Tour some of the Italian lakes’ most glorious gardens and visit the Borromean islands, Villa Taranto and Villa Balbianello

See stunning villas, beautiful gardens and breathtaking lake views on this exclusive eight-day tour of the northern Italian lakes, where you'll be joined by horticultural writer and Gardeners' World presenter, Carol Klein.

This part of Italy has some truly sensational scenery - the glittering waters of the lakes and the elaborate villas framed by snowcapped peaks have inspired centuries of artists and poets, and are now charming holidaymakers looking for an enchanting getaway.

A highlight of your experience beside these majestic lakes will be visits to the Borromean Islands - the incredible 18th-century baroque palace on Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore, with its terraced gardens inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and the wonderful gardens on Isola Madre, bursting with Mediterranean plants, citrus fruits, crape myrtle, hibiscus and bougainvillea. Carol Klein will come along on these visits with you, and she'll also join your group one evening to give an insightful talk and Q&A about her gardening career.

Other gardens you'll see include those of Villa Cicogna Mozzoni, and of the private residence of Andrea Corneo, President of the Italian Camellia Society - here you'll see an incredible 500 varieties of camellia on a private tour. You'll also visit Villa Pallavicino, where chestnut woods grow alongside rare exotic plants.

Your bases for this trip will be two comfortable four-star hotels, one beside Lake Maggiore and the other beside Lake Como, where you can admire breathtaking views of the lakes.

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Your expert guide

Carol Klein
Gardeners' World presenter & broadcaster

Carol Klein is a garden designer and 2023 RHS iconic horticultural hero. She is a regular presenter of Gardeners World and Channel 5's Gardening with Carol Klein.

Price includes

  • Four nights' dinner bed and breakfast at the four-star La Palma Hotel, Stresa
  • Three nights' dinner bed and breakfast at the four-star Hotel Barchetta Excelsior, Lake Como
  • Flights from London to Milan (other airports on request)
  • Talk, Q&A and dinner with Carol Klein
  • Comfortable coaching throughout
  • Exclusive visit (including lunch) to the private garden of the President of the Italian Camellia Society
  • Guided tour of the garden at Villa Cicogna Mozzoni with the owner
  • Visits to Isolas Bella, Madre and Pescatori and the gardens of the villas Taranto, Pallavicino, Carlotta and Balbianello
  • Services of a Tour Manager
  • Porterage
  • Limited time offer - save £100pp*

Availability

Call now to book 02039932958
Quote ref: BWITALYKLEIN
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Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Arrive in Stresa
    Stresa, Italy

    Following your flight from London to Milan you will be met and transferred to your home for the next four nights, the four-star Hotel La Palma in Stresa, which boasts beautiful views over Lake Maggiore.

    The hotel, set in its own beautiful gardens, is directly on the lakefront opposite the promenade and just a five-minute walk into the centre of town. A welcome drink will be served before dinner this evening.

    Meals - Dinner
  2. Day
    2
    Private garden visit
    Lake Maggiore ,

    Today you'll visit the private garden of the President of the Italian Camellia Society, Andrea Corneo, which is just above the shores of Lake Maggiore and surrounded by mountains. The garden has been home to a remarkable collection of camellias since the 1950s and there are now 500 plants and 318 cultivars. The garden is in full bloom in spring so you'll be able to enjoy it at the height of its colour before tucking into lunch, which is included here.

    After your visit, you'll return to the hotel where dinner will be served in the evening, after which you'll enjoy a talk and Q&A session with celebrity horticulturist, television presenter and acclaimed author Carol Klein.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  3. Day
    3
    Borromean Islands
    Isola Bella, Italy

    Today you'll spend a full day exploring the famous Borromean Islands with the company of Carol Klein.

    Begin with a cruise from Stresa to Isola Bella, where you'll explore the vast baroque palace built from the island's rock and surrounded by terraced gardens inspired by the 'Hanging Gardens of Babylon'.

    The palace was constructed in the 17th century and became known for its lavish parties, attended by the cream of European nobility, while the gardens feature an ornate parterre with low box hedges and brilliantly coloured flowers, a pond adorned with blue and pink water lilies, and lush plantings of oranges, grapefruits and orchids.

