Taking inspiration from the years the owner spent living in India, South America and the Middle East, this 18th century lakeside retreat is a newly renovated oasis of calm on the oldest street in Lesa, Lake Maggiore. Everything has been installed recently and inside you'll find fresh, white linens and a brand new designer Italian kitchen waiting for you.
During your stay in the apartment you will share the street with a 17th century folly, the town hall and a romantic botega. The fresco of the virgin on the main facade is thought to be a later addition and dates from the late 18th century. It is believed to be the handy work of a local artist famed for his sacred art and other similar examples can be found in the churches of Lesa, Meina and Stresa. The apartment itself boasts two balconies. There's a balcony on the front for breakfast and another at the back where you can enjoy an early evening aperitivo and watch the sun set over the rooftops. From both there are partial views of the lake which is a 50m stroll down the hill. Inside, the 90 square metre space can accommodate up to 4 comfortably with one or two more small ones at a push. Inside you'll find a large open plan living, dining and kitchen area furnished with stylish seating as well as a more formal dining table. A well equipped Italian designer kitchen offers the perfect space to create delicious home-cooked meals. Moving through the apartment, there are two bedrooms which share a bathroom with shower. The master bedroom is decorated in a calm, neutral palette, perfect to inspire relaxation before a good nights sleep. It has doors leading directly to a narrow outdoor terrace and is furnished with a double bed (140cm X 190cm). The other bedroom is larger and is a twin room with queen sized bed (120cm X 190cm) and a single bed (90cm X 190cm). Should guests require additional sleeping space, there is a single futon-style sofa in the living room that we can supply bedding for on request, or we can also provide a cot if required. The overall feel is modern and contemporary but guests have a constant reminder of the age of the property thanks to the beautiful wooden ceiling beams. The apartment is equipped with all the mod cons and creature comforts guests could wish for, including hi-speed WIFI access and a wall mounted 49 inch ultra HD internet TV with an open Netflix account (no local TV service). Please note: Whilst the apartment is safe for all ages and we welcome children, parents will need to be very careful with children and infants around the front and rear balconies (there are no obvious gaps but the building is historic) and all guests should be careful with the ceiling fans, only operating them at their own risk.
There is no bad time to visit this area! In the Summer months, there are many ways to enjoy the lake, not least the 3 beaches you will find in Lesa itself. Since 2017, Lesa has had a lovely new sandy beach which you can find on online maps called Erno Beach as well two closer public beaches at the end of Via Giuseppe Ferrari and Via Castello. Other attractions in the area include Armani, Lora Piano, Alessi and Belora factory shops. There are around 30 golf courses around the lake, many of them situated in breathtaking mountain locations with very reasonable green fees. Ziplines, summer toboggans, boats of every conceivable kind and world class summer festivals from classical music in quarries to jazz in palace gardens are all on offer to visitors. In the Winter, there's local skiing on the hill behind Lesa itself and the world class pistes of Switzerland begin within an hour'su00a0drive. Local skiing is easy to access and there are many slopes to choose from! The closest is Mottarone which is about 30 minutes from the apartment and has a nice selection of slopes for a few couple of days skiing. It's the perfect place to learn or get back on the slopes after a break. There are various other ski stations up the lake towards Switzerland e.g. Macugnaga, Dormbianca and San Domenico Ski. Further afield, if you start the day early, the Swiss slopes are at hand with Zermatt reachable in just over 2 hours. On the way back, we highly recommend stopping off at the newly renovated thermal spas. Further afield you'll find Portofino, the Via Ferata of the Dolomites and even Monaco, Venice and the French Riviera all within a 3 1/2 hour drive or less. Alternatively, if you're looking for a more relaxed pace on holiday, why not tour the wine trail taking in Ghemme Gattinara in Romagnano Sesia and the famous red of Barolo with its stunning castle. With many foods in season, Autumn is one of the best times to visit the various Michelin starred restaurants or go truffle hunting! Or, if you're looking for a more spiritual getaway Unesco have listed many religious sites: visit Sacro Monte di Varallo or the Santuario di Varese. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance including the popular Il Rapanelo fish restaurant as well as a delightful local deli which we can highly recommend and much more besides, all with stunning views over the lake.
A note from Jo
We simply love this apartment. For us it ticks all the boxes - contemporary and yet full of character thanks to its age, walking distance to some great restaurants, private outside space (there is nothing better than eating breakfast on the terrace or enjoying an evening drink watching the sun set) and just a stroll away from some superb beaches in one of our favourite parts of the lake.
