Discover the stunning lakes and gardens of northern Italy

Itinerary

1. Day

   1

   Arrive at Lake Orta

   Lake Orta,

   

   You'll travel by Eurostar from London to Paris, where you'll pick up the TGV to Stresa. You'll be met and transferred by coach to the four-star hotel Hotel Giardinetto in Pettenasco, on the shores of Lake Orta. The hotel is right on the lake with a sun deck and a rooftop bar and will be your base for the whole trip.

   Meals - Dinner
2. Day

   2

   Lake Orta

   Lake Orta,

   

   You're free to explore Lake Orta. Consider venturing to one of the towns along the lake such as Orta San Giulio with its narrow and elegant streets. Climb Sacro Monte, an old pilgrimage site behind the town, for wonderful views back down to the lake below.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
3. Day

   3

   Lake Maggiore and Locarno

   Lake Maggiore ,

   

   You'll spend a full day exploring some of the highlights of Lake Maggiore on a coach excursion. The attractive town of Stresa has a lovely lakeside promenade and is home to many picturesque villas and gardens. The carefully landscaped Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto contain a huge array of plants and flowers, and were created by Scotsman Captain Neil McEacharn, who wanted to create an English-style garden that would remind him of his home country. Locarno is the final stop of the day, a beautifully romantic Latin town on the northernmost tip of the lake, in Switzerland. Take a stroll to the colonnaded piazza and you will hopefully enjoy several hours of the 2,300 hours of sunshine that Locarno averages every year.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
4. Day

   4

   Lake Como and Lugano

   Lugano, Switzerland

   

   You'll visit the lakes of Como and Lugano, stopping first in the town of Como with its beautiful Renaissance cathedral, as well as the Church of Sant'Abbondio and the Basilica of San Fedele. You'll move on to Tremezzo, known for spectacular views of the lake as well as the Villa Carlotta, a historic villa and the only one in the town open to the public. You'll end the day in Lugano, a popular resort town on Lake Lugano in Switzerland, with its beautiful parks and public gardens and arcaded streets.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
5. Day

   5

   Lake Orta

   Lake Orta,

   

   Spend the day in Lake Orta. From Orta San Giulio you can take a boat to the exquisite island of San Giulio with its Romanesque basilica. From the church you can walk a path around the whole of the island. Other buildings are private residences but there is a restaurant with a lakeside terrace you can enjoy.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
6. Day

   6

   Milan

   Milano, Italy

   

   Take a break from the tranquillity of the lakes in the hustle and bustle of Milan. Known as the home of fashion and design, this renowned city offers plenty of places to discover. Enter the iconic Duomo which you can also climb if you wish, or sip an espresso from a nearby cafe. Marvel at the beautiful architecture of Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II, and soak up the glitz and glamour of Milan's designer shopping streets, the Quadrilatero d'Oro. The neighbourhood of Brera reveals a more elegant and romantic side to the city, and here you can also find the world-famous art gallery Pinacoteca di Brera.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
7. Day

   7

   Lake Orta

   Lake Orta,

   

   You have another day to absorb the peacefulness of Lake Orta. Relax on the sun deck of the hotel or venture out into your surroundings. You can swim or rent kayaks, or perhaps take a boat trip across the lake.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
8. Day

   8

   Return to the UK

   Stresa, Italy

   

   After breakfast you'll check out of the hotel and be transferred to Stresa to catch the train back to the UK.

   Meals - Breakfast