Stay in a lakeside hotel on Lake Maggiore, enjoy a boat trip to the Borromean islands and see the mighty Matterhorn on a cogwheel railway ride
With its serene waters reflecting forest-clad hillsides, stately
villas and colourful oleanders, Lake Maggiore is surely one of the
most beautiful places in Europe.
This nine-day holiday will take you to some of the most iconic
sights from the Grand Tours of the 18th Century, taking in
mediaeval villages, enchanting islands and breathtaking alpine
scenery.
You'll be staying in Stresa, a quintessential Italian town on
the banks of Lake Maggiore, once a favourite haunt of Hemingway and
Chaplin. Stresa makes the perfect base for discovering the region,
and boat rides to the delightful Borromean islands and the border
town of Cannobio and a ride on the Centovalli Railway will ensure
you see this lake at its most beguiling.
Look forward to various day trips to some of the region's
greatest treasures. There's the equally beautiful Lake Como, which
has inspired great music and poetry for centuries; the utterly
entrancing Lake Orta, with its delightful 14th-century village of
Orta San Giulio; and the charming alpine resorts of Locarno and
Zermatt, nestled among dramatic snow-capped peaks.
Two awe-inspiring journeys through the mountains will allow you
to take in incredible views of wild valleys, lush pastures, epic
glacial landscapes, and the jaw-dropping Matterhorn.
You'll be staying at a four-star hotel on the banks of Lake
Maggiore throughout your trip, within walking distance of Stresa's
enchanting piazzas and gardens. You'll have a whole day free to
explore Stresa at your own pace, or simply relax at the hotel,
perhaps taking a dip in the pool or enjoying an aperitif on the
terrace.