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DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day one : Arrive in Milan You join our flight BA 576 at 09.20 from Heathrow Terminal 5 , arriving in Milan Malpsensa at 12.20 . At Milan you are met by your small luxury coach for up to 14 people . You arrive at your first hotel on Lake Como in time for dinner .
Day two : Full day to Villa Cipressi and Villa Monastero Meet with the local guide whose services you have this morning as you visit and tour the gardens of Villa Monastero ( renowned for a fine collection of Mediterranean and tropical vegetation , as well as fountains and statues ). After the visit there is time for lunch ( own expense ) before a guided visit to Villa Cipressi , poised upon a rocky promontory . You are taken back to the hotel in time to relax before dinner .
Day three : Full day guided tour of gardens This is quite a full day with a total of three gardens to be visited on different shores of Lake Como . First you visit the Villa Melzi d ’ Eril ( at Bellagio with an eclectic collection of sculptures in this essentially English-style park that is full of excellent tree specimens ), time for your packed lunch in between , a short interlude in Bellagio itself , and then on to Villa Balbianello for a guided visit ( in a secluded setting and full of woods of pine , cypress and oak as well as flowerbeds ) and then to Villa Carlotta at Tremezzo for another guided visit ( full of imaginative planting , sunny terraces , with climbers , ferns , giant magnolias and cork oaks . You return to the hotel in good time for dinner .
Day four : From Lake Como to Lake Maggiore Today you leave to drive over to Lake Maggiore heading for your hotel on Lake Maggiore . Settle in and enjoy some free time before wine-tasting and then the dinner at the hotel .
Day five : Isola Bella and Isola Madre Today is spent on the islands in Lake Maggiore , described to you by a local guide . You visit Isola Madre and then by boat to Isola Bella to visit the museum and gardens . Isola Bella is one of the most dramatic 17th Century Baroque gardens in Italy , seemingly floating on the surface of the lake with its ten-terraced garden and marble ballustrades . You enjoy a packed lunch along the way , returning to your hotel for the included dinner .
Day six : Villa Taranto Your guide gives you a tour of the gardens of Villa Taranto . The gardens of the Villa Taranto were established between 1931 and 1940 by Scotsman Neil McEacharn who bought an existing villa and its neighbouring estates , cut down more than 2000 trees , and undertook substantial changes to the landscape , including the addition of major water features employing 8 km of pipes . The gardens opened to the public in 1952 and today the gardens contain nearly 20,000 plant varieties , representing more than 3,000 species , set among 7 km of paths . Among its collections are azalea , cornus , greenhouses of Victoria amazonica , and 300 types of dahlias . It also contains a small herbarium and the founder ’ s mausoleum . This is followed by a visit to the Botanic gardens Alpinia above Stresa and reached by cable car . Packed lunch provided . There is free time to visit Stresa itself before you return by coach to your hotel .
Day seven : Back to Milan and London You have a large part of the day at leisure on Lake Maggiore today as your flight does not depart until 19.00 from Milan Malpensa . Arrive back at Heathrow at 19.55 hrs .
Dates and prices This tour departs on the following dates from London for these prices per person 4 May 2024 £ 3,420 11 June 2024 £ 3,420
Prices are based on two people sharing a double or twin room . Single supplement for use of double : £ 1060 per person . Deposit payment : £ 500 per person
We include
• Flights with British Airways London Heathrow to Milan in Euro traveller
• Transportation from Milan airport and back to Milan airport in a small coach for maximum 14 people with one piece of luggage per person .
• Entrance tickets to the gardens mentioned
• Services of an English speaking local guide for garden visits as mentioned
• Three nights ’ dinner , bed and breakfast at the Grand Hotel Imperiale in a double or twin park view rooms
• Three nights ’ dinner , bed and breakfast at Hotel Cannero , Cannero Riviera in rooms with garden view .
Grand Hotel Imperiale Moltrasio , Lake Como The Grand Hotel Imperiale is a four star hotel and one of the many historical hotels on Lake Como . The rooms , whether in the modern wing or in the original hotel are all elegantly furnished with modern amenities and have either lake views or views over the gardens . The hotel ’ s outdoor swimming pool is the perfect place to relax and unwind .
Hotel Cannero Cannero Riviera , Lake Maggiore This hotel is one of our most popular hotels in the Italian Lakes . A traditional , boutique , family-run 4-star hotel on the promenade of Cannero Riviera , the hotel has a garden , swimming pool and a cosy charm . We include rooms with park / garden view but it is possible to upgrade to a lake view , subject to availability , at a supplement of £ 24 pp per night .
Different travel arrangements If you want us to arrange flights on other dates and from UK regional airports or to extend your holiday with a stay elsewhere in Italy , just let us know . If you are not arriving from the UK , then we can give you a price that excludes flights and perhaps with extra transfers included . We will adjust the details and the price accordingly .
Isola Bella
Phone 01392 441250 to make a reservation or to discuss your holiday plans 33