Holiday Homes at Lake Orta

Tell me about... things to do and see locally

The following local sights are all within 10 miles (16 km):

Isola San Giulio · Orta San Giulio and the Island of San Giulio. An wonderful little lake-side village with a very special atmosphere, with a wealth of restaurants, superb ice cream bars, shops, bars, and a mini-golf. Click here for more about Orta San Giulio.

· Boat services on Lake Orta. There are regular boat services connecting Orta San Giulio with Omegna, Pella, and other lakeside towns and villages. Launches and rowing boats can also be hired in Orta San Giulio.

· Fondazione Calderara. A modern art collection in Vacciago, in a house typical of the local style. Antonio Calderara had a long association with Vacciago; for further information on this great little collection and house, see the foundation's website www.fondazionecalderara.it which has a complete list of paintings, or this link on www.orta.net and this link on www.lagomaggiore.net

· Santuario della Bocciola. This beautiful baroque church in Vacciago overlooks the lake. See www.santuari.it/bocciola for the story of the miracle, beautiful reproductions of the early 19th century frescos and the times of services.

· Mottarone. The summit of this mountain may be reached by car (12 miles from Vacciago). It is situated between Lago d'Orta and Lago Maggiore, and affords a spectacular view of these two lakes, five others, and the whole Alpine arc. There is a cable car up from Stresa (tel. +39-0323-30399). In winter, you can ski here, they are several lifts, a range of ski and boot hire shops, plus of course mountain restaurants. See www.mottaroneski.it for details. During the winter season, there is a new shuttle 'train' from the top cable car station to to the shops, restaurants, and pistes, see www.neveazzurra.it for details.

The famous terraced gardens of the Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore · Stresa, Lago Maggiore, Isola Bella. Lake Maggiore and Stresa are easily reachable from Vacciago by car for an afternoon or day-trip. The Isola Bella (so named for good reason!) may be reached by small boat from Stresa; it is world famous for the beautiful palace of the Borromeo family, and exotic terraced gardens. A hydrofoil service operates along the length of Lake Maggiore, and car ferries cross it.

· Arona (10 miles). Nearby this pleasant lake-side town on Lake Maggiore is a giant statue of San Carlo Borromeo which you can climb inside. The town itself has many shops, restaurants and cafes.

· Omegna (5 miles). Busy town on the northern end of the lake. Stand over the Nigoglia, the outflow river from Lake Orta, which flows north towards the mountains! And don't miss the absolutely spectacular firework displays in late August, which draw massive crowds from a vast area (web site www.sanvito-omegna.it ). A good way to see these firework displays, avoiding the crowds, is by launch from Orta San Giulio.

· Zoo Park Villa Pallavicino. This great villa with extensive grounds overlooking Lake Maggiore, near Stresa, has something for everyone and makes for a superb day out; children will love the free roaming animals that they can go right up to. Web site www.parcozoopallavicino.it

· There is a flagship Alessi factory outlet store at Crusinallo, just north of Omegna, where you can see a wide range of Alessi products. Details on www.alessi.com/en/stores/flagship/ALESSISP.