STOC - escorted

8 days from £949 May, September & October
The Islands & Gardens of Lake Maggiore
This holiday includes a week on Lago Maggiore, Italy’s second largest lake, which stretches north from Lombardy and up
into Switzerland. It lies, sheltered, on the south side of the Alps, making for a mild climate and consequent lush vegetation.
Famed gardens feature Mediterranean and exotic flora, including azaleas, rhododendrons and camelias.
• 7 nights hb Lake Maggiore • Full day excursion by boat to the Borromean Islands • Excursion by boat to
Captain McEacharn’s fabulous Villa Taranto garden • Excursion to Lake Orta
PROGRAMME
Day One: Flight to Milan, transfer to your Lake Maggiore Hotel
for seven nights half board accommodation. Transfer times from
Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo are 45 minutes, 1 ¼ hours and 1 ¾
hours respectively.
Days Two to Seven: These are spent on Lago Maggiore, where
beautiful villas line the shores. Our hotel is in Stresa, the lake’s main
resort, half way up the lake and from where boats and steamers
frequently traverse the lake from the landing quay close to the hotel.
The lakeside promenade near the hotel allows for a pleasant stroll to
the pretty town centre - around the main Piazza there is a good range
of shops, bars, and restaurants. As long as it is operating, you will
have the chance to travel high onto Mount Mottarone by cable car –
fabulous views!
We have included three excursions during your stay.
1. The Borromean Islands. Your first excursion features Lake
Maggiore’s three best known islands, which lie in the bay, a short way
from the shore. Your first island Isola Madre, ‘Mother Island’, has an
impressive villa and gardens with towering palm trees – the tallest in
Italy. You then have free time for lunch on the pleasant quays of Isola
dei Pescatori, the ‘Fishermen’s Island. It is a very short crossing to Isola
Bella, the ‘Beautiful Island’, with its 17th-century palace – you are
following in the holiday footsteps of Goethe, Byron, Stendhal, Wagner
and Hemingway! The formal gardens, patrolled by peacocks, contain
plants from all over the world. Entrance fees and Guide Service on both
Isola Madre and Isola Bella are included.
2. The Villa Taranto Botanic Garden. You take the boat across the
bay to Pallanza. Although supposedly created as an ‘English’ garden,
Villa Taranto’s heritage is very much Scottish – its creator, Captain
McEacharn, was a proud Scot: the Taranto name comes from one of
his Macdonald ancestors, who was given the title ’Duke of Taranto’ by
Napoleon and whose father sped ‘over the sea to Skye’ with Bonnie
Prince Charlie! The entrance to the garden is through ‘Conifer Alley’.
Highlights include the water gardens, the Dahlia Garden and the
herbarium and the fine terraces.
3. Lake Orta. A relaxing trip to one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe:
Lake Orta. Surrounded by lush woodland Orta really is a hidden secret.
There is free time to stroll and admire the quaint cobbled streets of Orta
S. Giulio and for taking a coffee at a café in the picturesque lakeside
piazza. There is also the opportunity for a boat ride to the enchanting
S. Giulio’s Island, where you can visit the 12th-century Basilica and
crypt of S. Giulio (ferry not included). The afternoon continues through
the scenic countryside of the Vergante Hills and along the southern tip
of Lake Maggiore and the towering statue of S. Carlo Borromeo, said to
be the largest in the world, with panoramic views of the lake.
Optional excursions will also be available.
Day Eight: Free time until you depart for the airport for your flight
home.
YOUR HOTEL
HOTEL MILAN SPERANZA AU LAC HHHH, Stresa (seven nights)
This four-star hotel is in two adjacent buildings in the centre of Stresa,
overlooking the lake and opposite the boat station. The Speranza has a
pleasant street-front café while the Milan houses the hotel restaurant. All
rooms have bath or shower, wc, hairdryer and satellite tv. Lake view rooms
are available at a supplement. Milan Speranza guests have use of the
swimming pool at the nearby Hotel Regina Palace. (www.milansperanza.it)
A WALKING HOLIDAY is also available from this hotel. Please ask for a copy of
our Walking Holidays brochure or download one at preferredts.com.
18 | www.preferredts.com
Please refer to the enclosed ‘Dates and Flight Information’ for details of departure dates, prices and flights.