£
  • £
  • $

Scenic Lake Orta and a Matterhorn Rail Journey

£1,995.00

Taking a boat trip across the lake’s calm waters to Isola San Giulio, where you can step inside the peaceful Romanesque basilica.

The smallest of the Italian Lakes, Lake Orta remains refreshingly uncrowded and almost untouched by tourism. The rambling cobbled streets are lined with traditional trattorias and authentic, family-run hotels. In the lake’s centre, Isola San Giulio floats dreamily, adorned with handsome 18th-century buildings overlooked by the mountainous backdrop. On our relaxed Lake Orta holidays, you&ll also have the chance to zip across the border into Switzerland by rail for yet more breathtaking scenery: glittering glaciers, classic mountain villages, and snow-capped chalets await.

  • 4 excursions & visits
  • 15 meals
  • Leisurely pace
Category:

Your itinerary

Day 1 – Milan – Lake Orta

Our door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Milan. We arrive in Lake Orta and enjoy a welcome drink, dinner and musical entertainment.

Hotel L&Approdo, Lake Orta (4-star)

Today includes…

Dinner

Day 2 – Orta San Giulio – Isola San Giulio

We’ll make our way to the town of Orta San Giulio, nestled into the hills. After a little exploration we’ll board a boat on this jewel-like lake, to the little island of San Giulio. On the island, we’ll visit the Romanesque Basilica di San Giulio.

Hotel L&Approdo, Lake Orta (4-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Excursion to Orta San Giulio, boat trip to Isola San Giulio & Basilica di San Giulio (morning)

Breakfast and Dinner

Lake Orta and the scenic village of Orta San Giulio, Italy

Day 3 – Täsch – Zermatt – Täsch

Experience some superbly scenic rail journeys into and around Switzerland, as we journey from Täsch to Zermatt, at the foot of Matterhorn. From Zermatt, we&ll take another train to a viewpoint for spectacular views over the mountains and glaciers, before taking a train to Täsch this afternoon.

Hotel L&Approdo, Lake Orta (4-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Excursion to Zermatt, Switzerland by rail (all day)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland. The mountain trains between Zermatt and Gornergrat in front of the Matterhorn

Day 4 – Lake Orta

Spend the day at leisure enjoying the lake, one of the prettiest in Italy. Tour the UNESCO-listed collection of chapels in the hills above Orta San Giulio, or simply relax at the hotel.

Hotel L&Approdo, Lake Orta (4-star)

Today includes…

Breakfast and Dinner

Free time

Panoramic view of Lake Orta in Piedmont with St. Julius Island in Italy

Day 5 – Verbania and Villa Taranto

This morning, we’ll visit Lake Maggiore and its biggest town, Verbania, sometimes referred to as ‘the garden on the lake’. It’s home to the Botanical Gardens of Villa Taranto with almost 20,000 varieties and 3,000 species of plant. We’ll have time to wander along the 7kms of paths, taking in a small valley, terraced gardens and waterfalls, water lily and lotus pools, and ornamental fountains.

Hotel L&Approdo, Lake Orta (4-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Excursion to Verbania and Villa Taranto (morning)

Breakfast and Dinner

View of Intra-Verbania from the Lake Maggiore, Italy

Day 6 – Lake Orta

Today is free to relax in your beautiful surroundings by the lake.

Hotel L&Approdo, Lake Orta (4-star)

Today includes…

Breakfast and Dinner

Free time

Day 7 – Stresa

We’ll journey into Stresa on the banks of Lake Maggiore. This lovely town has been popular with artists and writers since the late 19th century. The lake’s wind-ruffled waters are also dotted with three tiny islands, the Borromean Islands, and today we’ll explore two of them – Isola Bella (beautiful island) dominated by its 17th-century Palazzo Borromeo, and picturesque Isola dei Pescatori.

Hotel L&Approdo, Lake Orta (4-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Excursion to Stresa with private boat tour to visit the Borromean Islands (all day)

Breakfast and Dinner

Day 8 – Lake Orta – Milan – departure

Transfer to the airport for your return flight. Upon arrival, our vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.

Today includes…

Breakfast