Lake Como

Guided Walking Tour of Venice and the Italian Lakes, including Venice, Como, Maggiore and Turin
(13 days / 12 nights) - $5,990 AUD per person

2010 Tour Fully Subscribed 2011 Dates : 6 September 2011 to 18 September 2011 $5,990 AUD per person

The Italian Lakes' breath-taking natural beauty, benign climate and lush, subtropical vegetation have been beguiling visitors since the Roman times. It is an area with a rich history. Strung along the foot of the Alps, for millennia the lakes have been a gateway to the colour and life of the Mediterranean world for the pilgrims, traders and armies who marched across the Alps on foot (several of the walks on the tour follow these same routes as they wind beside and above the lakes - there are seven walks in total).

Lead by Simon Tancred, this thirteen day walking tour to Venice and the Italian Lakes takes you to the two most beautiful and interesting Italian lakes, Como and Maggiore, both forming part of the border between Italy and Switzerland, visiting the smaller lakes of Lugano and Orta along the way. The walking tour starts on the canals of Venice (two nights) and finishes in the elegant arcades of Turin (two nights). In between, we spend four nights based in a 17th century villa on the shores of Lake Como, before crossing the Swiss border into the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, and spending four nights in a marvellous 400 year old hotel in the lush, green valleys above the northern reaches of Lake Maggiore.

”We had one of our best times ever.  The tour was way beyond our expectations, and they were high!  Every aspect, the walks, itinerary, guiding, food and hotels, was wonderful... I found the tour to be the most delicious and interesting experience and am planning our next two Hidden Italy adventures.”
CT,  Venice and the Lakes, 2009

	Tour Dates:	2010 Tour Fully Subscribed 2011 Dates : 6 September 2011 to 18 September 2011 $5,990 AUD per person
	Tour Size:	7 to 14 people
	Tour Cost:	$5,990 AUD per person (two people sharing a double room) (single supplement for a double room for single use $600 AUD) (approximately $5,4500 US - subject to daily exchange rates**)
	Tour inclusions:	12 nights accommodation in boutique hotels (see itinerary for details) All breakfasts, and all lunches and dinners listed in the itinerary All land and lakes transfers listed in the itinerary All taxes and service charges at the hotels All paid admissions during the tour 7 guided walks Full-time services of a fully experienced bi-lingual guide

View from our hotel in Ticino	Lake Como
Our base in Como	Venice, Gondolas
Venice, San Giorgio	Centovalli view, Ticino
Shops	Autumn chestnuts

