Italian and Swiss Gardens

You will take the flight on Taoyuan Airport to Italy. After arrival, you will have a private transfer from Milan Malpensa Airport to your hotel on Lake Maggiore shores (45 min.).
 

Check-in into the hotel. Spare time, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. From the dock near the hotel departs the cruise to discover the lake`s most significant places. The Borromean Islands are a major local attraction because of their picturesque setting. The sumptuous Borromean Palace on Isola Bella holds inestimable art works, tapestries, furniture and pictures, and features gardens created in adorned and superimposed terraces. The Isola Madre is the biggest of the Borromean Islands. It is considered a tropical botanical garden, rich in plants and exotic animals, due to its microclimate and human care. Isola dei Pescatori (Fishermen’s Island) is a small and characteristic village full of small boats along its shores. Isola Madre is the first island that we visit in the morning, then a stop is made in Fishermen's Island to have a lunch in a typical restaurant and rest. In the afternoon we reach Isola Bella to visit the baroque palace and the famous Italian-style gardens.

 

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer by van and visit to the famous Gardens of Villa Taranto (Verbania), that are known all over the world for their great beauty and the huge number of plant species they contain. The result of a labour of love on the part of the Scottish Captain McEacharn in 1931, the myriad of colours and scents the marvellously landscaped garden offers continues to enchant visitors. Villa Taranto is one of the most important botanic gardens in the world, with thousands of species of trees and flowers from all over the world, planted harmoniously over an area of around 16 hectares, crossed by 7 km of paths and avenues. It is impossible in a few words to do justice to the wealth of colour, scent, and emotional impact: eucalyptus, azaleas, rhododendrons, magnolias, port wine magnolias, maples, camellias, dahlias, tulips, lotus, heathers, dwarf asters, hydrangeas, dozens of tropical plants (including the giant water lily Victoria Amazonica), rare specimens like Dicksonia antarctica (Tasmanian Tree Fern) and Davidia involucrata (Dove Tree). After the visit lunch in a typical winery with a fantastic selection of local foods (in particular ham, salami, cold cuts, cheeses, breads, jams and honey) and wine tastings.
In the afternoon transfer by private coach to one of the biggest Italian floriculture firm: Compagnia del Lago. It is located just 15 minutes from the Lake Maggiore shores: visit to their important crops and greenhouses. One of the owners will lead you trought the firm and let you know a lot of
special features and secrets about the local plants. At the end of the visit you enjoy a special local tea, because there is also a Tea Camellia crop right there!


 

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day to discover the Swiss shores of Lake Maggiore. In about 45 minutes reach the border and the pretty and elegant town of Ascona. After a short visit there, transfer to Locarno, the main town of that Swiss region. In Locarno visit to the stunning Camellia Park, that was inaugurated in 2005 on the occasion of the International Camellia Society World Congress (ICS), which was attended by participants from all over the world. Since its opening the park has become an international attraction, thanks both to its landscape value and to its precious botanical features. At the time of the inauguration 500 camellias were planted and the vast number of species present guarantees, in principle, a flowering period of 9 months. The largest flowerbed of the park, dedicated to perfumed species and camellias, has been created next to the amphitheatre, which will enable visitors to sit in the most panoramic point of the area. From the top a small stream runs down to feed the new pond, whose waters reflect an elegant pavilion. The structure of the Park is that of a series of beds forming a kind of labyrinthine trail where visitors can happily stroll among these wonders of nature lulled by the relaxing sound of birdsong and waves lapping on the shore of the lake. The park recently received the International Camellia Society Gardens of Excellence designation. In the late afternoon, on the way back to the hotel, it is possible to admire the unbelievable ruins of “Cannero Castles”: they are medieval castles really built inside the lake and they are still there!

 

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Transfer to Lake Como to enjoy a full-day on the famous shores of this enchanting corner of Italy. Reach amazing villages as Bellagio and admire fabulous villas that make Lake Como one of the most popular lakes all over the world. A special visit is to Villa Carlotta: the garden-park of Villa Carlotta (about 8 hectares) is a very fascinating place: its favourable position, but also the harmonic coexistence of styles, the variety of plant species, the literary suggestions make it worthy a visit. Come and see the Italian garden that dates back to the XVII Century with its geometrical schema, stair and terraces, statues and fountains; feel the echoes of the Romantic period, still alive in the structure of the park with old trees of big size and views of great charm; come to live the impressive vegetal architecture of the second half of the XIX Century with the monumental azaleas and rhododendrons and the unending richness of rare plants and species! In the afternoon enjoy an unforgettable cruise: your guide will show you some movies sets and the favourite venues of the most popular actors and movie stars! Transfer to Verona, check-in in the hotel, dinnner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. A full day dedicated to discover the historical and romantic city of Verona. In the morning guided tour of the most important places as well as the Roman “Arena di Verona” where every year a great lyrical season takes place and where the most famous Italian singers like Andrea Bocelli have important performances. Visit to Romeo and Juliet’s balcony, Piazza delle Erbe, Roman port, Medieval castle, Renaissance palaces and magnificent churches. Spare time in the afternoon for rest or individual visits. Depending of the season opportunity to attend a show at The Arena in the evening.

 

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. From Verona transfer to the close Lake Garda (the biggest Italian Lake) and visit to Sirmione, considered the most beautiful town of the lake due to its scenic peninsula and magnificent structures: Roman villa, castle, venetian-era buildings. In the afternoon visit to Park Garden Sigurtà in a special way: a convenient train inside the garden! The train follows its 6 km route known as the enchanted trail and during the visit a voice guide of around 35 minutes, tell you about the secrets of the Park! Transfer by private coach to Milan and check-in into the hotel.

 

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full day dedicated to appreciate the best city highlights: Sforza Castle, Vittorio Emanuele Gallery, Piazza della Scala (the square that houses the Scala Theatre one of the world’s best-known Opera Houses, built in 1776), Via Montenapoleone, the fashion district and Piazza Duomo, the Cathedral’s square, that is the historical, cultural and political center of the city. Here you have an entrance ticket to the Duomo of Milan, that is a stunning landmark that needs to be seen and admired! From the terraces of the Cathedral you can enjoy an amazing view of the dense embroidery of the characteristic Gothic spires, arches, pinnacles and statues, and you’ll have an incredible view on the city. Thanks to this ticket you can skip the 200 steps and take the elevator to reach the rooftop! Free time in the afternoon.

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Free time. Depending on your flight schedule meet the
driver at the hotel and catch the private transfer to Milan Airport.

END OF SERVICES