LAGO D'ORTA - the beauty of Italian lakes and little villages in the North ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

in photography โ€ขย  7 years agoย  (edited)

๐ŸŒทHI STEEMIANS!๐ŸŒท

Our Abandoned-Italy Tour continues and today we are at Lago d'Orta - a lake close to the border between Piedmont and Lombardia. You might have heard about Lago Maggiore, which is pretty close by and more famous.
โ„๏ธFor exactly that reason, we are travelling to Lago d'Orta. โ„๏ธ

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The morning is misty, wet and even a bit snowy. As we leave from Torino towards the lake, we worry that our little Polo might not make it all the way up the hills. But luckily, the Polo is in great shape and seems to be in his element.

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Everything looks a bit washed out. Like quickly painted with water colours. The edges and fringes didn't matter to the artist today. Sky, water, trees, everything has the same grey shade of blue. And the sun is nowhere to be seen.

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It's quiet and we feel no wind. Just this soft layer of wetness on our cheeks and our hair.

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We are wondering around the lake - without a specific goal - just filling our lungs with precious icy crystals. The lake used to be heavily polluted by the industry around the lake but Piedmont made a big effort in order to bring life back to the lake. It took 30 years in order to clean it and introduce fish and other sea creatures back into the natural cycle.

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Today you can swim and fish again in the lago d'Orta and it even got the reputation of being a place for lovers and young couples who want to have a romantic weekend and escape Milano, Bergamo or Torino.

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ISOLA SAN GIULIO


The precious little island you see in the background is called Isola San Giulio. The island is mainly occupied by a convent: catholic sisters that never leave the island. The chief of the nuns - La Madre Superiora - is very famous and she offers advice to normal people from time to time. People say that it's a magnificent experience to meet her. Unfortunately, we didn't have the chance to go to the island. Above all entering the convent is only possible with an appointment.

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The atmosphere around the lake is mysterious. I can only recommend to travel there in winter. We were told that it's jam-packed in summer. But now, the little streets are sleeping, few souls wondering through the narrow archways. Everybody friendly, everybody silent.

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It seems like the entire population is in hibernation.

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The door to the church is open and we sneak in. The calm and cool air with a slight note of smells and bells is greeting us as we pass the gate.

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After a short walk we reach the main square of the village. No ice cream shop, no souvenirs, no tourists. Just a couple of people wondering slowly over the square - seemingly with no mission. Seemingly with no worries. Seemingly content.

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From down here, we can clearly see the convent. This is exactly how I always imagine Avalon. Did you read Marion Zimmer-Bradley? Such a place of imagination and fantasy. In my mind, it had exactly this colour, surrounded by mist and mystery.

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๐ŸŒทI hope you enjoyed our little reportage about Lago d'Orta. If you feel like 'Lago Maggiore' is too touristic and you're still searching for the beauty of Italian lakes by the mountains - this is a good address. ๐ŸŒท

Where do you plan to travel to this summer?

Steem on and stay curious!

๐ŸŒฟELENA & ALE๐ŸŒฟ

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Sort Order: ย 
ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Enjoy every corner of Italy. The entire country is magnificent!!!

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hello dear @rosepetal - yes, I'm also in love with the country!

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

I love Italy. It's easy to navigate from Milano, the heart of north. From there a short ride Venice, Como, Lugano (Swiss), Genoa, Turin, or drive straight to Imperia, Sanremo, Monaco or Nice...adesso io sto diventando troppo gelosa ๐Ÿ˜‰, l'italia come mi manchi! Buon viaggio e divertiti!

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hello dear @world-traveler , yes, you're right. It's very easy to get to from Milano.

When have you last been in the country?? ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น

xx
@elenahornfilm

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 
ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 
ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

I loved the soft photos of the lake. With the convent on the island, it reminds me a little of the Mists of Avalon. Safe travels to you!

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hi @katrina-ariel ! Exactly that's what I was thinking when I saw it. It felt like I found exactly the place that I was imagining whilst reading Mists of Avalon.

Such a mind-blowing book by the way.

Have a fantastic day!
xx
Elena

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Another beautiful place, with a mysterious convent! I can't imagine what life must be like for those nuns. Probably very sheltered - they must find the outside world quite scary.

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Yes, I was wondering the same, @natubat .

I'm so intrigued to understand their process of decision making. What makes you come to the conclusion to spent your life in remote - on a little island without never leaving it?

xx

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

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ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

beautiful scenery and amazingly beautiful pictures I like

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hi @rayyan18 - I'm so glad you enjoyed it. This makes me very happy!

xx

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

That place really looks peaceful its almost looks like in movies. ๐Ÿ™‚๐Ÿ‘

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hello @minerva23 - yes, it really has a cinematic feel to it.

Merci!
@elenahornfilm

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Gorgeous photos and wonderful description!

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hi @rwedegis - thank you so much. I'm very glad you enjoyed it!!!

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

@elenahornfilm just found your post using @steemitworldmap. Excellent pictures - also we have choosen the "Ortasee" instead of his famous brother/sister next by. Have done a travel blog with lots of pictures already - some still to come @thegermangirl.

