CALL 1-866-563-4248 ITALY - Italian Lakes - Walking Tours RESERVATION FORM

TRIP DETAILS

Trip Length
6 Days / 5 Nights

2010
Dates & Prices

Trip Hotels
Classic Inns

Trip Meals
All breakfasts,
2 lunches and
all dinners but one

What's Included

Start - Finish
Milan (Milano)
ITALY

Trip Activity Level
Easy to
Moderately easy

Rated Ideal for Everyone !

NEED MORE INFO ?
Speak to a
Club Toscana
Senior Trip Leader

Click on Image for
TRIP MAP


Walking among the Picturesque Landscapes of the Italian Lakes

From the sub-alpine slopes surrounding Lakes Maggiore, Lugano and Como, walk ancient trails, stroll through the gardens of 18th-century villas and discover quaint lakeside villages. Absorb the area's tranquil village lifestyle and breathe in scenic views of lakes, forest covered hills and snow topped mountains. For centuries, the glacial fed Italian lakes have been a preferred leisure destination from Roman historians to aristocratic Europeans to today's entertainment celebrities, all inspired by its mild climate, quiet lakesides, and its regional cuisine, each visitor finding relaxation in this place of peaceful tranquility. Join Club Toscana in the Italian Lakes to cruise its shimmering waters, walk in its alpine environment, tour its stately villas and magnificent gardens, dine on fresh lake inspired specialties and relish in the peacefulness of this magical setting.

Day 1- Stresa & Lake Maggiore - Meet at your hotel in Milan.Private transfer to the lakeside resort village of Stresa on Lake Maggiore.Scenic funicular ride to 4900 foot Monte Mottarone. Walk its meadows and grassy slopes for spectacular views of the surrounding lakes framed by the snow covered Swiss Italian Alps.Lunch on regional mountain fare at an alpine "rifugio".Discover the lakefront at Stresa before dining on local specialties.

Day 2 - Borromean Islands - Private boat to Isola Bella in the Borromean Islands located on Lake Maggiore.Discover this historic island village. Tour its palace full of priceless paintings and exhibits, and walk its magnificent gardens.Exclusive boat ride across Lake Maggiore and private transfer to Swiss Lugano in time to enjoy its lively afternoon markets.Join the town's casual social life during its evening "passeggiata" stroll. Discover a local trattoria where regional flavours are shared in a banquet setting.

Day 3 - Lake Lugano - Ride a cog rail to visit Monte Bre for spectacular views of Lake Lugano.Walk to Gandria, an historic and quaint lakeside fishing village only accessible by foot.Boat across Lake Lugano and visit a smuggler's museum at the Italian frontier.Meander along an ancient lakeside footpath with the cosmopolitan city of Lugano and its hills as a backdrop.Dine on your own this evening to discover your own romantic corner of chic Lugano.

Day 4 - Lake Como - Private boat along Lake Lugano to the lakeside market hamlet of Porlezza.Help your trip leader pick out the perfect picnic lunch at its many small food shops.Walk forested trails and farm laneways to Lake Como and the vllage of Menaggio, with one of Lake Como's most picturesque harbor front boulevards.Boat across the lake to Bellagio, one of Italy's most beautiful lakeside towns.

Day 5 - Varenna - Explore Lake Como's eastern shores from the hamlet of Bellano, with its spectacular river gorge.Walk along quiet hillside trails to ancient castle ruins for panoramic views overlooking Bellagio, the shimmering waters of Lake Como and the snow capped Alps in the distance.Discover the quiet lakeside fishing village of Varenna.Visit Villa Melzi, with its chapels and splendid lakeside gardens.

Day 6 - Como & Milan - Homeward bound.Bid a final farewell to the majestic Italian Lakes with a panoramic boat ride down Lake Como to historic Como.Enjoy a walking tour of the old city center before continuing on to Milan, or its international airport; or perhaps extend your stay in charming Como.As always, we would be more than pleased to help you with any of your post-trip travel planning.
Arrivederci and Buon Viaggio !


"It was such a pleasure to be with someone who made us feel comfortably at ease
...and who so obviously knows their way around the Italian lakes.
- Patricia and Michael, Boston MA


Our Italian Lakes Travel
Specialists are Ready
to Help you with
All Your Travel Needs

  • Convenient pick up and drop off at your Milan hotel

  • Walking on Monte Mottarone with its views of the Swiss Italian Alps

  • Discovering Isola Bella and its castle in the Borromean Islands

  • Scenic walking around Swiss Lake Lugano

  • Meandering the sub-alpine hills above Lake Como

  • Casual tour of Villa Melzi's luscious gardens

  • Valcalepio and Moscato di Scanzo wines, fresh lake fish and tasty olive oils

TRIP DATES & PRICES
Please click here to see if your preferred travel dates below have been sold out.

