Lake Orta and Piedmont Area

Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore alone (they are next to each other) require at least 4 nights to visit.

Thanks, Roberto. Would you stay in San Giulio area or Omega area which I think is closer to Maggiore . Looking at place in both areas and both look beautiful. Thanks.

Orta San Giulio if you stay on lake Orta.
Stresa if you stay on Lake Maggiore.
I stayed in both, both I prefer Lake Maggiore because there are more things to do and Stresa is a quick ride to the islands.

Omegna (pronounce Omenia) is ok too. Stayed in Omegna a few nights many years ago. It’s nice, but Orta San Giulio is the true gem on that lake.

Oops, I meant Omega!

I much prefer Lake Maggiore and can’t imagine spending more than one night on Orta.

Turin (Torino) is a lovely city and well worth a few nights. 3 is a nice start. There’s the terrific National Museum of the Automobile, the best Egyptian collection outside of Egypt in a recently renovated facility, the Mole Antonelliana, plus various residences of the royal Savoy family. La Venaria is amazing, just outside of town. Great food in Piemonte, too. BTW no car necessary in Torino. Very easy to get around.

Many thanks to everyone for your suggestions. This forum is incredible! Thanks to all for responding.

We recently moved to Verbania on Lago Maggiore and have done quite a bit of exploring the area. If you are only spending 1-2 nights on Lago Maggiore, then Stresa is a good place to stay. But if you want to spend 3-4 nights, I think Verbania is a little more central in regards to exploring the lake via ferry.

What time of year is your trip?

1) If you want to go direct from Milan to either Stresa or Verbania, there is a bus called Alibus that picks you up at airport and makes stops along the towns on the lake to Intra (including Stresa and Verbania). If you do drive, be sure you understand all the ins and outs of free vs. timed, vs. paid parking rules.

2) Orta San Giulio. We tried to visit when we had a car, but gave up as we couldn't find a place to park. Looks like there are ferries to visit other towns on the lake. Here's link to Ferry on Orta Lago Ordo Navigation. Quick drive to Lago Maggiore from here.

3) Stresa- We took the ferry from Verbana Palanza to Stressa and spent an afternoon. Stressa is very touristy and seems to cater to Americans with a lot of trinket tourist souvenir shops. Good location to see the two Islands mentioned in Rick Steve's book.

4) Verbania- I'm partial, but if you want to explore more of Lago Maggiore via ferry, this is more centralized. Lot's to do for 3-5 days, including some relaxing. Verbania Palanza is the historic center and has a walking path along the peninsula that is a 3-4 miles long from Suna to Intra. A lot of European tourists from Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France and Belgium (based on license plates). We've yet to come across more than a couple of American tourists here. From Pallanza, you can take the ferry between 3 islands, or visit Stresa and Beveno. From Intra (about 2 miles from Verbania Pallanza (walkable on footpath), you can take a ferry across the lake to Laveno that has a gondola up to the top of the mountain (1000 meters) w views of the surrounding area that are stunning (Ferry also takes cars). From Pallanza or Intra, you can take the high speed hydrofoil ferry to Switzerland (or Conobio or Luino). We went to Ascona, Switzerland two days ago. If you are here during nice weather, they have huge parks to access lake beaches.
Villa Toranto is walking distance from Pallanza, (about 1.5 miles).

Verbania has lots of great inexpensive restaurants. There's a pizza place across the street from our apartment where is can bring home a Margarita pizza for 4 Euros.

Happy to answer any other questions. I'm working on updating our blog documenting our adventure, so PM me if you are interested in the link.

We also did a 1 night trip to Piedmont for wine tasting. About a two hour easy drive from Verbania. As an analogy, I'd compare Tuscany to Napa, and Piedmont to Sonoma.