Venice and the Italian Lakes walking tour in autumn

Day 1

The Venice and the Italian Lakes walking tour starts in Venice. We meet in the foyer of our 4-star hotel in Cannaregio (a quiet residential district) at 07.00 pm and, after a short walk, have dinner in a nearby restaurant. (Dinner).

Day 2

This morning a local guide will take us on a four hour walk along some of the smaller canals, through hidden lanes and squares, exploring some of the less visited parts of the city. (9 kms, 4 hrs, 20 mts ascent)

After lunch, the afternoon is free to explore this wonderful city! (Lunch)

Day 3

This morning we leave Venice by water taxi, crossing the lagoon to be then taken by private bus to a gorgeous town on the shores of Lake Como opposite Bellagio, our base for the next four days. On the way we stop for lunch, and once we have checked in to the hotel, the evening is free. (Lunch)

Day 4

Today's walk is a loop walk up into the mountains behind Menaggio.   This spectacular walk follows old smugglers paths and takes you up into oak forests that open on to farmlands and orchards filled with grazing cows with bells, with breath-taking views across Lake Lugano.  (12 kms, 4 hrs, 550 ascent) We have lunch in an agriturismo then take an ancient cobbled path back down to Menaggio.  You will have the rest of the afternoon to explore this pretty town. The evening is free. (Lunch).

Day 5

Today's walk is a loop walk up into the mountains behind Menaggio.   This spectacular walk follows old smugglers paths and takes you up into oak forests that open on to farmlands and orchards filled with grazing cows with bells and breath-taking views across Lake Lugano.  (12 kms, 4 hrs, 550 ascent)

We have lunch in a lovely 'crotto' with more breath-taking views over Lake Como, and then take an ancient cobbled path back down to Menaggio.  You will have the rest of the afternoon to explore this pretty town.   The evening is free. (Lunch).

Day 6

Today's walk starts with a ferry ride to a lovely town on the other side of the lake.  It takes us up to the castle above, and then along the face of the mountains following stone trading paths that have been used since Roman times, with breath-taking views over Lake Como and the mountains to Switzerland.  (9 kms, 3 hrs, 220 mts ascent).

After lunch we have a pleasant ferry ride back to our base where the rest of the afternoon and evening are free.  (Lunch)

Day 7

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 coffee and a lovely stroll along Lake Lugano.  (3.5 kms, 1 hr, 30 mts ascent).

After lunch in Lugano itself, we carry on to the Centovalli, where our base for the next four nights is a charming 400 year old mountain hotel tucked away in the valleys above x Lake Maggiore.

After settling into the hotel, you'll be taken on a guided walk around this very interesting small town and then we will have dinner at a lovely traditional restaurant.  (Dinner)

Day 8

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, we follow stone paths through a narrow gorge and into a valley, passing through chestnut and oak forests, past goat farms and a tiny hamlet before descending to the valley floor, finishing at a comfortable bar, overlooking a white stone river (we'll have a packed lunch along the walk). (11 kms, 4 hrs, 300 mts ascent).  

We'll take a train back to our base where the evening is free. (Lunch)

Day 9

Today is a free day, with a variety of options - your guide will be available to help with advice and making the arrangements.  There are lots of good things to do.  For example, take the electric train into Locarno (15 minutes) to shop and/or take a ferry ride on Lake Maggiore, visiting the botanical gardens on the Brissago Islands.

Another fabulous option is to take the Centovalli train, which goes from Locarno to Domodossola. It is one of the most celebrated train rides in Italy, and you may wish to go for lunch and then take the return train back to our base which is on this train line.

Or why not take the cable car up to Monte Comino at 1200 metres, to enjoy a stroll amongst the flowery pastures whilst taking in the stunning panorama.  Otherwise, you can simply chill out at the hotel, read a good book and explore the village.

We regroup in the hotel in the evening to have dinner at a local restaurant. (Dinner)

Day 10

This morning’s walk takes you the length of the beautiful valley we are staying in.  We start by catching the small narrow-gauge train into the spectacular valley (on the famous Centovalli lime) to a pretty village near the Italian border .  From here, we follow a well-marked ancient trail above the river all the way back to our base.   Along the way back we pass through a number of pretty villages, stopping along the way for a packed  lunch. (10 kms, 5 hrs, 600 mts).

The rest of the afternoon and evening is free.  (Lunch)

Day 11

Today we leave Switzerland and drive down the shore of the lake, crossing the border back into Italy and heading for Turin, a surprisingly gracious city of wide boulevards, elegant arcades and grand public buildings.

On the way we visit possibly the most enchanting of all the Italian lakes, tiny Lake Orta. It starts with a visit to the World Heritage listed Sacro Monte d'Orta.  We then have a short walk around the shores of the lake to the gorgeous village of San Giulio d'Orta, where we'll have lunch.

After settling into the hotel in Turin, you'll have the time to explore the city and do a little afternoon shopping. The evening is free. (Lunch)

Day 12

This morning you will be taken on a guided 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 (4 hrs).

The afternoon is free. In the evening we take a short walk through the heart of the city to have dinner in one of the city’s fine restaurants. (Dinner)

Day 13

After breakfast, you will be able to continue your holiday.  Turin has a local airport, a shuttle service to Malpensa international airport and is well connected by train to all major Italian cities and to the rest of Europe.