Milan to Lake Maggiore

Every Sunday and Monday Leave urban Milan for the day and spend some time at picturesque Lake Maggiore, located in Italy's Lake District. Explore the chic town of Stresa, learning about the area's history from your guide and perusing the shops. Then hop on a boat for a cruise around the lake, and take in the scenery of the water and surrounding mountains. Visit Isola dei Pescatori, where you have free time to explore, and then explore Borromeo Palace in Isola Bella, before making the return trip to Milan.

Take a journey to the Swiss Alps on the Green Train from Milan. Pass through a number of villages including Domodossola and Spiez until you reach the beautiful Interlaken. Snap some photos of the lakes and the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains that reflect off the blue waters. Learn the history of each area from your guide as you take in the lush scenery of these Alpine villages.

Visit the picturesque town of Stresa with a private guide on this full-day tour from Milan. Upon arrival at Lake Maggiore, ride the ferry to the Borromean islands. Visit the Borromeo Palace and gardens, and have lunch on the island. Afterward, have the option to stop at Eremo di Santa Caterina monastery and the 13th-century fortress, Rocca di Angera, before return drive to Milan.

The Italian lake district is close to Milan, but getting there without your own transport on vacation isn’t so easy. This day trip to picturesque Lake Orta offers a convenient way to do it, with private round-trip transport from Milan plus a tour of the main lake town and the island of St. Giulio. Medieval history and postcard-perfect lake sights await. Note that the boat ride to the island is extra.

Visit the Borromean Islands of Lake Maggiore the stress-free way with this private day trip from Milan. Bookable for private groups of up to 10 people, the day trip includes everything you need for a hassle-free day out at the Lombardy lake. You’ll travel by train between Milan and Stresa, then take a boat to the three islands: isole Bella, Madre, and Pescatori. The best thing? A private guide is at your side the whole day.

This small lake to the west of Lago Maggiore is one of the loveliest places I have ever been. It is telling that the Milanese call it La Cenerentola (Cinderella) because they have long considered it the secretly superior sibling to the larger, money-blighted lakes of Como and Maggiore. But, for me, what sets Orta apart is not its beauty – though the place is absurdly pretty – but the lake's mysterious, ethereal, almost supernatural quality. There is something for the soul there as well as for the eye.