Dates
2010
Classic Inns Guided
US $ Price p.p. dbl. occ.
Single Room
US $ Add for sgl. occ.
Self-Guided
Trips
March 29 - April 3
April 5 - 10
April 12 - 17
April 19 - 24
April 26 - May 1
May 3 - 8
May 10 - 15
May 17 - 22
May 24 - 29
May 31 - June 5
June 7 - 12
June 14 - 19
June 21 - 26
June 28 - July 3
July 5 - 10
July 12 - 17
July 19 - 24
July 26 - 31
Aug 30 - Sept 4
Sept 6 - 11
Sept 13 - 18
Sept 20 - 25
Sept 27 - Oct 2
Oct 4 - 9
Oct 11 - 16
Oct 18 - 23
Oct 25 - 30
All Dates

$ 3,098.

All Dates

$ 850.

Classic Inns Trips
Save $ 300. p.p.
TRIP PRICE REDUCTIONS (above itinerary only)
When booking 4 people together, reduce your trip price by $ 200. per person
When booking 5 - 8+ people together, reduce your trip price by $ 400. per person

Price Guarantee - Please note that if your booked trip (name, version and departure date) receives a price reduction from your original booked price, we will automatically give you the new reduced trip price. Additionally, as always with Club Toscana, once you have booked a trip (name, version and departure date), we guarantee that you will not have to pay any potential trip price increases above your original trip combo price before your departure.

Reduce your Trip Price - We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express for all your trip payments. Club Toscana offers a reduction of 2% off your trip payments when you pay by check, money order or bank transfer.

Trip Prices - Price variations (if above) are a reflection of seasonal hotel rates. All trip prices are per person based on a room with double occupancy. Single room charges are additional for guests traveling solo wishing a double room all to themselves. Self-Guided prices are listed as a savings per person off the Guided Trip Prices. Self-Guided trips require a minimum of 2 participants to reserve space on any of the above trips except dates highlighted above.

Featured Trips when highlighted above, have additional space available and include guaranteed departures hosted by one of Club Toscana's Senior Trip Leaders.

Other Trip Dates - to find other trips with space available on your preferred travel dates, click on our 2010 Calendar.


CLASSIC INNS SELECTION

Stresa - (1 night) - an historic villa located within a private park.


Lugano - (2 nights) - a family run hotel located in the vibrant center of Lugano.


Bellagio - pictured (2 nights) - a lakeside hotel located in a quiet cove overlooking fishing boats and pleasure craft.


Please note: The above selected inns are subject to accommodations availability upon trip request. As there are many charming Classic Inns located along our route, if we need to choose an alternative lodging, it will meet or exceed the above selection in ratings, settings, amenities and views.

UPGRADE YOUR TRIP HOTEL SELECTION
Upgrade the accomodations on your Club Toscana trip with any of the area's luxury hotels:

Have a favorite hotel or seen a recommendation in a travel magazine or internet site, or have you received a glowing recommendation from a friend. We can include any hotel located along our trip route to make your vacation experience customized to your specifications. Give us a call to see how we can include your favorite hotels into your trip. Some additional charges might apply to cover changes in hotel rates.


TRIP START AND FINISH INFORMATION

Trip Start - Milan (Milano), Italy
As a convenience to our guests, we will meet you at your hotel in Milan at 10:00 am. or by special arrangement, the main train station or airport.

Milan is serviced by an international airport at Malpensa with flights from around the world, and Linate with connections to most major European cities. Its main train station (La Stazione) is located on Italy's main express and high speed train service routes. Milan's main train station can be reached from Florence or Venice in about 2 - 3 hours depending on the train speed. We would recommend spending your pre-trip evening in Milan. Our reservations office can make all your pre- & post-trip hotel, flight and train travel arrangements.

For Italian train information and online tickets, please go to the Italian FS National Train Schedules web site.

For pre-trip accommodations, we suggest a visit to Tripadvisor.com for a list of the most recommended hotels based on visitor reviews.

Trip Finish - Milan (Milano), Italy
On the final trip day, we would be pleased to drop you off at your hotel in Milan, any Milan airport or the Milan main train station for trains heading east to Venice, or south to Florence (2 - 3 hours) or Rome (4 - 6 hours).

Usual arrival in Milan is around 1:00 pm with earlier arrivals by request.

For Italian train information and online tickets, please go to the Italian FS National Train Schedules web site.

For post-trip accommodations, we suggest a visit to Tripadvisor.com for a list of the most recommended hotels in your destination city based on visitor reviews.


TRIP ACTIVITY LEVEL

THIS TRIP IS DESIGNED FOR ALL ABILITIES - Though rated easy to moderately easy, we have designed this trip to be suitable for everyone, from the casual or occasional walker with other travel and site seeing interests to the experienced hiking enthusiast looking for that extra challenge. Since your preferred walking pace and interests might vary from day to day, we have a daily list of optional routes, distances and route terrain to give you exactly the kind of walking & hiking you would like to experience. To learn more about how we rate the activity levels on our trips, please go to our Activity & Terrain Levels web page.

