Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lago d'Orta
Shrouded by thick, dark-green woodlands, little Lago d'Orta measures 13.4km in length
and just 2.5km wide. It's separated from its bigger and better-known eastern neighbour,
Lago Maggiore, by Monte Mottarone.
Sights
The focal point of the lake is the medieval village of
Orta San Giulio
(population 1170), of-
ten referred to simply as Orta. Its cream-coloured houses are roofed with thick slate tiles,
and the central square, Piazza Motta, is overlooked by the Palazotto, a frescoed 16th-cen-
tury building borne up on stilts above a small loggia. Just across the water sits
Isola San Gi-
ulio
. The island is dominated at its south end by the 12th-century
Basilica di San Giulio
(
9.30am-6.45pm Tue-Sun, 2-5pm Mon Apr-Sep, 9.30am-noon & 2-5pm Tue-Sun & 2-5pm Mon Oct-Mar)
,
full of frescoes that alone make a trip to the island worthwhile. You may find the island's
only snack restaurant open on busy weekends. Regular ferries (€2.85 return) and private
boats (€8 return) make the five-minute crossing.
For more serenity, head up to
Sacro Monte
, a hillside dotted with 20 small chapels ded-
icated to St Francis of Assisi. The parklands here are a great spot for a picnic: pick up pic-
nic fare at Orta San Giulio's Wednesday market. Between March and September a
tourist
train
(
www.treninodiorta.it/ita
;
one way/return €2.50/4; 9am-7pm May-Sep, 9am-5.30pm Mar, Apr &
Oct, 9.30am-5.30pm rest of year)
shuttles between the town centre and the Sacro Monte.
Sleeping & Eating
Locanda di Orta
( 0322 90 51 88;
www.locandaorta.com
;
Via Olina 18; s/d/ste from €60/70/150; )
This new place
is outrageously good value, effortlessly combining medieval touches with modern design
flair. Most of the rooms have exposed stone walls, which nicely offset the contemporary
decor. They also offer packages that include dinner and boat tickets to Isola San Giulio.
HOTEL
€
Piccolo Hotel Olina
( 0322 90 56 56;
www.ortainfo.com
;
Via Olina 40, Orta San Giulio; s €64-75, d €90-105; )
Artist-
ically decorated with bright colours and light-wood furniture, this ecofriendly hotel in
Orta San Giulio's medieval heart is a gem. It also has a fine, somewhat avant-garde res-
HOTEL
€
