Day 1 Early morning departure for the journey to Dover for the sea crossing to Calais. Travel on through France to the Dijon area for your overnight stop.
(bed & breakfast only).Day 2 Continuing the journey through Austria and on to Stresa on Lake Maggiore for a six night stay.
Day 3 Take a guided boat trip this morning to the famous Borromean Islands with their ornate gardens, magnificent buildings, elegant villas, and subtropical vegetation. You will also visit the sumptuous Baroque Palace on Isola Bella, also you will have free time in the fishing village of Isola dei Pescatori.
Day 4 Travel through Italy’s largest wilderness area, the picturesque ‘Val Grande’ National Park to Domodossola, where you will board the Centovalli train for a 2-hour journey, with guide through the fascinating ‘Valley of a Hundred Valleys’. Crossing no fewer than 83 bridges and viaducts and passing quaint mountain villages, to reach charming Locarno in neighbouring Switzerland.
NB: Don’t forget your passports!Day 5 A day at leisure in historic Stresa with its elegant promenade and picturesque old town.
Day 6 The city of Como, centre of an ancient silk industry and built on the shores of the lake is the first port of call on today’s excursion. A guided tour of the fascinating historic centre includes the Cathedral and the magnificent lakeside promenade. In the afternoon, a one-hour boat ride on the Gulf of Como will show the beautiful scenery and the impressive villas of the rich and famous who have homes in this area.
Day 7 The Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens extend on a small promontory called La Castagnola in Pallanza- Verbania and were founded in the 1930s. Their magnificent location, between lake and mountains, was chosen by a Scottish gentleman, Captain Neil McEachern, when he purchased the property in 1931 and began collecting plants from around the world in order to fulfill a lifelong dream and create a large English garden that flourishes in all seasons. The botanical heritage of these gardens is exceptional: it has more than 20,000 species and varieties of plants, including rarities. Next, you will head to a store in Verbania that specializes in selling and tasting cheeses and products from the Lake Maggiore area. Over the years this store has been renovated and expanded with the creation of a maturing cellar and a tasting space for its best products. An accompanied explanation will be made during the tasting of the different types of cheeses.
Day 8 Its time to depart Stresa and travel back into France and the Dijon area for your overnight stop.
(bed & breakfast only).Day 9 After breakfast, depart the hotel and commence the homeward journey.
Located in the heart of Stresa with the boat jetty for the Borromean Island directly in front of the hotel. All bedrooms are en-suite with TV, WiFi, telephone, safe, climate control, complimentary toiletries and hairdryer. Two lifts, two bar/lounges, restaurant – with glorious views of the lake, tennis courts, terrace and an outdoor pool
Overnight HotelAll hotels offer bedrooms with en-suite facilities.
Single room supplement £188
Holiday insurance £38.50 (70 years and over £66.50)