Castellanese

Hi,

I'm working on the last part of my June trip to Italy. Since I'm planning to stay in Turin (5 nights) and Lago d'Orta is nearby, I was wondering how long is enough to stay in Orta San Giulio. I want to spend some quite time and visit San Giulio isle.

Would 2 nights be all right to complete a week in Piedmont?

Thanks... again.

TuckH

The better part of one full day would be appropriate, I think.

Castellanese

Well, I think I'll spend 2 nights in Orta San Giulio.

bobthenavigator

Good for you-- you will love it. We are going back for th 4th time in Sep for 4 nites after a week in Piedmont.

tower

Castell....

May I suggest that two nights will be
perfect..and do try to get in at the venerable and comfortable Hotel Orta on lakeside. Be sure to try and get a 1st floor room lakeside , with a beautiful terrace to view the lake and the very nearby island. You can walk the island in just 30 minutes or so.
It's a very peaceful ittle town, piazza just outside the hotel entrance. The Orta also serves a prety fair in their lakeview dining room...altho there are a few excellent restos in town.

Stu T.

http://www.hotelorta.it/

tower

Castell...went back into my journal and found this excellent resto:

ORLINA, on the little narrow street across of the piazza from the hotel...superb.

Be sure to take the uphill walk to view the 20 little chapels and the marvelus view of the lake below.

If you're driving, you must park before walking down into the auto-less town. To unpack your car, you may drive into town, deposit luggage and get back out.

Stu T.

Castellanese

Thanks again,

BobTheNavigator, what are you planning to do with four nights in Lake Orta?

Tower, how long does it take you to climb up to the chapels?

I was even thinkg on adding an extra night (3 nights) so I can rest a little before going to Turin. Would 3 nights be too long?

Thanks!

tower

Castell...if I recall, it's not a long walk at all...very scenic and tranquil...maybe twenty minutes to the top for glorious views of the town and the lake.

Stu T.

tower

Casatell: With three nights using Orta as your base, I suggest one part of a day could be a short ride to Verbania and the Taranto Gardens..superb..and then catch the boat across the highway on Lake Maggiore and sail to the Borromean Islands..stopping for lunch at one of the islands, and catch the next boat back. Quite nice. Plenty of photo ops.

Stu T.

Castellanese

Hi (again),

Can anybody tell me if shops are likely to be closed in Orta San Giulio on Sunday and Monday at the end of September?

Thanks!

Castellanese

Anybody?

bobthenavigator

That is still season there. Some may close either day but not both. We will be there for 3 nites starting 17 Sep.

tower

Castellanese and Bob Our Illustrious Navigator:

May I suggest a rather poignant moment for you when you visit beautiful Lake Orta in September?

On the narrow, pedestrian alley leading out of the main square (northward) there is a marble plaque on one of the houses (right side, with a vase of flowers changed often)...it states:

"Victims of barbaric violence, Dr. Mario Levi and son Roberto, taken from this hospitable house, torn from sweet affection, survive in perennial memory and sorrow. September 15, 1943."

The good people of Orta have never forgotten the two Italian Jews who found refuge in their midst...but even there they were eventually hunted and found by the insatiable Nazi occupiers, and deported to the death camps in Central Europe. (Heretofore, Orta had never had any Jewish residents).

And now, 60+ years later, the plaque still stands and the flowers are still changed regularly.

Stu T.

bobthenavigator

Grazie Stu, I will make it a point.

Castellanese

Thanks Stu for sharing that.

tower

Castella:

I forgot I recommended the restuarant ORLINA...excellent..that's the same street where the plaque house is located...just a few doors further north (away from the main piazza).

Stu T.

mr_go

Two nights stay would be fine. Be sure to reserve a few hours of that time to walk up the Sacromonte and see the remarkable shrines dedicated to the life of Francis of Assisi. Amazing stuff...you won't be disappointed!

justfun10

bookmarking. tx!

taconictraveler

Regarding Dr. Mario Levi, and son, Roberto, I have just finished reading "Benevolence and Betrayal" by Alexander Stille. It's not new but is a very informative and evocative memoir of five Italian/Jewish families and how they were treated before and during WWII. Reading it as part of my pre-Italian trip study.

We too are thinking of the Piedmont for the first time, as we wend our way from Zurich to Milan and then probably drive to Tuscany.

You guys make it sound pretty good.

CASTELLANESE: I've never been to Turin, but it sounds most interesting. What takes you there, if I may ask?

tower

Taconic (Betty?)
we visited Piemonte in October, our first visit. It is truly lovely. We stayed in Alba at a wonderful villa (EKSCRUNCHY and <b>drbb</b>also stayed there during October). I highly recommend it...very reasonable rates and a delicious, full breakfast.
<b>Villa la Favorita </b>, hosted by the charming Roberta. Easy access to many of the nearby towns , villages and restaurants. Enjoy. Email Roberta and you will get a quick response.(tell her you are a Fodorite)

http://www.villalafavorita.it/home_uk.html

Stu Tower