Lake Maggiore, Orta & The Matterhorn

A favourite from the days of the Grand Tour, it is hardly surprising that countless composers, poets and writers have sought inspiration on the majestic Lake Maggiore. Its heady mix of serene, deep waters, forest-clad hillsides, typical Italian medieval villages and mouth-watering fresh food make it hard to beat.

Lake Maggiore straddles both Italy and Switzerland, and we stay in Stresa, a very stylish Italian town and once a favourite haunt of Hemingway, Chaplin and many others or Baveno, an enchanting, little lakeside town. As well as Lake Maggiore, we explore the equally beautiful Lake Como, plus the hidden gem that is Lake Orta, probably one of the most entrancing places you will ever visit. With the arc of the majestic Alps stretching out along the horizon you will enjoy fine mountain scenery during your tours to Switzerland - chic Locarno and dramatic Zermatt - including the mighty Matterhorn. Then there are the delightful lost valleys, tumbling glacier streams and classic chalets all blended together to offer a truly inspirational tour.

What's included:

• 7 nights in four-star accommodation
• Return flights & transfers
• 7 included experiences
• Board basis varies by hotel*
• Expert Tour Manager
• Checked luggage
• All additional taxes
• Maximum 36 guests on all Classic tours

*Half board at the Astoria and Regina Palace and B&B at the Simplon

Highlights:

• Cruise to the enchanting islands on Lake Maggiore, visiting Isola Pescatori and Isola Bella, with a guided tour of its 17th-century baroque villa.
• Enjoy a scenic journey through the Swiss Alps through the Simplon Pass to Zermatt, seeing the Matterhorn - one of the world's most instantly recognisable peaks.
• Explore Northern Italy's most famous lake, the elegant Lake Como, described by Wordsworth as "a treasure the world keeps to itself" with a full day to wander its lakeside town.
• Venture into Switzerland with a scenic coach ride from Cannobio to Locarno and enjoy a journey on the famous Centovalli railway.
• Visit one of Italy's hidden gems, the charming Lake Orta and the delightful 14th-century medieval village Orta San Giulio.

Day 1: Arrival at Lake Maggiore

Fly to Italy and transfer to the delightful town of Stresa or Baveno on the peaceful shores of charming Lake Maggiore.

Day 2: Lake Maggiore & Borromean Islands

Unmistakably Mediterranean in character, Maggiore’s shores are lined with oleanders, palms and deeply aromatic verbena with the still waters reflecting the azure blue sky above.

Just offshore is one of the real gems of northern Italy, the stunning Borromean Islands, once owned by a Milanese Count who, in the 17th century, created the most amazing ‘belle époque’ villa here of which we have a guided tour this morning.

Day 3: Centovalli Railway

Cannobio Long and relatively narrow, Lake Maggiore beautifully straddles the Swiss-Italian border and this morning you enjoy a totally different view of the lake as we take a private boat to Cannobio, where you will have some free time before joining the coach to continue into Switzerland, to the chic resort of Locarno, nestling below the towering peaks of the Alps.

Locarno During our journey you will see ever-grander snow-capped mountains, their colours gently changing from pinks to greens and blues, as the sun, arcing across the sky, casts its ever-changing shadows. You snatch tantalising glimpses of lakeside life with the locals going about their daily lives, whilst birds of prey soar on the numerous thermals and colourful wildfowl rise and fall as the boat’s wake radiates from the stern.

Locarno is staunchly Swiss, but the twisting lanes and alleys of the historic centre bear more resemblance to Tuscany than Zurich, lending it a real charm enhanced by a fascinating history encapsulated in the mighty castle dominating from above.

Centovalli railway After some free time, we board the narrow gauge Centovalli train for a spectacularly scenic ride as it winds its way through wild, romantic landscapes, pure mountain cascades, vines, chestnut woods and villages clinging to the mountainsides.

Named after the so called ‘hundred valleys’ through which it passes, the train features specially designed panoramic carriages so you can sit back, enjoying the scenery in all its glory as it winds its seemingly impossible way around the valley sides. From Domodossola we return by coach to our hotel.

Please note that this day may operate in reverse.

Day 4: Lake Como

This morning we explore another of Northern Italy’s most famous lakes and one of its most attractive too. Described by Wordsworth as ‘a treasure the earth keeps to itself’, a favourite of Shelley, Lake Como has attracted visitors for centuries in search of relaxation, culture and inspiration. The famous ancient Roman, Pliny wrote of its luxuriant beauty, and it has inspired some of the best works of greats such as Verdi and Rossini to name but two.

