THE LAKE DISTRICT: HOPPING BETWEEN ISLANDS, PENSINSULAS, BAYS & CLIFFS

11 days From €9800 per person
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The itinerary starts in Borghetto, a fairy tale island in the middle of the fresh waters of Mincio river where you will lunch and a short, healthy walk to reach the Sigurtà Gardens for a botanic guided visit and then to Sirmione, the fortified peninsula dear to the latin poet Catullus. In the morning, you will experience  a guided visit let us enter the idyllic Terme di Catullo archeological site and then a private boat tour to cross the lake whic will allow you to admire the beautiful villas of Gardone and Salò where you will have lunch at a prestigious facing the lake. In the afternoon we reach an amazing Lake Resort for a quiet afternoon enyoing the spa and and the terrace with a true outstanding lake view. The following day, you will drive along the shores of the lake passing by Limone, where you will experience the brand new pedestrian-cycling suspended path, then Riva del Garda – Princess Sissi preferred spot on the lake – and then medieval town of Malcesine. After lunch a boat  will take you to discover Verona side of Lake Garda: Torri del Benaco, Garda, Bardolino and Lazise, where we’ll jump off and in Colà di Lazise we have the opportunity to relax and spend some hours at the natural Spa of Villa dei Cedri. In the evening you will experience an unforgettabel dinner  served on the boat, crossing the lake between Lazise and Gargnano.

In the morning, you will experience a guided visit into the life and history of Gabriele d’Annunzio – a preminent Italian poet and eclettic character – witnessed by the wealth and decadence of the Vittoriale. Going west it is a must to stop in Brescia, a Roman city where after lunch you will visit the Foro and the rich museum complex of Santa Giulia and then we head towards Franciacorta Wine Country where you will  be greeted by an aperitif at a luxurious resort. The next day is totally dedicated to Lake Iseo, which gained worldwide fame in 2016 thanks to Christo, the artist whose visionary installation “Floating Piers” for two weeks connected Montisola with the mainland. The first destination is Sarnico where you will visit two beautiful Art Nouveau villas, but above all the Cantieri Riva – the top world producer of motorboats. In the shipyards you will board on an original Acquarama from the 50s, which, by speeding along the lake,  will take you in a very short time to circumnavigate Montisola, the largest lake island in Europe, leaving you in the village of Peschiera where we  also visit a laboratory for the production of nets, activities on which the island’s economy is based. After the lunch, you will return to the mainland where a local guide will take you to discover the idyllic Nature Reserve of Torbiere del Sebino. In the late afternoon, the cellars of a top Wine Estate of Franciacorta Wine Country will help you to discover the secrets of its cuvée, its high-quality sparkling wines, the ones that will be apired with the delicious food served during dinner.

In the morning you will reach Como, visiting the beautiful medieval city center and then moving to Cernobbio where we  have lunch at a refined restaurant. In the afternoon,  you will visit the gardens of Villa Erba, former residence of the movie director Luchino Visconti, and the stunning complex of Villa d’Este. From Villa d’Este a boat will take you to wonderful Bellagio, shining in middle of the lake with its century-old buildings, stone lanes and picturesque cobbled stairways: the perfect place to soak up the lake’s famous panorama. The following morning, a water taxi will take you to discover Villa Del Balbianello, a FAI property and from there a boat  will take us to Comacina Island, where you will  have lunch at the local restaurant. In the afternoon back to Bellagio and visit Villa Melzi Gardens and shopping in this cosy village. The day after a boat  will take you to Menaggio and from there you will reach Valsolda on Lake Lugano, where we visit the poignant Villa Fogazzaro Roi and then cross the border to get to Lugano where you will have lunch and visit the Luini frescos in Santa Maria degli Angioli, right in front of the lake. Next stop two colorful swiss town: the colorful Ascona and Locarno, renewed for its film festival, and where we will relax and stay the overnight. You will still be in Switzerand, but on another lake: Lake Maggiore.

