We found this little house on the HomeAway site. It was entitled Orta Dream House and we weren't disappointed. We were getting married and wanted a house where we could invite our guests over and have people drop by during the week before the wedding. The house was spacious and had a lovely little terrace in front of it which was well equipped with an outside BBQ. There were even canoes we could use! The house is a little old world and the fixtures and fittings could do with refreshing, however on the flip side the owners have left it as a real home. There is coffee, tea, sugar, flour, cleaning products at your disposal, all of the things you would normally have to buy. This place was just perfect for what we wanted! Thanks Luca!

Following previous stressful car rental experiences we had decided to go car free on our trip to Italy, and this home rental worked out perfectly. We were greeted by Luca at Malpensa airport and brought directly to his lakeside home. Luca was a great tour guide and able to tell us lots about the local area. He also came with a cake, freshly baked by his wife! A lovely welcome. The house is not sterile like many rental properties. It has a lived in feel, with trinkets and books around the place. We made plenty of use of Luca's bikes and canoes, very handy when we didn't have a car. The house itself is about a 15 minute walk into Orta, along the lakeside. Despite being busy during the daytime, evenings in Orta were still quiet in June, there was always a free seat outside our favourite bar and a free table in the local restaurants. We loved our stay in Orta. Very peaceful and relaxed, without the hustle and bustle of bigger or more touristy areas. Luca's home was like a home away from home!

We arrived in the late evening and the lake was still, with the most beautiful reflections. The apartment was easy to find, recognisable from the photos and Luca, the owner, was there to meet us and show us around. For him nothing seemed too much trouble through our booking and many questions and it was great to meet him. The apartment is in a very peaceful location. There are fabulous views across the lake and we especially loved to watch the sunrise from our bed or little verandah each morning or sit outside on the terrace downstairs, soak in the sun and totally relax. For when it gets hot, there is plenty of shade to be had. The apartment, particularly the kitchen (which had several coffee makers, even a Nespresso capsule machine), is very well-equipped and we wanted for nothing. We had a barbecue, used Luca's canoe for a paddle on the lake and enjoyed a fire in the lounge fireplace of an evening as it was still quite chilly in mid-May. It was all so comfortable and easy and made for a great holiday. We enjoyed many places in the area including a beautiful walk into Orta San Guilio along the lake and an evening stroll around Sacro Monte. Further afield we drove around the lake and up to Madonna del Sasso where the views were magnificent. The wine district and nature reserve around Boca was also very interesting. An afternoon over at Stresa and that part of Lake Maggiore really impressed but it was great to return to the tranquil Lake Orta. We will recommend this apartment to family and friends and would be delighted if we can stay there again.