Alto Piemonte: Between Lakes and Mountains

Day 1: Departure / Stresa / Candoglia / Domodossola
In the morning, arrival in Stresa, one of the most beautiful and popular tourist destinations in northern Italy and Lake Maggiore, thanks to its strategic and evocative location between the mountains, overlooking the Borromean Islands.

After lunch, meeting with the guide and departure for Domodossola, passing through Candoglia, to learn about the history of its unique marble, known for its white, pink, or gray colors. Candoglia marble is the symbol of Milan, used since Roman times (in rare cases), but it became famous for its most important use—the construction of the Milan Cathedral. Arrival in Domodossola, the heart of a borderland, a crossroads of cultures and commerce; Domodossola is the center of the most authentic Ossola region, surrounded by the seven valleys of Ossola.

After the visit, transfer to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: Macugnaga, Walser Culture and Gold Mines
Breakfast at the hotel, meeting with the guide, and transfer by bus to Macugnaga, a small mountain village at the feet of the eastern face of Monte Rosa, the steepest in Europe. Visit the Guia Gold Mine, the only gold mine in Europe open to the public. This journey takes us into the past, where we learn about the history, mining techniques, and the hard life of the miners of the Anzasca Valley.

Visit the house-museum, where we enter the world of Walser culture: every object or piece of furniture is an authentic description of the customs, traditions, and daily life of this Germanic people, still alive in the inhabitants of Macugnaga.

Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we begin a real walking tour of the village with a chronological reverse route: starting from the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta, we will pass by the Mountain and Smuggling Museum and head towards the Dorf, the historic center with its thousand-year-old lime tree, Walser houses, the oven, and a stunning view of the eastern face of Monte Rosa. Return to Domodossola for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Orta / Return
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Departure for Orta, meeting with the guide and a brief boat ride from Orta to San Giulio Island, an evocative lake island at the center of the lake. Visit the frescoed basilica, including the crypt, and enjoy a short circular walk around the island’s with views and paths leading to the lake. A picturesque walk suitable for everyone. Return to Orta, followed by a stroll and lunch at a restaurant, then departure.

End of Services

Included in the price:

  • 2 overnight stays in a 3-star hotel in Domodossola, half-board (breakfast and dinner: starter/ main course with side dish/ dessert/ ½ water and ¼ wine)
  • 3 typical local lunches, including drinks and regional dishes
  • Round-trip boat ride from Orta to San Giulio Island and back
  • Entrance to the gold mine and house museum in Macugnaga
  • Bilingual tourist guide for the whole length of the trip
  • Tourist tax
  • Medical/baggage insurance
  • Driver gratuity + group leader gratuity

Not included in the price:

  • Anything not expressly mentioned in the “Included” section
  • Entrance fees: Mondovì funicular
  • Personal extras and tips
  • Bus transportation