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Lake Maggiore
Beautiful Lake Como
San Giulio
Walking
Walking the Italian Lakes
Italy
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Half board
Explore the beauty of the Italian Lakes on this walking holiday
From modest Lake Orta to mighty Maggiore and famous Como, the Italian Lakes have inspired poets and artists since the 18th century. In 1909 Henry James wrote ‘…One can’t describe the beauty of the Italian lakes….’ , and today, this beautiful region continues to retain its attraction for the visitor with breathtaking views over sublime waters, tree-clad hills, ruined castles and lakeside promenades.
This new walking tour provides an opportunity to discover these inspiring landscapes and to explore the countryside. During your holiday look forward to five walks which will take you from the shores of Lake Orta to those of Lake Lugano, see early villages and elegant villas, follow old tracks leading to fine viewpoints, and explore some of the lakeside towns. When you’re not out and about, look forward to relaxing at your comfortable hotel situated on the shores of Lake Orta.
Including...
All breakfasts and dinners
Saga Host
Plus...
- Return flights and transfers
- Hosted welcome drinks reception
- Meet and greet with expert host
- Five walks
- Porterage at all hotels
Address
Hotel L’Approdo, C.so Roma, 80, Pettenasco, Italy
Introduction
This modern hotel has a fine location, situated on the shores of Lake Orta with views across the water to Sacra Monte.
Accommodation
The hotel has 72 bedrooms.
Television
Telephone
Safe
Kettle
Wi-Fi
Hairdryer
Food and Drink
Look forward to enjoying breakfast and dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.
Other Hotel Information
The hotel has a hydromassage pool available for an extra charge.
Lake Como: Sala Comacina – Cadenabbia
Distance: Approximately five miles
Difficulty: Easy
Transfer to the fishing village of Sala Comacina from where you’ll walk along the shore of the lake, passing villages and impressive villas including Villa Carlotta with its fine botanical gardens. At the village of Cadenabbia conclude your walk and relax with some time to explore independently.
Three hours
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Included on 7 nights itinerary
Lake Lugano: Lugano – Gandria
Distance: Approximately five miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Starting from the lakeside promenade in Lugano, you’ll walk to the beginning of the Olive trail (Sentiero degli Ulivi) on the city outskirts. From here, follow the trail to the village of Gandria. The olive trail was created in 2002 and aims to revive the growing of olives and the production of olive oil. During your walk look forward to seeing recently introduced, as well as older, olive trees together with information panels along the route.
Three hours
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Included on 7 nights itinerary
Lake Maggiore: Cannobio– Cannero Riviera
Distance: Approximately five and a half miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Your walk starts in the lakeside town of Cannobio situated on the shores of Lake Maggiore. From here you’ll follow an old track through a hillside forest to the stunning, medieval village of Carmine Superiore which sits high above Lake Maggiore with breathtaking views of the lake and mountains beyond. Next, walk down to the lake passing the remains of castles built by the Borromeo family, before arriving at the resort of Canero Riviera which lies towards the top of Lake Maggiore. The town is known for the lemons, limes, olives, camelias and more that grow here, and as you walk along the lakeside promenade you will conclude your walk in the Citrus Park. Walk amongst the rows of lemons and other fruits grown here as part of a joint project between the town and University of Turin, and where you’ll find useful information panels as well as a citrus fruit house museum.
Five hours
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Included on 7 nights itinerary
Lake Orta: Armeno – Orta San Giulio
Distance: Approximately three and a half miles
Difficulty: Easy
Transfer to the village of Armeno situated in the hills to the east of Lake Orta and where your walk commences. From here set off on a gentle descent through a chestnut wood, passing through the villages of Carcegna and Miasino. Here, admire the 16th century Villa Nigra – now the town hall, as well as other elegant buildings spanning the 17th and 18th centuries. Afterwards, continue downhill to Lake Orta passing the Moorish palace of Villa Crespi (now a hotel) with its distinctive minaret-type tower, before arriving back at your hotel.
Three hours
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Included on 7 nights itinerary
Lake Orta: Lake Orta – Maggiore
Distance: Approximately four and a half miles
Difficulty: Easy
After transferring to the hilltop town of Gignese which lies between the lakes of Orta and Maggiore, set off on a walk that heads towards the hillside village of Alpino and through the botanical garden, before descending to Lake Maggiore and the lakeside town of Stresa, approximately 2,600 feet above sea level and known for its botanical garden. Created in the 1930s, the garden covers nearly 10 acres and is home to some 700 different species of plants many of which are alpine. At its heart lies a natural spring which comes from the Mottarone mountain and from the garden you can enjoy panoramic views of beautiful Lake Maggiore. After walking through the garden, descend some 2,200 feet to Lake Maggiore and the lakeside town of Stresa where you can enjoy some time at leisure to explore independently.
Four hours
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Included on 7 nights itinerary
Locarno & Centovalli Railway
Cross into Switzerland as you visit the pretty lakeside town of Locarno, situated on the shores of Lake Maggiore and regarded as the town with the warmest climate in Switzerland. Enjoy some free time here to explore independently. Perhaps explore the Old Town with its Piazza and remains of a 12th century castle, or just relax and soak up the atmosphere.
Alternatively, perhaps take the funicular railway to the Sanctuary to the Madonna Del Sasso (extra charge) built on the site where the Virgin Mary appeared to a Franciscan Friar in 1480. Next, look forward to stepping aboard the Centovalli (Hundred valleys) railway for a two hour journey to Domodossola in Italy. This mountain railway will take you past valleys dotted with small towns, over bridges and viaducts and through gorges on a scenic journey, after which you’ll transfer back to your hotel.
Full day
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Optional on 7 nights itinerary
A reasonable level of fitness is required to enjoy this walking holiday. Walks will range from three to eight miles and will take up to five hours, depending on the walk. Walks will be easy to moderate with some ascents and descents, and may include walking over uneven ground.
