This holiday includes a week on Lago Maggiore, Italy's second largest lake, which stretches north from Lombardy and up into Switzerland. It lies, sheltered, on the south side of the Alps, making for a mild climate and consequent lush vegetation. Famed gardens feature Mediterranean and exotic flora, including azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias.
What’s included
Holiday Highlights
7 nights half board Lake Maggiore
Full day excursion by boat to the Borromean Islands
Excursion by boat to Captain McEacharn's fabulous Villa Taranto garden
Excursion to Lake Orta
Flights included from your local airport
Luggage and Transfers included
Day by day
Itinerary
Flight to Milan, transfer to your Lake Maggiore Hotel for seven nights half board accommodation. Transfer times from Malpensa and Bergamo are 45 minutes and 1¾ hours respectively.
Your first excursion features Lake Maggiore's three best-known islands, which lie in the bay, a short way from the shore. Your first island Isola Madre, 'Mother Island', has an impressive villa and gardens with towering palm trees – the tallest in Italy. You then have free time for lunch on the pleasant quays of Isola dei Pescatori, the 'Fishermen's Island'. It is a very short crossing to Isola Bella, the 'Beautiful Island', with its 17th-century palace – you are following in the holiday footsteps of Goethe, Byron, Stendhal, Wagner and Hemingway! The formal gardens, patrolled by peacocks, contain plants from all over the world. Entrance fees and Guide Service on both Isola Madre and Isola Bella are included.
A free day in Stresa, the lake's main resort. The lakeside promenade near the hotel allows for a pleasant stroll to the pretty town centre, where around the main Piazza there is a good range of shops, bars, and restaurants. As long as it is operating, you will have the chance to travel high onto Mount Mottarone by cable car - fabulous views!
You take the boat across the bay to Pallanza. Although supposedly created as an 'English' garden, Villa Taranto's heritage is very much Scottish – its creator, Captain McEacharn, was a proud Scot: the Taranto name comes from one of his Macdonald ancestors, who was given the title 'Duke of Taranto' by Napoleon and whose father sped 'over the sea to Skye' with Bonnie Prince Charlie! The entrance to the garden is through 'Conifer Alley'. Highlights include the water gardens, the Dahlia Garden and the herbarium and the fine terraces.
A further free day to enjoy Stresa, where beautiful villas line the shores of Lago Maggiore and boats and steamers frequently traverse the lake from the landing quay close to the hotel.
You will have a relaxing excursion to one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe, Lake Orta. You travel firstly to San Filiberto to take the ferry to Orta S. Giulio with its quaint cobbled streets and picturesque lakeside piazza. You will have time to explore and have lunch before taking the ferry across to the island of San Giulio, with a short time to wander round and/or visit the fascinating 12th century Basilica. From here you take the ferry back across the lake to San Filiberto, where the coach will be waiting to take you back to the hotel.
A final free day to relax in Stresa or revisit any of the sights at your own pace.
Free time until you depart for the airport for your flight home.
Where you stay
Accommodation
Hotel Milan Speranza Au Lac
This four-star hotel is in two adjacent buildings in the centre of Stresa, overlooking the lake and located opposite to the boat station. The Speranza has a pleasant street-front café while the Milan houses the hotel restaurant. Guests have use of the swimming pool at the nearby Hotel Regina Palace. Guests enjoy comfortable rooms (many with balconies or lake views), free Wi-Fi, and easy access to the lakefront and ferry pier - perfect for trips around Lake Maggiore.
Hotel features
TV
Free Wifi
Hairdryer
Safe
Lounge Bar
Use of Swimming Pool
Gallery
A look at the trip
Availability
Dates & Prices
DepartReturnPriceOfferSoloBooking
Depart03 Oct 2027 Return10 Oct 2027 Price From £1449
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