Lago d'Orta

11 Sep – 14 Sep 2026
Lago d'Orta, Italy
From £1,385pp

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While the crowds head to Lake Como, we've been quietly doing something rather better. Lago d'Orta is northern Italy's best-kept secret smaller, but every bit as beautiful as its more famous neighbours, nestled in the foothills of the Alps just an hour from Milan Malpensa.

Duration

3 Nights

Distance per day

1-4km

Water temperature

20-23°C

Max. group size

Ability level

All Abilities

Swim type

Lake, Open Water

Non-swimming Partners

Welcome - 10% Discount

Technique coaching

Included

Nestled in northern Italy, west of Lake Maggiore, the beautiful, shimmering waters of Lago d’Orta provide the setting for this weekend tour. Mysterious, ethereal and utterly captivating, it has drawn artists and writers for centuries. We think swimmers belong here too. Based at Hotel l’Approdo on the lakefront, you’ll discover one of the smallest and least-known of the region’s sub-Alpine lakes with gentle swims, help with technique and fantastic food and company.

Perfect for individuals, couples or groups seeking a long weekend of exceptional food, beautiful scenery and leisurely swimming. The highlight of the weekend is a swim to the enchanting island of Orta San Giulio.

Highlights

An enchanting lake

Lago d’Orta may be one of the smallest and least-known of northern Italy’s sub-Alpine lakes, but it certainly combines Italian style with stunning swimming.

Evenings that feel Italian

Guides who know the best local restaurants, group dinners on the lakeside, and the kind of easy conversation that only seems to happen when you've spent the day in the water together.

Unforgettable swims

For a lake setting, tis trip provides a wonderful variety of swim options, from gentle coastals to little crossings.

A long weekend that feels like a week

Four days, two hours from London. Quite simply, one of the loveliest things you can do with four days.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrivals and acclimitisation

Once everyone has arrived, our guides will host a welcome at the L’Approdo Hotel and carry out the mandatory safety briefing. At the briefing we will discuss the itinerary for the weekend - please bring along details of your travel insurance. If there is sufficient time we will have a short acclimatisation swim in the lake before dinner.

Day 2

Lakeshore exploration

After breakfast we set off from the hotel and swim around the edge of the lake, following the beautiful bay formed by the headland. Your guides will do some stroke filming today - optional, but highly recommended - which we'll use for video analysis to help you understand and improve your technique. There's free time between swims to relax, explore and grab some lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon we head further south along the lake for a slightly longer swim.

Day 3

St Julius Island

Today we swim across to the picturesque St Julius Island, swimming past the Basilica di San Giulio and finally exiting the water via some stone steps, and drying off before lunch in a restaurant on St Julius Island, much deserved after all that swimming! You’ll have time for a quick look around the lanes before we are back in the water swimming from our lunch spot on St Julius Island, round the back of the island and across back towards our hotel to complete the day’s adventures.

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Accommodation

WIFI RESTAURANT BAR POOL AIR CON EN SUITE DEPOSIT BOX

Your accommodation for this long weekend is at the 4*, lakeside Hotel L’Approdo. Nestling peacefully in the green of the mountains and surrounded by the blue waters of Lake Orta, Hotel l’Approdo enjoys a fine lakeside location. Amenities include a 25 meter swimming pool, lakeside decking sunbathing area, sauna, whirlpool and a range of massages (on request).

Rooms

Twin / double share rooms are allocated as standard, however if you would like to reserve a room of your own, a £290 supplement applies.

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What's included

Included

Accommodation at the Hotel L’Approdo
Breakfast
Guides
All swims
One-to-one swim coaching and video analysis
SwimQuest swim cap and gift
VAT
ABTOT Financial Protection

Not included

Travel to and from Lago D'Orta
Lunches and dinners
Purchase of any alcohol
Wetsuits and fins (if required)
Single room supplement or room upgrades

Getting there

Getting to Lago D'Orta

Trip begins Friday afternoon/evening

Fly to Milan Malpensa

Fly to Milan Malpensa airport (MXP). For help finding flight information and prices, you may wish to try a flight search engine such as Skyscanner or Kayak.

Taxi to the hotel

Take a taxi from the airport to Hotel L’Approdo. The best option is to share the cost between your swim group. We will introduce you via email a couple of weeks before your trip. Taxis are approx €110.00 each way and the journey will take approx 1 hour 15 mins.