Lake Maggiore's classical charm and sophistication might make you think you've stepped back into 1920s Italy. The lake straddles Italy and Switzerland, so it's perfect if you'd like to explore two countries or are interested in visiting Milan, Zermatt or Lake Lugano during your stay.

The resorts of Stresa and Baveno are on the western shore within the secluded Borromean Bay - both have lakeside promenades brimming with cafés and bars overlooking the Borromean Islands.

Isola Bella, the beautiful island, hosts an old Borromean stately home surrounded by spectacular gardens, where white peacocks roam freely. Isola dei Pescatori, the fisherman's island, is still a working island today and is filled with small markets, individual shops and restaurants. Finally Isola Madre, the mother island, is the quietest of the three islands and has some beautiful botanic gardens to explore.

Its palatial architecture and beautifully groomed gardens set the town of Stresa apart from the other resorts on the lake. The old villas nestle between the buildings, sometimes holding art galleries and local exhibitions. The town itself is made up of three main piazzas and cobbled, traffic-free streets that lead around the town. Each of these holds a string of individual shops, bars and cafés, and the weekly market is certainly worth a visit.

The quieter town of Baveno is just 2km from Stresa. This laid back town is home to a few fashionable bars and restaurants - a small lakeside lido just outside of the village stays open late in the summer, playing music into the evening. There's also a recently built water park with pools, water chutes and climbing activities for children.

Long favoured by the European aristocracy, Lake Como is known for its beautiful landscape and wildlife and the spectacular backdrop of the Grigna mountains.

Lake Como, Italy's deepest lake, is surrounded by high mountains and dramatic cliffs. The narrow road on the western side of the lake that heads towards Switzerland sits up high above the water, with the towns dropping down beneath it, making Lake Como very different to the other Italian lakes. Famous for its beautifully kept public gardens and historic villas, it's easy to see why so many celebrities are attracted to the lake.

The resorts of Menaggio, Tremezzo and Cadenabbia sit on the sunny western shore. Each has a promenade running along the lakeside, where you can enjoy an evening stroll and take in the dramatic views across the lake. The unique resort of Bellagio is perched on the southern shore and enjoys breathtaking views across the lake from both sides of the town. Menaggio and Bellagio are larger resorts and are livelier, with café-filled piazzas and winding cobbled streets filled with boutique shops and ice cream parlours. To the north-west of the lake, Cadenabbia and Tremezzo are slightly quieter and make a great base for exploring the towns and villages around Lake Como and its surrounding lakes and mountains.

Wednesday
11:30 Meet at Gatwick South Terminal, Easyjet, for the flight to Milan Malpensa
13:05 Departure to Milan Malpensa
16:00 Arrival at Milan Malpensa. Transfer to Lake Maggiore (approximately 1 hour)
Hotel Regina Palace, Stresa. Dinner at hotel

Thursday
09:30 Meet at reception for a tour to the famous Borromean Islands: Isola Madre, Isola Pescatori and Isola Bella (the latter featured on the BBC's “Monty Don's Italian Gardens”). Morning visit to Isola Madre.
Lunch Visit Isola Pescatori with lunch at a local restaurant
Afternoon visit to Isola Bella
Return to Stresa and tour of promenade and town centre
20.00 Dinner at the hotel
Afterwards drinks at Sky Bar of the Hotel Palma with amazing views of the lake

Friday
08:00 hrs Day trip to Lake Como (about 90 minute-drive). Meet guide in Tremezzo to visit Villa Carlotta, the elegant 18th century summerhouse known for its gardens and lovely views. Private boat tour to Villa del Balbianello where parts of the last James Bond movie has been filmed.
Leisurely lunch by the lakeside at the Hotel Britannia followed by a private boat trip in 'Rospo' viewing the first basin of the lake including Laglio where George Clooney has his villa (Villa Oleandri).
17:30 hrs Departure to Lake Maggiore followed by dinner at the hotel

Saturday
Walk along lakeside promenade and gardens to Stresa Lido and up to the top (or taxi) and either walk or take the chairlift to the summit. Option: ride Alpyland, the alpine coaster.
14:00 hrs Depart to the airport
16:35 hrs Depart from Milan on Easyjet to Gatwick
17:25 hrs Arrive Gatwick

Please contact Marion Telsnig to express your interest: marion.telsnig@tuiski.com