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.

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. Three rows are included over four days,  rowing different routes each day. This gives flexibility in case of bad weather. You may be able to add a row once there - directly with the rowing club, or plan a longer tour now by purchasing extra rows. When not 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.