In supplier order. Some entries may cover multiple days; optional experiences are described by the supplier.
Sample itinerary. Choose a departure for its exact itinerary and hotel plan.
Day 1 — UK - Milan - Lake Orta
Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Milan. Take a one-and-a-half-hour drive to Lake Orta, arriving at the locally rated 4-star Hotel L’Approdo for a welcome drink, dinner and musical entertainment tonight.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 — Orta San Giulio - Isola San Giulio
From the hotel pier, enjoy a cruise on Lake Orta to the small island of San Giulio. Explore the 12th-century Romanesque Basilica di San Giulio with its lovely frescoes, before continuing across the water to Orta town, one of the prettiest towns in Northern Italy. Enjoy the lakeside ambience and medieval charm, explore Palazzo della Comunita or Piazza Motta, and perhaps have a coffee or shop for souvenirs. Return by boat to the hotel this afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3 — Täsch - Zermatt - Täsch
While the start of your journey is a long coach journey to Tasch, today’s highlight is experiencing a scenic rail journey from Tasch to Zermatt, and spending time at Switzerland’s famous car-free mountain resort. From Zermatt you will then take the Gornergrat train line into the mountains for lunch and to take in the views of the iconic Matterhorn. You will then return to Tasch by train and coach back to your hotel arriving early evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4 — Lake Orta
Spend the day at leisure enjoying the lake, one of the prettiest in Italy. Enjoy the lakeside setting of the hotel and the facilities. Alternatively, take a walk around the lake and visit a local café or restaurant, or take a taxi or ferry to Orta.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 — Verbania and Villa Taranto
This morning, visit Lake Maggiore and its biggest town, Verbania, sometimes referred to as ‘the garden on the lake’. Home to the Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto, this lovely location has almost 20,000 varieties of plant. Wander along the pretty paths taking in terraced gardens and waterfalls, water lilies, lotus pools and ornamental fountains.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 6 — Lake Orta
Today is free to relax in your beautiful surroundings. Relax on a sun loungers in the hotel gardens and enjoy lovely lakeside views, take a walk around the lake on the circular path, visit a local café or restaurant, or take a taxi or ferry to Orta.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 7 — Stresa
Today, journey into Stresa on the banks of Lake Maggiore. This lovely town has been popular with artists and writers since the late 19th century. The lake’s wind-ruffled waters are dotted with three tiny islands, known as the Borromean Islands, and today you can explore two of them – Isola Bella (beautiful island) dominated by its 17th-century Palazzo Borromeo, and picturesque Isola dei Pescatori.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8 — Lake Orta - Milan - UK
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
