La Darbia Blog
Unforeseen places, which are most unlikely to be found in tourist guides. Follow our posts and you will discover places, people, products and everything that makes our region unique.
Semel in anno licet insanire
That's exactly what the ancient Romans used to say to justify going a little crazy and being carried away by the infectious euphoria at Carnival time.
IN TURIN THE “LUCI D’ARTISTA” ARE COMING ON
Even the New York Times is aware that Turin, the artistocratic city of the Savoy dynasty, deserves a foremost position among the Italian destinations worth visiting.
AN «ORPHAN» MOUNTAIN AND AN ANCIENT ELM
Do you fancy some nature or a little hiking? Or perhaps you would prefer to go for a ride on a mountain bike? This itinerary is just perfect for you!
CALDERARA: ART within a stone's throw of LA DARBIA
Let's draw inspiration from the art of a great master Antonio Calderara: his homestaed is now a museum rich in precious masterpieces at a short distance from La Darbia.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY VESPA!
It is an important birthday for the most famous Italian scooter in the world. Why not take the opportunity to go for a Vespa ride on the roads around Lake Orta?
THE MAGIC OF A TOWER
The Buccione Tower has dominated the southern part of Lake Orta for centuries back; it recalls a fascinating medieval past and still awards us with a spectacular view of the Alpine..
I LOVE SHOPPING … IN MILAN
While here on holiday lots of our guests at La Darbia decide to dedicate a whole day to discovering Milan. Now that is something really worthwhile.
WALTER'S LAKES
A period of navigation that lasted two years and a graphic book with splendid pictures of both Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore; the extraordinary experience of the photographer Walter ..
WHITE HORIZONS
The Ossola Mountains, not so far from La Darbia, were the outstanding feature of the latest edition of Meridiani Montagne. Evocative scenery between snow and silence…
SAN GIULIO, THE DRAGON AND THE NUNS' BREAD
Saint Giulio's Day is one of the most eagerly awaited festivals on the shores of Lake Orta. On the 31st January, pilgrims flock to the island as the builders from Cusio celebrate t..
THE CORRESPONDENCE
The spectacular scenery of Lake Orta and the island of San Giulio are immortalized in “The Correspondence” by the Oscar-winning film director Giuseppe Tornatore
Osteria San Martino
A warm, cosy restaurant where you can taste the dishes typical of the Piedmont culinary tradition
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The most beautiful place in the world (for me...)
A magical sunset, the stillness of a wood and a breakfast with lake view are priceless
Risotto with mushrooms
A dish where the mushrooms from Mottarone complement to perfection the rice cultivated in the paddies around Novara
Antonino Cannavacciuolo
You will find the best of Italian cooking in Orta San Giulio on Lake Orta: chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo awaits you in his pluri-awarded restaurant in Villa Crespi.
The miracle of Our Lady of Bocciola
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bocciola perched on the hill above La Darbia was built to commemorate a miraculous happening in the 16th century
LA BOTTEGA di Edo
All Italian villages even the tiniest of hamlets hidden among our valleys have somewhere people can meet. This place is often the village square or the Sports...
A romantic getaway
Because of its magical atmosphere, Lake Orta has always been considered the most romantic of all the Italian lakes but, in our opinion, this definition is....
Hostaria dei Santi Numi
Are you familiar with Starbucks? And Burger King? Just imagine one of those places invariably found in the commercial centers of all the large cities around...
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Cosetta Dal Cin
Among the few tour guides who live right here on Lake Orta, we do really suggest you our friend Cosetta!
Monte Rosa
The imposing and snowcapped Monte Rosa will keep you company on sunny days while you are having breakfast on your terrace at La Darbia.
Cantina Nervi in Gattinara
Just 30 minutes' drive from La Darbia you can reach the historical Nervi cellar where the Gattinara Molsino ages for 50 months in large oak casks.