Location: Province of Novara
Top Things to do in Province of Novara
The 8 Best Walking Tours in Province of Novara, Piedmont
Novara (It. Provincia di Novara) is a province in the Piedmont region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Novara.
Restaurants in Province of Novara
1. Private Tour of Orta San Giulio on Lake Orta with Micaela
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Lake Orta is a fascinating corner of Italy and Piedmont. Often unheard of, lake Orta is a true gem which is worth discovering accompanied by a local who is a licensed and experienced tourist guide. This private guided tour includes an English-speaking professional guide at your disposal for the visit to the ancient village of Orta San Giulio and a guided tour on the island of San Giulio.
Inclusions: Professional local guide, Private tour
Exclusions: Drinks, Gratuities, € 4,50 per person ( return ticket - boat - for the island) is not included.
Reviewed By Cecelia K
My husband and I recently spent a week in the Lago Maggiore area, after not having gone anywhere since March. We were and still are very concerned about guarding against COVID and wanted to take as many precautions as we could, while still enjoying a one-week getaway. We were distancing ourselves, eating outside whenever possible, wearing our masks, and always had sanitizing supplies with us. We had never before been to Italy and we had never before hired a private guide and we were not sure what to expect. We gave it a try, especially so we wouldn’t expose ourselves to too many people too close together for too long. We first read about Micaela from Tripadvisor, but then we read about a lot more of what she had to offer on her website. She was very responsive to all of our emails and questions. Well, hiring Micaela was our best decision! We spent two whole days and two partial days with her and we are so glad we did. It was soooo worth it! For our first tour with her, we explored the three Borromean Islands, getting around with a private boat. We met at the boat landing at the Piazzale Lido near the cable car to Mt. Mottarone (our hotel was conveniently nearby). Micaela shared her knowledge of the rich history, art, and culture of the area, as well as her extensive knowledge of the local flora. The palace and its history on Isola Bella was amazing, as well as the very beautiful ten-level terraced and sculptured gardens, where we also learned about the citron. We ate a most delicious lunch on Isola Pescatore (our best meal)! This island was so quaint and chock-full of character. At Isola Madre, we much enjoyed visiting the country villa and equally beautiful, but different English-style gardens. It was a fabulous day! We also took a private boat to Caterina del Sasso (partial day), which was stunning. We learned how the monastery came to be, about the frescoes, the religious order and more. It’s rock-hugging location is awesome. For our off-the-beaten-path tour, we took a very pleasant walk to the outskirts of Orta San Giulio, seeing the non-touristy side - how people live and what they do, learning more about this area and ending up at a very small typical old-time village. We then walked along lovely Lake Orta to the charming town center of Orta San Giulio. From there, we took a boat to the small island not far away and toured the beautiful basilica and complex there, learning about the frescoes and the lives of the martyrs. The churches here are real gems. For our last tour, we took a sunset cruise, again using a private boat. Micaela told us about many of the enchanting villas along the coast and more. She provided us with a bottle of wine, complete with snacks, while we watched the changing colors of the sunset as it played out in the sky, clouds, water, mountains and off of buildings. It was so relaxing and serene and we loved every minute! Our boat captain was also very nice, polite and accommodating. Micaela and the captain were very good about wearing their masks. We took them off during times when there was plenty of distancing room. Micaela was professional and knowledgeable, friendly and helpful, personable and thoughtful and spoke great English. Hiring her so greatly enhanced our trip tenfold and we definitely recommend her without hesitation! [Her husband is also a private driver, so they would make an excellent pair, if you needed that as well.] We will always remember her and cherish this wonderful trip!!! Grazie mille, Micaela! ????????☀️????
2. The romantic village of Orta San Giulio with a tour guide
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Visiting the most romantic village in Piemont. Wandering in the narrow streets. Sailing on the lake to the Island of the silence and the meditation.
Inclusions: Local guide
Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions, boat 4,50 euro per person to the Island
Reviewed By Annette S
What a stunning garden to visit! We have visited a lot of gardens, but this is one of the best. We arrived by ferry from Stresa and the garden entrance is directly above the ferry terminal. Whilst we visited the dahlias were in bloom, all 300 of them! The greenhouse has Amazonian water lilies which were in flower. Behind the pond is a vertical wall of plants of all kinds. Further into the gardens there is a formal pond area which is planted with colourful bedding plants. There is also a cactus house and relaxation garden. The cafe is situated on the way in and has a good range of drinks and snacks. We spent nearly 3 hours enjoying the plants and lake views. Well worth the entrance fee
3. Lake Orta private guided tour
Come to see Lake Orta and the town of Orta San Giulio: we are talking about a picturesque little ancient town on Lake Orta, a quite small morenic lake located in Piedmont region. Starting from Milan, we will go to Lake Orta, we will have a guided tour across the medieval town of Orta then by public boat transportation sailing for a few minutes we will reach Saint Giulio Island to proceed with this guided tour walking around the medieval town center on the island of Orta; later we will sail back to the harbor of Orta San Giulio town where we will walk across the ancient town center to see the most interesting buildings of the little town. This is a private guided tour for your group only or only for you if you are a single tourist.
