It’s the first morning of the trip, and you’re off to Villa Porto Bozzolo where the 17th century is alive and kicking. The geometric Baroque-style gardens here are tiered like a green wedding cake, with gravel paths, grand staircases, and terraces that look like they climb straight up into the sky. Lombardy doesn’t usually do this kind of formal razzmatazz (that’s more of a Roman thing), but that’s what makes this place feel like you’ve stumbled onto a misplaced secret.

After you’ve explored it from head to toe, it’s on to Villa Cicogna Mozzoni. This pre-1440s hunting lodge had a Renaissance makeover fit for a king in the mid-16th century, and its terraced, theatrical gardens have been gasp-worthily gorgeous ever since. The current owner will even show you around, sprinkling in a little family gossip to bring the grounds to life.

By evening, you’ll roll into the Palace Grand Hotel, your new home for the next few nights, just in time for your first four-course dinner together. Come hungry!

Accommodation: Palace Grand Hotel Varese (or similar)
Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Coach it to Stresa this morning, then trade wheels for water on a private boat ride across Lake Maggiore to Isola dei Pescatori. On this sleepy little island, the locals will treat you to lunch served straight from the lake, probably caught this very morning. Then, bellies full, it’s on to Isola Bella. 

It’s hard to accurately describe this place, so… imagine a Baroque palace and ten terraces of manicured gardens somehow crammed onto a rock in the lake. Count Borromeo built this for his wife Isabella in the 1600s, and, in our very impartial opinion, he nailed it. Peacocks strut, citrus trees glow, and the whole island looks like it’s floating. By contrast, the next stop, Isola Madre, is wilder, all ancient trees and wisteria in bloom.

To round it all off, you’ll stop for dinner at one of our favorite pizza spots before rolling back to the hotel. Big day. So the only question is… bar or bed? Your call.

Accommodation: Palace Grand Hotel Varese (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Villa Melzi, right on the shores of Lake Como (which, we’re sure, needs no introduction), was built in the early 1800s, with neoclassical gardens that are a masterclass in the ‘casual-but-curated’ look – a blend of naturalism  and formal design. On your entire morning dedicated to exploring it, you’ll wander past marble statues and gazebos that feel straight out of an Italian Bridgerton, but better, thanks to the shimmering Como backdrop.

You’ll have some free time for lunch in Bellagio, which lives up to its “pearl of the lake” nickname. Grab a waterfront table, order something that sets off fireworks on your tongue, and drink in that view before moving on to Villa Medici-Giulini. Built in the 1600s and still as grand as in its heyday, it’s home to one of the best collections of ancient keyboard instruments in the world (harpsichords, fortepianos, spinets), surprisingly all still playable. 

After a wander through the Italian and English thematic gardens, settle in for an intimate dinner inside the villa, complete with live music echoing through frescoed halls. Goosebumps guaranteed!

Accommodation: Palace Grand Hotel Varese (or similar)
Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Villa Carlotta, is the place to be at this time of year, and has been since 1745. Out at the front, the fountain-and-gate combo sets the scene, but it’s the gardens that really steal the show, full of terraced roses, climbing jasmine, tree ferns, and even the odd banana tree thanks to Como’s microclimate. Spend a while waltzing through English-style landscaped paths and imagining Duchess Carlotta herself checking on her plant collection a couple of centuries ago, before grabbing lunch in the garden café.

Now, it’s boat time! The only proper way to arrive at Villa del Balbianello is by water, gliding up to its cypress-framed entrance like a movie star. The whole place was designed to wow: carved out of a rocky headland with everything laid out to make sure the villa never has a bad angle. Hollywood clearly noticed, choosing to film parts of Casino Royale here. If it’s good enough for James Bond, it’s certainly good enough for us!

Accommodation: Palace Grand Hotel Varese (or similar)
Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Your morning kicks off at Villa Taranto, a garden that proves one man’s plant obsession is another man’s… national treasure? Back in the 1930s, Scottish captain Neil McEarchern started collecting rare species from all over the world, and today his creation sprawls across 180,000 square metres. Expect winding paths, colour explosions, and the occasional gasped ‘wait, how does that even grow here?’ as you explore these grounds.

After free time and another epic lunch in Verbania (go on, order the pasta again. We won’t judge you…), you’ll head to Giardino Lorella-Orta, a newer private garden with serious ‘wow’ power. At its heart is a 600-year-old chestnut tree lording over maples, magnolias, and rhododendrons, with Lake Orta and Monte Rosa in the backdrop. Pure heaven.

Round the day off with a glass or two at a local winery before heading back to the hotel for dinner. A fabulous day, if we do say so ourselves.

Accommodation: Palace Grand Hotel Varese (or similar)
Included: Breakfast, Wine Tasters and Dinner

Bags packed? Good. But you’re not done yet. Your morning begins in a private garden at Villa Giulini, where, after noseying through the grounds to your heart’s content, you’ll enjoy lunch among the greenery. Take one last deep breath of Lake District air before it’s time to point the compass back towards Milan.

On the way, finish with a stop at Bosco Verticale, Milan’s famous ‘vertical forest’ that was completed in 2014. These two apartment towers are swallowed by more than 900 trees and thousands of shrubs and plants! It’s part overgrown garden, part eco-art installation, and one of the coolest buildings you’ll ever see.

By evening, you’re back at the Sheraton Malpensa, where the adventure first began. Unfortunately, it’s farewell dinner time – but this isn’t Carex if we’re not going to make it a blooming brilliant send off! Expect good food, plenty of belly-laughs with your newfound friends, and maybe even a few plans for the next trip together?

Accommodation: Palace Grand Hotel Varese (or similar)
Included: Breakfast,  Lunch and Dinner

Say your goodbyes to your lovely new Carex crew, squeeze in one last Italian espresso, and then it’s time to roll. Safe travels, and until next time – arrivederci!

Included: Breakfast