Join us for an amazing experience in Italy and Switzerland! We will be paddling the beautiful lakes region of Northern Italy and enjoying the Mediterranean spring flowers during our hikes and walks. In addition to the scenic outdoors, we will also be exploring historic sites and dining on delicious regional cuisine. This is an amazing experience that won’t disappoint!
Trip Highlights
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Beautiful Lake Orta in Italy
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Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to Italy! Your first day is designated as your arrival day. We will meet you at the International Airport of Milan Malpensa (MXP) and you will be shuttled to your conveniently located hotel where you will get a chance to relax and unwind from your International travels. A welcome dinner is provided at a local farm house. Lodging is at the Holiday Inn Malpensa.
Day 2 - After breakfast we travel to Lake Orta, the hidden gem of the region. We will spend the day kayaking the lake and exploring the island of Orta San Giulio. This area is frequented mostly by the local Milanese on the weekends but is quiet most other times. Lodging is the beautiful Hotel il Bocciolo overlooking the lake.
Day 3 - In the morning we visit the Sacro Monte in Varallo, the oldest of Italy’s nine Sacri Monti (Sacred Mountains), a Unesco World Heritage site since 2003. The complex consists of an outstanding 45 chapels, with an amazing 800 statues depicting the Passion of Christ set on a rocky buttress on the slopes of Monte Tre Croci. Later in the day we will go for a short hike that will take us to a great view of the area. Lodging is again at the Hotel il Bocciolo.
Day 4 - We will drive from Orta to Mattarone where we will do short hike to the top for a view of the area. Later we will kayak on Lake Maggiore and explore the Borromee Islands. This will be our last night at Hotel il Bocciolo.
Day 5 - In the morning we travel to Lugano and paddle the portion of Lake Lugano that borders Italy and Switzerland. Later in the day we will visit the village of Morcote in Switzerland and take a short hike to the Church of Santa Maria del Sasso. The effort to climb the steps up to the church is well rewarded. The impressive building combines Romanesque, Baroque and stone fortress architecture with interior frescoes from the 16th to the 18th centuries. The views to the lake and villages on its shores are breathtaking. Lodging is the charming family run Battello Morcote that overlooks Lake Lugano.
Day 6 - We will visit Lugano and paddle the lake in the area of Gandria. Later we will hike the Gandria Trail which follows the lakeshore. This trail is framed by natural beauty with an incredible panoramic view of the lake and surrounding mountains. Tranquility and silence characterize this walk that unfolds through Mediterranean flowers and shrubs on the way to one of Ticino’s most charming villages. A detour from the main trail leads to the “Parco deli alive”, with century-old olive trees and educational panels that illustrate the history and characteristics of the plants. We will be lodging and dining at the Battello Morcote.
Day 7 - We say “arrivederci”. Enjoy your last morning in Italy and then shuttle to Malpensa for your flight home.
Day 2 - After breakfast we travel to Lake Orta, the hidden gem of the region. We will spend the day kayaking the lake and exploring the island of Orta San Giulio. This area is frequented mostly by the local Milanese on the weekends but is quiet most other times. Lodging is the beautiful Hotel il Bocciolo overlooking the lake.
Day 3 - In the morning we visit the Sacro Monte in Varallo, the oldest of Italy’s nine Sacri Monti (Sacred Mountains), a Unesco World Heritage site since 2003. The complex consists of an outstanding 45 chapels, with an amazing 800 statues depicting the Passion of Christ set on a rocky buttress on the slopes of Monte Tre Croci. Later in the day we will go for a short hike that will take us to a great view of the area. Lodging is again at the Hotel il Bocciolo.
Day 4 - We will drive from Orta to Mattarone where we will do short hike to the top for a view of the area. Later we will kayak on Lake Maggiore and explore the Borromee Islands. This will be our last night at Hotel il Bocciolo.
Day 5 - In the morning we travel to Lugano and paddle the portion of Lake Lugano that borders Italy and Switzerland. Later in the day we will visit the village of Morcote in Switzerland and take a short hike to the Church of Santa Maria del Sasso. The effort to climb the steps up to the church is well rewarded. The impressive building combines Romanesque, Baroque and stone fortress architecture with interior frescoes from the 16th to the 18th centuries. The views to the lake and villages on its shores are breathtaking. Lodging is the charming family run Battello Morcote that overlooks Lake Lugano.
Day 6 - We will visit Lugano and paddle the lake in the area of Gandria. Later we will hike the Gandria Trail which follows the lakeshore. This trail is framed by natural beauty with an incredible panoramic view of the lake and surrounding mountains. Tranquility and silence characterize this walk that unfolds through Mediterranean flowers and shrubs on the way to one of Ticino’s most charming villages. A detour from the main trail leads to the “Parco deli alive”, with century-old olive trees and educational panels that illustrate the history and characteristics of the plants. We will be lodging and dining at the Battello Morcote.
Day 7 - We say “arrivederci”. Enjoy your last morning in Italy and then shuttle to Malpensa for your flight home.
What's Included and Trip Price
- All lodging and meals
- All in country transfers, logistics and baggage handling
- All entrance fees to sites
- All paddling equipment
- Scott Locorini and a local guide/interpreter as your on and off water guides.
- $4595 per person for a private room - Share a room and save $500
There are a minimum number of participants required to confirm the trips. Therefore please do not make any travel arrangements (airline flights, train) until you have received confirmation from us that the trip has fully booked. A 50% deposit is due at time of reservation, with payment in full due 60 days prior to the trip’s start date. Email us, call or text (315) 316-1125 with questions.