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Magnificent Maggiore & Lake Como

From £1,399.00
Duration 8 Days
Departures from: May 2024 - Sep 2024
Book now
From £1,399.00
Duration 8 Days
Departures from: May 2024 - Sep 2024
Tour Overview

Relax and enjoy the beauty of Lake Maggiore, flower-filled islands and charming Lake Como. Enjoy an optional private cruise of Lake Maggiore and discover the beautiful gardens on the Borromean Islands, before heading to the charming town of Como to explore its historic centre and attractive promenade. Cruise the villa-lined, mountain-backed shores of Lake Como to the elegant town of Bellagio with its network of cobbled lanes and perhaps embark on an optional scenic train journey through stunning scenery to the Swiss town of Locarno, home of the 12th century Visconteo Castle and where palm and citrus trees flourish. With an abundance of dramatic mountain landscapes, stunning lakes and historic towns, this is the holiday of idylls.

  • puglia excursions Relax & Discover Holidays
  • Flight Choices icon Flight Choices
  • meals icon Half Board

Your Holiday Includes

 
  • Return flights from London
  • 7 nights half-board in a 3-star hotel
  • 14 meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 dinners and welcome drink
  • Travelsphere Holiday Director
  • Overseas transfers, other transportation and porterage

Included Holiday Highlights

  • Lake Como, Como town and cruise to Bellagio 
  • Explore the Alpine resort of Macugnaga 
  • Cruise and dinner on Isola dei Pescatori

Itinerary

Day 1 UK - Milan

Today you will fly to Milan. On arrival, we'll transfer you to the pretty resort of Baveno on the western shore of Lake Maggiore, where your hotel boasts a lovely lakeside setting.

Meals included: D

Day 2 Baveno - at Leisure

You've come here to see the beauty of Lake Maggiore, and a great way to do this is by taking to the water. We've arranged an optional private cruise today that takes in two of the Borromean Islands known as 'the sisters', set between soaring mountains and the sparkling lake.
Firstly we'll step ashore on Isola Madre, which is home to the magnificent English Garden, where many rare species of plant thrive. As you explore, keep a lookout too for white peacocks, golden pheasants and parrots, which also inhabit the island.
Next stop is the diminutive Isola Bella, which is wholly occupied by the spectacular Palazzo Borromeo. Admire its stunning façade before we step inside to see its richly furnished rooms. Outside is equally enticing, with extravagant landscaped gardens spread over 10 terraces forming a pyramid decorated with hedges, obelisks and statues. Another interesting highlight is a series of artificial grottoes which form a connecting passageway between the palace and the gardens. The six rooms were built to provide a cool refuge from the heat during the hot summer months.

Meals included: B,D

Day 3 Lake Como

We're going to introduce you to another spectacular lake today on a full-day excursion to Lake Como. As you explore the charming town of Como with your Holiday Director, you'll understand why it has long been a popular destination for Italians. They head here to escape the stifling heat of the cities in the summer months, so you'll see many impressive villas lining the mountain-backed shores.
Together we'll explore the town's historic centre to see enticing shops, little squares, picturesque lanes and an attractive promenade.
This afternoon we venture further around the lake to Tremezzo, where our own private boat is waiting to whisk us to the elegant town of Bellagio. Once on land, you can head off and do your own thing. A network of cobbled lanes will lead you to a selection of upmarket boutiques and pretty gardens. Or perhaps you'll find a seat at a café or bar and simply take it all in.

Meals included: B,D

Day 4 Macugnaga & Mount Rosa

An included excursion today gives you the chance to discover the Anzasca Valley and the Alpine resort of Macugnaga, a popular destination for winter sport enthusiasts.
There's plenty of time here to revel in the glorious setting, which includes spectacular views of nearby Mount Rosa, the second-tallest mountain in the Alps. This evening we include a special dinner on the smallest of the Borromean Islands, Isola dei Pescatori. As you cruise to the island, you can enjoy lovely views of Isola Bella too, which is dominated by a grand Baroque palace surrounded by stunning Italian-style terraced gardens.

Meals included: B,D

Day 5 Baveno - at Leisure

Spend the day relaxing or you could squeeze in a few more scenic sights on an optional tour to Lake Orta. Nestled at the foothills of the Alps, the village of Orta is utterly picturesque. This day out also features a visit to a traditional market and a cruise to St Julius Island, in the middle of the lake.

Meals included: B,D

Day 6 Baveno - at Leisure

If you would like to venture further afield today, we offer an optional excursion into Switzerland. You'll board a coach for a scenic journey across the Simplon Pass, a mountain pass linking the Pennine and Lepontine Alps and affording breathtaking views. In Switzerland, a train will take you from Tasch in the Matter Valley to the mountain resort of Zermatt. The sight that greets you here is the towering near-symmetrical peak of the Matterhorn. You can choose to go even further, up to 3,089 metres, by boarding the Gornergrat train to enjoy one of the most beautiful mountain panoramas, with views of the Matterhorn and 29 Alps peaks.

Meals included: B,D

Day 7 Baveno - at Leisure

A day of quiet relaxation lies ahead, so maybe you'll choose to enjoy the facilities at your hotel, which include lovely gardens and an inviting swimming pool.
However, if you're keen to discover more, you could join an optional excursion across the Centovalli, or Hundred Valleys, on a 90-minute scenic train journey to Locarno. On the way, you'll pass through hillside villages and over high bridges, and see waterfalls, vineyards and chestnut forests from your window.
Upon arrival in Locarno, disembark to explore this Swiss town, where, thanks to its mild climate, palms and citrus trees flourish. We'll stroll to its heart, Piazza Grande, and during free time, you can discover its 12th century castle, now an archaeological museum. We'll make our way back to Baveno via a relaxing cruise.

