LAGO MAGGIORE Villas, Gardens and Holy Mountains

14 September 2021

6 days from £2,745pp

Surrounded and surmounted by the glistening of the great Italian lakes, the natural setting becomes other-worldly.

Visit the islands of Isola Bella, Isola Madre, Isola dei Pescatori, each offering a unique experience from one and other
Explore the spectacular churches, statues and scenerie of UNESCO heritage site Sacro Monte in Varallo
Stroll along the shores of Lago d’Orta on Isola di San Giulio
Take in the picturesque town and famed aristocratic retreat of Stresa

Less glamorous than Lake Como and less developed than Lake Garda, Lake Maggiore is perhaps the most idyllic of all the Italian lakes. Nestled at the foot of the Swiss Alps as they descend into the Po Valley, Maggiore has been a celebrated retreat since the days of Ancient Rome and shares its shoreline between Lombardy in the east and Piedmont in the west. The lake’s worldwide fame rests on the latter, specifically the area on the Borromean Gulf, extending from the splendid resort of Stresa to the lovely lakeside village of Pallanza. Between them lie the magical floating garden terraces of the Isola Madre, Isola Bella and the Isola dei Pescatori. The combination of picturesque villages, old villas and parks offering views framed by oleander shrubs and palm trees thriving in this subtropical microclimate, is the Romantic dream of an ideal Italian landscape come true, and for centuries the blend of natural and man-made surroundings was hailed among the Italy’s greatest sights.

In addition to the world’s aristocracy, it was the literary élite that promenaded and sat by the shore; their accounts of the lake were legion, from Dumas to Dickens, from Heine to Hemingway. Stendhal even went as far as to urge his readers that anyone in possession of the heart and a shirt should sell the shirt to visit Lake Maggiore and its surroundings. Shirted or otherwise, we invite you to come and see for yourselves.

Day 1:
Morning flight with British Airways from London Heathrow to Milan Malpensa. Transfer by coach to the mountain village of Casalzuigno near Varese, to visit the 18th -century Villa della Porta Bozzolo, a former renaissance rural villa with stunning gardens and decorated interiors. After a light lunch in the premises of the villa we continue to the beautiful lakeside town of Pallanza, where we will spend all five nights of this tour.
Day 2:
A full-day excursion by private boat into Lago Maggiore will take us to visit the Isole Borromee. Isola Bella was transformed in the 16th century from a barren crag into a sumptuous garden fantasy. Its larger neighbour, Isola Madre, is more measured but no less beautiful, with its English-style garden of rare plants inhabited by roaming peacocks. We will stop for lunch on the picturesque Isola dei Pescatori with views over the lake.
Day 3:
In the morning we travel by coach to Orta San Giulio for a short boat trip to the island of San Giulio on the shores of the small but lovely Lago d’Orta to visit its Benedictine church and monastery of Romanesque origins. After a group lunch on the island, we’ll spend the afternoon in Stresa to roam the park of Villa Pallavicino and for some independent exploration of Stresa. For more than a century this picturesque town enjoyed its status as a famed aristocratic retreat, its shoreline dotted with luxury hotels of the Belle Époque. We continue to Varallo to visit its spectacular Sacro Monte, a devotional complex that overlooks the town from a rocky outcrop, and its decorated interior to admire the wonderful Renaissance frescoes by local master Gaudenzio Ferrari.
Day 4:
Today we take a boat across the Swiss border to the northern part of Lago Maggiore. Visit the twin Isole Brissago, one a well-tended botanical garden, the other an untamed natural paradise. Return to Pallanza for an independent lunch. In the afternoon we depart the hotel by boat to visit the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso and then continue to Angera, on the Lombard shore of the lake, with its imposing fortress dominating the shoreline.
Day 5:
This morning we travel by coach to Varallo to visit the spectacular Sacro Monte, a devotional complex that overlooks the town from a rocky outcrop. We will explore its decorated interior, paying particular attention to the wonderful Renaissance frescoes by local master Gaudenzio Ferrari. In the afternoon we explore Pallanza, including the botanical gardens of the Villa Taranto, a 1930s labour of love by the Scottish millionaire Neil McEachern.
Day 6:
On our final day, we travel by coach into the province of Varese to visit the Renaissance Villa of the Cicogna Mozzoni family. After lunch in the villa, we continue to Milan Malpensa for a late afternoon flight to London Heathrow.

Scheduled return flights (economy class) with BA between London Heathrow and Milan Malpensa.
Transfers and excursions in Italy by private coach.
Five nights B&B located in Pallanza on the shores of the lake, Grand Hotel Majestic
Two dinners and three lunches
Guided visits to the sites listed in the programme
Services of the lecturer and tour manager
Detailed programme and Study Notes
All entrance fees, taxes and gratuities for drivers and waiter

Fly from London Heathrow

Return flights from London Heathrow are included in our package on our specific arrival and departure dates plus one item of checked in luggage, per person.

Transfers will also be included on our specific arrival and departure dates to take you to your holiday destination. If you choose to arrive or depart on a different day, there may be an additional supplement charged to cover your transfer costs.

Overview

Built in 1870 on the Piedmont shores of Lake Maggiore, the Grand Hotel Majestic is a prestigious Belle Époque 4-Star Superior hotel, with beautiful private gardens, leading to the lake with private jetty - five minutes-walk from the harbour, restaurants and shops. Rooms are well-appointed and have a lateral view of the lake (full lake view available at a supplement).

Room Facilities & Amenities

Air conditioning
Wi-Fi
TV
Safe
Minibar

LAGO MAGGIORE Villas, Gardens and Holy Mountains

14 September 2021

6 days from £2,745pp

Day 1:

Day 2:

Day 3:

Day 4:

Day 5:

Day 6:

Dr Eireann Marshall

Fly from London Heathrow

Your Accommodation

Grand Hotel Majestic, Pallanza

Overview

Room Facilities & Amenities

LAGO MAGGIORE Villas, Gardens and Holy Mountains

14 September 2021

6 days from £2,745pp

Your Accommodation

Grand Hotel Majestic, Pallanza

Overview

Room Facilities & Amenities

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