    You'll continue to Isola Pescatori, the 'island of fishermen', with its narrow cobbled streets and pretty harbour, and Isola Madre, where tropical and Mediterranean plants, citrus fruits, crape myrtle, hibiscus, bougainvillaea, protea and agaves all flourish.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  4. Day
    4
    Villa Taranto and Villa Pallavicino
    Stresa, Italy

    You'll visit two more fascinating gardens today. First up are the gardens of Villa Taranto, which are full of rare plants from around the world.

    Villa Pallavicino has been built in the grounds of an immense park, with chestnut woods growing alongside rare exotic plants, and animals from the zoological garden wandering freely in the grounds. The villa, which overlooks one of the most charming parts of Lake Maggiore, is a stunning example of mid-18th-century architecture.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day
    5
    Villa Cicogna Mozzoni
    Como, Italy

    Today, after checking out of your hotel, you'll visit Villa Cicogna Mozzoni, in the foothills between Varese and Lake Lugano. Here, you'll enjoy a private guided tour with the owner. The estate is set over seven levels and has a formal Italian walled garden with box hedges, water basins, fountains and a grotto. You'll then travel to the town of Como and check-in to the four-star Barchetta Excelsior hotel for the next three nights.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  6. Day
    6
    Villa Carlotta and Lake Como
    Como, Italy

    Today you'll travel along the motorways and lake shore roads for an enchanting day on Lake Como. On arrival in Tremezzo you will have time to visit the elegant 18th century Villa Carlotta, where, in the spring, azaleas and rhododendrons burst into a simply dazzling display and in September, smaller crowds mean you can soak up the beautiful sounds of the garden and its fountains.

    Around the house the layout is formal with lemon arbours on the terraces and tall camellia hedges while further away from the villa you will discover a relaxed English-style garden in the woodland, dotted with unusual trees.

    This afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure. You could hop on board one of the many ferries or hydrofoils which glide around the lake.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  7. Day
    7
    Villa Balbianello
    Como, Italy

    Today you'll catch the ferry to visit the gardens at Villa Balbianello on the Lavedo point.

    In a sylvan setting of pine, soaring cypress and oak, with pollarded plane trees, manicured lawns and flowerbeds, the garden is maintained to an exceptionally high standard by the Italian National trust or FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano).

    With unparalleled views down the three branches of the lake, the first villa was built in 1540, but was later moved to a new site inland to protect it from flooding.

    Later, you'll return to the mainland and your hotel, with the afternoon free for shopping and sightseeing before a farewell dinner in the hotel this evening.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  8. Day
    8
    Departure
    Milano, Italy

    After a final breakfast at the hotel today you'll check out and be transferred to Milan to catch your flight back to the UK.

    Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel La Palma

4
Stresa, Italy

Situated directly on the waterfront in Stresa, with picturesque views over Lake Maggiore

With a panoramic spa and rooftop swimming pool, this is one of the finest hotels Maggiore has to offer. Rooms face towards the mountains and the heights of Alto Vergante, designed for those who love the open air. The Sky Bar offers stunning views over the lake and is the perfect spot for an aperitivo in the fresh lakeside air, or for a swim in the Sky Bar Pool, with a view onto the lake and its magnificent islands. There's also a jacuzzi up here on the seventh floor.

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Fitness centre
  • Swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna
  • Poolside bar
  • Restaurant
  • Bicycle rental

Hotel Barchetta Excelsior

4

Four-star hotel in in the heart of Como

At the Hotel Barchetta Excelsior you are surrounded by beauty: the villas with their gardens, art exhibitions, silk outlets, boutiques, romantic boat trips, renowned golf clubs.

Comfortable and quiet rooms offer views of the surrounding streets and the cathedral's dome and guarantee total privacy. Suites offer stunning views of the lake. All of them feature elegant and minimal furnishing with modern comforts. There is a lovely bistro and bar, and a summer terrace for alfresco dining.

There is 24-hour reception, a dry cleaning service, a bar and bistro restaurant and golf.

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Availability

Call now to book 02039932958
Quote ref: BWITALYKLEIN