Scenic Lake Orta and a Matterhorn Rail Journey

Scenic Lake Orta

The smallest of the Italian Lakes, Lake 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. On our relaxed Lake Orta holidays, you'll also have the chance to 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 from the UK
• 7 nights in hotel
• 15 meals: 7 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 7 dinners
• Portable audio headset system on excursions
• Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service
• Services of a local expert Titan tour manager
• Travel in destination by coach
• Porterage

• 2 days free time

  Highlights:

• Half-day excursion to Orta San Giulio, boat trip to Isola San Giulio & Basilica di San Giulio

• Excursion to Zermatt, Switzerland by rail
• Half-day excursion to Verbania and Villa Taranto
• Excursion to Stresa with private boat tour to visit the Borromean Islands

Day 1: UK - Milan - Lake Orta

Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Milan. We arrive in Lake Orta and enjoy a welcome drink, dinner and musical entertainment.

Day 2: Orta San Giulio - Isola San Giulio

We’ll make our way to the town of Orta San Giulio, nestled into the hills. After a little exploration we’ll board a boat on this jewel-like lake, to the little island of San Giulio. On the island, we’ll visit the Romanesque Basilica di San Giulio.

Excursions & visits: Excursion to Orta San Giulio, boat trip to Isola San Giulio & Basilica di San Giulio (morning)

Day 3: Visp - Zermatt - Gornergrat - Täsch

Experience some superbly scenic rail journeys into and around Switzerland, as we journey from Visp to Zermatt, at the foot of Matterhorn. After walking the short distance to Gornergrat Bahn, we’ll join a further train to Gornergrat - a rocky ridge overlooking the Gorner Glacier. We arrive at the spectacular viewing platform at lunchtime, before taking a train to Täsch this afternoon.

Excursions & visits: Excursion to Gornergrat Switzerland by rail (all day)

Day 4: Lake Orta

Spend the day at leisure enjoying the lake, one of the prettiest in Italy. Tour the UNESCO-listed collection of chapels in the hills above Orta San Giulio, or simply relax at the hotel.

Day 5: Verbania and Villa Taranto

This morning, we’ll visit Lake Maggiore and its biggest town, Verbania, sometimes referred to as ‘the garden on the lake’. It’s home to the Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto with almost 20,000 varieties and 3,000 species of plant. We’ll have time to wander along the 7kms of paths, taking in a small valley, terraced gardens and waterfalls, water lily and lotus pools, and ornamental fountains.

Excursions & visits: Excursion to Verbania and Villa Taranto (morning)

Day 6: Lake Orta

Today is free to relax in your beautiful surroundings by the lake.

Day 7: Stresa

We’ll journey into Stresa on the banks of Lake Maggiore. This lovely town has been popular with artists and writers since the late 19th century. The lake’s wind-ruffled waters are also dotted with three tiny islands, the Borromean Islands, and today we’ll explore two of them - Isola Bella (beautiful island) dominated by its 17th-century Palazzo Borromeo, and picturesque Isola dei Pescatori.

Excursions & visits: Excursion to Stresa with private boat tour to visit the Borromean Islands (all day)

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.