Piedmont, Lake Maggiore & Centovalli Railway
Piedmont, Lake Maggiore & Centovalli Railway
Piedmont, Lake Maggiore & Centovalli Railway
12 Days Starting and ending in Northern France
Visiting: France, Terruggia, Montferrat, Canelli, Asti, Turin, Superga, Alba, Barolo, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Borromean Islands, Verbania, Giardini Botanici di Villa Taranto, Domodossola, Centovalli, Lake Orta
Tour operator:
Tour code:
plc
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Physical rating:
Low
Age range:
0-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Join us on this Italian adventure, which contrasts the authentic charms and culinary delights of Piedmont with the breathtaking beauty of Lake Como, Maggiore and Orta. You'll get to enjoy a range of fantastic experiences including grappa tasting and several cruises, before rounding the tour off with a spectacular rail journey aboard the Centovalli Railway.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Travel To Northern France
Location: France
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City-style hotels
Meals Included: No Meals
Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to our overnight hotel in northern France.
Day 2 : Arrive In Terruggia
Location: Terruggia
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Hotel Ariotto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Through France and to our hotel in Terruggia in the Piedmont region of Italy, where we stay for four nights.
Day 3 : Canelli, Asti & Grappa Tasting
Location: Montferrat, Canelli, Asti
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Hotel Ariotto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our included excursion takes us on a tour of the pleasant and gently rolling hills of the Monferrato area.
Amid the landscapes, little-known and precious treasures are just waiting to be discovered. The Monferrato area occupies a fertile triangle of terrain between Asti, Alessandria and its historical capital, Casale Monferrato. Vineyards fan out in all directions interspersed with castles.
The first stop is the town of Canelli. It is considered the local capital of Asti with its Castello Gancia, overlooking the historic district. We then head to the wine-growing town of Asti. A stroll through the historic district is enough to feel the magic of this place. This medieval town is known as the ‘San Gimignano of Piedmont’ due to its many soaring towers and is the centre of the wine growing region of Monferrato.
At the end of the day you can test the various distillates during a grappa tasting.
Day 4 : Turin & Superga
Location: Turin, Superga
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Hotel Ariotto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our included excursion takes us first to Turin. Join our guided city tour and see Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Madama and San Lorenzo from the outside – a fantastic first impression of this city.
You will have time to stroll through the Baroque historic district, wander elegant tree-lined boulevards, relax in the art-nouveau cafés and soak up the atmosphere of this unique city. Be sure to sample the Turinese chocolate coffee drink called Bicerin!
After spending free time here, we travel on the funicular rack railway to Superga. As we head to the summit, you can enjoy the superb views across Turin, the Po River and the Alps. Visit the stunning Basilica of Superga, which is positioned in such a way to provide incredible vistas of the city.
Day 5 : Alba & Barolo
Location: Alba, Barolo
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Hotel Ariotto
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Included scenic drive through the Langhe to discover one of world’s most famous wine growing regions, boasting beautiful panoramic views of the hilly landscape with its castles and fortress. The pretty town of Alba, famous for the white truffle and its lovely buildings, is a highlight. The town is also legendary in the confectionary world as home of the Ferrero Rocher factory. We will then continue to Barolo, birthplace of the world-famous wine of the same name. We include a tasting of the fine wine.
Day 6 : Lake Como
Location: Lake Como, Lake Maggiore
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Hotel Milan Speranza Au Lac
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We leave Piedmont and head to Lake Como. We make a stop in Como, with free time to explore this lakeside city and enjoy a spot of lunch. The elegant Place Cavour is worth a visit whilst here.
Afterwards, enjoy a boat ride in the Gulf of Como before heading to Lake Maggiore and our hotel for five nights.
Day 7 : Borromean Islands
Location: Borromean Islands
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Hotel Milan Speranza Au Lac
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we enjoy an included boat cruise on Lake Maggiore to the enchanting Borromean Islands. Admire the charming gardens, stunning buildings, elegant villas and subtropical vegetation. We visit Isola Bella, which boasts a magnificent Baroque palace (entrance at additional cost), and a gorgeous garden with plants and flowers of various origins.
We also visit Isola dei Pescatori, with its picturesque fishing village. Afterwards you will have time to stroll through the famous health resort of Stresa with its elegant promenades.
Day 8 : Verbania & Villa Taranto
Location: Verbania, Giardini Botanici di Villa Taranto
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Hotel Milan Speranza Au Lac
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We spend time in the popular lakeside resort of Verbania and then head to the botanical gardens at Villa Taranto on the western shores of Lake Maggiore. Scottish Captain Neil McEacharn created the gardens in 1931, and the blending of a predominately English style with Italian accents has resulted in a masterpiece. Sixteen hectares are crossed by four miles of paths leading through landscaped perfection to waterfalls, statues, fountains and pools.
Day 9 : Centovalli Train & Locarno
Location: Domodossola, Centovalli, Lake Maggiore
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Hotel Milan Speranza Au Lac
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We travel by coach through the romantic ‘Val Grande’ national park to the mountain village of Domodossola. Here, you will climb aboard the Centovalli train for a ride through the fascinating ‘valley of one hundred valleys’.
During the ride you will pass by tranquil, stony mountain villages, waterfalls and chestnut forests, and over bridges which span deep ravines, on the way to Locarno. You will have some free time in this splendid Swiss town before heading back to Lake Maggiore by coach.
Day 10 : Lake Orta
Location: Lake Orta
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 4-star Hotel Milan Speranza Au Lac
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we head to Lake Orta, a hidden gem among the great Italian lakes. The picturesque hilly landscape, in which small villages are embedded, radiates peace and quiet and the whole region enchants with its Mediterranean flair. In the village of Orta, located on the shores of the lake, you can meander around the old market square and through the narrow, medieval alleyways whilst exploring romantic, secluded gardens.
Later we include a short cruise to the island of San Giulio, where you can visit the oldest church of this region. In the interior you will find precious frescoes dating back to the Renaissance.
Day 11 : Travel Back To Northern France
Location: France
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: City-style hotels
Meals Included: Breakfast
We head to our overnight hotel in northern France.
Day 12 : Return Home
Location: France
Meals Included: Breakfast
Return home.
What's Included
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Accommodation
As detailed in the itinerary
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Additional Services
Travel from a wide range of convenient joining points across the UK is included within your coach holiday price; some carry a supplement. Please contact us for our full list of joining points.
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Airport Transfers at Destination
This trip includes coach travel from/to a local UK joining point
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Fully Guided
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International Travel
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Meals
As detailed in the itinerary
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Transport
Comfortable, air-conditioned motorcoach
What's Not Included
Accommodation
Check out our Q&As
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Fully escorted by our experienced drivers/crews. And in most towns and cities we either include or offer optional sightseeing tours with expert local guides to help you get the most from your visits.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Some tours carry a supplement for solo travellers, please ask for details if the Single price is not shown
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Low
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What type of coach will be used?
You will travel on either our Luxuria Coach or our Silver Service Coach
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
On Leger Coach Holidays, your allowance is one medium sized suitcase per person, which should weigh no more than 20kg when full.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
40 years
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Sole use of your own room on all Single Traveller holidays: means you still get your privacy and time out from the group.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Battlefield Tours - Will it be possible to visit a particular cemetery whilst on the tour?
Please contact us and we will check to see whether you can visit a particular cemetery on any of our Battlefield Tours, if we are not able to fit it into our itinerary then you could take some time out of the tour and do this independently by taxi or public transport.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Leger Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of leger holidays charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 21 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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