There have been several postings in recent months regarding the lake region, and once again I am amazed at the knowledge found on the forum. I am planning to go (solo) to Lake Orta in May, and plunk down for a week. Any suggestions about day-trips, hikes in the national parks NW of there, wineries in the area, or good restaurants? BOB THE NAVIGATOR: Any suggestions on hotel in Orta San Giulia? I saw your previous reference to www.orta.net- thanks, it was helpful.

Al, It would take an hour to say it all. <BR>First, you will love it in May. Check <BR>out the hotels on the site, but my choice is the Hotel Orta because of its <BR>location. The Family Oglina will make you welcome--I just got a card from them <BR>yesterday thanking me for the framed <BR>picture I sent them from my last trip. <BR>But, it is has seen better days. I still <BR>like the old world charm and the food <BR>is better than average. The San Rocco is <BR>the best in town but pricey--the only <BR>4 star. You make the pick on hotels. <BR>As for day trips, of course plan a full day, and perhaps 2 days, driving over to Stresa and enjoying the Borremean <BR>Isles and the cable car up the to the <BR>top of Mt Mottarone for fabulous views <BR>A real sleeper is at the north end of <BR>Lago Maggiore just north of Locarno. <BR>It is the Val Versasca and is hard to <BR>describe--a return to a former age. Read about it and do not miss if you love nature and history. I also enjoy <BR>the Villa Taranto gardens about :30 <BR>north of Stresa at Pallanza. Try to <BR>have lunch at the Verbano Hotel on the Isola Pescatori if you like seafood. <BR>Where do I stop--check out the web site for more goodies including the Sacro Monte---worth 2 hours of your time. <BR>Have a great trip and let me know your report when you return.

Thanks Bob. You are the eternal fountain of knowledge on this site. I just read your self-description on Denise's "Where are you" thread. Nice to flesh out a mental image to go along with the input.

Al: Hotel Santa Catarina in Orta is a lovely hotel. It is not central to the lake, but it is nearby. We walked from the hotel and back. You can rent the top floor apartment by the week if you like. The rooms are comfortable, the breakfast is wonderful and the staff is gracious. They have secured parking if you have a car. I would ask for a room overlooking the gardens as we had a room overlooking the romantic winding street and unfortunately there was a lot of loud traffic until quite early in the morning.(It WAS August, though and lots of student-campers) You can link to their web site at the Orta site. Daniella Negeri was very helpful when we made our arrangements. No matter where you stay, your trip will be che bella.

We stayed at the Hotel Orta last May and were very happy. Bob is right that some of the furnishings have seen better days but the location is superb---right on the main square. We had a small room with a tiny balcony but a view of the island and monastery which was magical. the family and staff who run the hotel were wonderful. One potential problem is parking. The hotel does not have its own but there are public lots available. <BR> <BR>Jolene must be a good walker----the Santa Caterina is (IMO) quite far from town and would be quite a walk if you planned to go back and forth very often. The San Rocco looked very nice ---but of course that's reflected in their prices!!! Orta is special--have a great time.

Is the hotel San Rocco in town, or on the island, as suggested by the Lake Orta web site? (The Hotel Orta doesn't have any lake views available Mid-May)

The San Rocco is in town. As I said in my earlier post, it looked very nice. <BR> <BR>When we made our reservation at the Hotel Orta they also had no Lake view rooms available but I asked to be put on a "waiting list" and sure enough when we checked in, we had a lake view room. Also, based on the way the building is situated, I think some of the rooms which face the square also have some view of the lake. One last thing on the Hotel Orta-----they sent us a Christmas card. A nice touch.

Ok, I don't really want to give this secret away, but I wish we had known about it! We stayed at the San Rocco last May- had a fabulous time. However, we went to dinner at Villa Crespi in town and WOW- do I wish we had stayed there! It is built as a Moorish palace, has 6 rooms and 8 suites, canopy beds and the most fabulous degustation menu I have had in my life. On top of all that, it is quite affordable for the luxury it provides. We are heading there tomorrow for an overnight to feel like kings (we live in Zurich). Although it is not on the lakefront, it is divine. E-mail me with ?'s -it's just too wonderful to keep to yourself!!

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Thanks Melissa.

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