These two lakes of Northern Italy, Lake Maggiore and Lake Como, have always been the summer destination of the wealthiest and noblest families of the region. For this reason, the unrivalled natural beauty of these lakes, surrounded by nature and with the Alps in the background, is scattered with sumptuous villas, parks and dream gardens. Visit them and delve into the absolute beauty of these unique, fairy-tale places.
Lake Maggiore is full of small islands dotted with breath-taking villas and enchanted gardens. The most famous are the Borromean Islands, owned by the aristocratic Borromeo family, who let their imagination run wild and created a small paradise on Earth.
You can explore the islands and then stop to eat. Then you can reach Lake Como, with its famous villas overlooking the lake front: Villa d’Este, Villa Carlotta and Villa Balbianello, on the terrace of which a famous scene in Star Wars was filmed. Last but not least, take some time to visit the villages, with their narrow streets lined with medieval houses.
Primopiano Viaggi proposes
Arrival of the group in the late afternoon in the region of Lake Maggiore. Accomodation at the hotel, dinner and overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Stresa. Boarding for the Borromean Islands excursion. First stop will be Isola Bella, to visit its Borromeo Palace, with its huge lounges and bedrooms on the the bel étage, the grottos covered with stones and shells and the garden with its varieties of exotic plants; Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen’s Island) or Upper Island, with its charming narrow streets and the small typical market where you can buy local handicrafts. Lunch at the restaurant. In the afternoon continuation by boat to the hermitage of Santa Caterina, proclaimed a National Monument in 1914. The convent is dug into the rock at a height of 18 meters overlooking the lake (80 steps). Return to Stresa in the late afternoon. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Arona. Guided tour of Arona with the San Carlone, the famous statue of San Carlo Borromeo built in his hometown after his canonization: for two centuries it was the tallest statue in the world. Continue to Lake Orta. Lunch at the restaurant. Departure by boat for the excursion on the lake, transfer from Pettenasco to the island of San Giulio. Visit of the small island, called “del Silenzio”, dominated by its Basilica. After the visit, continue by boat to Orta, a very picturesque town, included in the circuit of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Return by boat to Pettenasco. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, departure to Lake Como and visit of Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo, known for its terraced gardens and its museum which preserves valuable artworks by Antonio Canova, Thorvaldsen and Hayez. Ferry crossing to Bellagio for lunch at the restaurant. Short visit of Bellagio, the pearl of the lake, with its aristocratic villas, located where the three branches of the lake meet. Return by ferryboat to Cadenabbia. In the afternoon, continue to Como for a short visit of the historical city center. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure of the group and end of our services.
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