Day 1 - Lake Maggiore

Scheduled flight to Milan - transfer with our tour manager in our private executive coach to Lake Maggiore and the 3* Hotel Delle Torre at Stresa.

Day 2 - Villa Cicogna, Lake Como & Villa Balbianello

Located in the hillside village of Bischio, Villa Cicogna’s garden is a hidden treasure with wonderful views of Lake Lugano and the Brevio Valley - travel on to Lake Como and take a boat to the 16th century Villa Balbianello with picturesque gardens in the colours of the Italian flag rising out of the water and with beautiful views across the Lake.

Day 3 - Lake Maggiore & the Borromean Islands

Meet our boatman at Stresa on Lake Maggiore for our trip out to the Borromean Islands - beautiful Isola Bella with its 17th century Baroque gardens built on ten terraces adorned with fountains, statues and rare exotic plants - Isola Madre is home to botanical gardens with exotic trees - optional lunch at a pretty fishing village on the Isola dei Pescatori.

Day 4 - Portofino & Montecatini Terme

En route to Tuscany, free time for lunch at Portofino on the Italian Riviera - make our way along the coast to Montecatini Terme and the 4* Grand Hotel Tettuccio.

Day 5 - Villa Garzoni, Villa Torrigiani & Lucca

Villa Garzoni in Collodi has Tuscany’s best Baroque garden, set between Lucca and Pescia and the Valleriana, a lush fertile zone through which the River Pescia flows - continue to the beautiful gardens of Villa Torrigiani lying in the foothills of the Apennines - rest of the day is spent at beautiful Lucca where we have free time to explore the birthplace of Puccini.

Day 6 - Villa Medici & Florence

Morning visit to the 15th century Villa Medici and its Renaissance garden in Poggio Caiano - afternoon to explore Florence with time to visit the Duomo, Uffizi or Boboli Gardens or to relax for lunch by the River Arno.

Day 7 - Bologna

Visit the Pinacoteca Nazionale in Bologna, one of Northern Italy’s finest art galleries with works by Giotto, Raphael and Perugino - transfer for our scheduled flight home.

Three nights at the family owned 3* Hotel Delle Torre at Stresa, just a short walk from the shores of Lake Maggiore. Recently renovated, the hotel is just 800 metres from the old town centre and boasts a swimming pool. Further three nights in the 4* Grand Hotel Tettuccio in the charming spa town of Montecatini Terme in the heart of Tuscany. Half board basis at each hotel.

Single room supplement £129

Insurance

Entrance fees to places of interest (State run museums free to over 65’s)

Optional lunch at Isola dei Pescatori

Gratuities

Remember this itinerary is just our suggestion. Tailor make this tour exclusively for your group to suit your members’ budget or preferences. You could:

• combine with a visit to the historic port of Genoa
• stay at 3* or 4* hotels throughout
• on bed & breakfast basis at one or both hotels
• have fewer or different excursions
• for more (or fewer) days
• bring your own specialist lecturer
• include all entrance fees & gratuities