Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and the Matterhorn

Holiday Highlights

Lake Maggiore, Lake Como, Lake Orta & Switzerland

We bring together three of Italy’s most beautiful lakes on this wonderful holiday to create a spectacular Italian experience. On this escorted holiday, based in Stresa on Lake Maggiore, you’ll enjoy stunning scenery as we visit the crystal clear lakes of Lake Como and Lake Orta and visit Zermatt in Switzerland, overlooked by the Matterhorn mountain.

Book today with a low deposit of just £200

Duration

8 days

Price

from £1439

Breathtaking Lake Maggiore, Italy’s second largest lake, is Mediterranean in climate and has a backdrop of the Alps in the distance. The west bank is in the Italian region of Piedmont and the east is in Lombardy. In the north Lake Maggiore crosses the Swiss border into the canton of Ticino. Ferries criss-cross the lake from one delightful harbour to the next, passing picturesque lakeside villages with their bustling promenades and some also sail into Switzerland. There are markets to visit, shops and boutiques to browse around, colourful gardens to explore and pavement cafes to relax in as you watch the world go by.

Stresa is a delightful, traditional Italian lakeside resort which has been popular with British holidaymakers since the late 19th century. It lies in a favoured position in the sheltered Pallanza Bay, on the western shores of the lake. There is a traffic-free Old Town with pavement cafes, ice-cream parlours and restaurants. Beautiful villas and gardens line the shores of the lake and semi-tropical flowers flourish in the mild climate, giving this area a real Mediterranean flavour.

Baveno is an enchanting resort on the shores of Lake Maggiore, next door to Stresa. The delightful lakeside promenade has colourful gardens and there are ice-cream parlours and pavement cafes facing out to the small harbour. From here frequent ferries and steamers sail to the Borromean Islands and to other resorts and villages around the lake. Set back from the lakeside, the centre of the resort has narrow, cobblestone streets that lead into a 16th-century square with a beautiful Romanesque church. From Baveno it’s easy to get into Stresa in just a few minutes, either by local bus or by ferry.

Our itinerary perfectly balances time exploring (we’ll visit Lake Como and Lake Orta, spend a day in Switzerland, visiting Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn mountain, call in at Lugano on Lake Lugano in Switzerland and sail across Lake Maggiore to the Borromean Islands) with time at leisure to take things easy and unwind in our lakeside resort.

This is a wonderful, relaxing holiday which combines truly stunning scenery and the old-world charm of Italy’s most beautiful lake. Lake Maggiore has a mild, Mediterranean climate year round and the region enjoys 280 days of sunshine a year.

Dates and Prices

Included in price

7 nights half board at Lake Maggiore
14 meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 dinners
Twin or double bedrooms with en-suite bathroom
Half Day Excursion by boat to the Borromean Islands
Full Day Excursion to Lake Como
Full Day Excursion to Switzerland visiting Zermatt with its views to the Matterhorn
Half Day Excursion to Lake Orta and boat trip to the island of San Giorgio
Return flights to Milan
One piece of hold luggage and one piece of hand luggage per person
Transfers between the airport and the Hotel
Air-conditioned coach travel in Italy
Services of a Mistral Holidays Tour Manager
ATOL protected

— Lake Maggiore —

— Lake Orta —

Holidays to Lake Como, staying at the Hotel Britannia Excelsior

— Bellagio Ferry - Lake Como —

— Borromean Island —

— Lake Como - Varena Village —

— Lake Maggiore —

— Boromean Islands - Lake Maggiore —

— Relaxing on the shores of Lake Maggiore —

— Laveno Mombello - Lake Maggiore —

— Evening in Stresa —

— Stresa town —

— Botanical Garden —

— Zermatt and the Matterhorn —

Accommodation

3 star Hotel Della Torre

Just a gentle 20-minute walk from the old town of Stresa and just a few minutes from the lake, is the Hotel Della Torre which is set in its own extensive grounds. The views from the hotel overlook the lake and the surrounding mountains. The hotel itself is stylish, with Italian style décor throughout.

The en-suite bedrooms are spacious and simply elegant and have satellite tv, a fridge, a balcony and air conditioning.

We stay on a half board basis with continental buffet breakfasts and 3-course evening meals with a starter buffet and a choice of main course and dessert. The dinners are traditional Italian fare and everything is beautifully presented.

Outside there is a swimming pool with plenty of sun-loungers and parasols (1st June - 15th September) and there is a poolside bar serving drinks and snacks. There is also a terrace, which is an ideal place to meet new found friends for a pre-dinner aperitif from the hotel’s bar, where you will find a good choice of local and international drinks. Free wifi is available throughout the hotel

4 star Hotel Simplon

The Hotel Simplon in Baveno is in a stunning location, surrounded by centuries-old gardens. Part of the family owned Zacchera Group of Hotels; the Simplon offers high levels of service, accommodation and delicious food and is just a short stroll from the village centre.

The Hotel Simplon’s standard bedrooms are elegantly furnished and have everything you need. Bright, spacious and equipped with all comforts for a great stay including air-conditioning, TV, telephone and an en-suite bathroom with toiletries.

