A small, quiet lake in northern Italy, with the cobbled village of Orta San Giulio facing a tiny island monastery. Here's what Lake Orta is like, when to go and how long to stay.
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Temperatures are the average daytime high in °C.
April to June and September to October are lovely, with gardens in bloom or autumn colour and few crowds. July and August are warm and good for swimming. Winter is cold and very quiet, with many places closed.
A pretty village of cobbled lanes, a lakeside square and frescoed houses.
Take a short boat ride to the island, with its basilica and the silent 'Way of Silence'.
A wooded hill above the village with 20 frescoed chapels.
Swim from the lidos and little beaches around the shore.
Easy paths link villages, with views of the island.
Stresa and the Borromean Islands, about 30 minutes away.
Yes, if you want a quieter alternative to Lake Como or Garda. It's small, peaceful and very pretty.
Two or three days is enough. Combine it with Lake Maggiore for a week.
May, June and September, around 21 to 25°C.
Fly into Milan Malpensa, about 45 minutes' drive away. Trains reach Orta-Miasino station, a short walk from the village.
Lake Orta is much smaller, calmer and cheaper. Lake Como has more famous villas and towns but also far more visitors.
Put Lake Orta on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.