Panoramic penthouse in the heart of Orta San Giulio.

Considered the most romantic in Italy, Lake Orta is a pre-Alpine lake a few kilometers from Lake Maggiore and only an hour’s drive from Milan and Turin. It is already a much-loved destination for great chefs, who have opened renowned restaurants here, and for entrepreneurs who have created resorts and accommodation facilities of rare beauty. At its center rises San Giulio Island, symbol of the area, beautiful and unique of its kind, which each year attracts thousands of visitors. Among the most distinctive towns, in addition to Ameno and Miasino with the enchanting Villa Nigra, there is undoubtedly Orta, with the Sacred Mount, the historic center full of cobbled alleyways, the main square from which boats depart for San Giulio Island, and the panoramic lakeside walk among sumptuous villas. On the opposite shore we find Pella: a delightful town also reachable via a walk starting from the Gozzano Lido. Not far away is the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso, set on a rocky spur overlooking the lake. From here the view opens onto a breathtaking, moving panorama of slopes and green peaks reflected in the mirror of the water. Continuing north, we first come to Oira, certainly worth a visit, and then Omegna, one of the larger towns, where the Strona stream, curiously, flows in reverse. The waters of Lake Orta are clear and suitable for swimming, and many sports are practiced: from swimming to sailing, from canoeing to diving. Surrounded by green mountains, there are many trails for walking in nature, even reaching the summit of Monte Mottarone, above Stresa. It is also not far from the Ossola Valley, a destination for those who love high-mountain outings both in the warmer season and in winter.