Inclusions: Orta town + San Giulio Island guided tour professional licensed tour leader
Exclusions: boat tickets returned to the Island of Saint Giulio not included
Reviewed By ouimonsieuroui
Giorgio is a very good and friendly guide. We had a great time to discover Lugano and Morcote with him. We really apreciate his large culture about all the monuments and places we visited. We highly recommand Giorgio. Sebastiano
4. Winery Visit and Tasting of 2 D.O.C.Wines Fontechiara
If you are looking for a charming and welcoming place to savor excellent wines and food and enjoy peace and tranquility surrounded by greenery, the Azienda Agricola Fontechiara is what you need. Come and visit us, you can visit the winery and enjoy the magic and charm of the process of processing grapes into wine. We will tell you the history of our company, illustrating the techniques of cultivation of the vineyards and the methods of vinification and aging. In a suggestive and familiar setting, you will then taste our wines, Nebbiolo DOC and Vespolina DOC, served in combination with local, fresh, locally produced and zero-kilometer products such as local meats and cheeses, specially selected to enhance aromas and flavors to perfection and organoleptic characteristics of each individual wine.
Inclusions: Brunch, Alcoholic Beverages, Bottled water
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Chris G
We booked this experience as we joined our son in Italy for a short 5-day break in Sesto Calende – and it was certainly the highlight of the whole trip. The drive was a 19km climb up into the hills which took about 30 mins. Would have been quite tricky to find without a GPS as it is certainly tucked away in a beautiful location – so peaceful. We were greeted by Maddalena in perfect English who directed us to the small car park at the top of a hill. From here we could see some of the vines whose fruit we were looking forward to sampling later on. We were the only Brits taking the tour so we had Maddalena to ourselves. She first showed us round the stainless steel vats where the various stages of fermentation were taking place. She also explained their organic philosophy and determination to use fully every part of the vine so that nothing is wasted. For instance, they produce flavoured rice, pasta, candles and even cosmetics using the stems and leaves. After seeing how all this was produced, we were keen to get down to the tasting. Our ticket included three wines and the Grappa – a wonderful 45% spirit that has to be tasted to be believed! They use two varieties of grape (Nebbiolo and Vespolina) and produce a number of delicious wines including a wonderful Rosé. Guests are seated in their individual parties around wooden tables in a tasteful room which has been designed to enhance the rustic nature of the estate. It seemed that everyone in the household was involved in some way - producing food in the kitchen to accompany the wine or serving up the generous glasses for us to enjoy. The young, school-age girl helping out with the serving had excellent English which made a mockery of our feeble attempts at Italian We were made to feel welcome – everything was very leisurely and there was no pressure to hurry along. The food we enjoyed was carefully selected to help us appreciate the wines and included a delicious cream cheese blended with herbs from the garden, melted gorganzola on crackers and charcuterie produced with horse and donkey. Don’t be squeamish – give it a go! You’ll love it. At the end there is an opportunity to purchase any of the products you have enjoyed and then the only problem is work out how many wines you can squeeze int the suitcase to fly home. There is no pressure to buy anything at all. I cannot recommend this experience too highly. Worth every penny and something you will remember for a long time.
5. Wine tasting experience & Novara private guided tour
Choosing this guided tour starting from Milan tour you will go to visit a local cellar located in the countryside of Novara producing Nebbiolo, Vespolina, Erbaluce wine and after the visit to the winery you will have the wine tasting (three different kinds of vine) and the visit of the cellar. Then you will go to the city of Novara you will walk around the city center to see the most important attractions such as the castle (form outside) and the cathedral. This is a private tour for your group only or only for you if you are a single tourist.
Inclusions: Transfers and guided tour of the winery
Exclusions: WINE TASTING PRICE of 20 EUR per person is not included be paid at local winery
Reviewed By ouimonsieuroui
Giorgio is a very good and friendly guide. We had a great time to discover Lugano and Morcote with him. We really apreciate his large culture about all the monuments and places we visited. We highly recommand Giorgio. Sebastiano
6. Vicolungo shopping center, private shopping assistance
Come to Vicolungo outlet to have a five hours shopping assisted by a personal shopper speaking your language.
Inclusions: Personal shopper and transfer included
Exclusions:
Reviewed By ouimonsieuroui
Giorgio is a very good and friendly guide. We had a great time to discover Lugano and Morcote with him. We really apreciate his large culture about all the monuments and places we visited. We highly recommand Giorgio. Sebastiano
7. A private tour around Lake Orta and its mounts from Lake Maggiore
Lake Orta is a small, quite unknown pearl, lying a few kilometers westwards of lake Maggiore. Its chief town, Orta San Giulio and the close by isle of San Giulio create a unique, charming "lounge" on the lake coastline. This private tour will lead you to discover the atmospheres, the fascinating alleys and the view points of these sites, connected by a short and pleasant boat cruise. Later, you will have the chance to enjoy an astonishing view of the lake from the heights of the Holy Mount of Orta, a magnificent sanctuary reachable through an ascending path dotted of gorgeous baroque chapels. The site is a UNESCO heritage and you will surely understand why.
Inclusions: Qualified private guide, Private transportation, Tickets for a public taxi-boat
Exclusions: Gratuities, Lunch
8. Walking and cruising around Lake Orta
Lake Orta is a small, quite unknown pearl, lying a few kilometers westwards of Lake Maggiore. Its chief town, Orta San Giulio and the close by isle of San Giulio create a unique, charming "lounge" on the lake coastline. The small alleys, the ancient churches and the enchanting landscapes merge together in a scene of rare beauty. This exclusive tour will allow you to enjoy the fascinating atmosphere of the coastline village by a pleasant walk; later, a short, relaxing cruise will take you to the isle of San Giulio, 400 metres offshore, where you will witness the remains of the medieval settlements, a majestic romanesque church and an 19th century seminary.
Inclusions: Qualified private guide, Private cruise on a taxi-boat to the isle of San Giulio
Exclusions: Gratuities, Lunch
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