Board your overnight flight and you're off to your exciting Golden Week in the Italian Lakes! 
*Flights are not included in the price of this package.  We are happy to arrange them for you.

Benvenuta! You’ll be met by our driver at the Milan Malpensa airport and transported to the enchanting town of Stresa, on the shore of Lake Maggiore, a spot that’s been beloved by travelers since the days of the Grand Tour. Your home for the week is the 5-star Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees, a masterpiece of Belle Epoque architecture. The awe-inspiring view from your lake view room will set the tone for this magical adventure, and you’ll have time to relax, perhaps enjoy the hotel’s spa or pool, a stroll on the lakeside promenade, or shopping in the village.

In the evening, we’ll gather to toast the week ahead. Susan will give you tips for keeping a travel journal, so you can create a treasured souvenir of your week. You’ll dine at the elegant Borromees restaurant, to enjoy local specialties, the first of many memorable meals.

Meals: Dinner
 

Buongiorno! Wake up and smell the caffe'. An abundant breakfast awaits you in the hotel’s dining room. Get used to this lovely start to all your Golden days.

We’ll take a short ride through the countryside to the home of a darling superstar chef, who will introduce us to the Lombardy region’s delicious culinary traditions. The fun, hands-on cooking class will include learning the secrets of making the perfect risotto. The class ends with us enjoying the fruits of our labors, dining al fresco on the dishes we’ve created, and toasting with local wines, that are praised as the best in Italy.

We’ll return to Stresa by late afternoon and you’ll have the rest of the day at leisure. There will be an optional journal writing workshop at cocktail time, and you can explore the town’s lovely shops and have dinner on your own, with Susan’s recommendations.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
 

Today we’ll have an amazing adventure discovering the Borromeo Islands, jewels set in the middle of Lake Maggiore. We’ll begin with a private boat ride to Isola Bella—a baroque masterpiece. A passionate guide will lead us through the island’s opulent palazzo, telling us entertaining stories about the Borromeo family and the guests who’ve stayed here, including Napoleon Bonaparte and his sweetheart Josephine.  Surrounding this glamorous place are extraordinary gardens, which appear like an “Alice in Wonderland” vision has come to life.

Then we’ll boat to the folksy Isola dei Pescatori (Fisherman’s Island), to have lunch together, followed by free time to explore this island’s charming shops.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy Stresa at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
 

This is our day to discover treasures that abound in the marvelous city of Milan. We’ll get transferred from Stresa and meet our Milanese guide at the city’s heart: Piazza del Duomo. There we’ll visit the glamorous 19th century Galleria (world’s first shopping mall) and take a break at an elegant caffe. Next, we’ll tour Milan’s stupendous Gothic Duomo, the largest church in Italy. Afterwards we’ll enjoy lunch together and have time to go shopping in the Fashion Capital of the World.

The day’s finale will be a visit to one of the world’s most acclaimed masterpieces: The Last Supper. A viewing with a small group will give you time to truly appreciate the genius of Leonardo da Vinci.

We’ll return to Stresa inspired and have the evening to relax and dine on our own.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll begin a day that takes us off the average tourist path to Lake Orta, a mystical gem, that’s affectionately called the “Little Sister of the Italian Lakes”, for its small size and secluded location. We’ll travel by private mini-van to the town of Orta San Giulio, discover its lovely historic center, with its pretty palazzi, and then take a short ferry ride to Isola San Giulio, nicknamed the Island of Silence.

The island’s centerpiece is a twelfth century Basilica, adorned with superb frescoes. We’ll stroll serene paths of the island, accompanied by the sounds of birdsongs and sweet aromas of spring blooms. There will be free time for lunch and shopping in Orta’s craft and antique shops, before we board a historic train for a short ride up to Sacro Monte, (Sacred Mountain), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we’ll enjoy stunning panoramic views and visit sixteenth century chapels, decorated with sculptures and painting, that tell stories from the life of Saint Francis.

We’ll head back to Lake Maggiore, and land in the quaint lakeside village of Arona, to visit the Guffanti Cheese Cellar. This humble family run operation has been praised as one of Europe’s best cheese cellars. We’ll be guided through to learn about the process of aging cheeses, and be treated to a delicious tasting with wine.

Back in Stresa by early evening, we’ll enjoy the night on our own.

Meals: Breakfast
 

Today we’ll enjoy the enchantments of Lake Como, a playground for aristocrats since the days of the Roman Empire. We’ll begin at glamorous Villa Carlotta, surrounded by exquisitely manicured gardens. Inside the 17th century villa, we’ll hear fascinating stories of Carlotta and her family, as we discover sumptuously decorated rooms and gorgeous Canova sculptures.

Next, we’ll board a private boat to Bellagio, aka The Pearl of Lake Como. This village is beloved for its enticing lanes lined with luxury boutiques, wonderful restaurants, and perfect setting for panoramic views of the sparkling lake. We’ll have time to enjoy lunch together, explore, and shop. (BTW, Lake Como has been famous for centuries for its fine silk production, so bella-bella souvenirs await you!).

Departing Bellagio, we’ll leisurely cruise the lake with our entertaining guide, hearing stories about the history of this destination, including its magnificent villas, ending in the charming village of Cernobbio.

Back in Stresa, after this exhilarating day, you’ll have the evening to enjoy at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
 

This is your day to immerse yourself in La Dolce Vita, and experience Lake Maggiore according to your desires. You may want to enjoy the hotel pool and have a spa treatment, shop for souvenirs in Stresa’s pretty boutiques, ferry off to a different village, return to Milan on your own, or enjoy the gardens of Isola Madre. Susan will help you customize your day’s adventure.

In the evening, we’ll gather for our Farewell Dinner at a restaurant perched dramatically above Stresa, toasting as we take in a glorious sunset view, grateful for new friends, inspired, and rejuvenated from our week together.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Our driver will transport you to the Milan Malpensa airport, where you’ll depart with Golden Memories of our week together...

Meals Included: Breakfast