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Soak up the beauty, serenity and relaxed ambience of three of Italy's glorious lakes. Staying in a hotel on the peaceful shores of Lake Orta, quieter than its famed neighbours, explore Como's lakeside towns of Bellagio and Menaggio during a cruise.
Visit Lake Maggiore, Italy's second-largest lake, and become immersed in the artistic history of elegant Stresa, a haven for writers for more than 200 years.
On this holiday of picturesque lakes and unforgettable views, cruise to tiny islands such as Isola San Giulio and enjoy a day trip to Lugano with free time to discover this historic Swiss lakeside city.
What’s included
Your holiday begins at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and your fellow travellers before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. In the French capital, we board a train to Turin. After a scenic journey through the Swiss Alps, we arrive at our destination this evening.
Modern Turin is an important centre of business, finance and technology with a rich history. With Baroque and Renaissance buildings lining the wide boulevards and a spectacular view of the Alps in the distance, this elegant Italian city is an excellent place to spend the first night of the holiday. On arrival, we check in to our hotel and walk a short distance to a nearby restaurant for dinner.
*Please note: if travelling by air, your holiday begins on Day 2 of the itinerary and ends on Day 8.
After breakfast in Turin, we enjoy a guided walking tour of the city with a local expert. After the tour, you're welcome to find lunch independently in a local restaurant or café.
Our journey continues in the early afternoon, when we travel further north by coach to the peaceful village of Pettenasco on the secluded shores of Lake Orta. Arriving at our idyllic base, we check in to our friendly, family-run hotel. With modern facilities and spectacular views across the lake, our hotel is perfectly positioned for a relaxing six-night stay. Unlike the more famous lakes, Garda and Como, Orta's seclusion makes it a peaceful alternative where you can experience the authentic and laid-back Italian way of life.
Tonight, and each evening of our stay at Lake Orta, we enjoy a three-course dinner with a glass of wine or beer and hot drinks.
*Please note: if travelling by air, your holiday starts today at London Gatwick, where you meet your Tour Manager and fellow travellers before flying to Milan Malpensa. From Milan, we travel by coach directly to our hotel on Lake Orta.
Today brings one of your holiday's highlights. Boarding a boat from the hotel's private jetty, we set sail across Lake Orta. Our first stop is Isola San Giulio, a tiny island dominated by an ancient monastery. You could choose to walk the island's circular pathway, the 'Way of Silence,' or visit the 12th-century basilica to see its frescoes and the crypt of the 4th-century Greek evangelist to whom the island owes its name.
Our cruise continues to the pretty town of Orta San Giulio, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has attracted writers and poets since the 19th century. You have free time over lunch and into the afternoon to explore this scenic medieval town, and you could enjoy a lunch of fresh perch in one of the restaurants on Piazza Motta, looking out across the lake.
Later, we sail back to our hotel, where you have time to unwind or enjoy the hotel pool and spa before dinner.
After breakfast, we travel by coach to Lake Como, an enchanting destination with an alpine backdrop and shores dotted with luxurious villas, orange trees and sunlit village squares. Our first stop is the town of Menaggio on the western shores of the lake. With free time to explore, you could wander down to Piazza Garibaldi, in the heart of the Old Town, where you can tuck into a gelato and watch the world go by.
After our time in Menaggio, we cross the lake by ferry to Bellagio, a stunning location on the edge of a peninsula. You have plenty of time to wander the cobbled streets and visit a café, or browse shops of locally produced crafts. You might also like to visit Villa Melzi D'Eril and its gardens, just outside the compact town centre, which was commissioned by Duke Meldi D'Erlil, an assistant to Napoleon Bonaparte.
Later, we drive back to Lake Orta, arriving at our hotel with time to freshen up before dinner.
Today, you're free to explore your beautiful surroundings at your own pace. You might like to hop aboard one of the boats from our village (payable locally) to visit the market in the nearby town of Omegna, where you can browse the product and craft staffs or enjoy a coffee in the square. Another option is to visit the museum in Pettenasco, dedicated to the town's woodworking industry. The Romanesque church in town is another point of interest, with its two bell towers and pretty entrance.
You might be content to linger in the hotel, enjoying the lovely lakeside views from the panoramic terrace or making the most of the inviting swimming pool and soaking up some sunshine.
However you choose to spend your day, dinner will be served this evening at our hotel.
Today's excursion is a visit to the pretty Swiss city of Lugano by coach, where you have free time to explore at your own pace. Nestled on the shores of glacial Lake Lugano in the south of Switzerland, this pristine city is filled with chic boutiques, pavement cafés and bars. You could make the most of Lugano's mild climate, taking a scenic walk along the palm-lined waterfront before finding a local spot to settle down for lunch.
