18/04/2026
Lago d’Orta, Piedmont, Italy 🇮🇹
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An incredible few days high on Lago d’Orta - the “Cinderella” of Italy’s lakes according to some writers, quieter & quite beautiful.
We were just up from Orta San Guilio a delightful & peaceful hotel which is the creation of architect brothers Gian Carlo & Matteo Primatesta who live in the area. The views are just incredible - sparkling lake, fresh green grapevines, misty layers of blue mountains & a snowy alps peak behind on clear days. The sounds of the village below drift up - roosters, local football practice & the beautiful church bells.
The restaurant (Chef Matteo Monfrinotti & his young team including Federica who was very kind, helpful & fun) is just fabulous combining simple design & terrific food & wine. The risotto was honestly the best I’ve ever eaten!
There is also a bar on the terrace with couches & tables facing the lake view & settled in the beautiful gardens - a drink here early evening is a must & Filippo mixes a fab Margherita!
There is plenty to do in Orta San Giulio & around the lake. With Isola San Giulio a short boat ride & housing a convent with an order of nuns still in residence, Sacro Monte a hill covered in 20 or so chapels all telling the story of St Francis of Assisi & the village itself is lovely to potter around with lots of wisteria in full bloom during our stay. Around the other side of the lake was a church perched high on a rocky outcrop - sanctuario della madonna del sasso - worth it just for the incredible views of the lake & Omegna a little village right at the northern end of the lake.
So lovely to discover this beautiful corner of Italy - the peace & natural beauty so good for the soul ❤️ 🇮🇹