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

lovely. I remember being in Limone , at the Lago Maggiore it was one of the most romantic trips of my life :) Thanks for the shots of wintery Italy it's nice to see its many different faces.

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

WOW @highonthehog - now you made me curious! I would love to hear this romantic story! ๐Ÿ’œ

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

heh , good times and memories, although the boyfriend didn't last. There is an amazing boutique hotel where we have stayed... that's all really. :)

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Haha, well, boyfriends can change - good experiences stay :-)

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

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ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Wow, very cool photos. Looks so mysterious

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hello @bilta - that's exactly the word that I found to describe this place perfectly - MYSTERIOUS!

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

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ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Found you on Steemit Free Dollars Yal in (fb) ...Following Wonderful photographs you've captured. I look foward to reading more of your posts... safe journey to you both.

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hello dear @mithrilweed - I'm enchanted to meet you! I'm also following your journeys now.

I'm curious to read your blog!

xx
@elenahornfilm

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Nice work, nice place !

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hi @schwepps800 ,

thank you very much for your kind feedback!

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Always :)

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Adorando i laghi ecco un altro posto che devo vedere! Segnato!

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย (edited)

Ciao @noemilunastorta ! Era un area industriale fino a 30 anni fa , ma ora รจ un luogo davvero incantato..

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Sehr schรถne Bilder:-)

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Vielen Dank, liebe @birgitt ! ๐Ÿ’œ

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

by looking at the result of the shot, and the perfection in the picture picnic at Lago d'Orta, as if I went there. because behind the Lago d'Orta is very beautiful aslinnya plus a perfect shot that makes anyone who saw it very fascinated .....

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hello @smokerr , I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. Can you elaborate a little bit more what you mean by a picture picnic - whatever it means, it sounds like my kind of thing!

๐Ÿ’œ @elenahornfilm

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

I have always loved Italy! The buildings there have such character. This was a great post, thank you for sharing!

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hello dear @oregontravel ! Thank you so much for your comment. Yes, time gave these buildings such character. It's such a charming place!

You found the right words!

xx
@elenahornfilm

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

This is such an unexpected travel article that I have seen quite sometimes ago from steemit. Being away from the hustle bustle city life has always been my goal of traveling. Experiencing and exploring something new is what makes us to think outside the box. Good work for both of you :) Keep it up and hope to see more from you~

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hello dear @explorernations ,
thank you very much for your kind words. I absolutely see, that you're a traveller in heart and soul.

We are following your explorations with excitement! ๐Ÿ’œ

xx
@elenahornfilm

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Is it actually this calm as it looks in the photos?

Forget tourists I couldn't even spot a local in any of the photos. The whole town looks like a beautiful yet incomplete painting.

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hello dear @thenomadictales ,

yes, it's very remote and abandoned - above all in winter. I didn't expect it to be so empty to be honest.

xx
@elenahornfilm

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Nonetheless really beautiful

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

haha, thanks ;)

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Wow Elena you are really exploring places one after other, Lucky you. Travelling is the best part of living.
I want to travel Italy but I am sure I will not be able to explore the place the rugged way that you do, though I would love to.
You havr some wonderful clicks.
Have a great time :)
Love and regards to you my dear

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hello lovely @nainaztengra , I absolutely agree with you: Travelling is the best part of living.

Please let me know when you have the chance to travel to Italy! I will absolutely show you around the north of this magnificent country!

A big hug,
Elena

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

What beautiful photos you share with us of Lake D'orta, besides the island is beautiful, a good place for lovers as you say, it is romantic.
Google translator.

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hello lovely @marpa ,

yes, exactly, it's a perfect place for lovers. I didn't know that Lago d'Orta had this reputation. Alessandro only told me when I was already there ๐Ÿ’œ

xx
@elenahornfilm

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

The lake seems calm and relax, like a day you want to breath purรฉ air

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Yes, @wineyla1 - it reaches every corner of your lungs !

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Love the town with such a cooling ambiance. Guess that's the time of turning spring and it will be more colourful by then :) Awesome place to visit btw.

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hello dear @kimzwarch - yes, I expect a colour explosion within the next couple of weeks! But at the moment it's all milky and icy.

xx

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Really great shots! Especially the one with the Convent. Love it!

Have you been to Prague? Will travel there in March (and quite happy about it)

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hi @dennis.bacchus ,

unfortunately I have never been to Prague. It must be a magnificent place to photograph as well. Bring a nice camera to your trip and let me know once you post about it!

xx

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

I will. ;)

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

wow looks so amazing!

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hello @joshruiz - thank you so much! It means a lot!

xx
@elenahornfilm

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

That little island (Isola San Giulio) is amazing. Great tour and photos. Thanks!

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hello dear @qberry , yes, it is truly a stunning place.

I hope you'll get the chance to visit it some time!

xx
@elenahornfilm

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

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ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

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ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Beautiful photos

ย  ยท ย 7 years agoย 

Hi @ginafraser , I'm so glad you enjoyed the pictures!