VILLA CONSTANCE

Description:
The Lake Orta – some speak of the Lake Cusio - lies west of the Lake Maggiore, in the province of Novara. Some facts: Surface 18,2 km², max. depth 143 m, length 13, 4 km. The climate is very mild. The most important town is Orta S. Guilio, dominated by the Holy Mountain with twenty little chapels full of fresco’s. You can visit the lake by train: the section Novara-Domodossola takes you along the complete East coast. In the middle of the lake, more or less opposite Orta S. Giulio, lies the little island of San Giulio with a basilica from the 4th century, rebuilt during the 9th and 11th centuries.

It sometimes is difficult to describe an accommodation we have visited and approved of in such a way that our clients, who have not seen it, understand what we mean. Of course, all practical information is given, but it is always a challenge to get our feelings across.

This “sophisticated” villa, situated in the village of Crabbia on Lake Orta and at about 3 km. from Orta S. Giulio, the so-called capital on this lake, has been built in the form of the letter E without the centre line and counts three floors. The front side has a high, cast iron gate behind which you find the court yard and, of course, the villa itself. When you close the gate, small children can play in the court yard whilst you, yourself, relax on the spacious loggia at the first floor and keep an eye on them.

The location is very quiet. The villa can be reached from the through traffic road (too far away to be bothered by noise) by either a small road or a private path which is shared by some other villa’s. Residents can drive their car here, none other. You can play, for instance, a game of badminton without having or giving trouble to others.

On the other side of this path lies a beautiful garden of about 2 hectares belonging to the villa, with all kinds of plants, shrubs, trees and concrete paths. The garden softly slopes downwards to the lake-road with, on the other side, a small private beach and a small, stone staircase due to the difference in height with the shore. There is also a small flight of stairs to facilitate getting in and out of the water.

Please note: A path leads down to the private dock with small lawn. Please note that in order to reach the lakeshore you have to cross a road. Children must be watched and helped crossing the road!
Also, the little flight of stairs to the private dock cannot be taken by those who have difficulties in walking.

The beautiful gallery, typical of the old-Italian architecture, gives a very romantic touch to this villa. You can walk all along, lean on the balustrade and listen to your Romeo in the court yard, comparing you to the Sun… Yes, we know. The average male will protest that he would feel like a fool, and refuse to cite Shakespeare. But a bit of daydreaming can do no harm, can it?

What else would you wish for in order to enjoy an Italian holiday? This is an elegant, romantic villa, close by the Lake Orta with a private little beach and very suitable for a family-holiday, or a group of firm friends wanting to spend an Italian experience together.

Lay-out:
Ground floor: Court yard, double bedroom and bathroom with bath; storage room with the washing machine and an extra fridge. In the middle is a pinkish-stone staircase to the first floor.
First floor: The gallery on both sides, spacious, elegant living room with open fireplace and French windows, a not too large, but well equipped kitchen, breakfast room for 6, large bathroom with bath and antique mirror, study/library with a collection of art- and garden books and a double bedroom with bathroom (bath) with separate entrance from the balcony. On the other side of the balcony there is a large and comfortable patio, which in effect becomes the summer living room, with a dining table for 10 persons (this is why from October to the end of April the house is suitable for 6 people only), sofa’s, armchairs en a wonderful view on the lake.
Second floor: Master bedroom with fire place and view on the lake, large bathroom with tub and separate shower (plus a beautiful, antique mirror), some steps up a so-called “through” room with a bed of 1,20 m. wide, a baby bedroom with crib and a large attic room with two beds (for children) which cannot be put together as a double.
The ground floor and the first floor bedrooms each have an independent access from outside; there is also an inside stair connecting them. There is no inside connection from these two bedrooms to the rest of the house; to reach the living room and the kitchen from these two bedrooms guests have to pass through the balcony.

NOTE: From October to May maximum 6 pax admitted! Keep in mind that Villa Constance is above and overlooking the lake; it is NOT on the lake shore! Because of the trees at the moment there is no more open lake view from the patio.

Facilities:
Dish washer, washing machine, telephone (local calls only), Internet access (dial up line), 4-pits stove, oven, 2 fridges, television, heating, rowing boat, private little "beach".

Possibilities for sports/excursions:
Walking routes that lead from the towns and villages through the forests up the hills and mountains (all local tourist offices will gladly give you any information you want), a trip to e.g. the Mottarone with a height of 1385 m (elevators). On clear days you can see seven lakes from here, the Monta Rosa and the Alpes. Cycling: You could go up the mountain (funicular railway) from Stresa with your bike and descend from th summit towards the slopes of lake Orta. Of course, lots of possibilities for water sports like swimming, diving, sailing etc. You can rent motor boats. Fishing at the Laghetto di Bonte Bria and on the west shore of the Laghetti di Nonino. Horseriding in Miasino, Egro and Ivorio.
Golf: Golf Club Des Iles Borromées in Brovello Garpugnino-Motta Rossa, 18 holes; golf club Alpino a Gignese fr. Vezzo, 9 holes. A sightseeing tour on the lake and to the Isle of San Giulio is very worth while (about € 6,00).

Distances: (approx. kms.)
Milano 88, Airport Malpensa, Milano 51, Stresa 26, Genova 197, Lugano 63. In the village is a railway station; you can be in Milano in about 1 hrs 40 min. and in Torino in about 2 hrs.

Particulars:

Minimum rental period: 7 nights, from Saturday till Saturday. In the low season, sometimes other periods might be possible

Included in the rental price: Gas, water, electricity, usage of bed-, bath- and kitchen linen, on a basis of a weekly change, maid service 2 hours each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Not included in the rental price: tourit taxes, final cleaning € 150,00; costs for heating (after use), use of the telephone, wood for the open fire places, extra bed € 150,00 per week, use of baby bed (in case more than ten persons will be staying, one of them a small child) € 100,00 a week. These costs will have to be paid on the spot before leaving

Deposit to be paid upon arrival: € 1.000,00, an utilities deposit of € 200,00 per week upon arrival for heating (in cash), abnd the local taxes

Check-in on the day of arrival between 15.30 and 18.30 hrs. Check-out on the day of departure before 09.30 hrs.
Upon request and approval of the owner a late arrival is possible between 07.00 and 9.00 p.m. for an extra fee of € 50,00

Pets are allowed provided permission beforehand has been asked and granted. Extra costs € 60,00 a week

A car is necessary

English spoken

Extra services: Advanced grocery shopping and extra maid service