The food at the Hotel Simplon is always of a high standard, making mealtimes a pleasant experience for all. Breakfast is a continental buffet and the evening meals are 3-course with a choice of menu. After dinner wander over to the elegant Lounge Bar to sit out on the terrace, surrounded by the gardens, with a nightcap.

Outside, set within the stunning park, there is a large swimming pool with lots of sun loungers and is the ideal place to relax when not out and about sightseeing.

Please note that on certain peak dates or with high demand, we may use an alternative hotel of the same standard in our featured resorts on Lake Maggiore.

— Della Torre Hotel - Stresa —

— Della Torre Hotel —

— Bedroom —

— Della Torre Restaurant —

— Della Torre Swimming Pool —

— Della Torre Views —

— Lounge / Bar —

— Pool Bar at the Della Torre —

— Simplon Hotel —

— Hotel Simplon - Bedroom —

— Hotel Simplon - Restaurant —

Dates and Prices

Excursions & Itinerary

Day 1 - Fly to Italy: Fly from your local airport to Italy. On arrival you will be met and transferred to our hotel, where we stay for seven nights. Seven breakfasts and seven dinners are included in the hotel.
Day 2 - At leisure in Stresa: Today is at leisure, enabling you to relax in the comfortable surroundings of the hotel or to make your first discoveries in our charming resort.
Day 3 - The Borromean Islands - Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori: This morning we sail by private launch to the Borromean Islands. Lake Maggiore has much to offer visitors, but for many the Borromean Islands are the lake's biggest attraction. This cluster of small islands, in Pallanza Bay, is famous throughout the world. The most beautiful island is the enchanting Isola Bella, with its baroque style villa and gardens of the 17th century Palazzo Borromeo. Set in an attractive small village with ancient houses, the beautifully maintained Italianate gardens are Baroque in style and include lots of statues, water features and impressive plant arrangements. Our second visit is to the Isola dei Pescatori which is a bustling fishing community, with a picturesque jumble of fishermen’s’ cottages which occupy almost the entire small island. We’ll have ample free time on both islands before returning in our private launch to our resort.
Day 4 - Lake Como: From Roman Emperors to today’s Hollywood film stars, Lake Como has always been one of Italy’s popular destinations. Lying between the Alps and Lombardy, Lake Como’s scenery is magnificent and full of contrasts. We drive along the spectacular western coast of the lake to Menaggio, from where we have included a boat trip across the lake to Bellagio - said to be the prettiest village in the whole of Italy. The village is a jumble of cobbled lanes and streets lined with stylish boutiques, wine bars and craft shops selling locally produced handicrafts. Returning to Menaggio, we make our way to Como town, a city steeped in history where you can admire the 14th century cathedral or hunt out some bargains in the vast array of shops.
Day 5 - The Matterhorn, Zermatt and Switzerland: Keep your camera handy today as we'll be winding our way from the shores of Lake Maggiore on this full day excursion up through the Ossola Valley, towards the Swiss Alps and over the spectacular Simplon Pass. You'll have plenty of time to take in the scenery and take a few photos before boarding the rack and pinion railway from Tasch up to the chic Swiss resort of Zermatt. Situated at 5,200 ft above sea level, Zermatt is one of the most picturesque Alpine villages and is completely pedestrianised. Wander the traffic-free streets lined with wooden chalets, perhaps enjoy a typical Swiss lunch and admire the sight you'll not be able to take your eyes off – the Matterhorn. Its instantly recognisable peak can be seen from all around. For an even better view take an optional journey on the Gornergrat cog railway to reach the summit station 10,000 ft above sea level. From here on a clear day you can see 29 mountains, including the Matterhorn, all of which are over 10,000 feet high!
Day 6 - At leisure: Another day at leisure. Perhaps treat yourself to another cruise on the lake, enjoy a drink in one of the pavement cafes or simply take it easy and relax in the comfortable surroundings of the hotel.
Day 7 - Lake Orta: A relaxing half day excursion taking us to Lake Orta, considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in southern Europe. The smallest of the Italian Lakes, Lake Orta remains refreshingly uncrowded and almost untouched by tourism - it really is a hidden secret. The poet Robert Browning described Orta as being ‘Where the Alps meet Heaven’. The small town of Orta on the lake shore, and San Giulio Island with its famous monastery, are largely traffic-free. We stop in Orta, where you'll have time to stroll and admire the quaint cobbled streets and perhaps have a coffee and cake at a café in the picturesque lakeside piazza. We’ve also included a boat trip over to the island of San Giulio, where you can visit the imposing Romanesque Basilica or just wander around the island taking in the fabulous views over the lake.
Day 8 - Flight home: It’s ’Arriverderci Italia’ today when we return to the airport for our flight back to the UK. If your flight is in the morning or over the lunchtime period, we will take you to the airport after breakfast. If your flight is in the late afternoon or evening, there will be time at leisure before leaving for the airport.

Dates and Prices