Classic tour of lake Maggiore
The islands Bella, Madre and Pescatori in the Borromean Gulf will enchant you with their palaces, gardens and priceless art treasures. Lake Orta will charm you with its medieval hamlet and the island San Giulio.Lakes Lugano and Como with their magnificent parks complete this tour of culture, history and nature.
Day 1: Arrival, check-in and dinner.
Day 2: Boat excursion to the Borromean Islands. From Stresa you will take a private boat to Isola Bella to visit the famous baroque palace and the Italian garden spread over ten terraces on the lake. Afterwards you will reach the Isola Superiore, also knows as Isola Pescatori (Fisherman's Island), which owes its name to the profession of its inhabitants. This island with its medieval charm and narrow streets with lake views is quite unique. You will then proceed to Isola Madre (Mother Island) and its botanical garden, famous for the blossomings of camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons as well as wisterias. You will also have the opportunity to admire the Cypress of Cashmire, the most important one in Europe, hit by a whiirlwind in 2006 and survived thanks to the thoughtful care of the island's gardners.
Day 3: Excursion to the neighboring lakes. Lugano wit the elegant promenade and the old town where chocolate shops alternate with jewellers. Visit of the centre with the famous church of S. Maria degli Angioli and the park of Villa Ciani. Afterwards visit of Como, with the majestic cathedral and the ancient town wall. In the town centre you will find plenty of shops selling the city's main product: silk.
Day 4: This day begins with the visit of Villa Taranto, probably the most famous botanical park of northern Italy, with an heritage of more than 20.000 varieties and species of high botanical value. After the guided tour you will proceed to the most romantic of Italian lakes: Lake Orta. The town centre is a labyrinth of narow streets lined with medieval buidlings decorated with frescoes. The small island of San Giulio, home to a convent of Cloistered nuns, seems to be shrouded in mistery and can be reached by boat from the main square.
Day 5: Return home after breakfast
Price starting from Euro 342,00 per person / minimum 25 participants
Duration: 5 days/ 4 nights
The package includes:
- N. 4 nights with half board in a 3* hotel in the Lake Maggiore area
- N. 3 full day guide services as per programme
- Private motorboat transfer for the 3 Borromean Islands
- Entrance ticket to palace and gardens of Isola Bella and Isola Madre
- Return motorboat transfer to San Giulio Island
- Touristic train transfer to Orta downtown
- Entrance ticket to Villa Taranto botanical gardens
