Villa San Giulio

LAKE ORTA

At a glance

This charming and elegant villa is located in the lakeshore village of Crabbia 3 km from Orta (the main town of Lake Orta).  The villa and the surrounding area will fascinate whoever loves nature, beauty, and a peaceful atmosphere.

A century old wisteria welcomes you in the middle of the courtyard as you enter the property.  On the ground floor there is a double bedroom with bathroom (tub), a storage room housing the washing machine and an additional fridge. There are also three more storage rooms (that will be kept closed) and on the left of the courtyard is the platform for the wheelchair elevator.

The pretty stairs with pink painted walls lead you the first floor and a landing with balconies. On this floor you have a spacious elegant living room with fireplace and large French windows. A rather small but well equipped kitchen, a breakfast room with table for 6, a large bathroom with tub and ancient mirror (beautifully decorated with a wooden frame), single bed in a study with collection of art and botanical books, double bedroom with bathroom (tub).

On the other side of the balcony there is the large terrace with dining table for 10, sofas, armchairs and lake view (the elevator arrives at this floor, right on the terrace).

On the second floor we find the spacious master bedroom with fireplace and cosy windows framing the view of the lake, large bathroom with tub and separate shower (and beautiful ancient crystal mirror), passage room with bed of 120 cm, baby bed with crib and a large attic with two beds that can be joined as a double bed.

Outside: large garden with a path that has been expressly made for wheelchair passage and other path (not wheelchair accessible) leads to the private dock and bathing area. Please note that to reach the lake access you have to cross the road that coasts the Lake Orta. Just in front of the crossing you have the little ferry launch and the gate to the dock (there are some steps that could be difficult for people with walking difficulties). In this dock a rowing boat is available (no engine) and a ladder to reach the lawn when leaving the lake.

The father of the owner was keen on botany as well as an art collector and the villa and its garden attest the love of beauty this man had. The walls are decorated with paintings and antique prints and everywhere your eyes are caught by the beautiful ceramics and very interesting books wait for you in the bookcase. When Mr. Corti was compelled to the wheelchair he decided to continue to live in the villa and adapted it to his new situation: in the garden the paths have no steps and a lift gives the possibility to people with walking difficulties to reach the first floor. (Please note this villa hasn't been expressly built for handicapped people but has been adapted to help people having walking difficulties, so do not expect bathrooms with handicapped equipment).
 
The villa can sleep up to 10 people in 3 doubles, one-twin bedded room, 2 singles (a crib is available too) and 4 bathrooms.

Dish washer, washing machine, 2 fridges, independent heating, wheelchair elevator, private dock, private lake access, and rowing boat

Thanks to the quiet beauty of the landscape, its fascinating history and its wealth of artistic treasures - principally Romanesque and Baroque architecture - Lake Orta has long been the destination of poets, artists and writers.  It lies to the west of Lake Maggiore, in northern Italy. Far from the chaos and the unpleasant "stress of life", this restful area with its blue water and clean air offers the opportunity to rediscover nature. Mimosas, palms and olive trees grow around the lake as well as azaleas, camellias and rhododendron, while a bit higher up are chestnut forests, and at 500 -600 mt oaks and birch trees.
 
There are many footpaths that lead from the towns and villages through the forests up the hills and mountains. The Mottarone (height 1385 m.) which divides Lake Maggiore from Lake Orta is equipped with lifts for winter sports. On clear days it offers a charming view of seven lakes, Monte Rosa and the chain of the Alps.
Bike Trails - We suggest taking the funicular railway from Stresa (tel. ++39-0323-30399) at Lake Maggiore, on which you can take your mountain bike up to the summit (18 minutes journey) and descend from the summit towards the slopes of Lake Orta.
 
Water Sports - Lovers of water sports will find places to swim in Lake Orta as well as scuba diving, kayaking, sailing and water skiing- (it is possible to rent kayak, small motor boat and windsurf).

Fishing at the Laghetto di Bonte Bria and on the West Bank of the Laghetti di Nonio. There are many fishing clubs in the area.
 
Riding -  There are a number of riding stables at Lake Orta, in Miasino, Egro and Invorio, some of which offer riding courses at various levels.

Golf - Golf Club Des Iles Borromées a Brovello Carpugnino - Motta Rossa, n. 18 holes - mt. 6165 - Par72-S.S.S. 72. Golf Club Alpino a Gignese, fr. Vezzo, n. 9 holes - mt.5.397 - Par 69-S.S.S.68.

Orta Sightseeing Tour and villas seen from lake (20 min. navigation), with stop at S.Giulio Island (about Euro 6). Milano 88 km, Malpensa 51 km , Stresa 26 km, Genova 197 km, Lugano 63 km
From the rail road station of the village you can reach Milano in about h 1.40 min / 2h and Torino (about 2 h).