A stylish and relaxed train journey transports you to a lakeside paradise in Northern Italy, on this Gardeners’ World exclusive holiday. Enjoy the beautiful setting of our base on Lake Orta, adorned with exotic flowers and plants, and framed by the foothills of the Alps. Take advantage of this beautiful getaway and enjoy visiting the nearby lake district and gardens, including a trip to the magnificent Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto. We also include a visit to the Ossalo Valley, where we’ll enjoy a traditional lunch on the tea plantation and an exclusive visit to the Japanese Garden.
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.
Includes 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.
Includes Breakfast
Includes 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 full of villas and gardens, with an attractive lakeside promenade. Moving on, we visit the Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto where there’s free time to explore before we continue 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.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Today’s coach excursion destinations are Lake Como in Lombardy and Lake Lugano across the border in Switzerland. Lake Como is striking for both its mountain 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 sites to see 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 with its Renaissance cathedral, 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.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Today, we are joined by a specialist local guide and travel by coach to the beautiful Ossola Valley. Here, the climate is perfect for growing camellias and tea plants and we’ll enjoy a tour and tasting at the tea plantation of Compagnia del Lago Maggiore. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a traditional light lunch where you’ll sample some local produce including Vigezzo valley water with blueberries, local cold cuts and cheeses and a traditional jam tart. From here, we continue to Giardino Zen di castiglioni Alberto for an included visit to the Japanese Garden. A local artisan created this unique and rare garden 30 years ago and we’ll enjoy tour where you’ll see well cut pines, maple trees, azaleas and a natural spring pond full of colourful Japanese Koi carps. Enjoy the tranquil and relaxed atmosphere before we head back to the hotel for our evening meal.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
We depart in the morning, travelling back to Paris where our Eurostar connection returns us to London. *Due to the late arrival on day 1, lunch and dinner will be provided on day 2.*
Includes Breakfast