Lake Maggiore, Piedmont & the Matterhorn for Solo Travellers
Lake Maggiore, Piedmont & the Matterhorn for Solo Travellers
Lake Maggiore, Piedmont & the Matterhorn for Solo Travellers
8 Days
Tour operator:
Tour code:
99525
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour Overview
EXCLUSIVELY FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS
Join a friendly group of solo travellers to make new friends and discover blue waters, vibrant gardens, and a very famous mountain in one of Europe's most scenic corners. From an elegant base on the shore of glittering Lake Maggiore, visit idyllic islands, sumptuous villas and world-class gardens. Take a journey into the Piedmont region to visit Alba, a gourmet paradise, and Barolo, a centre of world-class wine production. Head into Switzerland, to the famous resort-town of Zermatt, where one of the world's most iconic peaks – the towering, triangular Matterhorn – draws the awe-struck eye, and where you'll have the chance to board a mountain train for a ride through the alpine meadows.
Highlights
Holiday Highlights
Tour Lake Maggiore's exquisite Borromean Isles
Cross into Switzerland to stop at the foot of the Matterhorn
Visit Verbania’s stunning Villa Taranto and its gardens
Taste some of Italy’s fine red wines at Castello di Barolo
Discover Turin, the capital of Piedmont, on an optional excursion
A guided tour of Alba - home of white truffles and dark chocolate
Itinerary
Day 1
Fly to Italy and transfer to your hotel in Stresa. In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink and dinner with your tour manager and fellow travellers.
Day 2
Today you’ll explore beautiful Maggiore, Italy’s second-largest lake, mountain-backed and famed for the beautiful gardens that line its shores. Board a water-taxi or steamer for the crossing to the idyllic Borromean Islands. Visit Isola Bella and its water gardens, where entry to the 17th-century Baroque palace is included, and stop in charmingly picturesque Isola dei Pescatori, inhabited by a long-standing community of fishermen and a perfect place for a lunch of lake fish. Round off your day with a visit to Verbania, where the world-famous gardens of Villa Taranto, created by an ex-pat Scotsman, are even more stunning than those on the islands. Entry to the villa will be included and you'll have time to explore before returning to your hotel for dinner.
Day 3
Your second included excursion takes you south on a panoramic tour of Langhe, where the UNESCO-protected hillsides are covered in cascading vineyards and hazelnut groves. Take a tour of Alba to see the historic centre and 100 towers of the town, which is best known for being the gastronomic home of white truffles and dark chocolate (and the headquarters of Ferrero Rocher). After a fascinating few hours, you'll head further south to the vineyards of Barolo, which produce the "king of Italian wines". No visit to this region is complete without enjoying a glass of wine at Castello di Barolo, an enoteca housed inside the turreted walls of Barolo's ancient castle. It's the final highlight of a really enjoyable day.
Day 4
Today you're free to enjoy the delights of Stresa. Wander past the elegant villas that line the shore, or take in the view from above the lake. Alternatively, board another lake steamer to travel further afield and enjoy a leisurely lunch in the sunshine or a delicious ice cream on the water’s edge. You'll also have the opportunity to head into Lombardy on an optional excursion to Lake Como. Discover another of Italy’s most picturesque places, and enjoy visits to exquisite Bellagio and elegant Como Town before returning to your hotel for the evening.
Day 5
Today is another on which you can enjoy your hotel and its surroundings. In Stresa you'll find piazzas filled with the bustle of the cafés and – this being Italy – any number of gelataria. Why not take the cable car from Stresa up modest-by-Alpine-standards Monte Mottarone, from atop which the views of the distant 'proper' Alps are simply stunning?
Day 6
Saving the best till last, today’s included excursion takes you to the world-famous Swiss resort of Zermatt, beneath the craggy pyramid of the Matterhorn. Travel via the Simplon Pass into Switzerland, climbing high into the Alps, hoping for clear skies so you can catch your first sight of the mighty mountain peaks as you go. Once in Zermatt, why not join an optional journey on the famous Gornergrat Railway, and head through alpine meadows to the summit station? From here, on a clear day, some 29 peaks – including the Matterhorn – and great glaciers offer visitors an unforgettable view. Head out on a mountain trail, or simply take in the view before enjoying lunch in the mountain restaurant. Return to Stresa this evening.
Day 7
You have one final full day to soak up the atmosphere of this idyllic corner of the world. Why not take a last cruise on the water, enjoy a long leisurely lunch, or join our optional excursion to the stately capital of Piedmont, Turin? This ancient city nestles at the foot of the Alps, and boasts a delightful Baroque heart that seems somehow at odds with its modern reputation for industry. Wander down Via Roma past ultra-chic stores, and cross grand Piazza San Carlo with its elegant facades. Stop for coffee or bicerin – a Torinese speciality that combines espresso, high-quality drinking chocolate and milk – in one of the many ornate, traditional cafés. Petrol-heads can head to the city’s predictably fine motor museum - Fiat once employed over 120,000 of its inhabitants - while the curious might visit the cathedral, where the Turin Shroud is kept under lock and key.
Day 8
Leave Maggiore’s beautiful shores behind, and return to the airport to board your flight back to the UK.
What's Included
What's Included
Seven nights’ half-board accommodation at the Hotel Royal, Stresa
A Borromean Islands cruise with entrance to Isola Bella
Entry to Villa Taranto and its gardens
A guided tour of Alba, entrance to Castello di Barolo with a glass of wine
Tasch shuttle train ride to Zermatt
A Welcome Drink on your first evening
Return flights to Italy
Comfortable coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Check out our Q&As
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1983
-
Vaccination Requirements
Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our company’s mission is to enrich lives and improve wellbeing through travel. A big part of that is ‘Travel for Good’. Our ‘Travel for Good’ hub is our first step in a long journey to reduce carbon, offset anything we produce as a company and travel without harming the planet or the people of the destinations we go to.
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest Covid-19 policies
-
Fitness to Travel
We strive to give all our customers full care and attention, but we do need to know at the time of booking if there are any special needs or requirements. It is particularly important that we are advised of any disabilities and also if you intend to bring any specialist equipment such as a wheelchair with you. Please make sure that you make us aware of any requirements.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Newmarket Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 35% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of newmarket 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 48 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 34 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Vaccination Requirements
Your health and safety are pivotal to our operations, and every customer travelling on a tour with us must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Fully vaccinated means that you have had the full course of an approved vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to your holiday. You can find the travel restrictions for different countries on www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also recommend that you travel with proof that you’ve been fully vaccinated.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."