In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Depends which route back through Switzerland/France/Germany you choose.
We've stopped several times on the West side of Maggiore, and love the lake and surrounding area.
Lake Orta is also stunning.
The area is popular for weekends with Milanese so its good to book in advance in season, but you'd probably be OK in September.
Many hotels , large or small, on the West bank of Maggiore.
We're aiming to spend a week between Como and Iseo this September, but don't know this area as well. Hoping to self cater, but need midweek to midweek, so we can spend a few days driving down and back, all within a fortnight.
So if anyone knows of suitable accommodation here, we'd be glad for the help.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I agree with NeilT that [URL="http://www.orta.net/eng1/indexe.htm"]Lago d'Orta [/URL]is particularly appealing - not least because it is not as full of tourists as the larger lakes in Lombardy. I have been there many times, but would advise against swimming (as with any of the lakes in northern Italy, in point of fact) as the pollution levels are surprisingly high. If you head for Orta San Giulio, you will enjoy some spectacular views, a large number of decent restaurants and a distinct lack of foreign tourists wandering around - as well as a virtually car-free town. As far as hotels there are concerned, it depends on your budget. Start with Google and book ahead for the nicer looking places. Best of luck.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=Nardini;90746]I agree with NeilT that [URL="http://www.orta.net/eng1/indexe.htm"]Lago d'Orta [/URL]is particularly appealing - not least because it is not as full of tourists as the larger lakes in Lombardy.[/quote]
Leave Orta alone! - its too good for holidaymakers [apart from me that is!]
[quote=Nardini;90746] I have been there many times, but would advise against swimming (as with any of the lakes in northern Italy, in point of fact) as the pollution levels are surprisingly high.[/quote]
Swimming in Orta is wonderful - nice cool water. Pollution not really a problem, as far as I know
[quote=Nardini;90746] If you head for Orta San Giulio, you will enjoy some spectacular views, a large number of decent restaurants and a distinct lack of foreign tourists wandering around - as well as a virtually car-free town..[/quote]
Hotel Cortese in Armeno is a new good hotel
[url=http://www.cortesehotel.it/inglese/hotel.php]lago maggiore hotel with swimming pool, armeno hotel with fitness centre - Cortese Hotel Armeno Novara[/url]
They speak English - great food relaxed surroundings - 10 minutes from Lake Orta and 30 from Maggiore [Stresa].
.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=alan h;90757]Swimming in Orta is wonderful - nice cool water. Pollution not really a problem, as far as I know.[/quote]
Scusate! That will teach me not to take any notice of the signs all around the main piazza in Orta San Giulio! It looks as though the high pollution levels in the lake are well in hand these days by adding rather [URL="http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=1620966"]large quantities of lime [/URL]to the lake. You might come out a little more white than when you went in, but...
Still, be careful though - especially around the sewage outfalls... :eeeek:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Found this useful site for all things Italian..[url=http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy/environment/italian-lakes-risk-report-says]Italian lakes at risk, report says | Italy Magazine[/url]
:laughs::laughs::laughs::laughs:
Hi,
If you are in the Lake Garda area, stop off at Salò, Gargnano and Limone on the western side.
Soleluna restaurant in San Felice, La Tortuga in Gargnano, Aquariva in Padenghe...
:-)