The Costiera dei Cech is the sunny, south-facing slope on the north side of the lower Valtellina, and this stop lies at its foot, between Mello, Traona and Cercino. Vines and chestnut trees climb the terraces, and the old villages perch on the slope, catching the sun all day. Across the valley, the shaded north-facing slopes are dark with forest, a contrast that shapes life here.
The Adda flows through the valley floor towards Lake Como, a few kilometres west, where the northern tip of the lake meets the flat wetlands of the Pian di Spagna, a nature reserve full of birds. The Abbey of Piona, on a peninsula near Colico, is a Romanesque monastery where monks still live, with a beautiful cloister and views over the lake.
Val Masino, to the north-east, is a granite valley famous for its climbing, with huge boulders and clean rock faces, and the hot springs of Bagni di Masino at its head. The road up the valley is narrow and winding, with stunning views.
For a swim, Lake Como is the obvious choice, with beaches at Colico and along the shore. The water is cold but clear, and on a hot day it is wonderfully refreshing. The Lago di Mezzola, north of Como, is quieter, with reed beds and calm water.
The food of the Valtellina is hearty: pizzoccheri, buckwheat pasta with cabbage, potatoes and cheese; bresaola, air-dried beef; and Sforzato, a rich red wine made from dried grapes. Cosio and Morbegno have fuel, shops and restaurants.