Italian Lakes & Gardens

Elegant villas, beautiful lakes and splendid gardens

Italy has more than its fair share of beautiful places but few compare with the lakes that nestle in the foothills of the Italian Alps close to the border with Switzerland. The area offers classic images: balconies over blue water, quaint little lakeside towns and villages and flower-filled gardens reflecting in the still waters

Lake Maggiore, Lake Come and Lake Garda make up three of the most important lakes, so come with us as we discover their individual characters and the glorious gardens for which they are so rightly famous.

There is simply so much to see on this tour, the ornate baroque Palazzo on Isola Bella island, carob trees and a colony of parrots on its twin, Isola Madre, the grandeur of Ballagio on Lake Como and the ancient peninsula of Sirmione, dividing the lower part of Lake Garda

Away from the lakes we also visit the spectacular Sigurtá Park & Gardens

No visit to Italy would be complete without taking in one or two of the cultural cities so we have included visits to Milan and Verona too. This tour really does offer something for everyone.

Please note: If you would like to extend your holiday, our 15 night Sensational Slovenia tour starts the day this tour will finish and it is only a 30min drive away

Day One – Monday 5th June
The tour will meet at a campsite in Switzerland. This evening we will have an informal Drinks Reception, an opportunity for everyone to get together for the first time.

Day Two – Tuesday 6th June
We arrive at our Lake Maggiore campsite today for six nights. This evening will be a group dinner in the campsite restaurant. 110 miles

Day Three – Wednesday 7th June
Our excursion today will take us onto the Borromean Islands. After a coach to Stresa, we board our private speedboat for the transfer to the islands. Lunch is included on Isola dei Pescatori and later we visit Isola Bella before returning to our campsite via boat and coach

Day Four – Thursday 8th June
Free day to relax, swim in the lake or take a leisurely walk

Day Five – Friday 9th June
Today we visit the Villa Taranto Botanical Gardens before moving on to Lake Orta where we will have lunch on the island

Day Six – Saturday 10th June
Milan is our destination today, the capital of the Lombardy Region. We will meet our guide for a walking tour and they will show us many of the wonderful sights ending up in the main square outside the Duomo, which is the fifth largest Cathedral in the world

Day Seven – Sunday 11th June
After two busy excursions, today is a free day

Day Eight – Monday 12th June
We move on to our next campsite at the top of Lake Como for a three night stay 120 miles

Day Nine – Tuesday 13th June
A trip to Tremezzo where we will have a guided tour of the Villa Carlotta Museum and Botanical gardens. Features here include ancient cedars and sequoias, an abundance of tropical plants, a Fern Valley and an extensive Rock Garden. After the visit we will travel to Bellagio by private boat, Bellagio is one of the gems of Lake Como with an oleander-lined Promenade, peach and cream painted buildings and a heart of stepped and cobbled alleyways. After lunch we will visit the gardens of the Villa Melzi. The Villa is perhaps best known for its magical location on the lake. The gardens are in the English Style. Later we return to our campsite via boat & coach

Day Ten – Wednesday 14th June
Free day today to relax, swim in the campsite pool. This evening we will take a leisurely twenty-five minute walk to the local restaurant for dinner

Day Eleven – Thursday 15th June
Lake Garda is our destination today, where we will stay for five nights 100 miles

Day Twelve – Friday 16th June
Excursion to the ancient Roman city of Verona for a half day tour. The city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our guide will take us on a walking tour followed by some free time for lunch and shopping. Later we will meet up to return to the campsite, stopping off on the way for wine tasting

Day Thirteen – Saturday 17th June
We travel by boat, from the campsite to the picturesque peninsular village of Sirmione. The area was very popular with wealthy Romans and the well-preserved remains of an elaborate villa can still be seen. Other things to see include the 12th Century castle, the thermal baths and the excellent archaeological museum adjacent to the Grottoes of Catullus

Day Fourteen – Sunday 18th June
A rest day, time for a swim or put your feet up

Day Fifteen – Monday 19th June
We visit Borghetto this morning and after lunch our visit takes us to the Sigurtá Park & Gardens. The grounds cover some 600,000 square meters and the marvellous blend of historical landscaped grounds and modern gardens has earned it a place as one of the most extraordinary gardens in the world

Day Sixteen – Tuesday 20th June
A free day. In the evening we will have our Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant

Day Seventeen – Wednesday 21st June
Our tour ends this morning.

Please note: If you would like to extend your holiday, our 15 night Sensational Slovenia tour starts today and it is only a 30min drive away

PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people = £000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £000

DEPOSIT £000

INCLUDED IN PRICE

• 16 Campsite nights with electric hook-up
• All transfers required for excursions as per the itinerary
• Entrance fee’s as described in the itinerary
• Local guides as indicated in the itinerary
• Tour information pack with suggested routes
• Services of Tour Directors travelling with their own motorhome

• Excursions, Events & Meals

• Drinks reception
• Group Dinner in Lake Maggiore campsite restaurant
• Excursion to Lake Orto, including lunch
• Entry to the Botanic gardens of Villa Taranto
• Excursion to Milan
• Excursion to the Borromean Islands
• Lunch on Isola dei Pescatori
• Entry to Villa Carlotta & Gardens
• Lunch in Bellagio
• Entry to Villa Melzi Gardens
• Group Dinner in Sorico
• Excursion to Verona
• Wine Tasting
• Excursion to Sirmione
• Visit to Borghetto
• Entry to Sigurta Park & Gardens
• Farewell Dinner

This tour starts in Switzerland, but if you would like to travel on the outward journey at the same time as the Tour Directors, please book the optional tour package so that everything can be arranged on your behalf

OPTIONAL EXTRA PACKAGE

• Return Dover/Calais Ferry with 60 day Flexible Ticket + Club Class Lounge
• Three additional campsite nights with electric hook-up in Kent on Friday 2nd June followed by France & Germany
• Dinner at the campsite in Germany
• Tour information pack with suggested routes, plus GPS co-ordinates
• Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome

OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people = £000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £000