Situated between the Valsesia and Lago Maggiore we find Lake Orta, surrounded by a landscape more harmine than overwhelming, scattered with old stone houses. The region is generally noted as being one of peaceful and picturesque holiday resorts.

There is noticeably less residential settlement and tourist bustle here than in the neighbouring townships of Lago Maggiore – except twice a year, when the famous flower show transforms the Ortafiori streets and squares into a sea of flowers.

The west shore of Lago d’Orta is steep and rugged; its mountains already part of the foothills of the Monte Rosa massif, the second highest mountain massif in the Alps, whereas the east shore rises more gently towards Mottarone, which attains an altitude of 1491 m. and separates Lake Orta from Lake Maggiore.

The climate is extremely mild – especially on the east shore – until well into autumn, meadows and forests cover wide areas: here we mainly find sweet chestnut trees and beeches, in higher regions also pine and spruce forests.