Orta and San Giulio Island

Lake Orta is a beautiful and peaceful lake surrounded by the Alps, known for being "Italy's most romantic lake". Our tour starts at Lake Orta's most famous building: Villa Crespi. Built during the 19th century in a fascinating Moorish style, today Villa Crespi is a luxury hotel as well as home to a famous starred restaurant.

With a panoramic walk along the lake, we reach the center of Orta, one of the most beautiful villages in all of Italy. After a stroll through the fascinating old town of Orta, we take a boat to reach San Giulio, Lake Orta's only island. Also known as "The Island of Silence and Meditation", San Giulio Island has very picturesque buildings and a scenic Abbey inhabited by a community of Benedectine nuns.

​

On San Giulio we visit the splendid Basilica dedicated to the homonymous Saint and linked to an extraordinary legend. We then take a walk on a pathway around the island, that is decorated with quotes inviting us to reflect on the beneficial power of silence and calm.

At the end, we take a boat back to the mainland where we can relax while enjoying a glass of local wine or an ice cream by the lake, before returning to starting point at Villa Crespi to conclude our tour.

​