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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Italian Lakes: Orta, Como & Maggiore

Eight-day escorted lake tour from London through Italian and Swiss alpine lakes

Illustration of Italian Lakes: Orta, Como & Maggiore

Great Rail Journeys operates this eight-day escorted tour departing from London and ending in Lausanne (or London if returning by rail), combining scenic rail travel with boat cruises and coach excursions across four Alpine lakes in Italy and Switzerland. The journey opens with an overnight sleeper leg via Eurostar and TGV through the Swiss Alps to Turin, where travellers meet their UK Tour Manager. The heart of the tour is a six-night stay at a family-run four-star hotel on the tranquil shores of Lake Orta, a quieter alternative to its better-known neighbours. From this base, the itinerary includes a boat cruise to the medieval island of Isola San Giulio, a ferry crossing of Lake Como to the UNESCO town of Bellagio, a day trip to the Swiss city of Lugano with its palm-lined waterfront, and an excursion to Stresa on Lake Maggiore, long favoured by artists and writers. Breakfast and three-course dinners with wine or beer are included daily at the Lake Orta hotel. The tour suits couples seeking a slower pace on the lakes, repeat rail travellers who want international train segments, and those comfortable with a mix of guided excursions and free time to explore.

What to know before you look closer

  • Lunches are not included except where specified; you arrange your own lunch on most days.
  • Boat trips from Pettenasco village (for Omegna market) and optional activities such as the Mount Brè funicular and Borromean Islands boat trip are payable locally.
  • The hotel in Turin (night one) is unspecified in the operator's information; confirm the name when you book.
  • Return to London is by air (Milan Malpensa) or rail (via Lausanne); rail return adds coach transfer time from Lake Orta.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Turin

    London to Turin for an overnight stay

    Your holiday begins at London St Pancras, where you meet the Tour Manager and your fellow travellers before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. In the French capital, we board a train to Turin. After a scenic journey through the Swiss Alps, we arrive at our destination this evening. On arrival, we check in to our hotel and walk a short distance to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Note: if travelling by air, your holiday begins on Day 2 of the itinerary and ends on Day 8.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Pettenasco, Lake Orta

    Through the Swiss Alps to Lake Orta

    After breakfast in Turin, we enjoy a guided walking tour of the city with a local expert. After the tour, you're welcome to find lunch independently. Our journey continues in the early afternoon by coach to the peaceful village of Pettenasco on the shores of Lake Orta. We check in to our friendly, family-run hotel with modern facilities and spectacular lake views. Note: if travelling by air, your holiday starts today at London Gatwick, flying to Milan Malpensa, then coach to Lake Orta.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Pettenasco, Lake Orta

    Cruising to Orta San Giulio and Isola San Giulio

    Boarding a boat from the hotel's private jetty, we set sail across Lake Orta. Our first stop is Isola San Giulio, a tiny island dominated by an ancient monastery. You could walk the 'Way of Silence' or visit the 12th-century basilica. Our cruise continues to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Orta San Giulio, with free time over lunch to explore. Later, we sail back to our hotel with time to unwind or enjoy the hotel pool and spa before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Pettenasco, Lake Orta

    A trip to beautiful Lake Como

    After breakfast, we travel by coach to Lake Como. Our first stop is Menaggio on the western shores. After free time to explore, we cross the lake by ferry to Bellagio, a stunning location on the edge of a peninsula with cobbled streets, cafés and shops. You might also visit Villa Melzi D'Eril and its gardens. Later, we drive back to Lake Orta, arriving at our hotel with time to freshen up before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Pettenasco, Lake Orta

    A day on the shores of Lake Orta

    Today, you're free to explore your beautiful surroundings at your own pace. Options include taking a boat to the market in Omegna, visiting the museum in Pettenasco dedicated to the town's woodworking industry, or exploring the Romanesque church with its two bell towers. Alternatively, relax at the hotel enjoying the lakeside views from the panoramic terrace or the swimming pool. Dinner is served this evening at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Pettenasco, Lake Orta

