"And castles have their legends and ghosts, they have their stories and their history, a history at times of dominance, blood, and arrogance, and others of sweetness, goodness, and love..."

Although less famous than its bigger brothers, Lake Maggiore and Lake Como, the splash of Lake Orta has nothing to envy; its smaller dimensions make it intimate and very romantic. Orta San Giulio, the island that rises up out of the center of the lake, has quiet trails that run along the beach and docks shaded by trees, where drowsy medieval citizens with their stone bell towers and water-front windows once crossed. Lake Orta is a charming destination out of the usual, well-trodden tourist path.

The Sesia Valley that extends to the north of Gattinara is rich in history and tradition, and famous for the Sacred Mountain of Varallo (Sacro Monte), the most ancient and celebrated of all such constructions in Piedmont and Lombardy.

The Vercelli landscape offers numerous biking paths, many of which are tranquil, easy, and offer a pleasant trip for all levels.