Beautiful Lake Maggiore combines a cosmopolitan atmosphere with the classical charm of a bygone era, making it one of Italy’s finest holiday destinations. The resort of Stresa situated on the Western shore within the secluded Borromean Bay is often considered to be the Italian “Cote d’Azur”.
Experience the delights of traditional Italian hospitality as you wander along the lakeside promenade and enjoy the many cafes and restaurants that offer spectacular views of the famous Borromean Islands and surrounding Alpine scenery.
Lake Maggiore and Stresa offer the perfect location from which to explore this stunning region of Italy, and even further into Switzerland. Like the other northern Italian lakes, Lake Maggiore’s credentials as a tourist destination go back a long way, with many illustrious visitors enjoying the Lake’s ambience in luxurious lakeside villas and verdant gardens over the centuries, many of which can still be enjoyed today.
Stresa
The most popular Lake Maggiore resorts stand on the Western shores of the Lake, with the lovely town of Stresa providing a perfect example of all that this area has to offer. Stresa is noted for its majestic architecture and cosmopolitan atmosphere, with many of its beautiful villas and gardens open for the public to enjoy.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can take a ride on the town’s cable car which climbs up Monte Mottarone to a height of over
4,000 feet from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the Alps and the other lakes. With unique island attractions, woodland walks with panoramic lake views, botanical gardens, churches, markets and a bustling cafe culture, you can be sure that there will always be something to enjoy in Stresa!
Optional Excursions
Lake Lugano & Lake Como - Full Day
This excursion is a wonderful opportunity to see three of Europe’s most beautiful lakes in two different countries in just one day!
To the north of Lake Maggiore you will pass the mystical floating castles of Cannero, then for our first stop we travel towards the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps on our way to Lake Lugano. Lugano city nestles between the peaks of Monte San Salvatore and Mont Bre, and with its palm and cypress tree-lined promenade overlooking the blue waters of the Lake, it has a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Head for the Palazzo Civico to feel the hustle and bustle of the city centre, an area brimming with restaurants and boutiques. From Lake Lugano we journey on to beautiful Lake Como, one of the most spectacular lakes in Italy with its sparkling waters surrounded by dramatic mountains.
Here you will have the opportunity to visit Villa Carlotta where every ceiling is a masterpiece of frescoes and where, in the gardens, there are over 500 species of plants. Como itself is a modern city steeped in history; see the 14th century cathedral or hunt out some bargains in the vast array of silk shops.
Departs on Tuesday.
Price; £50pp
Lake Orta - Half Day
Join us on a relaxing afternoon excursion to one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe. Surrounded by lush woodland, Lake Orta really is a hidden secret. There is free time to take a stroll and admire the quaint cobbled streets of Orta S. Giulio, or what could be better than sipping a coffee at a cafe in the picturesque lakeside piazza? You may wish to join an optional boat ride to the enchanting S. Giulio’s Island where you can visit the 12th century basilica and crypt of S.Giulio, or alternatively you can simply admire the views across the Lake from the track around the island’s perimeter.
We continue our tour through the scenic countryside of the Vergante hills and along the southern tip of Lake Maggiore, taking in the towering statue of S. Carlo Borromeo, said to be the largest in the world, with panoramic views of the Lake.
Departs on Thursday.
Price; £35pp
Zermatt and The Matterhorn - Full Day
Our tour takes you through the Ossola Valley as it winds its way gracefully up towards the Alps and away from Lake Maggiore, leading you up to the famous Simplon Pass. At the highest point of the Pass, the Belvedere View Point, there are unbeatable 360 degree panoramic views of the Swiss and Italian Alps. We then continue onwards and upwards through Brig (with its Stockalper Castle), Visp and along the Matter Valley right into the heart of the Alps. At Taesch you will take the rack and pinion railway up to Zermatt itself. Situated at 5,315ft above sea level, Zermatt is surrounded by some of the most famous peaks in the Alps Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, the Gornergrat and no less than twelve ‘4,000s’ – peaks over 4,000m.
Zermatt is the most picturesque of the Alpine villages and is completely pedestrianised. Experience a journey up into the mountains in the cable car, take a tour of the village in a traditional horse-drawn carriage, or simply enjoy your free time exploring Zermatt and basking in the dramatic splendour of the Matterhorn.
Departs on Friday.
Price; £65pp
Please note of all three excursions were correct at the time of this break being placed online. However, the availability, tour order and content of these excursions may be subject to change due to local conditions, and Omega Holidays reserves the right to make such changes if necessary.
This tour is organised and operated by Omega Holidays plc ABTA V4782 ATOL 6081