    A day trip to the Swiss city of Lugano

    Today's excursion is a visit to the pretty Swiss city of Lugano by coach, with free time to explore at your own pace. Nestled on the shores of glacial Lake Lugano, the city is filled with chic boutiques, pavement cafés and bars. You could walk along the palm-lined waterfront, ride the funicular to the top of Mount Brè for amazing views, or enjoy local specialities from fondue to pasta. Returning to our lakeside hotel at the end of the day.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Pettenasco, Lake Orta

    An excursion to Stresa, on Lake Maggiore

    On the last full day of our tour, we drive to the sophisticated Belle Epoque town of Stresa, overlooking Lake Maggiore, which has welcomed visitors including Lord Byron and Robert Browning since the 19th century. Free time to explore beautiful villas, public gardens and museums. You could visit Villa Pallavicino, stroll along the promenade, or take a scenic boat trip to the Borromean Islands including Isola Bella with its Borromeo Palace and formal Italian Gardens. Tonight is the last night of our tour and our final dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8rail

    Homeward bound, by air or rail

    After breakfast, our tour draws to a close. If returning by air, your group will be transferred to Milan Malpensa airport for your flight to London Heathrow. If returning by rail, we transfer by coach to Stresa for a rail connection to Paris via Lausanne, then join the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Eurostar journey from London St Pancras to Paris, then TGV through the Swiss Alps to Turin
  • Day 3Boat cruise from the hotel's private jetty to medieval Isola San Giulio and its 12th-century basilica
  • Day 4Ferry crossing Lake Como to Bellagio, a UNESCO World Heritage town on a peninsula with cobbled streets
  • Day 6Day trip to Lugano, a Swiss city on glacial Lake Lugano with palm-lined waterfront and optional funicular to Mount Brè
  • Day 7Visit to Stresa on Lake Maggiore, a Belle Epoque town with option to boat to the Borromean Islands

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 7 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation (6 nights if travelling by air)
  • Eurostar Standard class (if travelling by rail)
  • Standard class rail travel throughout
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Return flights from London Heathrow to Milan Malpensa (if travelling by air)
  • Eurostar light meals
  • Breakfast each day
  • 7 dinners (three-course with a glass of wine or beer and hot drinks each evening at Lake Orta)
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation and travel insurance
  • Lunches (unless specified)
  • Boat trips from Pettenasco village (payable locally)
  • Optional funicular to Mount Brè in Lugano
  • Optional boat trip to Borromean Islands from Stresa
  • Eurostar Plus Class upgrade (from £125 each way)
  • Flight upgrades
  • London hotel stays
  • UK rail connections
  • Door-to-door luggage service (from £279 per bag)

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price includes Eurostar Standard class from London St Pancras to Paris, TGV from Paris to Turin, and regional rail for the return journey if travelling by rail. Upgrades to Eurostar Plus Class (from £125 each way) are available at extra cost.
What accommodation is included?
Seven nights in a family-run four-star hotel (Hotel Giardinetto) in Pettenasco on Lake Orta, plus one night in a Turin hotel. The Lake Orta hotel has a restaurant, swimming pool, and lakeside views.
Is this tour escorted?
Yes, Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager throughout the entire journey.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is served each day. Dinner is included every evening, with three courses, a glass of wine or beer, and hot drinks at the Lake Orta hotel. Lunches are not included unless otherwise noted.
How much free time is there?
Days 5 and 6 are largely free to explore Lake Orta and Lugano at your own pace. Other days include guided tours (Turin walking tour) and included excursions (Lake Como cruise, Stresa visit) with some free time in each location.
What is the physical activity level?
Expect modest walking in towns and around the hotels, a guided walking tour in Turin, and optional activities like the funicular in Lugano and boat trips to islands. Most travel days use coach or boat.

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