TRIP DAILY DISTANCES & WALKING TERRAIN
DAY 1 (6 kms. - 4 miles) - Easy to moderately easy walking on flat paved laneways through a sub-alpine setting.
DAY 2 (4 kms. - 3 miles) - Easy walking on cobblestone village streets with options for longer walking along a lakeside.
DAY 3 (8 kms. - 5 miles) - Easy walking along a lakeside on laneways and smooth dirt pathways.
DAY 4 (15 kms. - 9 miles) - Easy to moderate walking on quiet paved laneways and gravel farm trails over a low valley pass.
DAY 5 (6 kms. - 4 miles) - Easy to moderate walking on quiet paved laneways and gravel farm trails overlooking Lake Como.

Each of the above daily distances are typical on quiet, smooth surface dirt footpaths and gravel trails and laneways and can be increased or decreased to suit your individual walking style, endurance and interests. Your Club Toscana trip guide and vehicle are always available to offer assistance including lifts to bypass any difficult sections.


Please note that the above itinerary and it's routes are typical for this trip and can be adjusted to accommodate different hotel choices, your choice of optional routes, optional shorter or longer daily distances, your personal daily walking pace and interests, and special local events that you might wish to join. Weather conditions and unannounced trail maintenance, etc. can also alter the routes, distances and daily schedules.

In an effort to enhance this itinerary and to help you get the most out this destination and your traveling experiences with Club Toscana, we are continually in the process of researching additional local routes, accommodations, dining establishments and interesting places to visit. Some of these "new finds" could be included in your specific trip.


WHAT'S INCLUDED ON YOUR CLUB TOSCANA WALKING & HIKING TRIP

Convenient pick-up directly from your pre-trip hotel's front door.

Over 20 years of European adventure travel experience.

Cheerful, professional and trusted bilingual trip leadership with intimate knowledge of this trip's travel area, its culinary secrets, art history and cultural distinctiveness.

All transportation from trip start to finish.

Exclusive lodging with private amenities in wine & olive oil estates, charming country inns and historic town houses.

All buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches and 4 dinners featuring regional favorites and local specialties.

Private support vehicle for shuttles (throughout the trip), for welcome lifts (to bypass that extra effort or for a quick short cut to your hotel), and on-board refreshments.

Special events, private tours, local experts and entrance fees to historical sites and museums, and other events or tours listed on the itinerary.

Use of a set of lightweight telescoping walking sticks, and a new personal water bottle.

Detailed trip maps, route directions with options and a complimentary Club Toscana T-shirt.

All baggage transportation from rendezvous to final drop off.

Convenient drop-off directly to your post-trip hotel or the nearby major rail station, airport or rental car agency.

Unsurpassed customer service to compliment one of Italy's great walking & hiking vacations.


TOP REASONS WHY NEW GUESTS CHOSE CLUB TOSCANA & WHY OUR PAST GUESTS HAVE CHOSEN TO TRAVEL WITH US AGAIN

Since our beginnings, Club Toscana has prided itself in producing active vacations that are the closest thing to a private trip, complete with the sort of comforts and camaraderie that comes from visiting old friends.

We have spent over two decades designing itineraries that take in the most interesting countryside destinations, the most stimulating mix of history and culture, the best selection of terrain from flat to invigorating, and the region's most characteristic accommodations -- always with an eye on exceeding your expectations.

The Personal Touch - Many Club Toscana guests have traveled in large groups with some of our industry's major outfitters and have found traveling in those larger groups a little less convenient and relaxed compared with Club Toscana. These outfitters' somewhat inflexible rendezvous and trip drop-off locations, scheduled group meeting times and fixed dining locations & times are good for some, but perhaps a little too rigid for our guests.

Flexibility - We adapt every one of our trips to the interests and abilities of the guests that are booked on that particular trip. We design our daily routes and itineraries for maximum flexibility so you can have as much or as little activity as you would like each day -- with us you never need to follow the schedule. We are ready to go when you are ready to go, we are waiting at the start of every hill just in case you need a lift and we adjust each trip to your specific interests and time schedule.

Service - We take care of everything -- from making sure your luggage is safely transported to the next hotel, to always having a refreshment or a welcome lift when needed, to pointing out that special wine or antique shop, and always allowing you as much free time as you would like to get the most out of your European active vacation.

Knowledge - Traveling with Club Toscana is about discovering beautiful locations, its people, history and culture, all in a private-group-like setting -- the ideal vacation experience. After over 20 years traveling in this trip's location, we know the trip area intimately.

Trip Leadership - Our pleasant natured, well organized and informative North American trip guides individually have at least 20 years of experience guiding active travelers throughout every region visited by Club Toscana. We maintain a guest ratio of 8 guests to 1 guide plus a dedicated trip vehicle to ensure your comfort and security.


NEED MORE TRIP INFORMATION?

E-mail our office at travel@clubtoscana.com or call our professional travel advisers at
Club Toscana Reservations at 1-866-563-4248 toll free 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (EST) Mon. to Fri., 8:30 am to 1:00 pm Sat.
They are ready to answer your trip questions and arrange all your pre and post-trip travel needs for a truly all-inclusive European Active Vacation.



Royal City Travel / American Express Travel Services
10 Paisley Street, Suite 8, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1H 2N6
North America Toll Free 1-866-563-4248
travel@clubtoscana.com

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