Orta San Giulio on Lake d'Orta, Piedmont

Somewhat upstaged by the imposing Lake Maggiore which lies to its west, Lake d'Orta is small, intimate and hopelessly romantic. Lying amid fantastic green hills, its romance has inspired artists, poets and writers from all over the world for centuries. If you are hungry for a perfect slice of Italian life halfway between the rural and the urban, you should spend at least one weekend in Orta San Giulio, one of the main localities that crowns the lake. Orta San Giulio is a hidden jewel and a paradise for the traveler: it is rich with Baroque and Romanesque architecture, narrow and winding streets, tiny shops, imposing villas, striking churches and a large central square that opens on the placid lake.

History
From 1883 to 1885 the famous philosopher Nietzsche retreated to Lake d'Orta and scripted his worldwide famous masterpiece "Thus Spoke Zarathustra."

Sights
Sites in Orta San Giulio that you cannot miss include the Town Hall known as "Palazzotto;" the weekly market; the Island of San Giulio and its Basilica where the body of the first preacher of the lake, Saint Giulio, is buried; and the romantic Renaissance buildings and villas. Because Lake d'Orta is difficult to reach by public transportation, it remains less attacked by tourists than Lake Como and Lake Maggiore.

Transportation
Orta San Giulio is just off the Novara-Domodossola train line and it can also be reached by bus from Stresa. From the south, take either the S32 or the S229 from Novara.

Links
http://www.ortasangiulio.com

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