Meals included: B,D

Day 8 Milan - UK

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Meals included: B
  1. Favourite Moment

    Cruise to Isola dei Pescatori, the smallest of the Borromean Islands, taking in stunning views of Isola Bella on the way.

Accommodation (as specified or similar)

Hotel Beau Rivage

Hotel Beau Rivage is ideally located in Baveno, just a few minutes walk from the ferry landing stage.

Hotel facilities include a restuarant, bar, garden terrace and a swimming pool, typically open June to September. Bedrooms have private facilities, hairdryer, safe and a TV.

Optional Excursions

Experience even more of your destination by adding one or more optional experiences to your holiday before you set off. Take a look below at the extra trips you can enjoy on this tour

Lake Orta and Arona Market

Lake Orta and Arona Market

Discover picturesque Lake Orta on this full-day excursion. Lesser known than its more famous neighbour Maggiore, it is equally as impressive, located as it is in the foothills of the Alps. Facing the lake is the quaint medieval village of Orta San Giulio, where you’ll find a wealth of Romanesque and Baroque architecture, quaint townhouses embellished with wrought-iron balconies and cobbled lanes flanked by old stone walls. Look out to the Isola San Giulio, an island dominated by the 12th century Basilica di San Giulio and enjoy a visit to a local outdoor market.

Full Day - Moderate Walking - Highly Recommended
Discover picturesque Lake Orta on this full-day excursion. Lesser known than its more famous neighbour Maggiore, it is equally as impressive, located as it is in the foothills of t...

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Gornergrat Glacier by Train

Gornergrat Glacier by Train

As an extension to your 'Journey across the Simplon Pass to Zermatt & the Matterhorn' you can add this extra train journey.

From Zermatt station, Europe's highest open air railway will take you to the summit of the Gornergrat at an altitude of 3089m. The train passes over bridges, through tunnels and across forests of Swiss stone pine and past rocky ravines and lakes. Once you have reached the top you will be greeted by spectacular views taking in Mount Rosa, the Gorner Glacier and of course the Matterhorn in all its glory.

Please note: this excursion must be booked alongside the 'Journey across the Simplon Pass to Zermatt & the Matterhorn' excursion - it is not possible to only take this excursion.
As an extension to your 'Journey across the Simplon Pass to Zermatt & the Matterhorn' you can add this extra train journey.

From Zermatt station, Europe's highest open...

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Italy - Borromean Islands Cruise

Italy - Borromean Islands Cruise

Take a fabulous cruise by private motorboat around the Borromean Islands, the jewels of Lake Maggiore. This group of three small islands and two islets is named after the Borromeo family, who began to acquire them in the early 16th century. Upon the islands, the family built magnificent summer palaces that were visited by royalty and noble members of society. You’ll see Isola Madre, whose villa is surrounded by open parkland and a beautiful botanic garden and Isola Bella, famed for its unique terraced garden.

3/4 Day – Moderate walking including many steps – Must-see
Take a fabulous cruise by private motorboat around the Borromean Islands, the jewels of Lake Maggiore. This group of three small islands and two islets is named after the Borromeo ...

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Italy - Rail Journey across the Centovalli

Italy - Rail Journey across the Centovalli

This full-day excursion will take you across the Centovalli. It features a superb 90-minute scenic train journey through the ‘hundred valleys’ over high bridges to Locarno. Along the way, you’ll pass thundering waterfalls, pristine vineyards, chestnut forests and remote hillside villages. You’ll return by ferry boat to Baveno and the relaxing cruise will allow you to appreciate the spectacular scenery from a different perspective.

Full Day - Moderate Walking - Bestseller
This full-day excursion will take you across the Centovalli. It features a superb 90-minute scenic train journey through the ‘hundred valleys’ over high bridges to Locarno. Along t...

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Italy - Journey across the Simplon Pass to Zermatt and the Matterhorn

Italy - Journey across the Simplon Pass to Zermatt and the Matterhorn

This full-day trip takes across the border from Italy into Switzerland, so remember to bring your passport! Keep your camera at the ready too, as views of spectacular mountain scenery begin as soon as you board the coach and journey across the Simplon Pass between the Pennine and the Lepontine Alps. Once in Switzerland, you’ll board a train for the short journey to the stylish ski resort of Zermatt, which nestles beneath the Matterhorn, one of the highest peaks in the Alps. Here, the Alpine air and picture-perfect views are a treat for your senses.

Full Day - Moderate walking - Scenic tour

Please note: It is possible to extend this excursion and book glacier experience. Please speak with a Holiday Advisor for more details.
This full-day trip takes across the border from Italy into Switzerland, so remember to bring your passport! Keep your camera at the ready too, as views of spectacular mountain scen...

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Prices shown are based on twin occupancy of a double or twin bedded room with private facilities unless otherwise stated. Single occupancy supplements will apply. Travelsphere have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the hotel images provided on this website and images of room types displayed may vary to those offered on your tour. Therefore due to the possibility of inadvertent errors we do not guarantee their accuracy. Accommodation, airlines used and flight times are subject to change and will be confirmed in your final documents.

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