Holiday Homes at Lake Orta

Tell me about... local activities and sports

You can enjoy the following activities and sports locally. See also the calendar of the best times for these activities:

Mountain Scene in the Val d'Ossola · Walking. There are many beautiful walks to be had in the area, and we provide in your location pack a set of walks tailored to your apartment, which can be enjoyed in any season. For more on walks in the area, see the separate page on walking at Lake Orta.

· Swimming. You can swim at Miami at the south end of the lake (you get a 20% discount on the entrance fee when you stay at one of our apartments - ask for details). The beach at Miami has all facilities, including deck chairs, sun loungers, sun shades, lifeguard, pedalos, kayaks, food, and bar. You can also swim at the Lido at Gozzano, and for free at Ortello, near Orta San Giulio, and at several beaches at Pella, or at many other places around the lake.

· Ondaland. A new waterpark has opened nearby, with wave-pool, waterslides, watertubes, for all ages, including some facilities for just younger children. Get there in good time, the free sun-loungers and sun shades go quickly. Web site www.ondaland.it

· Cycling. All the walks we provide are suitable for mountain biking too, being almost entirely off the road, so suitable for children too. For those with road bikes there are some superb trips including the ascent of the Mottarone (though some may prefer the cable car up from Stresa!), and the long descent... Bikes can be hired from Welcome Point in Orta San Giulio (Via Poli 5, telephone 0322-905.188). We can organise mountain bikes for your stay for eur 18 per bike per day (delivered and collected to/from your apartment).

· Horse Riding. You can take lessons (in English) or do trekking at the Fattoria del Pino (at Miasino). Full details are provided in your location pack. There are also stables at Invorio.

· Skiing. There are several local ski resorts, Mottarone (see www.mottaroneski.it ), which during the winter season has a new shuttle 'train' from the top of the cable car up from Stresa to to the shops, restaurants, and pistes (see www.neveazzurra.it ), Val Vigezzo, and Macugnaga. Within 90 minutes you can also drive to some of the resorts further afield, such as Cervinia, in the Valle d'Aosta.

· Golf. There are two great golf courses within easy reach of your Holiday Home at Lake Orta:

Golf Club des Iles Borromées
Località Motta Rossa, 28833 Brovello Carpugnino (VB)
18 holes, 6,165 metres, Par 72
Telephone: +39-0323-929285 Fax: +39-0323-929190 Email: info@golfdesilesborromees.it
Web site: www.golfdesilesborromees.it

Golf Club Alpino di Stresa
Viale Golf Panorama 48, 28839 Vezzo (VB)
9 holes, 5,397 metres, Par 69
Telephone (Secretary): +39-0323-20642 Telephone (Caddy Master): +39-0323-20101 Fax: +39-0323-208900
Web site: www.golfalpino.it

Just waiting to be drunk... · Wine. The local villages of Gattinara, Ghemme and Sizzano offer excellent red wines. Further afield, to the South East of Turin, is the home of Barolo, and other world-class wines.

· Windsurfing. Available at the Hotel Giardinetto, at Pettenasco.

Lastly (and definitiely not least in Italy):

· Eating out. Eating out is such a delight throughout Italy, and Lake Orta is no exception, indeed you are likely to be delighted by just how good the food is in all price ranges, and how reasonably priced it is in this area. There is a wide range of pizzerias, trattorias and restaurants for varying pockets and tastes, within easy reach of all our holiday homes. A list of recommendations covering all prices ranges is provided as part of your location pack.