Gardens of Lake Maggiore

Upon arriving in Milan, we will be met by our local representative at the airport and transferred to our hotel. We will be accompanied by Iain MacDonald, a qualified and experienced gardener and guide throughout the tour.

Enjoy a free morning to check out the local cafes and lovely lakeside walks while enjoying splendid views across the lake to the Borromean Islands.

In the afternoon we will accompany our local guide on a visit to the Statue of St Charles Borromeo near Arona before we journey onwards to Lake Orta. We will take a short boat ride to the island of San Giulio to see its pretty village with a wonderful square, town hall and frescoed houses. This lake island is not only quaint and pretty; its hilly landscape will give you wonderful views of the rest of the lake and the surrounding area.

On this full day tour with our expert garden guide and our local guide, we will visit the stunning and secluded Borromean Islands. The first stop will be the villa and botanic gardens of Isola Madre, where the spectacular gardens are well known for the azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias and an ancient wisteria. There are also citrus trees, hibiscus and ginkgo biloba for you to see, smell and photograph. Next we will have some free time on Isola Pescatori for lunch, before visiting Isola Bella garden and palace. The splendid gardens, which are on ten terraces, consist of geometrically designed hedging, water lilies, citrus trees and lotus flowers. At the highest point of the garden you will see a great unicorn, the symbol of the Borromeo family who made the island look the way it does today.

You will have today free to revisit islands if you wish or attend local market. You may also choose to spend your day relaxing.

A full day guided tour starting with a visit to the beautiful gardens on the Swiss island of Brissago. Later, we will visit Ascona and the town of Cannobio at the foot of the mountains close to Lake Maggiore.

Today will be free to spend as you wish. Enjoy some time by the lake, or visit Stresa to pick up some souvenirs or local Italian treats to take home.

You will have the morning to spend at your leisure or alternatively, take a short walking your around the village of Stresa with our expert garden guide. Close to the hotel, it has delightful shops and a local market with wonderful views of the lake.

In the afternoon, travel by private boat to the Villa Taranto Gardens, a botanical garden situated on the west shores of Lakes Maggiore. Established by a Scotsman Neil McEacharn during the period 1931 to 1940, he planted the 16 hectares of land with 20,000 different plant varieties. Afterwards, continue to the small town of Intra, situated on the Borromean Gulf. Intra's historic centre is ideal to stroll around, with its many cafes and little shops.

Today we will be transferred from our hotel to the airport for our flight home with guide assistance.