Lake Orta & Morning Flight From Malpensa

you must be at the airport 2 hours (at least) prior to departure.
By car from Omegna you can probably get there in less than one hour. With public transport, from Omegna, you need to get on a bus to the Verbania station. I've taken that bus many years ago. It's a city bus that will take you there in 20-30 min. but I don't know how early it starts. Once in Verbania you need to take a train down to Gallarate on the line to Milano. There is a train that stops at Verbania at 6:12am. You will be in Gallarate at 6:51. From Gallarate it's a short bus ride (or taxi ride). You could make it by 7:00 am, but it's tight. Maybe better take the earlier train at 5:37 from Verbania. That will put you at Gallarate at 6:29am. Add another 15 min for the taxi or bus ride and you should get there early enough to make the flight comfortably. The only issue is at what time the bus from Omegna starts. It's only 10 miles (16km) to the Verbania station from Omegna. You could take a taxi, it can't be that expensive. An alternative, if you want to be at the lake instead of ugly malpensa, would be to stay in Stresa or Arona for the night. That way you are along the train line. I haven't been to Arona (just passed by), but Stresa is very nice. It is possible that there are some Airport Bus shuttles from Omegna directly to Malpensa, but I haven't looked into that option. Look around on Google. Enter Autobus Malpensa-Omegna.

Linda, there will no doubt be other tour members who will need to go to Milano at the end of the tour, either to Malpensa for a flight or to stay on in Milano or catch trains elsewhere from Milano Centrale. In fact, there was a van full of people when I did that tour and the tour guide made the shuttle van arrangements for us. I can't remember if there were 2 vans - one to Milano Centrale and one direct to Malpensa. I was staying on in Milano so I only paid attention to the van going to Milano Centrale. It was a very smooth transition for everyone because the tour guide came along in the van and was available at Milano Centrale to help everyone go off wherever they needed to go. The complication for you is your need to get to Malpensa very early for a 9:00 AM flight. If I were you, I would call the Tour Dept. office (425-608-4217) or use their email 'Contact Us' form (link below) if you don't want to make a toll call. Explain your circumstance and they will certainly advise you. https://www.ricksteves.com/about/contact_form.cfm?recipient=tourdept 'Village Italy' is a fantastic tour that will knock your socks off in so many ways. I loved it so much I would do it again in a heartbeat if there weren't 100 other places I'm longing to visit. Have a great time!

One more thought - the tour, as you know, starts in Padova, which is only 30 minutes by train from Venice. Because you won't be going to Venice with the group, if you can manage it go a couple days early and spend at least one night on your own in Venice. Then catch a regionale train for a few Euros to Padova in time to check into the first hotel and be ready to meet the group at the appointed time. Even a brief overnight in Venice will add extra magic to your trip, and it's SO close. Or, if getting a hotel in Venice is too expensive at this point, try for early arrival at the tour hotel in Padova, and day trip to Venice and back. Go in the early morning and return late in the evening. If you say you wish to add extra nights prior to the RS tour, the hotel will likely give you a good reduced rate. I've had great luck doing that several times.

Thank you Roberto for your in-depth reply. Rather than "sweat" getting to the airport early for departure, I'm planning to just chill in Lake Orta until later in the day, add an extra night and spend last night near the airport resting up for the long trip back to FL. Thank you for all the options. You're quite the traveler & I am quite the novice when it come to EU travel. Thank you & Regards!