Summary
Short description
Soak up the romance of Italy with this luxury Lake Maggiore escape
British Airways Sale
The British Airways Sale is now on, with superb savings to a wide range of worldwide destinations. Book by 25 January 2025.
Highlights
- Enjoy the historic city of Milan which oozes style and elegance
- Take a panoramic trip on the Vigezzina train
- Cruise to the beautiful Borromean Islands
- Taste delicacies as you walk the bustling cobbled streets of Stresa
In pictures
About
Recommended for:
Food & wine | Relaxation | Summer
Ease your way into the beauty and tranquility of Northern Italy with this leisurely tour. Take in the gateway to Lake Maggiore with an overnight stay in Milan – a city drenched in style and history – before heading to the five-star Palazzo e Villa Aminta for a luxury stay on the shores of the lake itself. Here, dramatic mountains backdrop picturesque towns, verdant vineyards and Maggiore's deep blue waters. Days are free to spend how you wish, from lounging in the Italian sunshine to exploring every inch of Lake Maggiore's pretty shoreline and spectacular mountain surroundings.
Day by day itinerary
Day
1
UK/Milan
Begin your holiday in style with complimentary airport lounge access. You'll then fly into Milan where you'll be met by a private driver and brought to your central accommodation, the fashionistas’ favourite, Hotel de la Ville. Check in your bags and spend the rest of the day exploring this remarkable city. In the evening we recommend dining in the hotels fusion restaurant "Il Vizio" which combines sushi and seafood with quality Italian specialities.
Stay: Sina Hotel De La Ville, Milan (Superior)
Meals: B
Day
2
Milan to Lake Maggiore
Get your fill of the breakfast buffet before heading out to soak up more of Milan's stunning sights. This morning, you have the option of partaking in a guided tour of the city, or perhaps you'd just like to explore at your own pace, visiting some of Milan's iconic attractions including the Brera - Milan's major art gallery, the magnificent Duomo Cathedral Santa Maria delle Grazie - home to Leonardo's Last Supper, and the museum at La Scala.
Having crossed Milan off your list, next up are the tempting waters of Lake Maggiore. Grab your bags and transfer to the beautiful Villa e Palazzo Aminta, overlooking the enchanting Borromean Islands in Stresa, with views over the lake and the islands, a private beach and three piers for mooring boats for excursions and visits – for a real taste of Maggiore luxury.
Stay: Villa e Palazzo Aminta, Lake Maggiore (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Days
3-5
Lake Maggiore
With three days set aside to relax and explore, you'll enjoy the most leisurely start to your Italian Lakes holiday, allowing you to revel in all that the hotel's first-class facilities and pretty lake setting have to offer. Nearby, the small town of Stresa beckons with it's historic centre and lengthy promenade. Or, perhaps satisfy your inner oenophile, a trip to a local vineyard is a must. If you want to venture further afield to make sure that you leave with no sight unseen, the hotel's very own pier has great ferry routes, perfect for exploring Maggiore's glittering waters and postcard-perfect shorelines. Then, back at base, choose between dips in the pool, indulgent spa treatments or simply resting and soaking up the views. The dining is also excellent, with menus that showcase the very best of regional Italian cuisine.
Stay: Villa e Palazzo Aminta, Lake Maggiore (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Day
6
Borromean Islands
Your guide will meet you in Stresa for a cruise on Lake Maggiore to enjoy panoramic views of the Borromean Gulf. Stopping at Isola Madre with its botanic gardens, rare plants, exotic flowers and parrots, before continuing to Isola dei Pescatori to walk its narrow lanes. After a break for lunch you will continue to Isola Bella with its Baroque palace, terraced gardens and fountains before returning to Stresa in the evening.
Stay: Villa e Palazzo Aminta, Lake Maggiore (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Day
7
Vigezzina-Centovalli Train
After breakfast your driver will transfer you to Domodossola a town full of Medieval charm, located at the foot of the valley through which the Toce flows. Here you will board the Vigezzina-Centovalli train for your journey through small villages and foothill valleys which became accessible with the building of the trainline in 1923. Recognised as being among the 10 most spectacular railway journeys in Europe. A lunch stop is made at Santa Maria Maggiore. In the afternoon continue to Locarno in Switzerland before retracing your route back to Domodossola where you will be met and transferred back to Stresa.
Stay: Villa e Palazzo Aminta, Lake Maggiore (Deluxe)
Meals: B
Day
8
Depart
Map
Pricing
Any element of this itinerary can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.
Accommodation rating:
8-day tailor-made holiday
from £1,310 pp incl. flights
Meet our experts
Speak to a tailor-made specialist on
You might also like
Explore northern Italy without the crowds, stepping a little off the beaten track to discover some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, with stays at four of the region's lesser-known lakes.
Showcase the splendour of two of Italy's most beautiful attractions, combining the history of ancient Verona with time spent lazing above the shores of the glittering Lake Garda.
offer
Early booking savings – Save up to £245pp
Book by: 31 January 2025
With ample time to explore at your own pace, this fly-drive showcases the best of Tuscany, from its headlines to its off-the-beaten-track gems. Indeed, you'll pair the icons of Florence and Pisa with castle stays and visits to medieval hilltop towns.
