Euro road trip June 2026. Pt2 (Liechtenstein , Murg 🇨🇭, and Livigno 🇮🇹)

 My euro ramblings, part two of my three week trip

Day 9: travel, amazing lake, castles and setup

Up early, breakfast, said goodbye to my lovely friends and headed off to Walansee but drove a bit further along to Murg.  Parked up, worked out the confusing parking setup and walked down to the Lake, just simply amazing.  The views were incredible.

The lake was stunning, and so peaceful

Then I got back on the road, headed to Liechtenstein where id thought id spend the night.

Got there and parked up, free parking - bonus.  Walked along to the castle which was unfortunately closed as the people are in residence.  Was nice to look at though and some great views from it.  

Liechtenstein 

Castle 

After that I went into central area which was ok.  I then checked out where id planned on parking up that night and it just didnt feel right, so decided to drive on to Livigno.

What an amazing drive, into the mountains with a very windy mountain pass to negotiate, while taking in the exceptional views.  Lots of motorbikes enjoying the smooth windy roads.

I stopped off at a lay-by for a few photos.  

After quite a long stop off, I was so enjoying the peacefulness and incredible scenery I made my way to Livigno.  On the way I decided to take the €16 toll tunnel, just to see what it was like.  A one way tunnel with traffic control at each end, was a cool experience to drive through it

Arriving at the campsite, checking in and setting up all very stress free, I initially booked in for 5 days but ended up extending to 7 days, Livigno is perfect for me - cycling, good food and lots of walks.

Day 10 - Livigno

First full day was really good, I took it easy though, a nice restful day.  Walked into local town which is close by, got some food and mainly just relaxed.

Yet again the scenery and surroundings here are beautiful, invokes a very relaxed feeling.

Day 11:  I like to ride my bicycle 

Woke up to another sunny day, while im not a sun worshipper and struggle in the heat I do enjoy waking up to nice weather.

I decided to follow a bike route I found on Outdoor Active.  The person who uploaded it rated it as medium, AYE RIGHT!!!!.  

Off I went, along some paths then off road (gravel mainly) initially alongside a stream and then up, and up, and up.  Wow it was hard work.  I had to stop off a few times as the climbs were killing my legs, thankfully lots of shaded areas and also amazing views.

1st stop off, not realising id have quite a few more before end of climb

I stopped off at this bit for a good rest, the route had actually turned off a few hundred yards before this to head downhill but I wanted to go up a bit further, make it to one of the viewpoints.

This was my final stop off, after a load of extra climbing my legs were trashed so stopped at the first view point rather than second (which had just over a mile extra climbing), was still very pleased to reach this section.  The flow off water was very cool and gave myself a bit of a cool down with it - bliss.

Where I stopped off had a BBQ setup for picnics etc, kind of them to supply the fresh steak

Headed back a different way, mainly through winding roads, very steep declines at times fun, at times “am I going to survive this ) .  Got down to flat roads and went into the town, cycled to the far end, the setup for bikes here is excellent, then it was back to the campsite.  Made some nice food and relaxed for the night

Day 12: walking and pizza

I decided I wanted to walk along the stream that runs through the town and then up to a viewpoint.  Very toasty ☀️ today so took extra fluids with me.

On the way up the side of the mountain I met some goats, sheep, ponies and cows, all in the one area

Got to the viewpoint, was very busy so I didnt stay long.  I did notice a section where you could get to the lake basin, it’s pretty dried up at the moment with only a stream running through it so decided to give that a try.

I was very glad I decided on this route.  No one else on it (the official paths were very busy) and the views were incredible

Theres a storm brewing

After this I went back to camp, grabbed a shower, topped up water bottle and headed into town.  Pizza required 🍕.  Found a wee place with some nice views and got myself a sausage and mushroom pizza, it was very tasty.  

Some birds hinting they want a bit of my pizza, thankfully I am used to Sams much more convincing stares for my food so managed to ignore them 🐶.

After that the clouds were setting in, back to the van and watched the thunder/lightening storm ⛈️ kick off for a few hours.

Day 12 - Lazy day

A very chilled relaxing day, short walk to buy food and that was it.  Read my book (thanks Aran) and chilled, then later in the day another thunder storm, although only for about an hour this time, still briliant to watch.

Day 13: relaxing morning, blog update and a walk

 

The shops are shut… (26/10)

Wo knew that the supermarkets shut on a Sunday in France, not me, “A day of rest”, just make sure you have your tatties in for the roast or you’re stuffed….

Anyway…

A trip to La Rochelle and Il De Rey island today.  It’s over 20 years since I was last in La Rochelle, a family holiday to I think caravan accommodation, kids were very young and it was great fun.  Driving through parts of t today I had zero recollection of any places I might have visited on that previous occasion.   

So it was on to todays main attraction, parking up and then cycling over a rather large bridge to Il De Rey Quite handy was that they have ample free parking just before the toll section of the bridge.  Parked, changed, checked the bike was all good and off I went.

The trip across the bridge was pretty cool.  The views to the island were great, plus seeing various speed boats and a catamaran on the sea helped get into the holiday mood.

The nasty tolls 💶 

Start of the path for the bridge

The path over was really good, smooth and only for cyclists, other side had a walkers/runners path.  Bit a a climb first half then wheeeeeee down the other side, almost two miles in total.

Then it was onto the island of Il De Rey, scenic, pretty, and i think rather expensive given the size of most homes.  Cycling paths very well marked out and even when using roads drivers were very considerate (which ive found all over France).

I stopped off to take the above photo, to give an idea of the incredible infrastructure that the bridge is, unfortunately my photography skills not quite getting the image across. Hey, it has my bike in it though so thats what counts really 😃 

After a few miles on the island I felt a tweak in my hamstring, nothing bad but decided to take a different route back, fair enough having to go back but at least see other parts of the island while doing it ! The tweak is my own fault, I wasnt cycling much at all before I came on this trip and have cycled 3 out of the last 5 days - oops.  Thankfully a bit of a stretch back at the campsite and all seems fine.

On the way back I saw quite a few fisherman on the beach, fishing on the Atlantic Ocean, living the dream 🎣 

Photo from just above the car park looking over to the island.

Back over the bridge, back to the van, changed and off to the supermarket to get something for food later on…..or not (see above).  Thankfully I have plenty of food in the van, just fancied something different.

Back to the site, shower, food, chat with Louise, listen to the Rangers game (they won, yippee) and start getting ready for my next campsite stop off tomorrow - Bordeaux

#vanlife #vwcampervan #roadtrip