Lake Maggiore, Camellias Blooming

Day 01 - Arrival

A private coach will collect you from your chosen pick-up point for transfer to UK airport. Upon arrival in Italy, you will be greeted by an English speaking tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome drink.

Day 02 - Lake Orta

After breakfast head for a short drive west to experience Lake Orta. Small but beautifully formed with calm beauty, it was originally named San Giulio’s Lake after the local patron saint. The current name Lake Orta dates back to the 17th century. On a guided tour, visit the stunning Orta San Giulio, one of Italy’s most important medieval villages. After some time to explore the maze of narrow picturesque alleyways and its main Square, the Piazza Notta, take a short 5 minute boat trip to the island of San Giulio, dominated by the Romaneque Basilica, the Bishop’s Palace and Benedictine Abbey. After a relaxing half day visit you return to the hotel for some free time to explore your area before dinner.

Day 03 - Day at Leisure or Optional Borromean Island Tour

Spend the day with free time to explore your local surroundings, or opt to go on the Borromean Island Tour. A short distance from the shores of Verbania, the Borromean Islands are best known for the grand baroque style villa and gardens of the 17th century Palazzo Borromeo, and a picturesque but very small village with narrow cobbled streets winding between ancient houses.

Day 04 - Lake Como

Embark on a full day guided excursion of the famous Lake Como. If Lake Orta is the much smaller, less well known tourist spot, then Lake Como is arguably the most illustrious of the lakes in this corner of Italy, as celebrities such as George Clooney, Sting and Richard Branson are all said to own homes here. Our tour guide will point out Clooney’s Villa Oleandra during your tour, which will also take in the main town Como, with its long history of lace making. You will also see and learn about the Cathedral and Old Town Hall before spending some time on the glorious lakeside promenade. Pay a visit to Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, which boasts a magnificent park which is home to many rare plants and valuable works of art.

Day 05 - Lake Maggiore and Camellias

Take a guided tour around Lake Maggiore and follow the lake north as it straddles the border with neighbouring Switzerland. Characterised by lofty peaks, dark blue waters and picturesque villages, Lake Maggiore benefits from a special microclimate which allows plants from all over the world to thrive. This feature has been attracting visitors for years, the shores dotted with sumptuous villas boasting stunning parklands. We visit one such example, the beautiful Villa Taranto with its elaborate gardens, developed by Scottish landscape gardener Capt. Neil Boyd McEacharn who bought the estate in the 1930’s. Some 40 acres were transformed into the gardens we see today. After a relaxing visit to admire the 8000 plant varieties collected from all over the world, we follow the lakeshore north into Switzerland to experience the colour and splendour of the Locarno Camelia Park. Inaugurated in 2005 for the World Congress of the International Camelia Society, the park now features some 900 varieties of this colourful flower. The park is laid out with beds forming a labarinthine trail accompanied by the sounds of birdsong and the gentle lapping of water on the lakeshore. 

Day 06 - Departure

Depart after enjoying breakfast, and take a private transfer to the airport. Upon arrival at your airport in the UK, your coach will take you to your chosen pick-up point.

• Return UK Transfers to Airport
• Return flights from a UK Airport
• 5 nights 4* accommodation
• Breakfast and evening meals
• Transport as per itinerary
• English speaking tour escorts and guides where mentioned
• Lake Orta – Orta San Giulio
• Lake Maggiore and Camellias – Locarno Camellia Park & Gardens of Villa Taranto
• Lake Como – Villa Carlotta
• Borromean Island Tour (optional excursion and at an extra cost)

Hotel Pesce D’Oro in Suna Di Verbania or similar