Day 1 to Day 8

Day 1: Fly from London Heathrow to Milan Linate. On arrival, transfer by coach to Lake Orta (approx. one hour 30 minutes) and the Giardinetto Hotel for check-in and evening welcome drink and dinner.

Day 2: Full day to relax and explore Lake Orta at your leisure.

The Hotel Giardinetto sits on the edge of Orta just four kilometres from the lake’s main town, Orta San Giulio which has a beautiful historic centre containing handsome palazzi and pretty houses with decorative wrought-iron balconies. In the main square is the town hall, a frescoed building dating from 1582 and a host of restaurants with outdoor terraces, perfect for a relaxed lunch. If you are feeling energetic, the amazing Sanctuary of Sacro Monte, high above the town, was built between 1591 to 1770 and contains 21 chapels in which a variety of scenes from the life of St Francis of Assisi are shown. You could take a boat trip to visit the tiny Isola San Giulio with a pretty church containing a 12th century pulpit.

Day 3: Full day tour to Lake Maggiore.

A wonderfully scenic introduction to the area is a full day tour of one of the principal lakes of the region: the relaxing Lake Maggiore. With spectacular lake, mountain, and village views, you will be enchanted at every turn. Our main visit today is Villa Taranto, known as the 'Kew Gardens' of Lake Maggiore, then Cannobio for lunch (own expense) and free time for an afternoon stroll on the west coast of the lake.

Day 4: Full day tour to Omegna.

Travelling by boat today we head for Omegna, Lake Orta’s other main settlement, where there will be the opportunity to visit the colourful local market. Omegna’s centre is also very pleasant around the Piazza del Municipio where a bridge spans the River Nigoglia. This evening there will be a wine-tasting at the hotel before dinner.

Day 5: Full day tour to Varallo.

Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, Varallo is a small town on the confluence of two rivers – the Sesia and Mastallone. Visit the 15th century church of Santa Maria delle Grazie to see beautifully restored 16th century frescoes by local Gaudenzo Ferrari. Sitting 150 metres above the town in the Sacro Monte de Varallo, one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Piedmont. A series of 44 chapels are filled with 800 life-sized religious statues dating back to the 15th century.

Day 6: Full day tour to Macugnaga and Monte Rosa.

The mountain village of Macugnaga sits at the base of Monte Rosa, the second highest mountain in western Europe, in both Italy and Switzerland, and is dramatically surrounded by a series of high peaks. Due to its location, it is a quiet place, making it perfect to appreciate the wild and spectacular scenery of the area as well as its charming mountain architecture.

Day 7: Full day tour to Stresa and the Borromean Islands.

Returning to Lake Maggiore, we start the day exploring the chic lakeside town of Stresa, which has been a holiday spot for the aristocracy of Europe for centuries, who have left behind a wealth of lovely villas. From Stresa we will take a boat out to the Borromean Islands, a group of three islands in Lake Maggiore. Isola Bella is the location of the splendid 17th century Palazzo Borromeo; Isola Madre is home to a beautiful botanical garden; and Isola dei Pescatori, the only inhabited island, has a quaint and picturesque fishing village.

Day 8: Transfer to Milan for the return flight to London Heathrow.

NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.