Majestic Maggiore & Lakeland Elegance

Itinerary

Unforgettable vistas - stunning Italian Lakes

DAY 1 - After joining your holiday coach, you will travel to Dover for the short sea crossing to Calais. Continue via the French auto-routes to your overnight hotel stop in Central France. Bed and breakfast.

DAY 2 - Departing after breakfast, enjoy a day of ever-changing scenery as the scenic drive takes you through Switzerland and the Gotthard Tunnel before crossing into Italy en-route to Lake Maggiore and the beautiful lakeside resort of Stresa to check-in to your hotel for 6 nights. Dinner, bed and breakfast with a 1/4l house wine and 1/2l water per person included each night with dinner

DAY 3 - DAY 7 At leisure in Stresa with two included excursions. The hotel is located right on the edge of Stresa's historic centre with its inviting shops and bars. The lakefront and boat stop are just a stone's throw away. For the ultimate 'passeggiata' (afternoon stroll) take a promenade along lakeside Lungolago which meanders through lush gardens and past grand Liberty-style hotels. Picturesque Baveno, Stresa's serene neighbour is approx. 3km away and like Stresa, is renowned for its architecture, cosmopolitan lifestyle, elegant boutiques, bustling cafes and gastronomic delights. There are regular public bus and boat services.

During your stay why not take a boat trip over to the stunning Borromean Islands located just offshore from the centre of Stresa? Isola Bella is where you will find a beautiful stately villa, ostentatious terraces, shell-encrusted grottoes and elegant Italianate gardens and Isola dei Pescatori (Fisherman's Island), the only island which is currently inhabited. Your driver may be able to assist you. (Note that the admission price to visit the palaces and gardens is separate from the ferry ticket needed to access the islands)

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Lake Maggiore Express 
The Lake Maggiore Express is a full day round trip by narrow gauge railway and boat to enjoy the wonderful valleys and towns around the lake. From your hotel it is a short walk to Stresa railway station where your journey starts aboard a train to Domodossola when you change onto the scenic high level narrow gauge Centovalli Railway. This little train winds through the 'hundred valleys' region passing through traditional villages with their old stone houses, and you will have views of the spectacular mountain scenery and alpine pastures. The railway crosses 83 bridges and travels through 31 tunnels between Domodossola and Locarno in Switzerland where you will alight. There will be time to explore bustling Locarno, with its near Mediterranean atmosphere, subtropical botanical gardens and casual air of chic elegance, before boarding the boat from this Swiss corner of Lake Maggiore to take you back down to Stresa, arriving early evening (approx. 15 minutes' walk back to the hotel with slight incline). NB Please take your passport with you today

Lake Como for the day
Travel to the southern end of Lake Como today with a stop in the lively and historic city of Como itself, set in the shadow of the Rhaetian Alps. Then a scenic drive up the 'outside leg' of the lake takes you to the exclusive resort of Tremezzo with its opulent villas and stunning lake views. From here you may like to take the ferry as a foot passenger (fare not included) over to charming Bellagio, the Pearl of Lake Como, beautifully situated on the headland where the lake divides in two. Alternatively, you could visit the wonderful botanical gardens at Villa Carlotta (entrance not included) a short walk from Tremezzo

OPTIONAL EXCURSION
Anzasca Valley & Macugnaga 
Leave the lake behind and head up into the wild mountain scenery of the Anzasca Valley, once famous for its gold mines, to the pretty Alpine village of Macugnaga, located at 1327m. It is overlooked by the East Face of Monte Rosa, Europe's second highest mountain (2600km high and 4km wide), one of the highest peaks in the Alps, and whilst the resort is best known for its winter sports, it is easily explored on foot. Macugnaga has authentic charm by the bucket load with its narrow streets and choice of eateries and little shops. Fresh Alpine air, mountain scenery and traditional Italian allure combine to make this a perfectly relaxed day to complement your holiday.

DAY 8 - It's farewell to Lake Maggiore today as you head northwards to your final overnight hotel. Bed and Breakfast.

DAY 9 - After breakfast, continue to Calais for the return crossing to England.

IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION

ETIAS
ETIAS (European Travel Information Authorisation System) is due to begin in April 2025 and will be an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals (inc. UK) travelling to Europe. ETIAS will be linked to a traveller’s passport and is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.

ETIAS must be applied for at least 72 hours in advance of travel and will cost €7.00. Under 18’s and Over 70’s are free, but they still need to be registered. For more information, please visit https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

Passport
For advice on passports when travelling into Europe please visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/holiday-cancellations-and-compensation/travelling-in-europe/

EES (European Entry & Exit System)
As of 6^th October 2024, EES has been in place. This is the new entry and exit system for UK citizens (and many other citizens) when entering or exiting the EU. For more information, please visit https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en

Tour Highlights

• Hotel for 6 nights in standard rooms in Stresa with dinner & continental breakfast
• 1/4l house wine & 1/2l water per person each night with dinner
• Tea / coffee included after dinner
• 2 overnight hotels with breakfast
• Day excursion to Lake Como incl Como town & Tremezzo
• Lake Maggiore Express with rail travel Stresa - Domodossola; Centovalli narrow gauge railway to Locarno; free time in Locarno; local boat to Stresa
• Porterage at main hotel
• Local tourist tax in Italy

Back to top

Accommodation

Old world charm on Lake Maggiore

Hotel Milan Speranza au Lac, Stresa

The charming and old-world 4* Hotel Milan Speranza au Lac comprises two buildings located side by side in the centre of Stresa with a superb position overlooking lovely Lake Maggiore (150m). The pier for the boats to the Borromean Islands is just a few steps away. Guestrooms vary in size due to the historic nature of the building and all are equipped with air-conditioning, satellite TV, in-room safe and hairdryer. Standard rooms are booked (no lake view). Facilities are split across the two building with the elegant restaurant, Milan au Lac, serving good Italian cuisine with friendly and professional service and a lounge bar on the first floor. There is a lift Back to top