| Lake Orta |
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Lake Orta The sun beats down upon Lake Orto and accentuates the emeralds, blues and, as it sets, violet, red and oranges that punctuate the well-preserved, pristine beauty of this watery Italian destination. Tourists from around the world have come here for centuries, seeking the healing property of the numerous natural hot springs circling the lake. Naturally, many spas have shot up around these curative waters bubbling up from the depths, along with the wealth of relaxing, fun things to do around the lake, although the development of tourism has been tempered with the stately pace of centuries.
Indeed, for a lake which the ancient Romans went to, it makes sense that there was never at any point an overnight onslaught of high rise hotels – that just hasn’t happened, and no clear views of the surrounding white cliff sides and verdant mountains has been obstructed.
Vacationers new to the lake should plan to start out in the amazing seaside city of Orta San Giulio, one of the most prized destinations on the lake, Orta San Gulio is a breathtaking peninsula jutting out into surreally blue waters. This mixture of cobblestone streets and dazzling white walled buildings epitomizes lakefront charm, and is a stones’ throw away from the incredible Sacro Monte di Orta, or “Sacred Mountain of Orta”, which is an official World Heritage Site of UNESCO. A day hike up the stern, yet short-lived trail ascending San Nicolao Hill is enough to reach this church is baffling in its sheer size, with nearly three dozen chapels scattered about the wooded compound.
Back down on the shore, make a point to ferry out to Isola San Giulio island, and discover a shining city, densely packed and quite literally clinging to a relatively small strip of land. Almost comical in this Dr. Seuss style proportions, the island peaks out of the water as if it were a normal bisection of a city otherwise submerged until the the city re-emerges again at the shore of the lake. The other important resort city to visit in Lake Orta is the Omegna, although while beautiful, it is remarkably less impressive than the Orta San Giulio.
Accommodations at the lake are generally stylish, although they tend to offer exceptional value as well. Many resorts offer an array of water sports and land-based active pursuits, including tennis, cycling, water skiing and more. Many are starting points for tours of the cultural sites and ancient ruins scattered around the lake and hidden, tucked away in the woods surrounding the lake. |
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