You will be free to explore Como as you wish. Renowned for its lakeside parks, grand hotels and the Villa Olmo, Como town has been home to many eminent Europeans including Napoleon, Archduke Ferdinand and Garibaldi, the ‘father of modern Italy.

Day 5: Free day

Today you can choose to relax in the hotel, perhaps take a swim in the pool or explore Baveno or Stresa’s many delights. The lakeside exudes an ambience of classic ‘belle époque’ gentility, owing its origin to the days of the ‘Grand Tour’ when Europe’s 19th century aristocracy, having crossed the border from Switzerland, experienced their first taste of Italy. Literary aficionados may like to take a drink at the bar of the Grand Hotel featured in Hemingway’s ‘A Farewell to Arms’, and frequented by the likes of George Bernard Shaw and Charlie Chaplin.

Day 6: Zermatt & The Matterhorn

The Matterhorn Today the views will take your breath away. We firstly climb the foothills of the Alps then cross the Swiss frontier and head into the high Alps themselves. We take the Simplon Pass, once used by the Romans to control their northern provinces with the first actual road constructed by Napoleon.

Continuing, the scenery becomes ever more spectacular, with lush, wildflower-covered meadows studded with tiny shepherds’ shelters sweeping through the dense forests, crowned by snow-capped mountains glistening in the sun. You could be lucky and catch a glimpse of the elusive ibex, chamois or even a golden eagle soaring high above.

Marvelling at the engineering feats, the road traverses towering viaducts and jaw dropping precipices, we pass countless torrential mountain streams tumbling waterfalls before arriving at the legendary village of Zermatt, nestling at the foot of the mighty, instantly recognisable Matterhorn.

Zermatt Zermatt is iconically Swiss, a car-free jumble of chalets and ancient wooden farm huts strewn along the valley floor, towards pastures alive with the sound of cowbells while soaring footpaths weave ever upwards to the majestic amphitheatre of the surrounding lofty summits.

The ultimate alpine peak, the Matterhorn is strangely shy until you reach the end of the village, turn a corner, and the Swiss national symbol is revealed in its unrivalled glory - truly, one of life’s ‘wow’ moments!

For an even better view take the cog railway to reach 3000 metres and the absolutely awe-inspiring mountain wonderland of glaciers and summits. Alternatively, you can relax in one of the many delightful cafés (chargeable locally).

Day 7: Lake Orta

On our final day we experience one of the tour’s real highlights. Orta is probably the prettiest of the Italian lakes, yet one of the least well-known. You’ll understand why it’s regarded as something of a hidden gem, as there’s an exceptional atmospheric charm that’s immediately discernible. Surrounded on three sides by deep blue water, the romantic lakeside village of Orta San Giulio has so far avoided the tourist hordes. Its pebble-studded lanes and stepped alleys – lined with a myriad traditional food shops selling the gorgeous produce for which Italy is renowned – lead down to the shore and a main square. You’ll adore the village’s medieval architecture of picturesque buildings with shuttered windows in typically Italian shades of ochre, magenta and light blue, which create a kaleidoscope of colour.

A boat trip takes you to the island of San Giulio, which features an enchanting basilica with an opulent interior containing a spectacular carved black marble pulpit, wonderfully preserved frescoes and a vertebra which, according to legend, belonged to a dragon.

Day 8: Lake Orta

Today we experience one of the real highlights of the entire holiday. Orta is probably the prettiest of the Italian lakes, yet surprisingly one of the least known. What Orta does have is an exceptional dose of charm!

Surrounded on three sides by the deep blue water, the delightful lakeside village of Orta San Giulio is a haven from mass tourism and the only ‘must see’ sight is the village itself. The pebble studded lanes and stepped alleys, lined with a myriad of traditional food shops selling the gorgeous fresh produce for which Italy is so justifiably respected, lead down to the lakeshore and romantic main square.

Buildings with exposed 14th century half-timbers and shuttered windows wear the pastel ochre, magenta and pale blues so typically Italian, in a kaleidoscope of colour. Linger a while, watch the locals going about their daily lives chatting with acquaintances as they go. You cannot fail to be captivated by its perfectly medieval charms. San Giulio’s basilica on the island is incredible; the inside entirely covered with spellbindingly preserved 14th century biblical frescoes and in places you can even see the earlier 12th century works underneath.

Day 9: Return home

Return to the airport at the appropriate time for our flight home.