The Italian lakes conjure a dreamy image of romance and beauty, amongst the bucolic landscapes. All around mountains tumble steeply into ribbons of blue, islands float enticingly just offshore, whilst mellowed villas sit in perfect gardens along the shorelines.
See the Lakes in style … fold down the roof and follow a specially designed scenic route that snakes around the back roads between Maggiore, Como, Iseo and Garda.The Sunday Times, Italian Top 20 (Jan ‘06)
This ten night tour will explore Lakes Maggiore, Orta, Como, Iseo and Garda, together with the surrounding areas which exhibit an enchanting combination of Mediterranean foliage set against the back drop of snow-capped mountains. There are some of the most beautiful towns and striking gardens in the whole of Europe to be visited. Experience aristocratic villas, glorious sunsets, boat trips to islands with magical villages, a fascinating range of cuisines, truly superb wines and, of course, the lakes themselves and all they have to offer.
Accommodation
The tour will stay in some delightful hotels, including an ornate palace, elegant lakeside villas, a gastronomic inn, and a stylish town house hotel in Como. All the hotels have wonderful character and individuality, whilst being of an excellent standard. Due to the nature and age of these hotels, all the rooms are different, and will vary from charmingly comfortable to the utmost luxury. We have hand-picked and visited each hotel to ensure it has an enchanting atmosphere, as well as suitable parking for your car. All the accommodation includes breakfast.
Itinerary
May be subject to change without notice
Day 1
Arrive in Piedmont, Italy. From northern Europe the most spectacular route is over the Alps from Switzerland. Descend into the Ossola valley and drive along the shores of Lake Orta to the fetching town of Orta San Giulio. The first two nights of the tour will be spent at an exquisite 19th century Moorish villa. The chef has been awarded a Michelin Star and the superb Mediterranean/Alpine cuisine is matched by a list of over 1,000 French and Italian wines.
Day 2
Spend the day relaxing and enjoying the delights of Lake Orta and Orta San Giulio, set entirely on its own garden peninsula. Lanes are too narrow for cars so take a few hours to discover the town on foot. The scenic journey around the perimeter of the lake makes for a gentle and interesting drive.
Day 3
Another short drive over the mountains, where views encompass lakes Orta and Maggiore, the Po Valley and the Alps, and brings you to the fashionable resorts along the shore of Lake Maggiore. Visit the town of Stresa and wind down the coast to stay at one of the most renowned villas on the lake; still home to the original family for whom it was built. Maybe take a boat ride to Isola Pescatori and dine in style in one of the island’s restaurants.
Day 4
Visit the three jewel-like Borromean Islands by day and enjoy the spectacular palace and gardens they now hold. Drive around the south of Lake Maggiore and see the impressive Borromean rocca (castle) which dominates the southern basin of the lake. Stay overnight in an alluring lakeside inn, which is renowned for its gastro restaurant.
Day 5
Drive up the east shore of Lake Maggiore, which is dotted with religious sanctuaries and churches, decorated with fine frescoes. Head inland on some sensational mountain roads to Sacro Monte, a holy way that winds 2km to the sanctuary at the top, and is lined with 14 chapels decorated with frescoes and statues. Drive to Lake Lugano and around its southern shore before crossing over to Como, where you will spend the next two nights. Enjoy the hotel’s splendid position on the shores of Lake Como, a stone’s throw from the Cathedral and the magnificent Cavour Square right in the heart of town.
Day 6
Discover the lovely little walled city of Como and its fine monuments. Take a scenic drive around the southern half of Lake Como - Italy’s prestigious romantic lake since the early Roman times. Visit Bellagio; a town as charming as its setting.
Day 7
Leave Como and head across to Lake Iseo, via the famous spa town of San Pellegrino and the hilltop town of Clusone. Drive along the western and southern shores of lake Iseo to the hotel, with its enticing location overlooking the lake.
Day 8
The area south of Iseo is famous for its vineyards and there will be an opportunity for tours and sampling before heading to Brescia to visit the Mille Miglia Museum. Drive to Lake Garda and stay overnight on the western shore at a lovely hotel right on the lake shore.
Day 9
Head south round Lake Garda to the thoroughly pleasant town of Desenzano and then to medieval town of Sirmione, which enjoys a dramatic position on a narrow peninsula jutting into the lake. Stay for the last two nights just inland from the village of Garda in an enticing locanda - a 16th century farmhouse.
Day 10
Spend the final day exploring Lake Garda and the surrounding area. Verona is only a short distance away, or take time to relish the delightful villages along the western shore.
Day 11
Depart for home: Take either the scenic route, which we can plan for you, or exploit the easy access onto the motorways which connect the rest of Europe.
Details
This tour lasts for 11 days/10 nights, and can be taken at any time.
Price:
£1,985 per person, based on two people per car and sharing accommodation.
What’s included
- All accommodation for ten nights
- Breakfast every morning, and dinner on five evenings. (On the other evenings dinner is available in most of the hotels, or you are welcome to make your own arrangements. Recommendations and reservations will be made, if required.)
- Tour book - includes a brief history of Italy, basic Italian dictionary, emergency details, maps and directions, accommodation information, and a very detailed account of sights and visits for each day. The book effectively eliminates the need for any other guide books.
What’s not included
- Fuel, road tolls and any Italian lake ferry crossings, five evening meals, any lunches, entry into attractions and activities, and personal travel insurance are extra.
- We strongly suggest and recommend you have European breakdown cover, and ensure you are covered for the countries to be visited.
- Channel ferry crossings for UK participants or travel to Italy
- All drinks are extra to accommodate individual preferences.
Requirements
- Each person must have a passport (and any necessary visas for non-EU passport holders) valid for Italy and any other countries you may visit to participate on the tour.All passports must be valid for six months after the end of the tour
- You will also need your vehicle registration documents, driving licence (a photo-card licence or international permit is best), and an international insurance green card.
- Please check your travel and motor insurance that you are covered for travel in the required countries.
- You are also required to safety equipment: carry a warning triangle, first-aid kit, fluorescent jacket, set of replacement bulbs and a national identification sticker.
- The Italian Lakes Tour is open to any classic, vintage or sports type vehicle, of any age. However, the most important requirement is that you take pleasure in motoring through fabulous scenery, relish individual, character hotels and enjoy the company of like-minded travellers.
Classic Car Hire
We have teamed up with Sprintage to offer some great rates on their wonderful classic cars for this tour. Please contact us for the rates. For the cars available please have a look at www.sprintage.com
We can arrange to have the cars delivered to the first nights hotel in Orta San Guilio or to one of the following airports: Milan, Venice or Verona. Please contact us for details.
Booking
Apart from our scheduled, escorted group tours, none of our itineraries are set in stone - after all, this is your holiday - so we can fine-tune any aspect of these tours to meet your wishes. Any of our escorted tours may also be taken as a private, independent tour, at a time to suit you.
We work closely with a number of classic and spots car hire companies across the UK, Europe, and beyond, so we can arrange your car hire for you , too. Please contact us for futher details and the cars we have available.
