Gardens of Lake Maggiore

Upon arriving in Milan, we will be met by our local representative at the airport and transferred to our hotel. We will be accompanied by Iain MacDonald, a qualified and experienced gardener and guide throughout the tour.

Enjoy a free morning to relax or join an optional walk with Iain along the lakeside and through the village of Stresa.

In the afternoon we will accompany Iain and our local guide, Emanuela, on a scenic route to visit the Statue of St Charles Borromeo near Arona before we journey onwards to Lake Orta. We will take a short boat ride to the island of San Giulio to see the church with its fascinating frescoes and to walk 'the way of silence' before travelling by boat to the pretty village of Orta.  Here, we will have free time to wander through the town square and narrow streets with its frescoed houses and churches before returning by boat to our coach for our transfer back to our hotel.

On this full day tour with our expert garden guide and our local guide, we will visit the stunning and secluded Borromean Islands. The first stop will be the villa and botanic gardens of Isola Madre, where the spectacular gardens are well known for the azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias and an ancient wisteria. There are also citrus trees, hibiscus and ginkgo biloba for you to see, smell and photograph. Next we will have some free time on Isola Pescatori for lunch, before visiting Isola Bella garden and palace. The splendid gardens, which are on ten terraces, consist of geometrically designed hedging, water lilies, citrus trees and lotus flowers. At the highest point of the garden you will see a great unicorn, the symbol of the Borromeo family who made the island look the way it does today.

Today is free to spend at leisure or alternatively to walk with Iain to the nearby gardens at Villa Pallavicino or take a train to the mountain town of Domodossola or perhaps spend the day in Milan.

A full day guided tour with Iain and Emanuela, travelling by coach to Switzerland for our boat ride to the island of Brissago and its Botanical Gardens. The unique climate houses a vast collection of unusual plants. 

We will return by boat to Ascona where there is free time for lunch before returning to Stresa, with a stop in the town in the picturesque lake side town of Cannobio included en route.

You will have the morning to spend at your leisure or alternatively, take a short walking your around the village of Stresa with our expert garden guide. Close to the hotel, it has delightful shops and a local market with wonderful views of the lake.

In the afternoon, travel by private boat to the Villa Taranto Gardens, a botanical garden situated on the west shores of Lakes Maggiore. Established by a Scotsman Neil McEacharn during the period 1931 to 1940, he planted the 16 hectares of land with 20,000 different plant varieties. Afterwards, continue to the small town of Intra, situated on the Borromean Gulf. Intra's historic centre is ideal to stroll around, with its many cafes and little shops.

Today will be free to spend as you wish. Enjoy some time by the lake, or visit Stresa to pick up some souvenirs or local Italian treats to take home.

Today we will be transferred from our hotel to the airport for our flight home with guide assistance.