LAKE ORTA is perhaps the most beautiful of the Italian Lakes, its blue-green waters are surrounded by wooded hillsides and snow-capped peaks rise majestically in the distance. In the centre of Lake Orta is the Island of San Giulio. Legend has it that the island was infested with snakes and monsters, until the heroic St Giulio walked across the lake in a storm established a church and rid the island of its slithering hordes. Today there is just a handful of inhabitants on the island – most of whom are nuns living in a convent. The island hosts a poetry festival each summer.

THE combination of great restaurants, breath-taking scenery and characterful hotels makes the Lake Orta region a great choice for an Italian weekend away. Orta is less than an hour’s drive from Milan Malpensa Airport. It is easy to get to and oh so Italian and authentic when you arrive. Strongly recommended.

_{The fabulous family-run Giardinetto Hotel, Lago d’ Orta (left). Orta and other lakes are about an hour’s drive north of Milan}

Notes:

• Our sister company Grand Tourist creates unique tailor-made travel experiences in Italy, France, The Alps. Last July a client travelling from Siena, Italy to the UK requested help planning an itinerary. Of course Lake Orta was included on the route! The most beautiful of the Italian Lakes.
• For gastronomy and wine tasting in Italy I’d strongly recommend the Veneto area (just inland from Venice) especially the wonderful Villa of the Five Sisters. The five sisters of Villa Angarano – Bassano, Italy
• To continue the Italian lakes theme – Villa Cordevigo (just east of Lake Garda) is also outstanding! Villa Cordevigo – country house hotel
• Questions, responses, observations to: Janet at Educated Traveller blog
• For a wonderful family-run lake shore hotel on Lake Orta you can’t beat Hotel Giardinetto, a favourite of mine. The Giardinetto Hotel