Lake Maggiore suits travellers who enjoy varied days from a settled base: a boat to an island garden, a leisurely lunch in town, or a railway journey into the valleys. The first choice is where to stay. Stresa, Cannobio and the countryside above Arona offer different daily rhythms, while Domodossola adds an inland rail-and-walking base.
Choose a small suite-based stay in Stresa when lake outings, restaurants and rail journeys are central to the holiday. We look at the room’s outlook and outside space alongside your arrival with luggage. Explore Luna nel Porto →
A garden setting with time for Cannobio’s waterfront and village life. This suits a more settled lake stay; we plan arrival and wider outings separately from days spent locally. Explore Park Hotel Villa Belvedere →
A quieter garden-and-pool stay away from the town centre. A car gives greater freedom for restaurants and exploring the lake, making this a different choice from central Stresa. Explore White Lilac →
An inland town stay for scenic trains, food and valley exploration. This is a useful companion to a lake hotel, with its own purpose in the holiday rather than another lakeside stop. Explore Locanda da Sciolla →
Choose a few days that matter to you, then leave room for the lake itself. These guides help you decide what fits your base, your interests and the pace of your holiday.
Palaces, terraced gardens and island village life: plan a day on the water from Stresa.
Explore the islands →
Compare lake outings, nearby Lake Orta and Alpine rail journeys, with practical advice on how to put the days together.
Find your days out →
A journey between Domodossola and Locarno, with valley villages and worthwhile stops along the way.
Explore the railway →
Painters, perfume and chimney-sweep traditions give this Valle Vigezzo village an identity of its own.
Meet Santa Maria Maggiore →Photograph © Susy Mezzanotte
Stresa and Domodossola are the strongest starting points in this selection for a rail-led holiday. We still arrange the final journey to the hotel with luggage in mind. Cannobio and White Lilac need their own arrival and local-travel plans: a convenient train into the region does not put every hotel beside a station. A car adds freedom for rural stays and wider touring; transfers can suit a more contained holiday.
A week can work well in one lake base. With longer, add a city, an inland rail stay or the mountains — each stop should bring something different. These routes are starting points that we shape around you.
City culture, an inland base for the valleys and time beside the lake, joined by a carefully planned rail route.
Explore this holiday →
Combine Cannobio’s waterfront and garden hotel with Cogne’s Alpine scenery: two bases with quite different rhythms.
Explore this holiday →
Museums and café culture followed by lake days. A two-base itinerary for travellers who enjoy discovery without constant hotel changes.
See the itinerary →
Lake Orta is close to Maggiore, but offers a smaller, quieter lake setting. Visit for a day or give it a separate stay: Milan, Cannobio and Casa Fantini on Lake Orta can make a well-paced three-centre self-drive holiday.
Explore Lake Orta holidays →Tell us your dates, who is travelling, your approximate budget and how active you like to be. We will suggest the accommodation, room choices, length of stay and travel arrangements that suit you, either here alone or as part of a wider Northern Italy holiday.
Tailor-made Italy holidays, designed personally by Antonio Cresce.
Characterful places to stay, thoughtful routes and well-planned travel between them — across one region or several.
We arrange your accommodation, transport and experiences in Italy. Flights are booked separately.
Meet Antonio & discover ExpertoItalyTell me where you would like to go, when you can travel and what matters to you.
Start planning your Italy holidayMonday–Thursday: 9am–6pm
Friday: 9am–5.30pm · UK time
At weekends, please send an enquiry.
Travel Trust Association
Member Q8055
Read how your holiday payments are protected through our TTA membership.
How your holiday is protectedSubscribe for destination ideas, places to stay and practical advice from ExpertoItaly.
We will never sell your details. Read our privacy policy.
Follow our travel updates. For help planning your own holiday, contact Antonio directly.
ExpertoItaly Ltd · Company registration no. 12035194 · TTA membership Q8055
Package holidays are sold by ExpertoItaly Ltd. Registered office: 33 Miles Close, London, SE28 0NJ.
Facebook
WhatsApp channel