The morning you will board the picturesque Centovalli Train for one of Switzerland/Italy’s most scenic journeys, through bridges and viaducts that span Alpine valleys. Enjoy spectacular views and stop in the rustic villages that the train passes through. From Domodossola you will go back to the lake in Pallanza where you will have lunch and visit the botanic gardens of Villa Taranto and then in Stresa, the elegant internationally famous holiday resort known as the Pearl of the Lake. The day after start visiting the thrilogy of Borromean Islands: Isola Bella with its “Palazzo” with gardens and Isola Madre with its unique Botanical Garden with the freely living pheasants, white peacocks and parrots and the 18th century Palazzo Borromeo. Isola dei Pescatori with its simple quaint houses lining the cobbled lanes and the fishing boats bobbing along gently in the harbor will host you for lunch. After lunh, the Lake Magggiore Express will take you to the charming perched Eremo di S. Caterina del Sasso, then to Angera and then to the cozy Arona with its nice bar and shops. The following day you will move to the last lake: Lake Orta. In the delightful village of Orta San Giulio you will visit the tiny island of San Giulio, still hosting an abbey. Back to Orta you will first enjoy an aperitiv in the small square siding the lake and then reach an awesome villa where you will have your final gourmet lunch.

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  • 10 Nights accommodation in exclusive and fascinating 4 star sup./5 stars Boutique Hotels or Historical Mansions, with full buffet breakfasts: 1 Night in Sirmione – Lake Garda, 2 Nights in Gargnano, 2 Nights in Erbusco, 2 Nights in Bellagio – Lake Como, 1 Night in Locarno – Switzerland, 2 Nights in Stresa – Lake Maggiore.
  • Full day excursion to Borghetto Island.
  • Private boat tour of Lake Garda.
  • Full day drving excursion around Lake Garda to Limone, Riva del Garda, Malcesine and boat tour to Torre del Benaco, Garda, Bardolino, Lazise, Colà di Lazise (including dinner on the boat).
  • Private Guided Tour of two Franciacorta Wineries with wine tastings of Spumante sparkling wines.
  • Full day excursion of Lake Iseo and boat tour of Montisola.
  • Private guided tour of the top world producer of motorboats and speed test with an iconic boat on the lake.
  • Full day excursion to Lake Como, Cernobbio, Villa Erba, Villa d’Este and boat tour to Bellagio.
  • Full day excursion to Villa del Balbianello, Comacina Island, Villa Melzi Gardens.
  • Full day excursion to Switzerland: Lake Lugano, Villa Fogazzaro Roi, Lugano, Ascona, Locarno.
  • Centovalli mountain train journey through the Alps between Switzerland & Italy.
  • Half day boat tour of Lake Maggiore Express to Eremo di S. Caterina del Sasso, Angera and Arona.
  • Private Sightseeing Tours of Sigurtà Gardens, Sirmione, Il Vittoriale, Brescia, Lake Como Villas (Villa Erba, Villa d’Este, Villa del Balbianello), Lugano. Lake Maggiore Villa Taranto & Borromean Islands, with expert local English speaking guides; including all the entrance fees to the sites visited avoiding long waiting lines.
  • Private Sightseeing Tours of Sigurtà Gardens, Sirmione, Il Vittoriale, Brescia, Lake Como Villas (Villa Erba, Villa d’Este, Villa del Balbianello), Lugano. Lake Maggiore Villa Taranto & Borromean Islands, with expert local English speaking guides; including all the entrance fees to the sites visited avoiding long waiting lines.
  • Exclusive access to several Historical Private Villas and Palaces with meetings with the landlords.
  • Approximately 50% of lunches & dinners included both at gourmet and local family run restaurants.
  • All private transfers by deluxe bus with English speaking driver available for transfers and excursions for the entire Tour (including airports).
  • Our professional assistance for the whole duration of the Tour.
  • The tour begins in Borghetto and ends in Orta.
  • Please note that price is based on 12 to 20 paying participants. In case of less than 12 participants, price may increase because of minimum fixed costs that need to be covered.All private transfers by deluxe van with English speaking driver available for transfers and excursions for the entire Tour (including airports).

This is a selected example of our journeys. Contact us to personalize it.

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