OFF ON OUR TRAVELS IN SEARCH OF......

'THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LAKE IN EUROPE'

When somewhere is described as 'The most beautiful lake in Europe', how can one resist putting it high on a travel wishlist?

Lake Orta (or Lago d'Orta) as the Italians call it, is the smallest of Northern Italy's 'Italian lakes' and is a near neighbour to Lake Maggiore in the West and is in the beautiful Piedmont region.

Lesser known, even to many Italians, Lake Orta was so named in the 16th Century, but was previously called Lago di San Giulio, after Saint Julius (4th Century) who was patron saint in the region.  Measuring just 8.3 miles long X 1.6 miles wide, with the magical small central 'island' of Isola San Giulio set in the middle.

After a rather early start (yawn!) Mr. W and I flew to Milan where it was an easy 45 minute hire car drive to San Giulio, the picture perfect small town on a peninsula projecting from the east shore of the lake.  After checking in quickly to our little hotel, lunch was our priority, so we headed around the corner to the pretty central square overlooking the water.

It was hard to believe that just a few hours earlier we had left home, and here we were sitting overlooking the most stunning lakeside view, eating a platter of delicious local Piedmont cheeses and cold meats, and sipping a glass of equally delicious local white wine.  My idea of heaven!

Beautiful mainly 17C houses line the shores of the lake, many with their charming boathouses and terraces.  

 San Giulio is a haven of pretty cobbled back streets with beautiful architecture to admire.....

Pretty courtyards...

...and romantic balconies aplenty!

A trip to San Guilio would not be complete without making the effort to make the steep climb up to 'Sacro Monte di San Francesco'....

The view alone out to Isola San Giulio is worth the climb...

...before finding Sacro Monte, an amazing collection of 20 small chapels dedicated to the life of Saint Frances.

Some chapels simple and modest, and others boasting spectacular frescoes....

Back to the water's edge, a boat trip out to Isola San Giulio was a must.  Just a few minutes across the water to this tiny island, which is home to the spectacular Basilica di San Giulio and an old seminary built in the 1840's which is home to an enclosed order of Benedictine nuns.  A request for 'quiet' while walking around the buildings and cobbled alleyways, added to the beautiful and mystical atmosphere of this holy place.

Back over to San Giulio main land, beautiful walks around the lake are perfect for 'dream house' spotting! (oh and also for walking off all the delicious pasta dishes too...)

I rather liked this beauty, right on the water's edge....just imagine taking breakfast on that balcony each morning? Sigh....

...and hopping on to your speed boat to head out for lunch across the lake?

There are a number of hotels to stay at around the lake, but for our little two day break, we stayed in a charming b&b called 'Al Dom' which felt more like a boutique hotel.  Owned and run by the charming 'Massimo' who spent five years painstakingly restoring the property a few years ago.  Original features restored throughout and lovely attention to detail.  Its lake front position was wonderful, with access to a pretty garden with sun loungers taking in the spectacular views.

A simple but stylish interior, filled with charming antique pieces....

Doors leading to a pretty outdoor courtyard garden at the back....

...with access to a private lake front garden too.  Just perfect!

Such a pretty room and this stunning view to wake up to!  The breakfasts too were just wonderful, so I would highly recommend!

These are just a few highlights of our short but sweet stay on lovely Orta.  Really very uncrowded compared to the neighbouring Lakes and unspoilt by tourism.  A truly magical place.

Only three days away, but it felt like a longer holiday!  

If you enjoy beautiful scenery,  pretty architecture, art, history, walking and good food and wine, then a visit is a must!

***

Wishing you all a lovely weekend,

Sophia xxx

A PERFECT IBIZAN HIDEAWAY...

Any of you who follow my Instagram, will know that Mr. W and I returned a week or so ago from ten days away in beautiful Ibiza.  It was our first visit to the island and it did not disappoint.

Renowned for its famous clubs and party scene mainly in the south and west, the rest of the island could not be more different we were told.  Now Mr. W and I are the first to like a good party, but for a relaxing restorative trip, we were eager to check out the quieter unspoilt parts of this beautiful Balearic island.  Our research pointed us in the direction of a small boutique hotel in the north/west called 'Es Coucons'.  Reviews were wonderful, but even they did not prepare us for quite the delight in finding somewhere so unbelieveably special!

Set within a Unesco protected valley of almond and olive groves, Es Cucons was originally a farmhouse built in 1652, which was rescued by delightful owner Maria and her family in 1997.  Working painstakingly with Spanish heritage authorities, they restored the farmhouse and outbuildings and sympathetically turned them in to the wonderful little hotel it is today.  

Welcoming just forty guests at a time, the atmosphere was calm and private.  With two suites in the main farmhouse, other lovely rooms were in the surrounding outbuildings.  Beautifully restored, keeping all original beams and mellow stone internal walls, but with all the comforts of a five star boutique hotel and little personal touches throughout with the use of antiques and local artisan objét. Understated luxury at its best.

The pretty gardens surrounding the pool had various lovely seating areas dotted around....perfect for breakfast or to sit in the shade quietly and read or snooze.  

The owner Maria certainly had a wonderful sense of style, and the interiors and exterior were beautifully put together with a mix of boho, retro and a little injection of industrial style that just seemed to work perfectly in harmony together.  I was in design heaven!  

Pretty touches everywhere....

Fresh oranges picked daily from the garden for our morning breakfast juice....

Day beds to relax on and inviting corners to sit quietly with a book...

Beautiful Bourganvillia...

Picked each day to fill pretty bottles to hang from the trees!

How lovely to discover that owner Maria had set up a small shop in the hotel and a larger one in the nearby village.  Selling beautiful clothes, art and interior accessories...let's just say that a few little bits and pieces made their way home with me!

It was hard to drag ourselves away from our perfect oasis as you can imagine, but when we did venture out, we were rewarded by breathtaking scenery as we drove along the mountain roads. We explored the fantastic hippy markets selling a huge array of beautiful things including lovely Ibizan organic cotton clothes, baskets nad handmade jewellery.  We discovered beautiful little coves, and found wonderful seafood restaurants with glorious views.

This delicious meal of Salt baked Cod with cliff top views was certainly a memorable meal....

Much of the produce on Ibiza is organic, including the wine.....the most wonderful tomato salad with burrata...my favourite!

The freshest sardines and prawns....

Yet again, overlooking the ocean.  Just idyllic!

Stunning sunsets...

Beautiful tucked away beaches without the crowds...

Beautiful architecture in Old Town Ibiza...

We explored it all!

Each evening returning to beautiful 'Es Cucons' and the magical view from our own terrace to admire the view over a pre dinner drink...

We absolutely loved Ibiza!  Such and friendly island with so much beauty in its countryside and coastline.  Overall very Spanish, but with also an interesting mix of other cultural influences, reflected especially in the wonderful food.

We certainly needed to do a few extra lengths of the pool to work some very memorable meals off!

Thank you to the wonderful friendly staff at beautiful Es Cucons (click for link) for making our stay so very special.  An absolute gem of a place, and we shall most definitely return!

Sophia xx