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Escorted Tours

Lake Orta

Tour highlights include two of Italy’s most striking lakes: Orta, and Maggiore.

You will also visit Varallo, the tranquil Sacro Monte, a complex of religious buildings, Monte Rosa, the highest mountain in Switzerland and second largest in Europe, the charming resort of Stresa and Lake Maggiore’s stunning Borromean Islands with spectacular mountain and lake scenery at every turn.

One of the tour’s most appealing features is our base at Lake Orta staying at the charming family run four-star Giardinetto Hotel, situated in lovely gardens right on Lake Orta with fantastic lake views. 

Dinner is included here every night in its lakeside restaurant offering excellent local cuisine and stunning views.

From

£1,899

per person

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts and seven dinners.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Seven nights’ accommodation at the four-star Giardinetto Hotel, Lake Orta    , based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room.
  • Discover the Authentic Lake Orta
    Explore quaint lakeside villages with their typical Italian architecture, alongside spectacular lake and mountain scenery, lively street markets including the colourful market at Omegna, boat trips on Orta and Maggiore, and peaceful, fascinating religious sites.
  • Your Tour Manager
    Tour manager throughout.
  • Visits & Tours
    Full touring itinerary as detailed in the itinerary.
  • Flights from the UK
    Return flight from London Heathrow to Milan Linate.
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager’s discretion.

Day 1: Fly from London Heathrow to Milan Linate

On arrival, transfer by coach to Lake Orta (approx. one hour 30 minutes) and the Giardinetto Hotel for check-in and evening welcome drink and dinner.

Day 2: Full Day to relax & explore Lake Orta at your leisure

The Hotel Giardinetto sits on the edge of Orta just four kilometres from the lake’s main town, Orta San Giulio which has a beautiful historic centre containing handsome palazzi and pretty houses with decorative wrought-iron balconies.

In the main square is the town hall, a frescoed building dating from 1582 and a host of restaurants with outdoor terraces, perfect for a relaxed lunch. If you are feeling energetic, the amazing Sanctuary of Sacro Monte, high above the town, was built between 1591 and 1770 and contains 21 chapels in which a variety of scenes from the life of St Francis of Assisi are shown.

You could take a boat trip to visit the tiny Isola San Giulio with a pretty church containing a 12th century pulpit.

Day 3: Full day tour to Lake Maggiore

A wonderfully scenic introduction to the area is a full day tour of one of the principal lakes of the region: the relaxing Lake Maggiore. With spectacular lake, mountain, and village views, you will be enchanted at every turn.

Our main visit today is Villa Taranto, known as the ‘Kew Gardens’ of Lake Maggiore, then Cannobio for lunch (own expense) and free time for an afternoon stroll on the west coast of the lake.

Day 4: Full day tour to Omegna

Travelling by boat today we head for Omegna, Lake Orta’s other main settlement, where there will be the opportunity to visit the colourful local market.

Omegna’s centre is also very pleasant around the Piazza del Municipio where a bridge spans the River Nigoglia. This evening there will be a wine-tasting at the hotel before dinner.

Please note: On Days 4 and 7 travel is by boat with 3-4 very steep steps into the cabin.

Day 5: Full day tour to Varallo

Nestled in the foothills of the Alps, Varallo is a small town on the confluence of two rivers, the Sesia and Mastallone.

Visit the 15th century church of Santa Maria delle Grazie to see beautifully restored 16th century frescoes by local Gaudenzio Ferrari. It sits 150 metres above the town in the Sacro Monte di Varallo, one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Piedmont. A series of 44 chapels are filled with 800 life-sized religious statues dating back to the 15th century.

Please note: On Day 5 there is a steep (although short) descent over cobblestone from the coach to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, then another short ascent over cobblestone to the cable car to the Sacro Monte

Day 6: Full day tour to Macugnaga & Monte Rosa

The mountain village of Macugnaga sits at the base of Monte Rosa, the second highest mountain in western Europe, in both Italy and Switzerland, and is dramatically surrounded by a series of high peaks.

Due to its location, it is a quiet place, making it perfect to appreciate the wild and spectacular scenery of the area as well as its charming mountain architecture.

Day 7: Full day tour to Stresa & The Borromean Islands

Returning to Lake Maggiore, we start the day exploring the chic lakeside town of Stresa, which has been a holiday spot for the aristocracy of Europe for centuries, who have left behind a wealth of lovely villas.

From Stresa we will take a boat out to the Borromean Islands, a group of three islands in Lake Maggiore. Isola Bella is the location of the splendid 17th century Palazzo Borromeo; Isola Madre is home to a beautiful botanical garden; and Isola dei Pescatori, the only inhabited island, has a quaint and picturesque fishing village.

Please note: On Day 7 at Isola Bella there are many steps, some without handrail. Access to the garden is through the Villa. Today’s travel by boat also has 3-4 very steep steps into the cabin. 

Day 8: Transfer to Milan for return flight to London Heathrow



our guests say

Recent reviews

“Going up on the cable car at Macugnaga to the area where I had trekked as a schoolboy was a real highlight. We also enjoyed the boat trip across Lake Orta arranged by Tessa on our ‘free day’ as much as any of the scheduled trips. Tessa was extremely helpful and supportive, especially when BA lost my case which had never left Heathrow.”
Mr P, September 2025 

“The Garden of Taranto was a real highlight for me. I would love the optionto travel from a local airport, even if it meant a supplement.” 
Mrs C, September 2025 

“I loved this holiday in all its facets, but my favourite moment was going to Monte Rosa and standing at the top of the cable car, breathing in the sublime view. The clouds swirling around the snow-capped mountains, the sharp air, and the thrill of it all were unforgettable. I was also very pleasedthat you could add/register my Avios points, something I hadn’t realisedbefore. Next time, I’ll bring better shoes for the rough terrain!”
Mrs C, September 2025 

Availability

Choose Your Departure

Date
Departing From
Price From
Availability
14/09/2026
London Heathrow
£1,899
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Solo Traveller Supplement From: £299
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HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

Giardinetto Hotel, Lake Orta
The charming four-star Giardinetto Hotel is located on the lake about 4km from Orta San Giulio and offers lovely views. Facilities at this friendly, family-run hotel include heated pool, lakeside terrace restaurant serving local cuisine, a bar and comfortable bedrooms with private bath/shower, TV, telephone and minibar. Rooms with a lake view and balcony are also available subject to availability and supplement. 

Giardinetto Hotel Website

Our View On The Hotel
The hotel is in a wonderful isolated position directly on the lake with the upgraded lake view rooms with a balcony a worthwhile option. It also has a nice dining room overlooking the lake which is where you shall enjoy dinner (set menu) each evening.

our regular tours

Mobility Information

This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
 
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
 
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. A reminder will be sent to you approximately 10 days before the balance due date. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

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