I'm going to Cogne near the GrandeParidiso National Park for 4 days followed by 3 days at Lake Orta in August.<BR><BR>Does anyone have any good recommendations on where to eat or what to do? Accomodation is all booked!<BR><BR>Many thanks in advance for any great tips!

Go to www.orta.net for info. Do not miss the Sacro Monte at Orta and eat at the Olina ristorante.

Hi there<BR><BR>You may find something on www.initaly.com I think I remember them saying good things about Lake Orta, but I have never been there. <BR><BR>Terra

You didn't say if you plan to stay right in the village of Orta San Giulio, only that you will be "at Lake Orta." If you are planning to stay anywhere on the lake, you should try to stay right in Orta village. It's such a neat place, and you can walk everywhere. Only thing is, that if you stay right down in the village, for instance at the Hotel Orta, you will have to park your car in the major parking lot (not such a bad walk) after a quick stop to deposit your luggage at the hotel. And if you have a larger car, you probably shouldn't even drive into the narrow alleyways leading to the hotel. But it's such a charming place, with the little square right on the lake, that you shouldn't miss it.

I was at the Villa Crespi just recently. BIG MISTAKE. Very hard to believe that it is part of SLH. Dirty, noisy, on the main road, no view, terrible location and unappealing menu. The single most un-Italian experience I have ever had in Italy. Comments above regarding luggage & car is true for Hotel Orta but there is excellent access and private parking for the hotel San Rocco, also in town, which is where I'll stay if I return. I also recommend Olina ristorante and suggest you make reservations since it was packed every night we were there.