Venice & the Italian Lakes Walking Tour Itinerary

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Day		The Venice and the Italian Lakes walking tour starts in Venice. We meet in our hotel (on a canal in a quiet residential area) on the first night for a short stroll around the neighbourhood and dinner in a nearby restaurant. (Dinner).
Day		This morning we take a three hour walk along some of the smaller canals, through hidden lanes and squares, exploring some of the less visited parts of the city. After lunch, the afternoon is free.  (Lunch).
Day		This morning we leave Venice by private boat, crossing the lagoon to be taken by private bus to a gorgeous town on the shores of Lake Como opposite Bellagio our base for the next four days, staying in a 17th century villa, with famous gardens. On the way, we stop in the Franciacorta, one of the premier northern Italian wine producing districts, for lunch in a celebrated osteria that has been in the same family for four generations. , The evening is free. (Lunch).
Day		For the first walk, we again cross the lake by ferry to follow a path that takes us up into the Sanagra Valley, passing through forests and exploring timeless villages, each rich with its own local history and stories. Along the way, there are extraordinary views over Lake Lugano to the mountains of Switzerland (3.5hrs). At the end of the walk we have lunch in a small village overlooking Lake Como. After lunch, you will have the choice of taking a bus or walking (1.5 hrs) down to the lakeside.  The rest of the day is free. (Lunch).
Day		This morning we visit two of the finest villa's on the shores of Lake Como. We take a short ferry ride across the lake to  the first villa, which was built in the late 17th century and modified in the 19th century.  It has an important collection of 19th century art but best known for its extraordinary 14 acres of lakeside English gardens.  The second villa is two ferry stops further on, sitting on the tip of of a forested peninsula and is one of the highlights of the tour.  At the end of a private guided tour we take the ferry back to our base, visiting neighbouring Bellagio, one of the ‘most beautiful villages in Italy' on the way. You'll have the afternoon free in Bellagio.  In the evening we'll meet rejoin for dinner overlooking the lake. (Dinner)
Day		Today's walk takes up to the castle above our town, and then along the face of the mountains following stone paths that have been used since Roman times,with breath-taking views over Lake Como and the mountains to Switzerland. We break for morning tea (coffee?) in the next village before continuing on to our destination, where we have Sunday lunch in a small osteria, or inn, that has been servicing walkers on the track for centuries and specializes in traditioonal 'comasco' cooking (3.5 hrs). After lunch we have a pleasant ferry back to our base where the evening is free. (Lunch)
Day		This morning we leave Lake Como, crossing the nearby Swiss border into the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino and driving through the mountains to the northern, Swiss, end of Lake Maggiore. Along the way, we stop for a short lake side walk and have lunch in elegant Lugano. Our base for the next four nights is a charming 400 year old mountain hotel tucked away in the valleys above Locarno. After settling into the hotel, you'll be taken on a guided walk around this very interesting small town.  Dinner is in at the town's most famous restaurant, a gourmet delight. (Dinner)
Day		After breakfast, we catch the little single gauge electric train for a few stops up the valley and then take a cable car to the top of the mountains.  After coffee in a mountain hut, we take a spectacular well marked trail, through forests, (car-free) hamlets through scenery that springs from the 'Sound of Music' to a small village above our base (3.5 hrs) having a picnic lunch on the way.  From the village we take another small cable car directly down to the valley. The evening is free. (Lunch).
Day		Today is a free day, with a variety of options (your guide will be available to help with advice and to make the arrangements) including: take electric train into Locarno (15 minutes) to shop and/or take a ferry ride on Lake Maggiore to visit the botanical gardens on the Brissago islands; do an easy walk into Locarno, following the river (1.5 hours); or take the little train for the celebrated ride all the way through the very beautiful valley, back into Italy, where you can get off for lunch before catching the train back to our base (3 hour round trip); or chill out poolside at the hotel and read a good book. We'll meet again in the evening for dinner. (Dinner)
Day		Today's walk takes us into a neighbouring valley, known to the locals as the valley of the sun. Climbing up to a small chapel, following stone paths through a narrow gorge at the head of the valley, passing chestnut and oak forests, goat farms and a tiny hamlet before descending to the valley floor, finishing at a comfortable bar, overlooking a white stone river.  We'll will have a picnic lunch along the walk. (4 hrs). The evening is free. (Lunch)
Day		Today we drive down the shore of the lake, cross the border into Italy, and head for Turin, a surprisingly gracious city of wide boulevards, elegant arcades and grand public buildings, looking its best since the recent 2006 Winter Olympics. On the way we visit arguably the most enchanting of all the Italian lakes, tiny Lake Orta. After a short walk around the shores of the lake (0.5 hrs) and time to explore the gorgeous village of San Giulio d'Orta, we continue on to Turin. After settling into the hotel, you'll have the time to explore the city and do a little afternoon shopping. We'll have dinner in a small neighbourhood trattoria. (Dinner)
Day		This morning we will walk through Turin's centre visiting some of the city's Baroque splendour, the legacy of the Savoy kings, who ruled from here for nearly six centuries (3 hrs). The afternoon is free. In the evening we take a short walk through the heart of the city, have an aperitif and have our farewell dinner at a fine restaurant in one of the city's most beautiful squares. (Dinner)
Day		After breakfast, you will be able to continue your holiday - Turin is well connected by train to all major Italian cities and to the rest of Europe.

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