The Hidden Lakes and Gardens of Italy

The Hidden Lakes and Gardens of Italy

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8 Days From

$1836

The Hidden Lakes and Gardens of Italy

8 Days Starting and ending in London, UK

Visiting: London, Paris, Pettenasco, Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore, Locarno, Lake Como, Lake Lugano, Milan

Tour operator:

Leger Holidays

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

0-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:
English
Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

From:
$1836 (USD)

NB: Prices correct on 20-May-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

A stylish and relaxed train journey through Europe transports you to Lake Orta, a paradise in Northern Italy. Lying in the foothills of the Alps, Lake Orta provides the perfect setting for our holiday with its glistening waters, exotic flowers and plants, and charming old buildings. From here, we’ll visit the villages that dot the shores of stunning Lake Maggiore, soak up the outstanding natural beauty of Lake Como, take in the Swiss resort of Lugano, and visit Milan with its rich history, architectural treasures and romantic allure.

Highlights

  • Visit the villages that dot the shores of stunning Lake Maggiore

  • Soak up the outstanding natural beauty of Lake Como

  • Visit Milan with its rich history, architectural treasures and romantic allure

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive On The Shores Of Lake Orta

Location: London, Paris, Pettenasco

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Giardinetto

Meals Included: No Meals

We journey aboard Eurostar from London to Paris and join the TGV to Stresa, where we are transferred by coach to our hotel on the shores of Lake Orta.

Day 2 : Lake Orta

Location: Lake Orta

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Giardinetto

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is free to explore Lake Orta, a star in this constellation of subalpine lakes. Situated entirely in Piedmont, it’s only 8 miles long and less than 2 miles wide. It is truly a location for sublime moments; in fact, it’s a rather secret place. Today, both lunch and dinner are included in the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 3 : Lake Maggiore To Locarno

Location: Lake Maggiore, Locarno

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Giardinetto

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we offer an included coach excursion visiting Lake Maggiore. Our visit will incorporate three scenic stops. The first of these will be at Stresa on the lake’s western shore, a town with villas, gardens, and an attractive lakeside promenade. Moving on, we visit the Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto where there’s free time to explore, before continuing to the Swiss canton of Ticino to stop at Locarno on the northern tip of the lake. Locarno is laced with Latin charm, and all the cobbled alleys of the old town lead to the colonnaded Piazza Grande, which is renowned for its annual film festival.

Day 4 : Lake Como To Lake Lugano

Location: Lake Como, Lake Lugano

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Giardinetto

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today’s excursion by coach takes us to Lake Como in Lombardy and Lake Lugano across the border in Switzerland. Lake Como is striking for both its mountainous landscape and shores dotted with picturesque villages, luxurious villas and parks. Our first visit is the town of Como at the foot of the Como branch. There are many artistic sights to take in, including the 11th-century Church of Sant’Abbondio and the Basilica of San Fedele. The heart of the old town is the Piazza del Duomo – its Renaissance cathedral is one of the most beautiful churches in Lombardy.


Our next visit is the popular town of Tremezzo, where you can enjoy some of the most spectacular views on the lake. One of the most visited destinations in the town is the Villa Carlotta, the only historic villa on the lake which offers public access. The other villas are private, but you can still admire their beautiful structures and architecture.


Our next stop is across the border in Switzerland at the popular resort of Lugano, on the northern shoreline of the lake with the same name. Set within a bay surrounded by mountains, its town centre is full of Mediterranean-style squares and arcades with numerous parks and public gardens adorned with subtropical plants.

Day 5 : Free Time

Location: Pettenasco

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Giardinetto

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today is free for you to spend in our resort of Lake Orta. You can either relax or you may choose to visit some of the wonderful sights on the island of San Giulio (not included).

Day 6 : Milan

Location: Milan, Lake Orta

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Giardinetto

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, we include a full-day excursion by coach to Milan.
Milan is internationally famous for fashion and design. It is also home to several historic and artistic attractions and is a fascinating city to explore. You'll have plenty of free time at leisure before we return by coach to Lake Orta.

Day 7 : Free Time

Location: Pettenasco

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Giardinetto

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a further free day in resort. Relax amid the spectacular scenery or explore the surrounding area.

Day 8 : Return Home

Location: Paris, London

Meals Included: Breakfast

We depart in the morning, travelling back to Paris where our Eurostar connection returns us to London St. Pancras International.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Additional Services

    Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

    This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point

  • Fully Guided

  • International Travel

  • Meals

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Transport

    Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach

What's Not Included

Accommodation

You will stay for seven nights at the Hotel Giardinetto in Pettenasco.



Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    Yes

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

    On Leger Coach Holidays, your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full.

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    Some tours carry a supplement for solo travellers, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    Low

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Fully escorted by our experienced drivers/crews. And in most towns and cities we either include or offer optional sightseeing tours with expert local guides to help you get the most from your visits.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    40 years

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?

    Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies

Reviews of this operator

Will (Google Reviewer)  

I went on the 4...

05-Jan-2024

I went on the 4 countries trip and swiss glacier express and overall it was a great trip. The coach I was on was silver service, it was tidy had nice seats and other accessories such as charging points and headsets which was very handy. The drivers Alex and Dave were fantastic, very kind, funny and respectful throughout the whole trip and a pleasure to talk to. The excursions were very pleasant and all ran very smoothly. The hotels were decent and offered a good service. I overall very much recommend leger holidays.

Sally Matson  

Excellent customer service

10-Jan-2023

Booked our ‘Christmas in Austria & Scenic Trains of the Tyrol’ through George on the customer Helpline. Nothing was too much trouble, everything clearly & patiently explained. He even had permission to log in on his day off to finalise the sale! A charming and helpful young person and a credit to the company.

