Flowers and art will be the main features of this holiday. Travel from Italian gardens to marvellous parks on the shores of Lake Maggiore, tour the fascinating islands of the Borromean Gulf and enjoy an easy trek on the hills to discover the plants, trees and flowers growing by the lake

Programme:

Saturday 27th April
Arrival, check-in at Hotel Primavera 3* in Stresa, dinner (3-course, drinks excluded), overnight.

Sunday 28th April:
After breakfast leave Stresa by train, direction Domodossola, Ossola Valley. The adventure will start with a beautiful train journey on the “Centovalli Little Train”, a bridge between Italy and Switzerland. Crossing Val Vigezzo and Centovalli will take you to a different lake shore, in Locarno. A stop in the valley, to visit S. Maria Maggiore (and the Chimney Sweepers’ Museum) or Re (and the incredible Sanctuary of the Madonna of Blood) can be arranged.
The last part of the outing is scheduled for about 4 pm. From Locarno, a ferry will take you along the coast to the Borromean Gulf and back to Stresa.
Back at the hotel, dinner and overnight.

Monday 29th April
After breakfast, the whole day is at your disposal! Without specific appointments, moving from one place to the other by boat, imagine to use the ferry as a “city bus” but on water : discover Lake Maggiore !
We definitely recommend to stop at Santa Caterina, visit the Hermitage of S. Caterina del Sasso,Angera with a visit at Rocca Borromeo. A stop is also due to Pallanza and the famous gardens ofVilla Taranto. You can then reach Suna on a pleasant walk and enjoy a snack lunch at Lido of Suna, front lake view! Or why not “stop by” in Intra, the coast in front of Stresa with its nice city centre and shops. On the way back to Stresa, you may also stop in Baveno!
In the evening: At 7.30 p.m. a private boat will wait for you at Stresa’s jetty and “ship” you from Stresa to Island Pescatori where in a very nice restaurant your dinner is served.
At 10.30 p.m. return to Stresa, back at the hotel and overnight.

Tuesday 30th April
After breakfast departure by private motorboat to Borromeo Islands. First stop: “Isola Madre” (Mother island) where in rich and lush vegetation live free beautiful peacocks, pheasants and other birds. You will continue with the visit of “Isola Bella” (Beautiful island) with its incredible baroque mansion and Italian-style-garden with its ten terraces overlooking the lake. Last stop will be “IsolaSuperiore dei Pescatori” (Fishermen’s island) that owes its name to the occupation of its inhabitants. This island, with its medieval charm, narrow streets and the view of the lake, is difficult to forget.
Return to Stresa, back at the hotel, dinner (3-course, drinks excluded), overnight.

Wednesday 1st May
After breakfast, check-out and departure