Piedmont, Lake Maggiore & Centovalli Railway
- Duration: 12 days
- Board Basis: Mixed Board
- Tour Ref: D2TLEGPLC
Holiday Summary
- Travel Type: Coach
PLEASE NOTE: Price is per person and based on two people sharing a twin/double room. Single room supplements and upgrades are not included.
Itinerary
Day 1
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to our overnight hotel in northern France.
Day 2
Through France and to our hotel in Terruggia in the Piedmont region of Italy, where we stay for four nights.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Canelli, Asti & Grappa Tasting
Our included excursion takes us on a tour of the pleasant and gently rolling hills of the Monferrato area.
Amid the landscapes, little-known and precious treasures are just waiting to be discovered. The Monferrato area occupies a fertile triangle of terrain between Asti, Alessandria and its historical capital, Casale Monferrato. Vineyards fan out in all directions interspersed with castles.
The first stop is the town of Canelli. It is considered the local capital of Asti with its Castello Gancia, overlooking the historic district. We then head to the wine-growing town of Asti. A stroll through the historic district is enough to feel the magic of this place. This medieval town is known as the ‘San Gimignano of Piedmont’ due to its many soaring towers and is the centre of the wine growing region of Monferrato.
At the end of the day you can test the various distillates during a grappa tasting.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - Turin & Superga
Our included excursion takes us first to Turin. Join our guided city tour and see Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Madama and San Lorenzo from the outside – a fantastic first impression of this city.
You will have time to stroll through the Baroque historic district, wander elegant tree-lined boulevards, relax in the art-nouveau cafés and soak up the atmosphere of this unique city. Be sure to sample the Turinese chocolate coffee drink called Bicerin!
After spending free time here, we travel on the funicular rack railway to Superga. As we head to the summit, you can enjoy the superb views across Turin, the Po River and the Alps. Visit the stunning Basilica of Superga, which is positioned in such a way to provide incredible vistas of the city.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Alba & Barolo
Included scenic drive through the Langhe to discover one of world’s most famous wine growing regions, boasting beautiful panoramic views of the hilly landscape with its castles and fortress. The pretty town of Alba, famous for the white truffle and its lovely buildings, is a highlight. The town is also legendary in the confectionary world as home of the Ferrero Rocher factory. We will then continue to Barolo, birthplace of the world-famous wine of the same name. We include a tasting of the fine wine.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Lake Como
We leave Piedmont and head to Lake Como. We make a stop in Como, with free time to explore this lakeside city and enjoy a spot of lunch. The elegant Place Cavour is worth a visit whilst here.
Afterwards, enjoy a boat ride in the Gulf of Como before heading to Lake Maggiore and our hotel for five nights.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 - Borromean Islands
Today we enjoy an included boat cruise on Lake Maggiore to the enchanting Borromean Islands. Admire the charming gardens, stunning buildings, elegant villas and subtropical vegetation. We visit Isola Bella, which boasts a magnificent Baroque palace (entrance at additional cost), and a gorgeous garden with plants and flowers of various origins.
We also visit Isola dei Pescatori, with its picturesque fishing village. Afterwards you will have time to stroll through the famous health resort of Stresa with its elegant promenades.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 - Verbania & Villa Taranto
We spend time in the popular lakeside resort of Verbania and then head to the botanical gardens at Villa Taranto on the western shores of Lake Maggiore. Scottish Captain Neil McEacharn created the gardens in 1931, and the blending of a predominately English style with Italian accents has resulted in a masterpiece. Sixteen hectares are crossed by four miles of paths leading through landscaped perfection to waterfalls, statues, fountains and pools.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 - Centovalli Train & Locarno
We travel by coach through the romantic ‘Val Grande’ national park to the mountain village of Domodossola. Here, you will climb aboard the Centovalli train for a ride through the fascinating ‘valley of one hundred valleys’.
During the ride you will pass by tranquil, stony mountain villages, waterfalls and chestnut forests, and over bridges which span deep ravines, on the way to Locarno. You will have some free time in this splendid Swiss town before heading back to Lake Maggiore by coach.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - Lake Orta
Today we head to Lake Orta, a hidden gem among the great Italian lakes. The picturesque hilly landscape, in which small villages are embedded, radiates peace and quiet and the whole region enchants with its Mediterranean flair. In the village of Orta, located on the shores of the lake, you can meander around the old market square and through the narrow, medieval alleyways whilst exploring romantic, secluded gardens.
Later we include a short cruise to the island of San Giulio, where you can visit the oldest church of this region. In the interior you will find precious frescoes dating back to the Renaissance.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11
We head to our overnight hotel in northern France.
Meals - Breakfast
Day 12
Return home.
Meals - Breakfast