Lake Orta charms with its small town romantic atmosphere

Smaller than nearby Lake Maggiore, lesser known than uber-famous Lake Como, Lake Orta is as charming as his bigger brothers and retains a much intimate, more romantic atmosphere. Located in the northern part of Piedmont, Lake Orta sits at the foot of pretty hills and imposing mountains and is the ideal destination for those who want to spend a few days in contact with nature, art and history.

 

Although tiny in size, Lake Orta has a lot to offer when it comes to architecture, culture and gastronomy. The small town of Orta is the perfect place to start exploring the region, as it is well connected both by road to the rest of the region and by boat to the beautiful island of San Giulio. The town center has all been turned into a pedestrian-only area, which makes strolling around the narrow alleys and quaint piazzas a real pleasure: along the way there are lush courtyards, small stores and tiny antique stores to discover.

 

On top of the village sits the beautiful church of Santa Maria Assunta, built in 1485, which offers a lovely view of the rooftops, cobblestone streets and the lake. Down below, Piazza Motta, the town’s central square, is sort of an outdoors drawing room where people –locals and tourists alike- mingle and linger to enjoy the sunshine or drink an Aperol Spritz at one of the cafés. Three sides of the square are embellished by arcades and palazzos dating back to the 1500s and 1600s: the Broletto, also know as the Community Palace, was built in 1582 and served as a market, downstairs, and as the headquarters of the legislative and executive power upstairs. The fourth side of Piazza Motta opens up to the lake and is home to the dock where the ferries to the Island of San Giulio depart.

 

The island, 1200 feet away from the shore, is the only island on the lake and is rich in history and charm. The island is named after St. Julius of Orta, a missionary priest who died there in 390 AD. Little is known about his life, but plenty of local stories describe him as a hero who miraculously survived a horrible storm on the lake and safely made it to the island to avoid persecution and continue his mission. Today the Island of San Giulio is a charming place to take a stroll and easily reached both by ferry and by private boats. The abbey of Mater Ecclesiae, a cloistered convent run by  Benedictine nuns, is open year round, except for the month of November, and it dominates the small island with its imposing yet austere beauty. 

 

On the west side of the lake, the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso is definitely worth a visit. Built in the 1700s and overlooking the lake, this beautiful church sits at 1900 ft of altitude and offers a breathtaking view of the mountains, hills and of the lake itself. The frescos inside the church are as exquisite as the view from the terrace. 

 

Food, too, is certainly a perk in the area. Just outside Orta, Michelin starred chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo serves his award winning dishes at beautiful Villa Crespi. The restaurant, part of the eponymous hotel, is elegant and definitely one-of-a-kind: the villa was built in 1879 by eccentric cotton merchant Cristoforo Crespi who wanted his lake retreat to look like a middle eastern wonder, complete with its own minaret.

 

Celebrity chef Cannavacciuolo –who stars in the Italian version of Gordon Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares- serves top notch, unique dishes made with local ingredients and definitely worth the two Michelin stars he was awarded. For those who want a more hands-on experience, Villa Crespi offers amazingly entertaining cooking classes during which participants can learn some of the secrets of the excellent Villa Crespi kitchen brigade. For more information about the hotel, restaurant and cooking classes check out www.villacrespi.it

 

If you are looking for a more relaxed and family friendly option, Hotel Ristorante Il Giardinetto is the place for you. Located in Pettenasco, directly on the lake shore, this laid-back yet refined restaurant offers a gorgeous waterside terrace, plenty of sunshine, a swimming pool and an ever-changing menu that follows the seasons. Reachable by car or boat, is the ultimate family hang out on Lake Orta and, from April to October, features special themed nights that keep everyone entertained. You can check them out here: www.giardinettohotel.com

 

Lake Orta is easily reachable by car from Milan, Turin and from the International Airport of Milan Malpensa, taking either the Milano-Laghi or the Gravellona Toce highways.