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TRAVEL

Lake Orta

ORTA SAN GIULIO, ITALY
Orta lake is considered one of the lakes of Italy that tourists have yet to discover and is definitely my favorite lake of all. 1 hour from Milan by car and you find yourself immersed in nature, art, and silence. This place has been a temporary home for writers in the 19th century from Nietzsche to Lord Byron and Honoré de Balzac. I can see how it can inspire writers.

Orta San Giulio, the lake’s most famous town, is a very small and intimate place.  You can walk from one part of the town to the other in about 10 minutes, but it is packed with delicious places to eat, small artisanal shops and lots of amazing villas of Italian architecture.

Where to eat in Orta Lake

Ristorante Villa Crespi 

A beautiful Italian villa with a two Michelin Star Chef is all you need to immerse yourself in the Italian cuisine. Antonino Cannavacciulo is our Italian Gordon Ramsey of TV. He mixes perfectly his native Naples traditions to the Piedmont cuisine. I initially visited Villa Crespi attracted by its beauty to discover later that the famous chef calls it home. The menu offers everything from pasta to rice, fish, and meat. The desserts are the most creative I’ve ever seen.

Locanda di Orta 

Another Michelin Star restaurant that offers a tasting menu that will make you dream about the experience for days. Fabrizio the Chef is very charismatic and the place is very curated. I really love places that have a tasting menu. You don’t have to choose is the Chef that brings you on a journey of taste.

San Rocco Orta

The previous 2 places on my list might have the Michelin stars, but San Rocco has the location. Situated on the shores of the lake, it has breathtaking views. I haven’t had lunch here, but just Aperitivo, but I’m planning to go back and try the cuisine soon.

All the three restaurants have also hotels, for those who want to spend a few days in this beautiful lake.