Explore the glorious gardens of Northern Italy with Christine Walkden

Itinerary

1. Day

   1

   Arrive in Stresa

   Stresa, Italy

   Today your Italian adventure begins as you depart from London to Milan.

   On arrival, you'll continue by comfortable coach to your hotel for the next four nights, the four-star Hotel Milan Speranza au Lac, located in the centre of Stresa on the sunny shores of Lake Maggiore.

   Once you've settled in, you'll enjoy lunch in the hotel's restaurant, with exceptional views over the lake. You'll then have some spare time to get to know your surroundings and the hotel's facilities. Perhaps take a stroll down to the pier and watch the boats come and go on the lake.

   In the evening, a welcome drink will be served followed by dinner in the hotel's restaurant.

   Meals - Dinner
2. Day

   2

   Villa Taranto and Lake Orta

   Lake Orta,

   Today begins with a visit to the gardens of Villa Taranto. Bursting with rare plants, this early 20th-century garden was developed by Captain Neil McEachern, a Scottish horticulturist, who bought the estate after seeing it advertised in the Times.

   In the afternoon, you'll head to charming little Lake Orta with free time to find lunch in the picturesque old town of Orta San Giulio.

   In the afternoon, look forward to a private boat trip over to the tiny island of San Giulio to visit the island's ancient church. On return to the mainland, you'll visit an interesting private garden perched on the hillside above the lake.

   Later in the afternoon, you'll return to the hotel. Tonight you'll enjoy a very special dinner at the hotel, followed by a talk and Q&A with Christine Walkden.

   Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3. Day

   3

   Borromean Islands

   Isola Bella, Italy

   

   Today, after breakfast, Christine Walkden joins you for a full day exploring the famous Borromean islands.

   Your day starts with a cruise from Stresa to Isola Bella to see the vast baroque palace built from the island's rock and surrounded by terraced gardens that were inspired by the 'Hanging Gardens of Babylon'.

   The magnificent palace was built in the 17th century by Carlo III and was the scene of lavish parties, attended by the cream of European nobility. Out in the gardens, you'll find low box hedges and brilliantly coloured flowers, a pond adorned with blue and pink water lilies and oranges, grapefruits, orchids and more.

   You'll then continue to Isola Pescatori, the 'island of fishermen', with its narrow cobbled streets and pretty harbour. The church on the island is worth a visit and there is a good choice of restaurants and snack bars for lunch.

   Your final visit is to Isola Madre, where tropical and Mediterranean plants bloom, alongside citrus fruits, crape myrtle, hibiscus, bougainvillea, protea and agaves.

   After a busy day, you'll return to the hotel where dinner will be served.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
4. Day

   4

   Private garden visit

   Stresa, Italy

   Today, following breakfast, you'll visit the private garden of the President of the Italian Camellia Society.

   The garden is perched above the shores of Lake Maggiore, surrounded by mountains. Since the 1950s, due to the combination of acid ground, a mild climate and frequent rainfall, the garden has housed a remarkable collection of camellias, grown by Antonio Sevesi, the founder of the Italian Society of Camellias.

   The camellia collection includes 500 plants and 318 cultivars. The garden is in full bloom in spring, but is a delight to visit at any time of the year and provides the perfect backdrop to our delicious and relaxed lunch here.

   After your visit, you'll have the afternoon free in Stresa to explore at your own pace before returning to the hotel for dinner.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
5. Day

   5

   Villa Cicogna Mozzoni

   Como, Italy

   Today, following a final breakfast at Hotel Milan Speranza au Lac, you will visit Villa Cicogna Mozzoni, in the foothills between Varese and Lake Lugano.

   You'll enjoy an informative private guided tour with the owner. The garden was established by Ascanio Mozzoni, who was inspired by his travels to arrange his garden over seven levels.

   The villa boasts several well-preserved frescoes, and merges perfectly with the garden. A two-flight stairway with a brook running in between leads directly to the halls of the Villa. The walled garden is a typical formal Italian garden with box hedges, water basins, fountains and a grotto.

   After your visit, you'll continue to the town of Como where you'll check into your new lakeside hotel, the Barchetta Excelsior. The hotel is located in the heart of Como and is only accessible on foot or by horse-drawn carts.

   This evening, enjoy your first dinner at the Barchetta Excelsior in the elegant bistro.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
6. Day

   6

   Free time

   Como, Italy

   Today you'll have the whole day free to shop and sightsee at leisure.

   It is very easy to hop on board one of the many ferries or hydrofoils which sail to Bellagio, where you can enjoy a delicious lunch and visit the Villa Melzi d'Eril. Your tour guide will be on hand to assist and answer any questions.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
7. Day

   7

   Villa Carlotta and Lake Como

   Como, Italy

   

   Today you'll enjoy a scenic drive along the lake shore roads for a day on Lake Como.

   On arrival in Tremezzo you'll visit the elegant 18th century Villa Carlotta, where, in the spring, azaleas and rhododendrons burst into a simply dazzling display. The house itself has its own story to tell, full of neo-classical art treasures including paintings by Hayez and sculptures by Canova.

   After Villa Carlotta, you'll have a relaxing break in Tremezzo before catching the ferry to Villa Balbianello on the Lavedo Point. Set among pine trees, soaring cypress and oak, with pollarded plane trees, manicured lawns and flowerbeds, the villa has unparalleled views down the three branches of the lake.

   Later you'll return to your hotel where dinner is served in the evening.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
8. Day

   8

   Departure

   Milano, Italy

   After breakfast today it's sadly time to check out of the hotel. You'll return to the airport in time for your return flight to London as your Italian holiday comes to an end.

   Meals - Breakfast