We can't believe it was real. The kids jumped into the water every day while we read our books in the garden. The villa is amazing, the lake is beautiful, the town across the way is enchanting. We spent the month traveling across Europe and all six of us agree this was our favorite place and time spent. Thanks so much for sharing this piece of heaven.
I'm loathe to write a review because I don't want too many people coming here. No wifi, no tv, intermittent phone signal - our days consisted of watching the aerial acrobatics of the swallows morning & evening, and feeding the fish and ducks during the day. It was the most blissful switch off.
What could be more fun - an island, a lovely garden so you can throw yourself into the lake or just sit sunbathe and read, a lovely historic home and a lovely Italian village 400 m away on your little boat. Perfect
No words can express how beautiful and magical it is to stay in this ancient house on the island of San Giulio. We enjoyed everything. The owners welcomed us with great hospitality and showed us around. The house has everything you could possibly need and is furnished in a pleasant antique style - you must make some allowances for the extreme age of the building, for example, steep stairs. We made some wonderful trips out including motoring around Lake Orta itself in the boat which comes with the house; visiting Lake Maggiore and its islands and making a mammoth trip into Switzerland (by boat, car, train, funicular railway, cable car and chair lift). The lovely little town of Orta makes for a delightful interlude with its cobbled streets, mediaeval buildings and precious faded frescoes. We were also lucky enough to be able to take in a concert in the basilica on the island. Would you believe that many 'day trippers' come across on the boat and don't even look at this church. It is certainly well worth visiting. The terrace by the lake is a good place for a few glasses of wine and nibbles or for a barbecue. Sitting out there enjoying such a beautiful view you can think you've died and gone to heaven! Every day we swam in the lake. The water is glassy clear and clean and you can see hundreds of fish. In August it was really warm. Athletic people can jump off the wall into the water - be sure to jump well out though - and others can walk in from the boathouse area. When you visit take the boat out around the island for some photos. The little pathway on the island is also a pleasure, especially after all the other visitors have gone away. In one direction it is the 'Path of Silence' and in the other direction becomes the 'Path of Contemplation'! We enjoyed a couple of meals at the restaurant on the island. It's particularly worth visiting on Sunday after the church service is over and it's packed with locals. Restaurant Venus just opposite the island is also very good and nothing is too much trouble for the staff. There are some pretty good Ice Cream parlours too. August was hot and quite humid and there were one or two storms - quite spectacular to watch from the house as the thunder rumbled around the mountains and the forked and sheet lightning lit up the sky. Bear this in mind though and maybe take an umbrella just in case. If you go and stay here you are sure to be enchanted.
Response from the owner Too kind, thank you so much!
I have been in this villa twice in my life. First time for curiosity, second time because I missed it too much! Lovely, romantic, silent. Time flows on a very italian style while you are in there. Private dock, all comforts, elegant italian furnitures, great hospitality by the owner makes you feel "at home". Surroundings are amazing. The island itself is small and need no transportation to be explored. On the other hand Orta Town is a miracle of beauty nestled on solid ground. Experience to try at least once in a lifetime, but I warn you: causes immediate addiction :)))
Response from the owner Thank you very much, it's always a pleasure to have you. We are graced in having the Sacro Monte's many small chapels with wooden sculptures, situated on top of the hill above Orta overlooking the island, become a UNESCO heritage site. Closer to home, the singing of the nuns at Sunday mass in the Basilica of the island is another very special experience and one not to be missed. Look forward to having you again.
a brilliant experience in an amazing place... lovely structure in the middle of the Aorta'lake.....really to try once in a life!!! unforgettable
Response from the owner Thank you very much. Isola San Giulio is unique in that it's the only island on lake Orta (and one of the few in all considering the other Italian lakes) and our house at the moment is the only one being rented, ensuring you a unique sensation in terms of history, tradition, location and comfort. As you rightly say, an experience to be tried at least once! You're welcome back anytime.
We had a lovely easter holiday with our friends enjoing late breackfasts in the garden in the spring morning sun. The best moments were talking in the beautiful and suggestive lounge in front of the big fire in the evening and going for a walk round the circular island path when you realise that you are all alone, no other tourists as the public boats stop at 7pm, and you feel in another epoch, with the ninety nuns who look over you, sublimely mistical. Thanks to our English owners, you were very kind.
Response from the owner Thank you very much, it is in fact a very special moment when in the early evening most of the activity of the boats stops and suddenly the lake becomes extremely quite and peaceful and the birds, especially the swallows - some of whom nest in the roof of the house, they are considered good luck and have always been with us - swarm over the island playing in the air. Many of our birds are tagged by bird-watching associations. We always listen to the swoosh they make when they dive-bomb home!