Euan Donald (Google Reviewer)  

Been on two tours now...

10-Oct-2023

Been on two tours now the “D Day beaches” and “ All Quiet on the Western Front” tour of the Somme and Ypres. Both four days in total, two travelling and two on the site of the various battles. This is outstanding value for money, picked up from Carlisle , Cumbria and literally looked after all the way through the tours. The coaches are great and the accommodation spot on . The guides are very knowledgeable ( Mark Hope brilliant guy)and the bus drivers professional . Absolutely fantastic .

Sue Sinfield (Google Reviewer)  

Due to covid it was...

21-Jul-2022

Due to covid it was 3rd time lucky for us to visit lake Garda, what a treat. One or two hiccups but no fault of Legers at all. Praise to Graham and Chris for their excellent driving and coffee service. Our visit to Verona, our guide was very informative but did walk at a pace sometimes had to hurry to keep up. A lovely holiday

Michael Stephen Shilleto   England

Four Countries New Year & the Swiss Glacier Express

07-Jan-2024

Firstly we must thank Alex and Dave our tour guide / drivers who entertained us through out . The tour was fantastic so was the hotel’s food and entertainment. The tour was through the new year holidays as expected lots of shops closed and hotels were understaffed which was lost on some travelers. We travelled back from stop 24 on a luxuria coach I would recommend paying the extra for the comfort alone

Roy Williams (Google Reviewer)  

Great company. We did the...

03-Apr-2024

Great company. We did the 4 day D Day Normandy Landing tour.We had 2 great driver's John and Ian.. Nothing was a problem for them. They kept us safe and entertained.Then we had Fred Greenhow as our guide And he was outstanding. He told us everything we wanted to know. Can't praise them enough Thank you all. We will do more tours with them......

aled blackshaw (Google Reviewer)  

just returned from a solos...

25-Mar-2024

just returned from a solos break to valkenburg and rhine valley i enjoyed the break overall although both journeys were considerably longer than expected due to several picks ups. I could have done without the 3 countries meeting point excursion to be honest and the lunch on rhine cruise was very basic. The drivers/couriers were efficient and good humoured and provided free lunch vouchers on the ferry which were much appreciated. I probably would book another break with leger but to somewhere a lot closer to home.

Andy (Google Reviewer)  

Booked a surprise Birthday treat...

12-Jan-2024

Booked a surprise Birthday treat for my wife 40th to visit The Edinburgh Military Tattoo, All done via work,put all information in the B/card,so excited, one week before trip Cancelled!!! Due to not enough interest?? No Alternative! Never touch them again

Victoria Smith (Google Reviewer)  

I'd like to go lowerthan...

26-Dec-2023

I'd like to go lowerthan one star .my trip over to Italy nearly 36 hours in total.the driver and his wife gave thier mother a seat that was paid for and reserved at a price by another lady who was finally allowed to sit at the front with the drivers mother .( that was good of them considering the lady had paid for 2 holidays and one couldn't make it . I had the cheek to ask for coffee only the women driver to have conversation loud enough for my earshot to her husband then put over the tannoy that coffee will be when they are ready. ( i had bought 24 tickets for drinks on steves advice )but i quietly corrected them saying that they really shouldn't do that so I could hear.Then a barrage of abuse came from her for then her husband to face me off at my seat and a threats to get my case off and find my own way home his face red with rage pointing in my face with comments saying they don't have to take that from me.as they are fed up with people and they have to work 21 hours etc etc .they people were shouting STOP STOP STOP .he continued his rant and saying I would be dropped at the next service station. ( FRANCE) it was raining and I had no idea where I was going or had been.He the gave me a can of diet coke and said i could have it free but no oppology! 15 hours later in italy I wanted to leave and get a plane home .legers were no help but another coach arrived same sort of holiday shearings with nice drivers .No Rome visit and I could be with them for the remainder of time. I did go out on a couple of trips and the bus and drivers were amazing .I was told by legers eventually I can do the return journey with then but my holiday was ruined I cried and slept and am emotionally traumatised . On the plus side the coach i arrived on the doors kept opening in the wind the coach had to pull over and close the door so we could only use side door which was a fire hazzard ! Still no apology last day is today I'm spending in my room .I just want to return to England because I will be getting a solicitor for the abuse i suffered and the money I paid and for the wasted week over Christmas not to mention the anxiety I have suffered .the hotel and food was abysmal. The worse week ever and £1500 spent my nerves are in shreads .I can't wait to see the reviews and already I am flooded with statements from other passengers about how bad it is and my how I should fight for my injustice of it all .this time it must go to court so people are heard and intimidation like this is not allowed

TU  

Many thanks to Molly.

03-Jan-2023

I have recently booked a trip to Le Mans and had the good fortune to speak to Molly. She was very helpful and a pleasure to talk to. She was able to answer all but one of my queries with clarity and promised to ring me with the answer to the un-answered question as it required further investigation. This she duly did. An unusually pleasant experience when making a booking over the phone, if only it could be this easy every the time.

Dates & Availability

Instant Booking Available

Monday - Monday

Oct 07, 2024 - Oct 14, 2024
$1836 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Monday - Monday

Apr 07, 2025 - Apr 14, 2025
$1981 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Monday - Monday

May 19, 2025 - May 26, 2025
$2001 (USD)
Instant Booking Available

Monday - Monday

Sep 22, 2025 - Sep 29, 2025
$2032 (USD)
Prices last published on 19-May-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Leger Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of leger holidays charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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