For amazing views of the surrounding hills and Lake Lugano, you could ride the funicular to the top of Mount Brè. Wherever you choose to explore in Lugano, you'll find a good choice of restaurants where you can indulge in local specialities, from typical Swiss dishes like fondue and raclette to meals with an Italian twist, like pasta and pizza.
Returning to our lakeside hotel at the end of the day, you have time to relax before dinner.
On the last full day of our tour, our explorations of the Italian Lakes continue. We drive to the sophisticated Belle Epoque town of Stresa, overlooking Lake Maggiore, which has welcomed visitors - including writers Lord Byron and Robert Browning - to its luxurious villas and hotels since the 19th century. You have free time to explore the town's beautiful villas, public gardens and museums. One suggestion is Villa Pallavicino, which has an English garden and a zoo.
Stroll along the promenade or take a scenic boat trip to the Borromean islands, catching one of the frequent ferries from the port. The small island of Isola Bella is a popular place to visit, known for the opulent Borromeo Palace and its formal Italian Gardens. You could also take a sightseeing cruise to the nearby town of Baveno, with its pale pink granite buildings.
Tonight is the last night of our tour and our final dinner.
Our Italian Lakes holiday has included visits to the renowned town of Stresa on Lake Maggiore and cruises to enchanting islands. We discovered the historic waterfront city of Lugano independently and visited the glamorous towns of Lake Como. After breakfast, our tour draws to a close and it's time to say a final goodbye to Italy.
If returning by air to London, your group will be transferred to Milan Malpensa airport this morning before your flight to London Heathrow.
If returning home by rail, we transfer by coach to Stresa for a rail connection to Paris, travelling via the lakeside city of Lausanne. On arrival in Paris, we join the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras, where you are free to make your way home.
Our Discoveries range offers everything you need at a great price so you can travel with confidence. It provides comfortable, locally run accommodation*, standard rail or economy flights and expert-led group tours. You'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. *where available
| 25 April 2027 | From £1,699 |
| 23 May 2027 | From £1,899 |
| 13 June 2027 | From £1,899 |
| 20 June 2027 | From £1,899 |
| 29 August 2027 | From £1,899 |
| 5 September 2027 | From £2,099 |
| 27 September 2027 | From £1,499 |
| 10 October 2027 | From £1,799 |
All prices are per person and assume full occupancy of the room.
Please always refer to the website for up-to-date prices and availability.
Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!
The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.
For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.
Introduced in 1981, France's TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) was the original European high-speed train. Linking Paris with Lyon, the new service revolutionised train travel and meant that travelling by air over medium and short distances was no longer seen as the best option, even for business travel.
The network has expanded rapidly and today these sleek, stylish trains offer links to over 60 destinations throughout France. Operated by SNCF, the French national rail operator, TGV trains travel over specially constructed high-speed lines. The trains can achieve speeds of up to 186mph (300km/h) on most long-distance routes and 200mph (320km/h) on the new TGV Est line, which links Paris with Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Basel. With the exception of shorter journeys, TGVs almost always have an on-board buffet car, serving a selection of drinks and light refreshments.
On the secluded shores of Lake Orta, this 4-Star hotel is a charming property with a relaxing atmosphere. Situated near the medieval village of Orta San Giulio in nearby Pettenasco, the hotel has wonderful views of the lake, a swimming pool and a restaurant serving local specialities and international wines. Guests can enjoy stunning views of the lake from the panoramic terrace and a wide selection of international wines from the hotel's wine cellar. Air-conditioned guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safety deposit box, tea & coffee-making facilities, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries.
We offer a selection of upgrades and 'add-ons' designed to help you make the most of your holiday - and make it even easier!
Your holiday begins the moment you meet your Tour Manager at St Pancras International and board the Eurostar train for mainland Europe. If you wish to get your holiday off to an extra special start, why not consider upgrading your on-board accommodation from Standard Class to Plus Class?
As well as all the amenities enjoyed in Standard Class, Plus Class travellers benefit from extra spacious, comfortable seats, complimentary newspapers and magazines and a light snack with drinks served at your seat during the journey. Before 11am, the light snack comprises breakfast pastries, yoghurt, fruit juice and tea or coffee. After 11am there is a choice of 2 main dishes and a dessert, accompanied by soft drinks, wine or beer and tea or coffee.
Prices for an upgrade from £125 each way. Please call us for more details.
Flight upgrades are available. For information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the various airlines we use, call our expert team for details.
Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.
We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.
Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.
We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.
For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.
Enjoy hassle-free travel with our return door-to-door luggage transfer service from only £199 per bag.
The service includes one 20kg bag per person which will be collected from your home before you depart and will be ready and waiting for you at your first destination hotel. Your bag will also be delivered back to your home address on your return.
If your tour involves an overnight stay enroute, you'll need to travel with an overnight bag as your luggage will be delivered direct to your first destination hotel. The luggage service is not available where you are flying to or from your destination and you will need to take your own luggage with you on the flight.