The smallest of the Italian Lakes, Orta remains refreshingly uncrowded and almost untouched by tourism. The rambling cobbled streets are lined with traditional trattorias and authentic, family-run hotels. In the lake’s centre, Isola San Giulio floats dreamily, adorned with handsome 18th-century buildings overlooked by the mountainous backdrop. On our relaxed holidays to Lake Orta, you'll also have the chance to zip across the border into Switzerland by rail for yet more breathtaking scenery: glittering glaciers, classic mountain villages, and snow-capped chalets await.