October 6, 2017
Today, I am delighted to announce the launch of our 15-day Italy Islands and Lakes Tour for May 6 to 20, 2018. THIS TOUR IS NOW SOLD OUT.
There is no other tour like this being offered anywhere. It is one of a kind – unique in design, pacing and content.
The tour will start in Lugano, Switzerland, where we will cruise the lake and explore the town and lake front, before moving a short distance to the famous Milanese lakes of Como and Maggiore.
There, we will visit by boat various islands within the lakes, notably Brissago, Isola Bella and Isola Madre as well as key lake gardens and villas and beautiful towns, such as Menaggio and Bellagio.
At Lake Maggiore, we will also take the Mottarone cable car up the mountain to get a 360 panoramic view of the seven-lake system and famous Mount Rosa.
From the lakes, we will head south to Milan to see the city’s famous Duomo and Galleria and La Scala and other key sites, before flying to Olbia, Sardinia.
There, we will take a boat trip to the Maddalena Archipelago and explore northwest Sardinia before moving south to Cagliari to explore more of the island.
From there, we will move to Naples from where we will visit the delightful islands of Ischia and Procida and, of course, explore Naples and its iconic gardens.
Please note, there is minimal bus time on this tour. We will be making many of our hops and jumps and visits by boat to eliminate the need for a bus.
We know very well that you want maximum time for relaxing and exploring Italy’s beautiful places and minimal time getting to these destinations.
This itinerary has been carefully structured to do exactly that.
For those of you who have already visited Tuscany and Puglia, Amalfi and Sicily with us, this tour is a golden opportunity to get a new and more complete experience of Italy.
We make no apology for choosing Italy again. It is without doubt our most favourite destination with fabulous views, sensational ambience, superb food, wine and fashion everywhere, and all of these things often within fewer than 10 steps in any direction.
Sardinia is the playground of the emperors, including modern movers and shakers. We chose it specifically as our island highlight for its reputation over the ages as well as its exclusive appeal today.
The Milanese lakes are also still one of the world’s most iconic landscapes and pleasure centres. Spring is the best time to see them. This is when the gardens on the lakes are at their peak.
And the islands of Ischia and Procida are eternally exotic and extraordinary in their own unique and gorgeous way.
You can see a more detailed itinerary here as well as details below about price and booking.
We have again worked hard with our Flight Centre partners to get the very best deal for you including excellent, well-located hotels and a balanced pace within the itinerary to ensure you get maximum time for relaxation, cultural enrichment and fun.
This is an invitation to expand your world experience with more fun and memories that will last a lifetime.
To keep costs down and to get the best pricing at top hotels, we have agreed to accept a maximum of 35, a number we think is perfect for quality social mobility.
However, once those 35 spots are filled, there will be a standby-list, and no second tour.
Tour price: $6,979 per person double occupancy and $7,991 for single occupancy. Please see day-by-day itinerary below.
To reserve your place:Calling Lyle Truden at Flight Centre. Office: 604-684-7951. Email: lyle.truden@flightcentre.ca Bookings will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
If Loraine or I can be of any help in answering questions or giving you re-assurances, please don’t hesitate to swhysall@hotmail.com or lwhysall@shaw.ca
YOUR ITINERARY
Day 1 – 6 May (Sun) – ARRIVE IN MILAN, ITALY – LUGANO, SWITZERLAND.
Welcome to Milan! Meet your Tour Director and transfer from the airport to your hotel. Upon arrival in the popular subtropical resort town of Lugano, there will be free time for shopping under the arcades of Via Nassa or an espresso on flower-festooned Piazza Riforma. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with wine at your hotel. (D)
Day 2 – 7 May (Mon) – LUGANO.
This afternoon, enjoy a WALKING TOUR through Lugano’s parks and gardens with your Tour Director. Discover exotics plants and flowers as well as local varieties as you walk from Belvedere Gardens to Parco Civico-Ciani, the city’s largest park. Afterwards, board a PRIVATE BOAT for a relaxing CRUISE on breathtaking Lake Lugano followed by dinner at a traditional “grotto” restaurant. Learn about the local traditions and dishes in a typical Swiss grotto surrounded by nature. (B, D)
Day 3 – 8 May (Tue) – LUGANO – MENAGGIO (LAKE COMO EXCURSION).
