Ecotourism with daily hikes on well-marked trails. Elevation gains between 500-600 m.

Day 1: Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to Lake Maggiore. A beautiful and interesting visit to the village of Sacro Monte di Varese (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and the Via Sacra (Sacred Way) with its 14 chapels dating back to the 17th century, leading back to the town. Dinner and overnight stay in the area. BB

Day 2: Canoeing on Lake Varese
After breakfast, we'll explore the lakeside environments of this jewel of the Varese Prealps in our comfortable Canadian canoes. This 15-square-kilometer protected area is populated by myriads of aquatic birds and marsh plants, now rare in the Po Valley. The guide will tell you about the life and curiosities of the lake's inhabitants, as well as the geology and evolution of these ephemeral aquatic environments. The unique feature of canoeing is the unique view of the lake, an exclusive and discreet exploration, free of noise and disturbance, of natural habitats that few people have the opportunity to visit. Dinner and overnight stay in the area. BB

Day 3: Overlooking Lake Maggiore, immersed in wild nature
In the morning, we visit an icon of Lake Maggiore: a hermitage dating back to the 12th-14th centuries, built into the rock overlooking the lake. A breathtaking view of the cliffs accompanies us throughout the descent, a picture-perfect setting, immersed in an almost Mediterranean atmosphere. Next, we drive along the coastal road, passing magnificent cliffs and villages, with several photo stops suggested by the guide at the most evocative spots. We finally reach the heart of the wildest valley in the Varese area, where we visit ancient villages and abandoned stone mills, in a stunning natural setting, in the land of the eagles. Here, together, we discover ancient rocks, vestiges of a mountain range older than the Alps. Dinner and overnight stay in the area. BB

Day 4: On the edge of the ridges, among chamois and eagles
A day entirely dedicated to nature, photography, and contemplation. Our guide will lead you along the crests of the great wild valley of the Varese area, a land populated by deer, chamois, and golden eagles, nestled among birch and beech forests and straw-yellow meadows. From here, we enjoy a spectacular panorama of Lake Maggiore and the Ticino Valley. The view is reminiscent of distant Nordic lands, with its fjords. An exceptional setting, where nature and the centuries-old work of man blend together in a harmonious landscape. Dinner and overnight stay in local accommodations. BB

Day 5: The colorful rocks of Canton Ticino
Today we're in one of the most beautiful valleys in Italian Switzerland, the Verzasca Valley. On this excursion, we'll visit the deep gorges carved and smoothed by the eponymous stream, with its turquoise waters, which, when the weather permits, offer a refreshing break. A must-see for photographers! We're immersed in lush vegetation, among multicolored rocks, ancient stone bridges, and mountain pastures. Our guide will help us appreciate every little detail of this Alpine paradise, and we'll discover the imposing forces that shaped this superb and dreamlike landscape. Dinner and overnight stay in Italy. BB

Day 6: The mountain with a heart of granite
We're on the Piedmont side of Lake Maggiore, at the entrance to the Ossola and Grande Valleys. Once again, the landscape offers incredible views of the lake and its mountains. On this beautiful hike, our guide will lead us to discover precious white and green granites, telling us the fascinating story of their ancient origins as well as the traces of the "picasas," the people who once manually mined these precious stones. Numerous panoramic viewpoints overlook the valley, the lake, and, in particular, the picturesque mouth of the Toce River. At the end of the hike, we'll enjoy a well-deserved rest on the shores of Lake Mergozzo, one of the youngest and cleanest lakes in Italy. Dinner and overnight stay at local accommodations. HB

Day 7: Immersed in alpine environments and high-altitude pastures
We're nearing the end of our journey, and with our vehicle we reach a little-known valley at the foot of Lake Orta. Here we enter a typically Alpine environment for a splendid hike, through pastures and deciduous and coniferous forests. Our guide illustrates the different types of vegetation and the incredible adaptations that alpine flora has evolved to survive in these harsh environments. Indeed, these lands were invaded by glaciers until a few millennia ago, and it's possible to observe the indelible imprint left on the rocks and landscape. Upon returning, we'll have time to enjoy the picturesque streets of the village, with their charming alleys and traditional houses built with local stone. Dinner and overnight stay in local accommodations. HB

Day 8: The charming village of Orta San Giulio and return to Varese
After leaving our mountain residence, we drive to Lake Orta for a short stroll through the streets of Orta San Giulio, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, with its medieval alleys and views and the enchanting lakeside promenade. Here, we can relax and take time to take photographs and buy some souvenirs. After lunch, we return to Varese. BB

Spring, summer and autumn

Milan Malpensa