The Hidden Lakes and Gardens of Italy
The Hidden Lakes and Gardens of Italy
The Hidden Lakes and Gardens of Italy
8 Days Starting and ending in London, UK
Visiting: Paris, Pettenasco, London, Lake Orta, Locarno, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, Lake Lugano, Milan
Tour operator:
Age range:
0-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
A stylish and relaxed train journey through Europe transports you to Lake Orta, a paradise in Northern Italy. Lying in the foothills of the Alps, Lake Orta provides the perfect setting for our holiday with its glistening waters, exotic flowers and plants, and charming old buildings. From here, we’ll visit the villages that dot the shores of stunning Lake Maggiore, soak up the outstanding natural beauty of Lake Como, take in the Swiss resort of Lugano, and visit Milan with its rich history, architectural treasures and romantic allure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive On The Shores Of Lake Orta
Location: Paris, Pettenasco, London
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Giardinetto
We journey aboard Eurostar from London to Paris and join the TGV to Stresa, where we are transferred by coach to our hotel on the shores of Lake Orta.
Day 2 : Lake Orta
Location: Lake Orta
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Giardinetto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is free to explore Lake Orta, a star in this constellation of subalpine lakes. Situated entirely in Piedmont, it’s only 8 miles long and less than 2 miles wide. It is truly a location for sublime moments; in fact, it’s a rather secret place. Today, both lunch and dinner are included in the hotel’s restaurant.
Day 3 : Lake Maggiore To Locarno
Location: Locarno, Lake Maggiore
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Giardinetto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, we offer an included coach excursion visiting Lake Maggiore. Our visit will incorporate three scenic stops. The first of these will be at Stresa on the lake’s western shore, a town with villas, gardens, and an attractive lakeside promenade. Moving on, we visit the Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto where there’s free time to explore, before continuing to the Swiss canton of Ticino to stop at Locarno on the northern tip of the lake. Locarno is laced with Latin charm, and all the cobbled alleys of the old town lead to the colonnaded Piazza Grande, which is renowned for its annual film festival.
Day 4 : Lake Como To Lake Lugano
Location: Lake Como, Lake Lugano
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Giardinetto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s excursion by coach takes us to Lake Como in Lombardy and Lake Lugano across the border in Switzerland. Lake Como is striking for both its mountainous landscape and shores dotted with picturesque villages, luxurious villas and parks. Our first visit is the town of Como at the foot of the Como branch. There are many artistic sights to take in, including the 11th-century Church of Sant’Abbondio and the Basilica of San Fedele. The heart of the old town is the Piazza del Duomo – its Renaissance cathedral is one of the most beautiful churches in Lombardy.
Our next visit is the popular town of Tremezzo, where you can enjoy some of the most spectacular views on the lake. One of the most visited destinations in the town is the Villa Carlotta, the only historic villa on the lake which offers public access. The other villas are private, but you can still admire their beautiful structures and architecture.
Our next stop is across the border in Switzerland at the popular resort of Lugano, on the northern shoreline of the lake with the same name. Set within a bay surrounded by mountains, its town centre is full of Mediterranean-style squares and arcades with numerous parks and public gardens adorned with subtropical plants.
Day 5 : Free Time
Location: Pettenasco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Giardinetto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today is free for you to spend in our resort of Lake Orta. You can either relax or you may choose to visit some of the wonderful sights on the island of San Giulio (not included).
Day 6 : Milan
Location: Lake Orta, Milan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Giardinetto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, we include a full-day excursion by coach to Milan.
Milan is internationally famous for fashion and design. It is also home to several historic and artistic attractions and is a fascinating city to explore. You'll have plenty of free time at leisure before we return by coach to Lake Orta.
Day 7 : Free Time
Location: Pettenasco
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Giardinetto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy a further free day in resort. Relax amid the spectacular scenery or explore the surrounding area.
Day 8 : Return Home
Location: Paris, London
Meals Included: Breakfast
We depart in the morning, travelling back to Paris where our Eurostar connection returns us to London St. Pancras International.
What's Included
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Accommodation
As detailed in the itinerary
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Additional Services
Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.
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Airport Transfers at Destination
This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point
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Fully Guided
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International Travel
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Meals
As detailed in the itinerary
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Transport
Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach
What's Not Included
Accommodation
You will stay for seven nights at the Hotel Giardinetto in Pettenasco.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
On Leger Coach Holidays, your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Some tours carry a supplement for solo travellers, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Low
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Fully escorted by our experienced drivers/crews. And in most towns and cities we either include or offer optional sightseeing tours with expert local guides to help you get the most from your visits.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
40 years
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?
Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Leger Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of leger holidays charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.