‘at a later age.’ (Our oldest participant was an impressive 80 years old!) Tired but so satisfied, everyone reaches the top and can finally take off their hiking boots. The overnight stay in the mountain hut also proves to be an adventure in itself, with these unique moments helping to forge deep friendships.
After a short but well-deserved night’s rest, it was time to squeeze those feet back into the hiking boots. To be honest, the first steps were tough, but the ever-present good vibes quickly made everyone forget about their sore feet, and the hike back to the campsite went smoothly. This activity left a deep impression on the participants, as it allowed them to push their limits together in a responsible way!
During these days, the ‘homebodies’ weren’t forgotten either! They took a bus ride to visit another mountain ridge, complete with a delicious lunch and stunning landscapes. In the evening, they had prepared a delightful barbecue for the hikers of the two-day trek—what a warm welcome after two days of walking!
Cycling in the Charming Village of Laas
The many altitude meters are still felt in the legs, so today we opt for a lovely bike ride to the charming village of Laas. On this sunny day, we see many ice creams being enjoyed, and the local delicacies are eagerly tasted as well.
On the last day, a range of activities can be chosen from. After the rainy first Friday, biking to Merano in the delightful sun was possible today, which many enjoyed and became the "main activity" in the program. Therefore, after lunch, the group visited the beautiful gardens of the Sissi Castle in Merano.
Others chose an equally lovely excursion to Schnalstal, where high up, they enjoyed "eternal snow." The bus ride there is an activity in itself due to the picturesque route.
Enjoying a Farewell Dinner
That evening, it’s already time for the last get-together with this fantastic group. As planned, everyone enjoys a very successful farewell dinner at a local restaurant. The next day, everyone heads home at their own pace: rested, satisfied, and above all, filled with new memories and friendships!
- A special thank you to our trip coordinator, Patrick, for providing the daily vlog and photos that helped us create this blog!
