Italy 2026 - Day 2, Orta San Giulio

Day 2 | 6 September 2026 Weather: Glorious sunshine, hot and sweaty, ending with a beautiful golden sunset. Some places make you want to slow down. Orta San Giulio is definitely one of them. After our rather hearty pub lunch, we took a leisurely 20-minute downhill walk from the restaurant towards the historic centre of Orta San Giulio. The afternoon sun was still going strong, and we were soon sweating our way through the streets. Not quite the cool Italian lakeside weather I had imagined! But what a charming little town! Narrow cobblestone alleys, pastel-coloured buildings, old wooden shutters, wrought iron balconies and little artisan boutiques tucked into centuries-old corners. We wandered past delicatessens and local bakeries, occasionally turning into an alley just to see where it would lead. Every corner seemed to offer another beautiful photograph. Eventually, we arrived at Piazza Motta, the lovely lakeside square overlooking Lake Orta. With its colourful buildings, outdoor cafés and boats gently bobbing along the waterfront, it felt like a scene straight out of an Italian postcard. From here, we hopped onto a boat for the short five-minute crossing to Isola San Giulio, the tiny island sitting peacefully in the middle of the lake. We followed the famous Path of Silence, a narrow walkway winding around the island, passing ancient stone walls, quiet courtyards and the beautiful Basilica di San Giulio. The island has a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere, quite a contrast to the lively piazza across the water. Back in the old town, we continued wandering without much of an agenda, enjoying the little streets and the views across the lake. Then came the reward for all that walking. As the sun slowly descended behind the surrounding hills, the afternoon heat gave way to a softer golden glow. The lake shimmered, the buildings took on a warm colour, and everyone seemed to pause for a moment to enjoy the sunset. Of course, wife and I could not resist a little romantic moment by the waterfront. After 25 years of marriage, we still know how to make use of good lighting! Lake Orta may not have the international fame of Lake Como, but perhaps that is precisely its charm. A beautiful old town, an enchanting little island and a sunset that made us forget how hot and sweaty we had been just a few hours earlier.