I went on TUI’s Lakes and Mountains trip to explore the Swiss-Italian Lake Maggiore, a wonderful alternative to the more famous Italian lakes. The lake is the second largest in Italy, stretching 40 miles in length and spans the Piedmont and Lombardy regions, as well as bordering into Switzerland. It is the largest lake in southern Switzerland.

When I arrived in Stresa, I knew I was in for a treat. I stayed at the Grand Hotel Des Iles Borromee - and it was grand on every level. It was like staying in a palace, with chandeliers in every room, centuries-old paintings, and a royal-like gate that opens to the spectacular view of the hotel. The hotel opened in March 1863 and was quickly established as the ‘Grand Hotel’ of the lake, featuring in various Italian and foreign tourist book guides.