Just what me and my friends were looking for, a great place for a relaxing and peaceful time. The location is superb, the villa very elegant and comfortable, very clean and extremely well taken care of. Our host Andrew was kind and helpful and made us feel at home. His welcoming package with local wine and cheeses, cold-cuts and hand-made jam from the grapevine made for a perfect arrival. The water was warm and we swam often, even in the evenings, and we used the boat to tour the lake. The local restaurants and wine bars were good and well priced, so much so we hardly ate at home, but did make use of his bbq in the garden. His cousins from Rome were there but we hardly ever saw them. It’s a magical place and we look forward to returning.

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.

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 :)))

a brilliant experience in an amazing place... lovely structure in the middle of the Aorta'lake.....really to try once in a life!!! unforgettable

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.