Between water and sky, the village of Orta San Giulio offers a perfect setting for a romantic walk, even more so in November, in the quiet of the low season. Overlooking the small lake of Orta, the village is built on a promontory which juts out from the eastern bank of the lake close to Isola San Giulio.

Start your walk on the main square, the picturesque Piazza Motta, which was the seat of the market in the Middle Ages. The square is framed by ancient palaces, porticoes and horse chestnut trees. On the northern side stands the 16th century Palazzo della Comunità or Broletto; looking toward the lake, you have a view over the island of San Giulio with its Palazzo dei Vescovi and the bell tower of the Basilica of San Giulio; on the other side, the view encompasses the picturesque houses of Pella. (From the piazza you can also take the boat to the Isola di San Giulio.)