Italian Lakes: Orta, Como & Maggiore

Your holiday begins at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and your fellow travellers before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. In the French capital, we board a train to Turin. After a scenic journey through the Swiss Alps, we arrive at our destination this evening.

Modern Turin is an important centre of business, finance and technology with a rich history. With Baroque and Renaissance buildings lining the wide boulevards and a spectacular view of the Alps in the distance, this elegant Italian city is an excellent place to spend the first night of the holiday. On arrival, we check in to our hotel and walk a short distance to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

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

• Dinner

After breakfast in Turin, we enjoy a guided walking tour of the city with a local expert. After the tour, you're welcome to find lunch independently in a local restaurant or café.

Our journey continues in the early afternoon, when we travel further north by coach 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, 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 enjoy 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 fellow travellers before flying to Milan Malpensa. From Milan, we travel by coach directly to our hotel on Lake Orta.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today brings one of your holiday's highlights. Boarding a boat from the hotel's private jetty, we set sail across Lake Orta. Our first stop is Isola San Giulio, a tiny island dominated by an ancient monastery. You could choose to walk the island's circular pathway, the 'Way of Silence,' or visit the 12th-century basilica to see its frescoes and the crypt of the 4th-century Greek evangelist to whom the island owes its name.

Our cruise continues to the pretty town of Orta San Giulio, a UNESCO World Heritage site that has attracted writers and poets since the 19th century. You have free time over lunch and into the afternoon to explore this scenic medieval town, and you could enjoy a lunch of fresh perch in one of the restaurants on Piazza Motta, looking out across the lake.

Later, we sail back to our hotel, where you have time to unwind or enjoy the hotel pool and spa before dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we travel by coach to Lake Como, an enchanting destination with an alpine backdrop and shores dotted with luxurious villas, orange trees and sunlit village squares. Our first stop is the town of Menaggio on the western shores of the lake. With free time to explore, you could wander down to Piazza Garibaldi, in the heart of the Old Town, where you can tuck into a gelato and watch the world go by.

After our time in Menaggio, we cross the lake by ferry to Bellagio, a stunning location on the edge of a peninsula. You have plenty of time to wander the cobbled streets and visit a café, or browse shops of locally produced crafts. You might also like to visit Villa Melzi D'Eril and its gardens, just outside the compact town centre, which was commissioned by Duke Meldi 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

Today, you're free to explore your beautiful surroundings at your own pace. You might like to hop aboard one of the boats from our village (payable locally) to visit the market in the nearby town of Omegna, where you can browse the product and craft staffs or enjoy a coffee in the square. Another option is to visit the museum in Pettenasco, dedicated to the town's woodworking industry. The Romanesque church in town is another point of interest, with its two bell towers and pretty entrance.

You might be content to linger in the hotel, enjoying the lovely lakeside views from the panoramic terrace or making the most of the inviting swimming pool and soaking up some sunshine.

However you choose to spend your day, dinner will be served this evening at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today's excursion is a visit to the pretty Swiss city of Lugano by coach, where you have 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. You could make the most of Lugano's mild climate, taking 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 like fondue and raclette to meals with an Italian twist, like pasta and pizza.

Returning to our lakeside hotel at the end of the day, you have time to relax 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 writers Lord Byron and Robert Browning - to its luxurious villas and hotels since the 19th century. You have 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 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