Explore the enchanting gardens of the Italian lakes with Carol Klein

Itinerary

1. Day

   1

   Arrive in Stresa

   Stresa, Italy

   Following your flight from London to Milan you will be met and transferred to your home for the next four nights, the four-star Hotel La Palma in Stresa, which boasts beautiful views over Lake Maggiore.

   The hotel, set in its own beautiful gardens, is directly on the lakefront opposite the promenade and just a five-minute walk into the centre of town. A welcome drink will be served before dinner this evening.

   Meals - Dinner
2. Day

   2

   Private garden visit

   Lake Maggiore ,

   Today you'll visit the private garden of the President of the Italian Camellia Society, Andrea Corneo, which is just above the shores of Lake Maggiore and surrounded by mountains. The garden has been home to a remarkable collection of camellias since the 1950s and there are now 500 plants and 318 cultivars. The garden is in full bloom in spring so you'll be able to enjoy it at the height of its colour before tucking into lunch, which is included here.

   After your visit, you'll return to the hotel where dinner will be served in the evening, after which you'll enjoy a talk and Q&A session with celebrity horticulturist, television presenter and acclaimed author Carol Klein.

   Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
3. Day

   3

   Borromean Islands

   Isola Bella, Italy

   

   Today you'll spend a full day exploring the famous Borromean Islands with the company of Carol Klein.

   Begin with a cruise from Stresa to Isola Bella, where you'll explore the vast baroque palace built from the island's rock and surrounded by terraced gardens inspired by the 'Hanging Gardens of Babylon'.

   The palace was constructed in the 17th century and became known for its lavish parties, attended by the cream of European nobility, while the gardens feature an ornate parterre with low box hedges and brilliantly coloured flowers, a pond adorned with blue and pink water lilies, and lush plantings of oranges, grapefruits and orchids.

   You'll continue to Isola Pescatori, the 'island of fishermen', with its narrow cobbled streets and pretty harbour, and Isola Madre, where tropical and Mediterranean plants, citrus fruits, crape myrtle, hibiscus, bougainvillaea, protea and agaves all flourish.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
4. Day

   4

   Villa Taranto and Villa Pallavicino

   Stresa, Italy

   You'll visit two more fascinating gardens today. First up are the gardens of Villa Taranto, which are full of rare plants from around the world.

   Villa Pallavicino has been built in the grounds of an immense park, with chestnut woods growing alongside rare exotic plants, and animals from the zoological garden wandering freely in the grounds. The villa, which overlooks one of the most charming parts of Lake Maggiore, is a stunning example of mid-18th-century architecture.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
5. Day

   5

   Villa Cicogna Mozzoni

   Como, Italy

   Today, after checking out of your hotel, you'll visit Villa Cicogna Mozzoni, in the foothills between Varese and Lake Lugano. Here, you'll enjoy a private guided tour with the owner. The estate is set over seven levels and has a formal Italian walled garden with box hedges, water basins, fountains and a grotto. You'll then travel to the town of Como and check-in to the four-star Barchetta Excelsior hotel for the next three nights.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
6. Day

   6

   Villa Carlotta and Lake Como

   Como, Italy

   

   Today you'll travel along the motorways and lake shore roads for an enchanting day on Lake Como. On arrival in Tremezzo you will have time to visit the elegant 18th century Villa Carlotta, where, in the spring, azaleas and rhododendrons burst into a simply dazzling display and in September, smaller crowds mean you can soak up the beautiful sounds of the garden and its fountains.

   Around the house the layout is formal with lemon arbours on the terraces and tall camellia hedges while further away from the villa you will discover a relaxed English-style garden in the woodland, dotted with unusual trees.

   This afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure. You could hop on board one of the many ferries or hydrofoils which glide around the lake.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
7. Day

   7

   Villa Balbianello

   Como, Italy

   

   Today you'll catch the ferry to visit the gardens at Villa Balbianello on the Lavedo point.

   In a sylvan setting of pine, soaring cypress and oak, with pollarded plane trees, manicured lawns and flowerbeds, the garden is maintained to an exceptionally high standard by the Italian National trust or FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano).

   With unparalleled views down the three branches of the lake, the first villa was built in 1540, but was later moved to a new site inland to protect it from flooding.

   Later, you'll return to the mainland and your hotel, with the afternoon free for shopping and sightseeing before a farewell dinner in the hotel this evening.

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
8. Day

   8

   Departure

   Milano, Italy

   

   After a final breakfast at the hotel today you'll check out and be transferred to Milan to catch your flight back to the UK.

   Meals - Breakfast