Piedmont Hotels - Luxury 4-star accommodation in a splendid palace on Lake Orta, this holiday villa is within easy daytripping distance of Turin, Milan, the great lakes and the Alps.
The natural and cultivated environment of Piedmont is stunning. Mottarone has a magnificent view over the Alps and Mount Rosa, reaching the Milanese plains; the Consorzio Alpinia Garden is on Monte Mottarone, overlooking Stresa, and is a large and varied collection of alpine herbaceous plants, many now extinct in the wild. On the Alpe Selviana (in Agrano near Omegna) the organic farm of Il Glicine cultivates raspberries and blackberries, geese and ducks, honey and more. Excursions are organised for school groups and other visitors. There is also a little museum with an exhibition of minerals, insects and local bonsai.
The Madonna del Sasso Sanctuary in the village of Boleto sits on a rock overhanging the lake and is one of the most important sanctuaries in the area. And nearby is a host of parks and gardens, including the Special Natural Reserve of Sacro Monte di Orta; the Natural Reserve of Monte Mesma with its mediaeval tower; the Reserve at Sacro Monte Calvario di Domodossola, with its 15 Via Crucis chapels; the villas and gardens of Stresa and the Borromeo Islands, known all over the world for their beauty. Start off by exploring Isola Bella with its Baroque palace and terraced gardens, and Isola Madre with its sub-tropical gardens with plants and flowers imported from all over the world.
Val Grande National Park is the largest wild area in Italy; Alpe Veglia and Devero Natural Park covers pastures and mountains, with herds of cattle grazing freely. Ticino Valley Natural Park includes 11 towns of Novara, its aim to preserve the natural, environmental and landscape features of the valley. There is the Alpinia Botanical Garden, and the Villa Pallavicino with its zebras, kangaroos, llamas, exotic birds and ostriches.
[ local map | map of Piedmont ]
In addition, there is a huge variety of local festivals, from the Novara Carnival to the 17th century Bannio Anzino military parade, from the Palio Remiero, a parade of boats covered with lights and flowers and a fireworks show on Lake Maggiore, to the living Christmas Crib in the mediaeval village of Vogogna.
This area is a gastronome’s delight too, with rice produced in the local paddy fields, goose salami, Gorgonzola and lake-caught fish on the menu. There are fine Piedmontese wines and delicious desserts such as I Biscottini di Novara. And at the villa, chef Antonio Cannavacciuolo creates a host of marvellous meals for you to try.
To find out more about prices and availability at this Moorish palace - Lake Orta hotel, in the heart of northern Italy, just click below.
