Majesty of the Italian Lakes

Day 1 - UK - Verona - Lake Garda

Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flight to Verona. We’ll head straight to Lake Garda, grand dame of the Italian lakes and a fitting place to spend the first four nights of the tour. After settling into our beautiful lakeside hotel, we’ll sit down to enjoy our first evening together over dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Day 2 - Lake Garda

We’ll stop in waterfront Desenzano for a short stroll before setting out by boat towards picture-postcard Sirmione. Cruising around the peninsula gives you the very best views of the town and its spectacular setting. Afterwards, enjoy plenty of time to explore Sirmione itself, often said to be the prettiest town on Lake Garda.

Day 3 - Lake Garda

Today you’re free to enjoy lovely Lake Garda and its surroundings under your own steam.

Day 4 - Lake Garda

Another day to spend as you please.

Day 5 - Lake Garda - Lake Iseo - Lake Como

There’s time for one more stroll around Lake Garda this morning, before we set out through spectacular lake and mountain scenery towards Lake Como. We’ll make a short stop at pretty Lake Iseo along the way, before continuing on to our next hotel — a centuries-old former castle near the shores of Lake Como. After time to soak up the grandeur and atmosphere in the 600-year-old surroundings, we’ll meet for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Day 6 - Lake Como

If Lake Garda is the grand dame of the Italian lakes, Lake Como is her glamorous cousin. George Clooney, Gianni Versace and David Beckham are just some of the celebs who own villas on these shores; even James Bond stayed here in the film Casino Royale. Today we’ll get acquainted with the town of Como. A guided walking tour takes us inside the ancient walls of the ‘Citta Murata’, the historic centre of the city, where we’ll pause to admire the marble-clad cathedral with its distinctive domes and steeples, and the neighbouring medieval town hall. Afterwards, there’s free time to explore Como’s beautiful churches, parks, palaces and gardens, or just buy an ice cream and soak up the views - the mountains around Lake Como appear to soar straight up out of the water in places.

Day 7 - Lake Como - Lake Maggiore

We’re back on the road this morning for another dramatic drive, weaving and winding our way west from Lake Como to Lake Maggiore, whose northern tip stretches into Switzerland and the Alps. We spend the final five nights of the tour at a refined hotel set in centuries-old Mediterranean gardens with views of the lake. This afternoon we have an included excursion to Villa Taranto, where more than 20,000 rare and unique plant species were brought and painstakingly curated from all over the world, to create what is now regarded as one of the finest botanical gardens in Europe. You’ll return to Baveno in time for dinner in the hotel restaurant, where floor-to-ceiling windows look out over the gardens to Lake Maggiore.

Day 8 - Lake Maggiore - Borromean Islands

Today we cruise over to the Borromean Islands which have been owned by the aristocratic Borromean family for over 400 years. Guides will show you around the exquisite terraces and palazzos on Isola Bella. We also visit Isola Pescatori where we have free time to explore, giving a glimpse into the lives and times behind these extravagantly beautiful islands. (Please note that this excursion may fall on day 7 or 8 of your tour, subject to availability.)

Day 9 - Lake Maggiore

Another day to do as you please. Perhaps enjoy the views from the hotel gardens or set off on one of the many hikes and walking trails.

Day 10 - Lake Maggiore

This morning we’ll head west over the slopes of Monte Mottarone to visit neighbouring little Lake Orta and medieval Orta San Giulio. With its criss-cross cobbled streets and beautiful old buildings covered with faded frescoes, this is one of Italy’s prettiest and most peaceful lakeside towns. A local ferry regularly makes the short trip to Isola San Giulio, famous for the vibrant frescoes in its 12th-century basilica, and there’s a walk around the tiny island which offers beautiful views across the lake to the forested hills and mountains beyond.

Day 11 - Lake Maggiore

This last full day is yours to do as you please. Wander down to the lakeside for more of those beautiful views or follow the shoreline down to Stresa with its big Belle Époque mansions and Liberty-style hotels. Tonight we’ll gather for our last dinner together in the hotel restaurant.

Day 12 - Lake Maggiore - Milan - UK

We transfer to Milan airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting to take you home.