LAKES AND FLOWERS
A journey to admire the three most famous lakes in northern Italy, different landscapes but one common thread: the flowers that have always been the protagonists not only of Lake Maggiore but also of Lake Como and Lake Garda.
You will be enraptured by the flowers and breathtaking views that each lake offers.
Day 1: arrival at the hotel, check-in and dinner.
Day 2: What may be the most famous botanical garden in Northern Italy has over 20.000 varieties and species of particular botanical value. Captain McEacharn begun, in 1931, to collect and acclimatize plants from all over the world in this remote part of Italy which reminded him of his native Scotland. Upon his death he was buried in a chapel built for this purpose in the garden. Today the garden changes color with each blooming; some of the most famous being the tulips in April, the waterlilies in summer and the dahlias in autumn.
In the afternoon, there will be a visit to a greenhouse on the Fondotoce plain, cradle of acidophile production typical of our area: camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons, etc. are the typical plants of Lake Maggiore.
Day 3: Today you will visit the Borromean Islands. From Stresa you take a private motorboat to Isola Bella and the famous Borromeo palace and its renowned Italian gardens. The magnificent baroque architecture with the 10 terraces on the lake will without a doubt amaze you. Afterwards you continue with a visit to Isola Pescatori with its quaint fisherman's village. You will finish the day exploring the botanical gardens of Isola Madre with its camelias, rhododendrons, azaleas, wisterias and Europe's largest Cypress of Kashmir, which in 2006 was uprooted by a storm but survived thanks to the meticulous care of the island's gardeners.
Day 4: Today we will visit the most romantic of the Italian lakes: Lake Orta. Once arrived in the town of Orta S. Giulio you will be immersed in the historical beauty of the medieval streets lined with buildings decorated with frescoes. The small island of San Giulio, home to a convent of Cloistered nuns, appears shrouded in mystery, and is reachable by boat from the main square. In the early afternoon, we reach a hidden treasure on the slopes of Lake Orta: Lorella's Garden, a 2.5-hectare English-style garden adorned with centuries-old trees, including a chestnut tree over 600 years old, rhododendrons, camellias, azaleas and various species of hydrangeas. With views of Lake Orta, the island of San Giulio and Monte Rosa, the park offers a feeling of peace and tranquility.
Day 5: Villa Carlotta and Como. Today you will visit the gardens of Lake Como. by bus you will reach Tremezzo and the gorgeous gardens of Villa Carlotta. The park is famous for its spring blossoms of rhododendrons and azaleas in over 150 varieties, although it's worth a visit in any season. The rock garden, the valley of the ferns, the rhododendron forest, the bamboo garden, the museum of agricultural tools all paired with the extraordinary views of the surrounding landscape justify the fame of this place. We then continue by bus to Como to enjoy a city tour of the ancient city walls, which houses the temple of Volta and the Duomo. Departure to the hotel located on Lake Garda for the last leg of the tour.
Day 6: Today we will discover the Heller Garden, which on an area of around 10,000 square metres contains botanical species from all over the world and numerous artistic creations. It will be a pleasure to get lost among ponds, water features and sculptures from every corner of the world. In the afternoon we will discover the Garda Island on which stands an imposing villa built in the early 20th century in the Venetian neo-Gothic style, finely decorated and equipped with a tower with battlements. The villa is surrounded by a lush garden where various botanical species grow, including fruit trees and palm trees from the Canary Islands.
Day 7: After breakfast departure.
Price starting from Euro 575,00 per person / minimum 25 participants
Duration: 7 days
The package includes:
- N. 4 nights with half board in a good 3* hotel in the lake Maggiore area
- N. 2 nights with half board in a good 3* hotel in the lake Garda area
- N. 5 full day guide services
- Entrance ticket to Lorella Garden, Villa Taranto botanical gardens, palace and gardens of Isola Bella and Isola Madre
- Entrance ticket to the garden of Villa Carlotta
- Entrance ticket to Isola del Garda and Heller Garden
- Private return motorboat transfer Stresa- 3 Islands
- Private return motorboat transfer Orta-San Giulio Island
- Touristic train to Orta downtown
- Return boat transfer to Isola di Garda
