Orta San Giulio

Made it to Italy! A spectacular drive South in Switzerland towards Italy. The magnificent, majestic snow-covered Alps on both sides! Not a lot of sun, mostly overcast, but when they showed thru the clouds, it was stunning. I was merrily cruising down the GPS path, when I got a surprise. The GPS gal said to me, turn right and take the “auto train” to Italy. And there I am I front of a train station with a drive through buy your ticket place. Seems that I now was taking an auto train ferry for the next 13 miles to Italy! I had never seen one of these. Gal at the ticket selling place spoke very good English and explained that, yes, I could take my car on the next ferry in about an hour. I asked here if I could drive, she said sure and gave me directions. I decided to take the ferry as I had never seen or been on one of these. Quite the experience. And I was first in line! It’s just a long flat surface between 2 engines that you drive our car on There we’re probably 25-30 cars, and, right on time, off we went, through a 12-13 mile long tunnel and 18 minutes later I am in Italy! Amazing and fun.

Spent the afternoon reminiscing and enjoying a beautiful spot in the world, Lake Orta. Alice, Jan and I were here in 2005 (we think) and stayed at a Airbnb along the lake. After I checked into my hotel, I headed for the Sacri Mount and the old town. Wow, what a difference in 18 years! The Sacri Mount is a group of small chapels built in the woods on a high hill looking over Lake Orta built in the 16th and 17th centuries. They are designed to blend in with the natural and scenic environment. Each of the chapels are dedicated to different aspects of Christian faith through sculptures and paintings. They re amazing! When I was here previously, I remember taking a dirt path up the mountain and finding these chapels with the wonderful art work. Today it is a huge park and now an UNSCO World Heritage site! It’s still amazing.

I then wandered down the hill to the old town and lots more changes. Lake Orta is the westernmost lake I. The Italian Lake District. It is not as well know as Como, Garda and Maggiore. The ‘downtown” is now a beautiful open plaza with cafes, shops and restaurants. The focus of all is the island in the middle of the lake, Bella Isola. (Cover photo). Last time I was here we went to a classical music concert on that island which I have never forgotten. Then spent some time looking for the place we stayed, think I found it, took a video, sent it to Jan and Alice and they agree. A glass of Italian white on the plaza, life is good.

Dinner at the hotel, disappointing pasta, 😫 and the rest of the evening coordinating with Carol for pick up,tomorrow. She was about to leave Jackson.Read more