2026 Village Italy drops Lake Orta (good choice!)

Posted by John (CA, USA) on 10/17/25 02:33 AM

I'm subscribed to the RS monthly tour newsletter and in the October Tour News it has a slideshow for 2026 Village Italy, Day by Day. I'm happy to see that RS took my suggestion after I did the tour a few years ago and dropped Lake Orta!

Just kidding, I'm sure it wasn't just me, I imagine many tour members noted it is a long bus ride for not that great of a destination that leaves you in the middle of nowhere. In 2026 the tour instead goes to Modena at the end, both a more interesting destination IMO and also one that has easy train access to Bologna and Venice.

I loved this tour, probably my favorite of the ones I've been on, except for that last destination. And RS fixed it!

Posted by Pam

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA

10/17/25 06:47 AM

16114 posts

I think this has been continuously suggested for years. I did this tour in 2014 and it was most people’s suggestion then. I believe the guides also thought this was a PIA to get to and back from.

Posted by Nelly

Abruzzo Mountains

10/17/25 11:27 AM

1151 posts

I love Lake Orta and looked very hard at a house there. I've enjoyed several relaxing trips there with great hikes and great food. But I agree it's more difficult to get to and from than other places by public transit, and so maybe doesn't fit on a tour. I don't know that Modena could be considered a village...but it's an interesting town and a good jumping off point for getting home or continuing a trip. I hope future tour participants enjoy it.

Posted by susanking39

Portland, OR

10/17/25 02:25 PM

69 posts

I saw that too, but Modena seems a bit off the track for getting back to an airport to fly home. I am taking the last Villages of Italy tour this year on Oct. 27th and I'm looking forward to seeing a lake in Italy, as my past travels haven't taken me in that direction. It's then a quick trip to MXP for my flight home the next day after the tour ends. I see that you can get to Bologna and Venice from Modena by train, but flying home from MXP is working for me. I fly into Venice, where I will spend 3 days exploring and then taking a train to Padua to meet up with the tour group. It will be late in the season, so I'm not expecting warm, sunny days at Lake Orta, but I am looking forward to seeing the area, and I also don't mind a long bus ride, so I guess I'll wait and see how it all is, but I'm super excited to be on board for this tour.

Posted by Ruth

Ithaca, NY, USA

10/17/25 04:25 PM

875 posts

Add me to the list of Village Italy tour members who felt that ending in Lake Orta was a super let down. Absolutely no need for such a long bus ride on the second to last day. Really nothing there to see.

We took a cab from Lake Orta to Stresa/Lake Maggiore after the tour and it was so much more enjoyable than Lake Orta. Plus it was a super easy bus ride from there to the Milan Airport. Including Lake Orta in the VI tour was such a head scratcher…I’m glad they’ve finally changed the itinerary!

Posted by Jean

Idaho, USA

10/17/25 04:38 PM

8926 posts

Ruth, yes, I love Stresa! I’ve stayed there four times - lovely!

Modena: I just stayed in Modena last month and wouldn’t define it as “a village”, but it has a fantastic food market, and I assume they will take you out in the countryside for a balsamic vinegar tour & meal as your finale dinner.

After Modena - post tour options: Modena is easy transportation for travelers. There’s a direct train 90-minute to Milan. I will add that one of my favorite church interiors is at nearby Parma at the Parma Cathedral - gorgeous & lovely warm tones! Or, Bologna is just 30 minutes by train, also, in the opposite direction. Bologna is much busier with tourists, but still a good choice. Or, head north on a direct train for 70 minutes, and you’re in Mantova with some amazing Gonzaga museums, etc. to enjoy! All of these cities mentioned are prime Italian food - yum! (Mantova is handy to Verona, and you’re back on the main train line between Milan & Venice, ; )