Orta San Giulio

"Move over Lake Como and welcome to the lesser known Lago D’Orta. Come for a peaceful day by the lake where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the many cafés and restaurants in the town of Orta San Giulio – check out Ristorante Venus for views of the lake or order a tagliere of small bites at Al Boeuc before taking a short ferry trip over to the Isola San Giulio. Orta San Giulio is, quite simply, a film set. Faded frescos adorn the walls and each building is painted in Italy's traditional salmon and ochre hues, with stone balconies and peeling shutters. Cobbled squares beget winding streets, each with narrow alleyways snaking off towards snapshots of the water. Steps, carved into the hill, twist upwards towards renaissance churches and ivy-wrapped villas behind wrought iron gates. The main square, Piazza Motta, hosts a small harbour of boats that ferry to and from the island, and a collection of ice-cream parlours, chic restaurants (do check out both Ristorante Venus and Leon d'Oro) and cafés. On our first day, we ate Italian charcuterie at Pan & Vino in the piazza; a prime spot for both lunch and people-watching, as well as loading up on treats at their very well stocked store, groaning with truffles, wine, fresh pasta and olive oil. It is easy to book a private charter, which can take you to any number of the small towns and villages around the lake, or to hop on the water bus, which leaves roughly every 15-30 minutes from Piazza Motta. The island is dubbed 'the island of silence' thanks to the still-functioning monastery which dominates. Though you cannot peek inside, you can visit the main basilica, and visitors are encouraged to take the 'walk of silence' (easily signposted) around the island. Think of it as a medieval meditation app."

"Culture Trip says "San Giulio is located on a promontory that juts out into the water, giving it the appearance of floating" on quiet Lake Orta, just 90 minutes from the regional capital of Turin."