When I asked some Italian friends about the most beautiful lake in Italy, they all mentioned "il Lago d'Orta". We decided to spend a week near the lake and were not disappointed. We liked the ancient villages of Orta San Giulo and Pella, the hikes around Ameno and the stunning views from the top of the Mottarone mountain, as well as the restaurants with great food. We equally liked Casa Zara with its nice garden and refreshing pool. The house is very clean and has everything you need (including a well-equipped kitchen and a strong and reliable internet connection). The host is very welcoming and helpful. We had a really good time there!

The house is much nicer than the photos, everything is provided and the host is really kind and helpful. If there is a downside, and it's the only thing that stopped me giving the review five stars, is the fact that that one side of the house is overlooked by the neighbours, other than that it's just as described.

This is a delightful modern apartment with a large green garden. It is owned and run by a local family who couldn’t be more welcoming. It is exactly as described and the photographs give an accurate view of what can be expected. The garden is a joy - even on the hottest days there is always a shady spot to sit in. The apartment has a large living room with a superb panoramic window that can be slid open to allow a merging of outdoors and in. The kitchen is well-equipped with gas cooker and dishwasher. There is a large master bedroom that opens out on to the garden and a smaller bedroom with bunk beds. Just outside the main bedroom is a shaded seating area where we spent most of our time (with occasional trips to the fridge). Located a few minutes' walk down the hill from the village of Vacciago the apartment is very peaceful with neighbours only on the one side (very friendly and quiet). Neither the apartment nor garden are overlooked. We hired a car but hardly used it as there is so much that can be reached on foot. The well-stocked village shop run by Edo is only 10-15 minutes away and the return journey is downhill which makes it easier when loaded with provisions. We became regular visitors to the restaurant Antico Agnello in Miasino, the next village along, and the walk back does wonders in clearing a head basking in the warm glow of a lunchtime grappa. A short step across the road takes one into the peaceful hamlet of Corconio from which the beauty of Lake Orta can be appreciated in full. There are walks through the woods and along and up to the Torre di Buccione. The views down across the hillside take in the opposite side of the lake and on clear mornings and evenings Monte Rosa can be seen in all its splendour.