Five favourite places around Lake Orta. Five essential destinations. Five places capable of making a holiday unforgettable.

@maxlazzi

I don't like making lists or giving rankings, but I understand that sometimes a selection of unmissable places really has to be done. To pay homage to the most beautiful places, those that deserve our time because they are capable of transforming it into authentic joy and renewed energy.

Orta San Giulio is naturally in first place, with its romantic medieval village, the alleyways that emerge onto the lake, the Piazza Motta with its crowded cafes. And then the elegant Palazzotto and the piers that stretch out towards the horizon. Let me tell you, one of the most beautiful places in the world, with the enchanted island emerging from the water, revealing the suggestive profile of the Benedictine monastery. Medieval legends surround this magical place, a mystical symbol of the whole lake. And if a boat ride or a romantic aperitif in the square cannot be missed, even a visit to the Sacro Monte will enrich our day with beauty. Built in the 16th century and dedicated to Saint Francis, it dominates the old village of Orta and offers a breathtaking view. I suggest a walk at sunset, when the evening lights make the lake sparkle, while the tolling of the bells fills the sky.

@bad.drones

We remain on Lake Orta and relish the experience of gazing out from a natural terrace and looking down, embracing the delightful profile of Cusio with our eyes. A real balcony overlooking the lake, the imposing Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso was built on a granite spur and dominates the western shore of the lake. Sometimes it appears dazzling, a bright spot kissed by the morning sun; at other times it emerges wrapped in lake mists… Always a fairytale scenario!

@davidezottii

Stresa is the real pearl of Lake Maggiore, with its elegant Art Nouveau hotels and the three Borromeo Islands that seem to float effortlessly on the water. It is no coincidence that great artists of a not too distant past (from Hemingway to Flaubert, from Lord Byron to Stendhal) have linked their names to these places so full of charm. A visit to the sumptuous palaces and elegant gardens of Isola Bella, a lunch in the small restaurants of Isola Pescatori or a walk in the park of Isola Madre are a panacea for the soul, a spiritual nourishment of pure beauty.

@jessi.laine_

And within our "top five" mount Mottarone cannot really be missing, synonymous with relaxing walks along paths bordered by broom, alpine huts where you can savour polenta, winter skiing along snow-covered slopes. But also walks in the woods in search of fine porcini mushrooms, snacks based on salami and slices of cake, happy pedaling, perhaps on an e-bike.
From the summit, the view extends as far as Monviso, the Monte Rosa massif, the Swiss Alps, up to the Po Valley.
The most entertaining attraction? The Alpyland park with its bobsleigh track. Don't be afraid, buy a ticket and release all the adrenaline in your body!

So, in conclusion, if our selection has satisfied you, it's time to plan a holiday in our area. And enjoy the «top five» of the heart live.

The mountains of the Val d'Ossola, not far from La Darbia, preserve suggestive scenarios between snow and silence.  Authentic itineraries for slightly wild hearts.

@giacomotecchiodj

Expanses of white snow that fill the eyes with light.  Along with clear skies, larch woods, paths winding through wild blueberry bushes.  And rocky walls where ice stalactites cling and thunderous waterfalls flow.  For those who love great snowy silences and excursions in solitary valleys, this strip of Piedmont which is wedged between the Swiss mountains represents a true paradise.

In Ossola, nature puts on a spectacular show and offers fairy-tale landscapes, even in winter, when temperatures drop and the sun's rays delicately caress the mountain peaks.  There are idyllic places just waiting to be admired such as the plain of Alpe Devero, the iconic little church of Sant'Anna in Riale or the village of Crampiolo with its fairytale houses and the picturesque Lago delle Streghe. But also the fascinating Orridi di Uriezzo, a true marvel of geology, and the majestic east face of Monte Rosa which can be admired in all its splendor from the town of Macugnaga.

