The Italian lakes have become a byword for a certain type of glamour. Como, Maggiore, even the supposed ‘secret’ lake Iseo roll off the tongues of the well-travelled, conjuring images of grand Belle Epoque hotels, glitzy wedding parties and the faint chance of a Clooney sighting.

But try Lake Orta on even the most in-the-know British traveller and prepare to be met with a blank stare. It is fairly remarkable that the lake, which plays little spoon to Lake Maggiore’s border-straddling hug, flies so far under the radar given its credentials.