Villas & Gardens of the Italian Lakes

Fly to Milan and transfer to Lake Como and the Grand Hotel Menaggio for a seven-night stay.

After an introductory talk this morning, and time to explore Menaggio, enjoy an afternoon private boat trip along Lake Como for a guided tour of the 18^th century Villa Balbianello. Built as a cardinal’s literary retreat, and boasting fine Chinese porcelain, terracotta, and tapestries, it was bought by explorer Count Guido Monzino in the 1970s and features memorabilia from his expeditions.
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Choose an easy day or enticing optional excursion, taking you by road to the town of Tirano, and transferring to train tracks at Poschiavo for a scenic spectacular of gorges and glaciers on the Bernina Express to Diavolezza. A short onward journey to St. Moritz gives you time to view the crystal-clear lake, rub shoulders with the rich and famous, and take in the uber-elegant shops. Return by coach (£90).
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Travel to the big, blue, 65km stretch of Lake Maggiore, to visit Villa Taranto, its grounds designed by British gardener Captain Neil McEacharn; and sail to two of the three islands rising from the lake, Isola Madre and beautiful Isola Bella, where Borromeos’ 17^th century Baroque palace basks amid grounds with ten tiered terraces.
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A morning at leisure to enjoy the easy tempo of Menaggio, before a private cruise in the afternoon takes you to Tremezzo to visit the Villa Carlotta, where sculptures by Canova complement landscaped lakeside terraces, and glorious gardens are replete with rhododendrons and azaleas. Continue to the Grand Hotel Cadenabbia for a sundowner on the terrace, with views over the water to Bellagio and Varenna. Return by coach.
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Drive into the hills toward Lugano to visit the 17^th century Villa Bagatti, its gardens and terraced park set into the cliff-face; and continue to Bisuschio and the Renaissance Villa Cicogna Mozzoni, a former hunting lodge, extended and transformed in the 16^th century, with frescoes by the Campi brothers, and gardens laid over seven levels, from a formal Italian walled garden to pools and fountains, and a naturalistic park area.
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Travel by boat to Bellagio and the neo-classical Villa Melzi, fronting Lake Como. Designed by Giocondo Albertolli, its eclectic grounds encompass a fine water garden, an avenue of plane trees, Japanese maples, and a Moorish temple. Continue to Varenna to visit the 16^th century Villa Monastero. Built on the site of a former Cistercian monastery, the villa’s 20^th century landscaping includes botanic gardens, a waterfront loggia and terraces, and Baroque sculptures.
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Transfer to Milan airport for the return flight to your chosen airport.
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