Riviera Travel Walk & Discover: The Italian Lakes

• Return flights and transfers
• 7nts in 4* accommodation
• Selected Meals: Daily breakfast & 2 dinners
• 6 included experiences
• Services of an expert tour manager

• Cruise the enchanting Borromean Islands
• Admire the beauty of Valle Antrona National Park
• Travel through the picturesque Simplon Pass to Zermatt

Day 1: Arrival in Baveno
Fly to Milan. Upon arrival, transfer by coach to either Bevano or Stresa on the shores of Lake Maggiore.

Day 2: Borromean Islands
Visit Isola Bella this morning for a guided tour, exploring the amazing Baroque Palazzo. You’ll also get to wander the exquisite grounds, home to colourful and fragrant plants. The second island you’ll visit today is Isola dei Pescatori, whose cobbled streets and harbour are a delight to stroll around. Cruise back to Baveno in the afternoon.

Day 3: Walk – Lake Orta
Choose to hike the same path at either an easy or moderate pace. Both walks start in Armeno and take you through a wood and past the villages of Carcegna and Miasino. Spend a little time in Miasino before continuing down to the lake.

Easy Walk (Green)
The walk ends in Orta San Giuilo where you’ll have some free time.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Distance: 3.9 miles
Altitude gain: 244 feet
Terrain: Mix of mule tracks, woodland paths and tarmac roads.

Moderate Walk (Blue)
Pass through Ameno, and head towards Santa Maria Assunta. Cross the Membra river and head to Chiesa di San Grato where you’ll get your first sight of Lake Orta. Pass the hamlets of Vacciago and Vacchiaghetto before descending to Miasino and finally to Orta San Guilio
Duration: 4 hours
Distance: 6.6 miles
Altitude gain: 558 feet
Terrain: Mix of mule tracks, woodland paths and tarmac roads.

Day 4: Walk – Valle Antrona
Today, explore Valle Antrona National Park.

Easy Walk (Green)
This walk starts in Antronapiana. From here, walk towards Antrona Lake past mountain cabins. At the lake, walk around half the lake before returning.
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 2.5 miles
Altitude gain: 656 feet
Terrain: Mountain paths and roads

Moderate Walk (Blue)
For the more energetic, follow the same route until you reach the lake. Here you’ll continue along the lake, passing behind the Sajont Waterfall before returning to Antronapiana.
Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 4 miles
Altitude gain: 984 feet
Terrain: Mountain paths and road

Day 5: Free day
Today you can choose to relax in the hotel or explore the nearby delights of the lake. There is the option to add a full day visit to Lake Como for this day. This must be booked in advance (at an extra cost). Minimum numbers apply.

Day 6: Zermatt & the Matterhorn
Climb the foothills of the Alps and cross into Switzerland. Take the Simplon Pass and continue on to the village of Zermatt. Enjoy the ambience of this iconic Swiss village, with brilliant views of the Matterhorn. For a better view, you may wish to take the cog railway to Gornergrat.

Day 7:  Walk – Lake Maggiore
The first full day in Lake Maggiore includes a walk along the ‘balcony of Lake Maggiore’.

Easy Walk (Green)
This walk begins at Carmine Inferiore, taking you to Carmine Superiore, a medieval village. Then continue to a viewpoint to see the legendary castles of Cannero Riviera, ending the walk in a lovely garden known for its camellias.
Duration: 2 hours
Distance: 2.7 miles
Altitude gain: 541 feet
Terrain: Mix of mule tracks, and earth/gravel paths

Moderate Walk (Blue)
This walk starts in the town Cannobio, walking through tiny hamlets to Carmine Superiore. Walk past the camellia garden and arrive in Cannero Riviera where you can stroll along the lakeside to the citrus park
Duration: 3 hours
Distance: 4.6 miles
Altitude gain: 1,115 feet
Terrain: Mix of mule tracks, and earth/gravel paths

Day 8: Return home
Transfer to the airport for your return flight

Hotel Simplon, Baveno
Located near the lakefront, this hotel sits in its own parkland. On site you’ll find an outdoor pool with a decking area. There is also a restaurant and bars. All rooms have an ensuite bathroom, a safe, tv and a minibar.

Fact File

• Currency: Euro
• Flight time: Approx. 1 hr 55 mins to 2 hrs 30 mins
• Language: Italian
• Time zone: GMT+1
• Country: Italy

Visa Information
UK Citizens do not require a visa to enter Italy however must have a valid passport.

Walking equipment
Good quality walking shoes or boots are a must. Riviera also recommend a waterproof jacket, comfortable rucksack, hat, sunglasses, sun cream, water bottle and clothes that can be layered easily. Hiking poles are not necessary, but you may wish to take them.

Walking difficulty
There is often a choice between a ‘green’ and ‘blue’ option. A reasonable level of fitness is essential for all walks – while the green walk should suit most travellers, the blue option is perfect for those who prefer a bit more of a challenge.

Routes
While guides will always try to adhere to the route as advertised, they may be required to modify the itinerary due to local conditions. Our guides may also make minor changes to tailor the walk to the group.

*All times listed here are approximate and dependent on traffic