A short drive brings you to Menaggio. Lake Como is regarded as one of Europe’s most beautiful lakes and has attracted many aristocrats and famous people to come and live there in one of the many villas that line the lakeshore. Enjoy a private boat ride and visit picturesque Bellagio, the “Pearl of Lake Como” and already popular as a destination in Roman times. (B)
Day 4 – 9 May (Wed) – MENAGGIO.
Today, we spend a full day visiting the gardens of Lake Como. Enjoy a guided tour and admire the botanical garden VILLA CARLOTTA in Tremezzo. Next visit VILLA DEL BALBIANELLO in Lenno, famous for its terraced gardens. (B)
Day 5 – 10 May (Thu) – MENAGGIO – BRISSAGO – STRESA (LAKE MAGGIORE).
After breakfast, head to beautiful Brissago on Lake Maggiore. With a local guide, take a ferry to ISOLE BRISSAGO and enjoy a guided tour of the BOTANICAL GARDEN OF TICINO. Next, head to Stresa and take the exciting MOTTARONE CABLE CAR up the mountain. Walk to the summit for the amazing 360 degrees views which includes 7 lakes and the beautiful Mount Rosa. (B)
Day 6 – 11 May (Fri) – STRESA.
Today’s sightseeing includes a visit to the botanical GARDENS of VILLA TARANTO. Next, take a boat ride to ISOLA BELLA for a guided visit to its opulent PALACE and GARDENS. Continue to ISOLA MADRE to admire the fairy-tale gardens. (B)
Day 7 – 12 May (Sat) – STRESA – MILAN.
Now, on to the dynamic city of Milan. Follow your Tour Director for a pleasant walk to see LA SCALA OPERA HOUSE, the glass-domed GALLERIA, and the magnificent gothic DUOMO. The remainder of the day is at leisure. This evening, a special dinner with wine awaits you at a local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 8 – 13 May (Sun) – MILAN – SARDINIA, ITALY. (FLIGHT PENDING)
Travel to Sardinia by air on selected flights. Upon arrival in Olbia, guided sightseeing includes highlights of the port town, visit to Golfo Aranci area main beaches and Porto Cervo in the main centre of Costa Smeralda. Return to your overnight hotel in Olbia for the next three nights. (B)
Day 9 – 14 May (Mon) – SARDINIA. EXURSION TO PALAU.
Enjoy a full day sightseeing with a Local Guide in Palau. Sightseeing includes a private boat tour of Madddalena Archipelago with lunch served onboard. Return to Olbia with the remainder of the day at leisure. (B, L)
Day 10 – 15 May (Tue) – SARDINIA.
Today’s highlight is a full day tour of Northwest Sardinia with a local guide. Visit Sassari with a guided walking tour of the town. Enjoy time on your own for lunch. Continue to the west coast of Alghero with a guided walking tour. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore on your own. (B)
Day 11 –16 May (Wed) – SARDINIA.
After breakfast, drive south to Cagliari. Admire the main city sights with a local guide including a visit to CAGLIARI CATHEDRAL and Poetto Beach. Today’s highlight is a guided visit to ORTO BOTANICO DI CAGLIARI. Overnight in Cagliari. (B)
Day 12 – 17 May (Thu) – SARDINIA – NAPLES (FLIGHT PENDING).
Travel to Naples by AIR on selected flights. Transfer to hotel with the rest of the day at leisure. (B)
Day 13 – 18 May (Fri) – NAPLES. EXCURSION TO ISCHIA and PROCIDA.
Travel by FERRY to Procida with a guided tour around the main square and beautiful streets of Terra Murata. Afterwards, take a ferry to Ischia. Enjoy a guided tour of the main sights and visit LA MORTELLA GARDENS. (B)
Day 14 – 19 May (Sat) – NAPLES. DAY AT LEISURE.
Today, a Local Guide will take you on a city tour to admire the remarkable Triumphal Arch of the New Castle, St. Charles Theater, the Royal Palace, Galleria Umberto, and the semicircular Piazza Plebiscito. Afterwards, enjoy a guided visit to PARCO DELLA REGGIA DI CASERTA E GIARDINO INGLESE. This evening, a special farewell dinner with wine awaits you at a local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 15 – 20 May (Sun) – NAPLES.
Your vacation ends with breakfast and a group transfer to the airport. (B)