@leoct79

In the Ossola valleys, many artificial lakes and imposing dams, such as the Morasco Dam and the Sabbione Dam, feed hundreds of hydroelectric plants, both large and small, the buildings designed by the architect Portalupi in the first half of the twentieth century.  At the beginning of the last century, in fact, the exploitation of hydroelectric energy played a primary role in industrialization, so much so that the water which fed the first factories was called "white coal".

The large "stone cathedrals", as the plants were called, were built using local materials and with particular attention to the architectural aspect, which mixes neoclassical and Baroque elements.

@giacomotecchiodj

Winter in Ossola truly offers mountain enthusiasts the most varied opportunities for fun, from trekking to snowshoeing, from cross-country skiing to alpine skiing facilities.  Alternatively, those who love to sit at the table and try the authentic delicacies of the area can stop by one of the many farmhouses that offer polenta with venison, Walser pasta, homemade desserts such as ricotta cake or panna cotta with caramelized chestnuts.

And when you go down to the valley after a day of nature and sport, a well-deserved rest can be sealed with a visit to the Premia spa and a few purchases of the famous local gastronomic products, first and foremost the prized Bettelmatt cheese.

But I would also suggest an aperitif of the famous Crodino, a non-alcoholic aperitif produced and bottled right here in the town of Crodo which gives it its name.  Or a toast with the native wines of these lands, such as Prunent, Cà d'Maté and Munaloss, made from an ancient noble Piedmontese vine.

@nicola_farise

These mountains are steeped in history, nature, culture and art.  The Walser villages, the pastures and alpine huts, the enchanting landscapes and the typical cuisine all tell of an authentic territory that does not give in to the fashions of the moment.

The old “Santa Caterina del Sasso” monastery, built high above Lake Maggiore, offers breathtaking views.

credits: @furioincolto

The hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso has been defined as “one of the places worth visiting at least once in a lifetime”: this ancient building erected on the Lombard shore of Lake Maggiore, far removed from the din and bustle of everyday life, emanates a spiritual and romantic atmosphere.

credits: @lorenzomasotto

You can easily imagine the pilgrims of bygone days heading for the convent either to be present at a religious service or to fulfill a vow, eager to share in the austere life led by the monks in fairytale surroundings. Perched atop a rocky spur which plunges into the water, the hermitage has an air of timelessness, a magical, majestic dwelling, isolated and composed, whose charm provokes strong emotions. When visitors behold this delightful panorama, they are immediately invaded by a feeling of beatification.

The hermitage of Santa Caterina is traditionally believed to have been founded by Alberto Besozzi, a wealthy, local businessman who, having miraculously survived a deadly thunderstorm, pledged penitence for his sins and decided to make the most impervious shore of the lake his retreat where hw would live the life of a hermit. Therefore, the chapel dedicated to Santa Caterina of Alessandria and the two churches in honour of San Nicola and Santa Maria Nova and building began as far back as the twelfth century. The attractiveness of the whole complex is intensified by the Renaissance cloister, a 15-metre high bell tower and a series of frescoes (attributed to one of Bernardino Luini's sons).

credits: @lorenzomasotto

The charm of the monastery is further enhanced by a particular miracle: it is said that some enormous rocks tumbled onto the church at the beginning of the 1700s, but incredibly got stuck in the vault of a chapel and remained suspended there for over two centuries, with the result that no serious damage was caused.

The hermitage, which has also served as film settings, for example, “La stanza del vescovo” (The Bishop's Room), directed by Dino Risi, is one of the most interesting places on Lake Maggiore. The ideal option would be to go there by boat (it is only a fifteen minute crossing from Stresa) because the view on the journey over the lake is extraordinary: the building is camouflaged by the rock face and the surreal stillness immediately transmits a sensation of tranquility and restfulness.

If you wish, the hermitage may also be reached on foot by leaving your car in the overhead square and descending a scenic flight of 268 steps. A modern, convenient lift excavated in the rock has been operating since 2010, which makes it much easier to undertake the route.

credits: @alessiofuse

Therefore, dear La Darbia friends, I hope I have given you some helpful advice: it is worth going where lake and rock merge, where art and spirituality meet… to feel at peace with the world.