Lakes Como, Maggiore, Orta & Lugano

We rendezvous in Novara. Novara is situated on the plain between the rivers Sesia and Ticino, which is the centre of a large rice growing area. The historic centre has a typically 19th century look with fine small palazzos built for the nobility side by side with older buildings such as the Battistero (Baptistry) and the Palazzo del Broletto. Among Novara's most memorable gastronomic specialities is paniscia, a dish based on rice, salame della dujia, gorgonzola and the famous biscottiini.

We cross the lake of Orta and walk on stone paths, with wonderful views of the lake, through ancient villages where time has stood still. We descend to take a boat to lunch at a lakeside restaurant. In the afternoon, we can either visit the Island of San Giulio or stroll around the town of Orta and up to the Sacro Monte to view the terracotta statues of St. Francis.

After breakfast we take a cable car to the summit of Monte Mottarone from where, on a clear day, you might see Milan Cathedral. A circular walk with stunning views in every direction brings us to the Giardino Alpina to wander its collection of 2,000 alpine plants. We descend to lunch on a terrace overlooking the lake. In the afternoon, we can choose to shop in Stresa or cruise the lake to visit the Borromean Islands of Isola Bella and Isola dei Pescatori.

We leave Stresa by ferry and van for a morning's walk in the mountains between the two great lakes of Maggiore and Lugano, following paths known only to shepherds. After lunch we continue across the border into Switzerland and lovely Lugano, 'The Queen of the Ceresio', with time to stroll the shady lakeside promenade before dinner at our hotel, a Wayfarer favourite, overlooking the waters.

We walk today on Monte Generoso, which we reach by private boat across the lake to Capolago and by cog railway, with views across the Plain of Lombardy and the peak of Monte Rosa. We lunch at a mountain hut and descend to Argegno and our hotel on the western shore of Lake Como.

We hike the shoreline of Lake Como known as the 'Looking Glass of Venus'. Stopping at the18th-century Villa Carlotta, we admire the villa's splendid garden and romantic sculptures. We sail across the lake to dock straight on the jetty of a 14th- century inn, for our lunch under a pergola. This afternoon we have the choice of walking to the gardens of Villa Melzi or shopping in the old town of Bellagio.

We take the ferry to Como and a walking tour of the bustling town at the head of its eponymous lake, with its marble cathedral, old quarter and shops specialising in the local silk, before saying 'arrivederci'.