Day 1: Following your early morning home taxi collection, we join our platinum executive tour coach and make our way to Kent for our short crossing to France. Upon our arrival we continue our journey through the French countryside to our overnight hotel in the Metz area.
Day 2: This morning we continue our journey through France and the Alsace region, flanked by the Vosges mountains on one side and the German Black Forest on the other. We cross the border into Switzerland where you can take in the breathtaking scenery, before arriving into Italy and the town of Stresa. The four star Hotel Astoria will be our base for the next 6 nights on a dinner bed and breakfast basis. On our arrival we are greeted with a welcome drink whilst our luggage is delivered to our rooms.
Day 3: Today we spend at leisure. Relax in the hotel or explore the streets of Stresa. Perhaps take the cable car and chairlift from Stresa up to the summit of Mount Mottarone. At the summit there’s a short walk to see the 360 degree view of the Alpine scenery, which includes seven lakes and the beautiful Mount Rosa. For the green-fingered among you, why not stop at the half way point to visit the beautiful Alpine Gardens. Or visit Villa Taranto and its beautiful botanical gardens. (attractions today subject to individual choice and payment)
Day 4: Today we enjoy a scenic excursion to see three of the most beautiful lakes, taking in two countries in one day! As our route takes us along the western shores of Lake Maggiore towards Switzerland, we head to the lakeside city of Lugano. Magnificently sited between the peaks of San Salvatore and Monte Bre. There will be time to explore the colourful Piazzas terrace cafes and the flower adorned promenades. We then continue our journey to one of Italy’s most famous lakes, Lake Como. The Lake itself is 50km Long and 1350 feet deep, making it one of the deepest lakes in Europe. The historic town of Como is a modern city steeped in history with a 14th century cathedral, also renowned for its silk shops. We visit the resort of Tremmezzo, a popular holiday destination, where you will have some free time to explore before returning to our hotel.
Day 5: Today our excursion takes us to Milan. On your arrival we will be met by a local guide for a walking tour, where you will see sights such as the Castello Sforzesco and the magnificent gothic style Duomo, the seat of the archbishop of Milan. We also see the Galleria, a covered double arcade connecting Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Scala. The rest of the day is spent at leisure to explore this great city at your own pace.
Day 6: Todays excursion takes us on a cruise to the famous Borromean Islands. Situated on the western side of Lake Maggiore, directly opposite Stresa, the three Borromean Islands lie in a wide gulf surrounded by mountains. The islands take their name from the aristocratic Borromean family, who took ownership of the land in the 16th and 17th centuries. Only the best architects and gardeners were called on by the famous members of the family—themselves art lovers and botanists—to breathe life into their ambitious projects. Despite their alpine setting, the three Borromean Islands share a pleasant climate, but each offers a very different experience.
Firstly we cross to Isola Bella to visit the Baroque Palace and its beautiful Gardens. Isola Bella was completely transformed by its occupants, and its palace and gardens are the epitome of opulence and luxury.
The four-storey palace is a typical example of Lombard Baroque architecture, and the most interesting rooms are those located on the first floor, radiating from the hall of honour, with its grand architecture, balcony and dome. Around the hall you can visit the Neoclassical ballroom; the music room, with its selection of valuable musical instruments; the “Medals Room”, so-called because of the gilded wooden ornaments recounting the life of Saint Charles Borromeo; the Tapestry Hall, featuring a display of rare Flemish tapestries from the 16th century, woven in silk and gold; and many other rooms decorated with paintings, furniture, plasterwork and crystal chandeliers.
The Italian gardens are spread across ten terraces that form a truncated pyramid ornamented with balustrades, hedges, obelisks and statues. A stroll through the gardens will lead you to the amphitheatre, an elaborate construction on three levels with walls decorated with stones and tuff; dotted about are tasteful niches, reliefs and statues representing the triumph of the Borromeo family.
From here you exit onto the upper terrace, which is 37 m up, and boasts an impressive panoramic view of the mountains surrounding the gulf. On one of the lower terraces, a lily pond, handsome flowerbeds and criss-cross box hedges lend a romantic atmosphere to the Giardino dell’Amore — or “Garden of Love” . Majestic trees, spectacular flowers and exotic plants flourish throughout the gardens.
After some free time here we re-board our boat and travel to Isola Pescatori for more sightseeing. In contrast, the Isola dei Pescatori, with its village unchanged by time, offers a fascinating simplicity.
Its characteristic old village has been a fishing community for centuries and is still home to around fifty people, some of whom preserve their traditional way of life. The village is also celebrated for its well-preserved architecture and old-fashioned characteristics. The narrow streets and simple buildings recall the spartan but animated lives of local fishermen in times gone by. The tiny, traditional shops and fish restaurants enhance the life of the village, which is a popular destination for day-trippers.
Our last port of call is Isola Madre, the largest of the islands on Lake Maggiore and boasts a 20-acre park that is considered one of the most impressive and well-preserved in Italy. The rare plants and exotic flowers in these English-style botanical gardens have been enchanting visitors for over a century.
We also include entry into the austere historical palace, which sits on the jutting outcrop that dominates the island. It now serves as a museum and inside, furniture, paintings and tapestries recreate the magnificent rooms created by the Borromean family. The doll and china collections and the delicate puppet theatre are particular highlights. Outside, there is a neo-Gothic, sepulchral chapel with elegant terracotta decoration that overlooks a circular pond filled with lilies, reeds and irises.
Day 7: Today we enjoy a day at leisure.
Day 8: Sadly, this morning we depart our hotel and begin our journey back into Switzerland, through ever changing scenery, crossing the border back into France and our overnight hotel.
Day 9: This morning we continue our journey onwards to Calais where we make the short sea crossing to Kent and our onwards journey back to Norfolk. Upon arrival our door to door taxi service will be waiting to return you home.
Holiday Information:
8 Nights Dinner, Bed & Breakfast (Evening meals at overnights will be set 3 course, main hotel will be 3 course- set starter & dessert and a 2 choice main)
Price: £1570pp
Single Supplement: £363
Insurance: TBC (Insurance not currently available)
Tour Reference: EUR1862
This tour will be undertaken in one of our Platinum luxury executive coaches. You will have extended leg room, airline style seats with adjustable headrests and USB charging points, along with all the facilities present on our executive touring vehicles.
Deposit Required: £70pp
Balance Due: 10 weeks prior to departure