Italian Lakes: Orta, Como & Maggiore

Your holiday begins at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager this morning, before boarding the Eurostar service to Paris. In the French capital, we change to the direct train to Turin where, after a scenic journey through the Alps, we arrive this evening.

The historic city of Turin is an important centre of business, finance and technology whose wide boulevards showcase Baroque, Renaissance and modern architecture. On arrival, a coach transfers us to our overnight hotel then, after checking in, we walk a short distance to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

Please note, if travelling by air, your holiday starts on Day 2 of the itinerary and ends on Day 8.

• Dinner (Rail departures only)

After breakfast in Turin, we are taken on a guided walking tour of the city with a local expert, followed by free time over lunch. You may like to relax in one of the open piazzas and sample a Turin speciality, Fetta di Polenta, a slice of polenta.

Our journey continues in the early afternoon when we travel further north by coach towards to the peaceful village of Pettenasco on the secluded shores of Lake Orta. Arriving at our idyllic base, we check in to our friendly, family run hotel. With modern facilities, and spectacular views across the lake, our hotel is perfectly positioned for a relaxing six-night stay. Unlike the more famous lakes, Garda and Como, Lake Orta's seclusion makes it a peaceful alternative, where you can experience the authentic and laid-back Italian way of life.

Tonight, and each evening of our stay at Lake Orta, we are served a three-course dinner with a glass of wine or beer and hot drinks.

Please note, if travelling by air, your holiday starts today at London Gatwick where you meet your Tour Manager and group before flying to Milan Malpensa. In Milan we are transferred directly to our hotel on Lake Orta.

• Breakfast (Rail departures only)
• Dinner

Today is a highlight of our holiday, as we board a boat from our hotel's private jetty for a cruise across the lake to the pretty town of Orta San Giulio, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has attracted writers and poets since the 19th century. Here, whitewashed townhouses with terracotta roofs are set against forested mountains. There is free time to look around this scenic medieval town, and maybe enjoy a lunch of fresh perch in one of the restaurants on Piazza Motta, looking out across the lake. Or wander down to the waterfront, dotted with small fishing boats.

Our cruise continues to Isola San Giulio, a tiny island village, dominated by a fascinating ancient monastery. There is free time over lunch and into the afternoon to discover the pretty island. You could choose to walk its circular pathway known as the 'Way of Silence'. The 12th-century basilica is well worth a visit, for its frescoes and the crypt of the 4th-century Greek evangelist to whom the island owes its name. We sail back to our hotel later, and there is time to unwind or maybe to enjoy the hotel pool and spa before dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today's excursion is a visit to the pretty Swiss city of Lugano by coach, where there's free time to explore at your own pace. Nestled on the shores of glacial Lake Lugano in the south of Switzerland, this pristine city is filled with chic boutiques, pavement cafés and bars. Maybe make the most of Lugano's mild climate and take a scenic walk along the palm-lined waterfront before finding a local spot to settle down for lunch.

For amazing views of the surrounding hills and Lake Lugano, you could ride the funicular to the top of Mount Brè. Wherever you choose to explore in Lugano, you'll find a good choice of restaurants where you can indulge in local specialities, from typical Swiss dishes such as fondue or raclette to meals with an Italian twist such as pasta and pizza.

Returning to our lakeside hotel at the end of the day, there's time to relax before dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning a full day stretches ahead of you to spend as you choose. It is market day in the nearby lakeside town of Omegna and you could hop on one of the one of the boats from our village if you feel like visiting (payable locally). There you could browse the many stalls of produce and local crafts and maybe enjoy a coffee in the square. Another option is to visit the museum in Pettenasco, dedicated to the town's wood-working industry. The Romanesque church here may also be of interest, with its two bell towers and pretty entrance.

Alternatively, with lovely lakeside views from our hotel's panoramic terrace, you might be content to linger here, and drink in the scenery. Or make the most of the inviting swimming pool while soaking up some sunshine. However you choose to spend your day, dinner will be served this evening at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We head to another breathtaking location today by coach - enchanting Lake Como, with a backdrop of the Alps and shores dotted with luxurious villas, orange trees, and sunlit village squares. Our first stop is the lakeside town of Menaggio, on the western shores of Lake Como, which has classic Italian appeal. With free time to explore here, you could wander down to Piazza Garibaldi, in the heart of the Old Town - maybe tuck into a gelato and watch the world go by.

We then cross the lake by ferry to Bellagio, a stunning location known as 'the pearl of Lake Como', on the edge of a peninsula. There's plenty of time to wander the cobbled streets independently and visit a café, or browse shops of locally produced crafts. You could also choose to visit Villa Melzi D'Eril and its gardens, just outside the compact town centre, which was commissioned by Duke Melzi D'Erlil, an assistant to Napoleon Bonaparte. Later, we drive back to Lake Orta, arriving at our hotel with time to freshen up before dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

On the last full day of our tour, our explorations of the Italian Lakes continue. We drive to the sophisticated Belle-Epoque town of Stresa, overlooking Lake Maggiore, which has welcomed visitors - including the writers Lord Byron and Robert Browning - to its luxurious villas and hotels since the 19th century. There is plenty of free time to explore the town's beautiful villas, public gardens and museums. One suggestion is Villa Pallavicino, which has an English garden and a zoo.

Stroll along the promenade or maybe take a scenic boat trip to the Borromean islands, catching one of the frequent ferries from the port. The small island of Isola Bella is a popular place to visit, known for the opulent Borromeo Palace and its formal Italian Gardens. You could also take a sightseeing cruise to the nearby town of Baveno, with its pale pink granite buildings. Tonight is the last night of our tour and our final dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our Italian Lakes holiday has included visits to the renowned town of Stresa on Lake Maggiore and cruises to enchanting islands. We discovered the historic waterfront city of Lugano independently and visited the glamorous towns of Lake Como. After breakfast, our tour draws to a close and it's time to say a final goodbye to Italy.

If returning by air to London, your group will be transferred to Milan Malpensa airport this morning before your flight to London Heathrow.

If returning home by rail, we transfer by coach to Stresa for a rail connection to Paris, travelling via the lakeside city of Lausanne. On arrival in Paris, we join the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras, where you are free to make your way home.

• Breakfast