ITALY Boutique Northern Lakes Small Group Tour – 6 days

Destination Italy: Lake Maggiore – Stresa, Lake Como – Lenno,

Tour Style: Boutique small group tour

Length: 6 days / 5 nights

Accommodation: Luxury and or deluxe hotels

Meals: Breakfasts; 5: Lunch; : Dinner; :

Leaders: 1 or more local professional guides and drivers

Transportation: Luxury chauffeur driven air-conditioned vehicles with Trains & Ferries

Tour Grading: MODERATE Suitable for travellers with an average level of fitness and mobility.

• Explore the legendary Italian Northern Lakes: Stresa, Lenno, Como, Bellagio, Menaggio, Tremezzo

• 2 nights in Stresa & 3 nights in Lenno

• Tour of Stresa and surrounding districts including Borromees Islands

• Enjoy local life in Lenno

• Discover the authentic side of Lake Como, staying in a small village and meeting the locals

• Ride on the spectacular Bernina Express train

• Stroll the exquisite Swiss town of St Moritz

• Visit the jewels of Lake Como; Bellagio, Menaggio & Tremezzo

• Stop for a moment and enjoy the charm of the norther lakes

Day 1: Arrive Milan – Stresa on Lake Maggiore: (D)
Upon your arrival at Milan you will be met by your English speaking driver and transferred to your Hotel on lake Maggiore. Lake Maggiore is framed below by soft hills and above by high mountain peaks, some of which have snow throughout the year. These features create a unique microclimate. Thanks to its mild climate, many species of flowers and plants typical to the sub-tropical area have adapted to the coastal areas. Arrival at your 4 star hotel, in Stressa you have a lake view room (If available) looking out at the Borromee Islands.
Later in the afternoon we will rendezvous in the hotel lobby for an introduction and a tour briefing before departing on our ‘welcome dinner’.
You may wish to arrive a day earlier to shop or maybe just to get your bearings and recover from any jet lag you may have. If you do choose to arrive early, we can extend your hotel bookings and provide any information or advice you may need in order to make the most of your time and get yourself familiar with the lovely city.

Day 2: Lake Maggiore: (B)
Meet our guide in the hotel foyer for a full day excursion by public boat to the Borromee Islands. Your first visit is to the Isola Madre, the largest island with its world-renowned botanical gardens. Continue to Fishermen’s Island, where there is time to explore the charming shops and have lunch in its medieval village. Then visit the Isola Bella, home to the 17th century Palazzo Borromeo and its Baroque garden, arguably the most beautiful in Europe.
Return to Stresa by public boat. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Day 3: Lake Maggiore – Como & Lenno: (B)
Your chauffered private van will meet you in your hotel foyer and transfer you to Como where you will meet your private guide for a walking tour of Como’s city centre. A walk through the walled city allows you to admire the various artistic monuments that have made Como such an interesting place. After lunch (on your own) continue your drive to Lenno where you will visit Villa Balbianello the “Jewel of Lake Como“ to visit the marvellous gardens and the private Villa.
Your accommodation is at the 4 star hotel in Lenno with a Lakeview room. Lenno is a small, untouched village on the shores of Como Lake, with a view across to Bellagio. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Day 4: Lenno – St. Moritz – Lenno: (B)
This morning, meet your guide in the hotel foyer for a full day excursion to St.Moritz (Switzerland). Departure with private car and driver to Tirano and then rail from Tirano to St.Moritz on the Bernina Express, the highest railway in Europe, with breathtaking scenic views of the magnifient Alps.
Upon arrival you will have a tour of this exquisite town situated in the spectacular Upper Engadine Valley. Lunch on your own, your guide will be happy to suggest a good chalet or restaurant for some of the best local cuisine .
In the afternoon, meet your driver in St Moritz for your return private transfer to Lenno. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Day 5: : Bellagio, Menaggio & Tremezzo: (B/D)
Day at leisure to explore the amazing villages of Bellagio , Tremezzo and Menaggio. (A guide is available if you wish) Bellagio, a picturesque village with small streets, amazing villas and gardens. Bellagio is located on the top of the promontory that separates the two branches of Lake Como. It is surrounded by blue waters and green woods, adorned with beautiful flower gardens and Bellagio is also the best place to shop on the Lake!
Menaggio and Tremezzo are lovely villages on the shores of Lake Como that you can explore by public ferry (Ferry ticket included). Return to Lenno by public ferry.

Day 6: : Depart Milan: (B)
Our small group tour concludes after breakfast and for most guests today it is time to say farewell to acquaintances, new-found friends and Italy.

At your leisure before transferring to Milan for your onward or homebound journey.

Some guests may wish to stay another day or more in this amazing country; please don’t hesitate to contact Boutique Tours and Travel for further travel arrangements.

Please contact us as soon as possible to ensure your place on this boutique small group tour.

Pre and post tour arrangements.
If you would like to book pre or post tour hotel arrangements or are interested in doing additional touring before or after your journey, please contact Boutique Tours & Travel.

Our itineraries are carefully curated to ensure you are rewarded with the best foodie experiences in Italy. The magic of travelling in a small group allows us to cater for spontaneity and it is sometimes these unplanned moments that can be the most rewarding and memorable and together ca bring a rich tapestry of experiences and the characters we meet along the way it makes this a very special tour.

“I love the combination of being "guided" and opportunities to go on my own at times”.

• A specially curated itinerary for Boutique Tours & Travel

• A Small Group Tour (8- 12 Guests)

• Exclusive local airport /train station arrival and departure transfers for all guests.

• Hand selected Luxury and or Deluxe, modern & boutique hotel accommodation.

• Luxury private air-conditioned vehicles and other modes of transport as per the itinerary

• Ferry Tickets on Day 2 & Day 5

• Bernina Express Train – Return First Class Ticket

• Private services of bilingual professional guides & driver for tours included in the itinerary

• Meals as per Itinerary: "B" Breakfast", “L” for Lunch and "D" for Dinner.

• Concierge services throughout the tour

• Admission fees to most tourist sites as per the itinerary

• Some porterage, tipping and gratuities.

• An exclusive information Tour App.

• Bottled water whilst touring in vehicle.

Not Included

• International and domestic airfares / train fares

• Arrival & Departure Taxes, levies or other charges

• Passport & Visa Fees

• Excess baggage charges

• Cost of any ‘luggage delivery’. – via FedEx or postal services

• Late check-out at hotels

• Meals and beverages not in the itinerary

• Alcohol beverages

• Expenditure of personal nature

• Personal Travel Insurance

• Some porterage, tipping and gratuities.

• Optional activities