get ready for mountain views
lake cruising, medieval towns, lazy lunches and a fabulous train ride – enjoy Italy’s elegant lake Como, plus Switzerland’s fashionable St Moritz
In the Italian lakes
With such wonderfully contrasting areas within the same country, ranging from lofty mountains that appear to puncture the sky to whitewashed villages with Arabic-influenced names, Italy is impossible to pigeonhole.
This marvellously varied tour focuses on the north. We explore Lake Como, which Wordsworth called ‘a treasure whom the earth keeps to herself’, plus some stunning icons of northern Italy and Switzerland. Lake Como’s scenery takes the breath away – reflections of hills and snow-capped peaks are captured in the
deep blue waters, where pastel-coloured buildings and opulent villas line the shore.
Our visit to Lake Maggiore, which straddles Italy and Switzerland, provides amazing sights. Almost Mediterranean in character, thanks to the climate, it’s lined with orange trees and palm trees, and a string of picturesque 19th-century towns. To the east is one of Switzerland’s most fashionable destinations
– St Moritz. The iconic Bernina Express train transports us on a spectacularly scenic journey through Poschiavo Valley to this chic mountain resort.
The price includes
✢ Take a lake cruise to beautiful Bellagio on Lake Como, with a private visit to the delightful Villa del Balbianello and its inspirational gardens
✢ Enjoy a full-day visit to the chic resort of St Moritz, including a journey on the Bernina Express, one of the most spectacular railways in the Alps
✢ discover Bergamo, northern Italy’s most enchanting medieval town, on a guided tour
✢ Follow in the footsteps of the ‘Grand Tour’ with a visit to Lake Maggiore and the town of Stresa
✢ Visit Lugano, an elegant Swiss lakeside town with some unmistakable Italian influences, including its piazzas and quaint alleyways
Plus, of course
✢ Return flights from a selection of regional airports with hotel transfers ✢ Seven nights in four-star accommodation inclusive of all local taxes, with breakfast and dinner.
Stays at the Grand Hotel Menaggio include daily breakfast only (dining available at a supplement) ✢ The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout
DAY 1 ARRIVAL AT LAKE COMO
From Milan Bergamo airport, we transfer by coach to one of our specially selected four-star hotels.
DAY 2
This morning we take a private boat to the 18thcentury Villa del Balbianello for a guided tour of the villa, which has a renowned collection of art. The boat then takes us to the elegant village of Bellagio, perfect for a long, lazy lunch in a picturesque lakeside restaurant, before spending the afternoon exploring at your own pace.
DAY 3
First we ascend along the Valtellina, a classic Alpine valley with soaring peaks rising steeply on both sides. On reaching Tirano we board the famous Bernina Express to the summit at Ospizio Bernina, where you’re surrounded by stunning vistas over snow-clad peaks. We descend to the glamorous resort of St Moritz for a spot of window-shopping, or perhaps afternoon tea and cake. More eyecatching scenery awaits as we make our return trip to lake Como for dinner.
DAY 4 LAKE MAGGIORE AND STRESA
Take a stroll along Maggiore’s palm-lined promenade and enjoy fine views across the shimmering lake, where you can also take the short boat trip to Isola Bella, an island with a delightful terraced garden. Back in Stresa you can relax at the bar of the Grand Hôtel des Iles Borromées, featured in Hemingway’s
A Farewell to Arms. For panoramic views, take the cable car to the summit of Monte Mottarone. later we return to our hotel for dinner.
DAY 5
FREE DAY you are free to explore as you wish and could perhaps take the boat to the lakeside town of Como or visit the gardens of Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo – an outstanding botanical paradise.
DAY 6 LUGANO
We take a morning trip to lugano, where traditional Swiss values and more laidback latin influences overlap to make for a fascinating complement of cultures. There’s time for lunch and to explore the many twisting lanes before we return to our hotel for dinner.
DAY 7 BERGAMO
After breakfast, we visit the town of Bergamo, said by many to be the most beautiful town in northern Italy, for a morning guided tour.
DAY 8 RETURN HOME
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.