Scenic Lake Orta

Scenic Lake Orta

The smallest of the Italian Lakes, Orta remains refreshingly uncrowded and almost untouched by tourism. The rambling cobbled streets are lined with traditional trattorias and authentic, family-run hotels. In the lake’s centre, Isola San Giulio floats dreamily, adorned with handsome 18th-century buildings overlooked by the mountainous backdrop. Zip across the border into Switzerland by rail for yet more breathtaking scenery: glittering glaciers, classic mountain villages, and snow-capped chalets await.

What's Included:

• Return flights
• 7 nights in hotel
• 16 meals: 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners
• Welcome drink
• VOX portable audio headset system on excursions
• Full-day excursion to Gornergrat Switzerland by rail
• Guided tour of Aosta
• Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service
• Services of a local Titan tour manager
• International return flights
• Best available coaches with experienced drivers
• Porterage
• All airport taxes and duties

Day 1: UK - Milan - Lake Orta

Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your flight to Milan. We transfer to Hotel L'Approdo (4T) in Pettenasco, where we enjoy a welcome drink. A typical Piemontese dinner is included during your stay along with musical entertainment.

Day 2: Lake Orta

Today is free; you may choose to join a boat trip on this jewel-like lake, leaving directly from the hotel’s landing stage, and stopping in Orta San Giulio and the island of San Giulio.

Day 3: Visp - Zermatt - Gornergrat - Täsch

A very long, yet worthwhile day today with some superbly scenic rail journeys into and around Switzerland. Our coach transfers us to Visp, from where we take the train to Zermatt, which lies at the foot of the Matterhorn. From here, we take the short walk to Gornergrat Bahn and join a further train (the Gornergrat mountain rack railway) to Gornergrat - a rocky ridge overlooking the Gorner Glacier (Switzerland’s second longest and most popular glacier). We arrive at the spectacular viewing platform in time for our included lunch before we take a train to Täsch. Enjoy an included dinner back at the hotel.

Day 4: Lake Orta

Spend the full day at leisure enjoying your superb surroundings.

Day 5: Aosta

We have another included full-day excursion today to the attractive mountain town of Aosta, surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the Alps, from Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc), Monte Cervino (the Matterhorn) and Monte Rosa. This ancient town was founded by the Gauls before being taken by the Romans in 25 BC; and we have a guided tour to show you the Roman remains and medieval history before our included lunch at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy some typical specialities of this delightful town.

Day 6: Lake Orta

You might like to join an optional full-day excursion to the busy Italian city of Milan - a centre for art, fashion and business - including a guided tour of The Cimitero Monumentale (‘Monumental Cemetery’), the Castello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle), la Scala Opera House and Theatrical Museum and entrance to Milan Cathedral (the Duomo).

Day 7: Lake Orta

Spend your final day at leisure. Your coach is available for a return transfer to Stresa, on the banks of Lake Maggiore, which the tour manager will happily organise for you. With its enchanting backdrop of mountains, the small and pleasant town is a perfect union of tradition and innovation, well-known for its weekly market, and boasts an attractive old town centre.

Day 8: Lake Orta - Milan - UK

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.