suggestions for italian taylors made itineraries

3/7 days programmes, individuals and groups, to be taylors made according special whishes and interests, can be combined with other itineraries in  Italy, can be done by car, by bus,by bicycle , on foot.


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Italian Lakes  Shimmering lakes and mountain vistas
 Just north of the extensive plains of Lombardy and a short distance from the high mountains marking the frontier between Italy and Switzerland lie the Italian Lakes. Stretching like slim and beautiful ribbons across rugged terrain mirroring the mountains which drop sharply into their clear waters.  To the south lie cities full of history, cultural and culinary delights. To the north, the passes lead up to ski resorts and into Switzerland, France and Austria. Fashion lovers will want to explore Milan's many shops and designer boutiques, and explore the town of Como home of the silk industry in Italy.  Lovers of music may wish to head for Bergamo, birthplace of Gaetano Donizetti and will surely find the 'elixir of love' in the romantic narrow streets of the oldtown.  Others may take a moment to visit Cremona where the famous Stradivarius violins were made. And the gardeners will revel in the blooms and landscaping of the great lakeside villas.   So much to see, so little time to see it all.

Lake Como

Lake Como, known locally as Lago Lario, is a huge body of water some 105 miles in circumference. It is an enchantingly beautiful lake with small villages dotted around the shores connected by a thin and winding lake road.  Over the years writers and painters have succumbed to its charms and the rich and famous followed the earlier Romans in building beautiful villas on the lakeshores surrounded by stylishly elegant gardens and parks. We have chosen several villages and the regional capital city of Como at the southern end of the lake. Here steamers depart for other villages along the lake, the little funicular railway goes up to Brunate and some good hiking starts in Como such as the serious 30 mile walk from Cernobbio, near Como, to Sorico near the lake's northern shore. Best of all is that it is a busy little Italian town getting on with its own day to day business.

Cernobbio

Cernobbio is about three miles away from Como overlooking a small main square and steamer landing stage. It is convenient for sightseeing around the lake and visiting Como nearby.  At one end of the village the beautiful Villa d'Este hotel, built in the 16th century for Cardinal Gallio and turned into a hotel in 1873, has recently been renovated and its gardens are one of the highlights of the lake.

 
Lake Maggiore

Italy's second largest lake after Lake Garda and called locally Verbana from the Verbena growing along its shores. The northern part of the lake is in Switzerland whilst the southern part is in Italy and is large enough to enjoy its own microclimate. Four unique jewel-like Borromean islands lie in the central Golfo Borromeo. The Isola Bella, has hosted many celebrities in the past such as Richard Wagner, Lord Byron and Goethe. The Isola Pescatori still reflects its original fishing village atmosphere and the Isola Madre where the Borromean family built only one villa in more subdued style but with a park filled with the most fantastic and exotic plants and treasures. Local steamers easily reach these islands from Baveno and Stresa.

Stresa

On the western shore of Lake Maggiore Stresa is one of the lake's most beautiful towns, bursting with flowers and some charming old villas. A holiday resort since the last century it became really popular after the opening of the Simplon tunnel to the north linking Switzerland to Italy in 1906. The town is clustered around the Centre Square Piazza Cadorna and shaded by ancient plane trees. The famous Villa Pallavicino and its colourful gardens and the Villa Ducale are open to the public and the Monte Mottarone may be reached by cablecar from Stresa Lido.

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Principal Places:
                        LAKE MAGGIORE, LAKE OF COMO
Program of the Tour:
           

  • 1st day: PLACE OF ORIGIN – STRESA. The group leaves early in the morning by bus GT for Stresa, a very beautiful little town on the banks of the Lake Maggiore. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel.

  • 2nd day: BORROMEE ISLANDS. In the morning we start for a cruise for the Borromee Islands, three islands on the Lake Maggiore. The Isola Bella, the property of the Borromeo family, charms the visitor with its beautiful Baroque palace and the terraced gardens that slope to the lake. The Fishers Island, best known for his delicious seafood recipes. The Mother Island, with its famous bothanic gardens. At the end of the visit we go back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

  • 3rd day: LAKE OF LOCARNO - DOMODOSSOLA. In the morning we start by bus for a trip along the banks of the Lake of Locarno. We visit the city and then have lunch in a restaurant. In the afternoon we take the typical train that goes through the romantic Road of the Hundred Valleys as far as Domodossola. Aboard the train we cross deep gorges in the rocks, green flowery fields and chestnut woods. Short visit of Domodossola and then we go back to Stresa. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.

  • 4th day: STRESA – COMO – BELLAGIO - LECCO. We leave for Como after breakfast. Arrival and meeting with the guide. We start the tour of the two branches of the Lake, crossing some famous places of Manzoni. Lunch in a restaurant in Bellagio. In the afternoon we reach Lecco. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel.

  • 5th day: LECCO – PLACE OF ORIGIN. The group leaves for its place of origin after breakfast.
Price of the Tour:
                        

PRICE PER PERSON from 421 € 
Incuded in the Price:
          

  • Full board service from the dinner of the 1st day to the breakfast of the last day

  • Overnight stay and dinner in a four stars hotel in double rooms

  • Guided visits

  • Entrance tickets to the Borromee Islands

  • Cruise on the Lake Maggiore

  • Panoramic train single ticket

  • Seafood meal on the Fishers’ Island

  • Insurance

  • Free gift
Excluded from the Price:
          

  • Drinks, tips, entrance fees, motor coach and personal extras.