| This charming century old house is 40 minutes from downtown Torino.
It is in the wine growing region in Piemonte that produces Gattinara and Ghemme red wines. It is close to the Italian lakes Maggiore and Orta and close to skiing and mountain and river sports in Val Sesia and Monte Rosa.
It is less than an hour from downtown Milano, and an hour to Genova, gateway to the Italian riviera.
The house has curved ceilings and open beams on the ceiling and has been completely remodeled. It is four stories tall including a loft. It is fully furnished, has a large private garden courtyard in front of the house and is across the street from a park with a playground and a river canal.
It is set up now to sleep up to 9 people with 3 more single beds in the closet available to sleep up to 12 people. Sleeping arrangements now are two bedrooms with double beds, a sleeper couch in the sitting room and 3 single beds in the loft. It also has two and a half bathrooms and a kitchen and dining room with a fireplace.
It is located in the town of Romagnano Sesia which is the gateway to Val Sesia, a mountain valley with a road winding 30 miles through picture postcard alpine villages with flower bedecked chalets and stone churches to Alagna at Monte Rosa, the second largest peak in the Alps, where winter skiing flourishes with 200 miles of ski runs. It is connected with regular bus service. Alagna was founded by the Walser, a German group who immigrated to the area in 1249, whose influence still remains in the town's architecture, cultural traditions, language and bierkeller.
Besides skiing, other outdoor sports thrive the rest of the year. From April through the end of June, the Sesia River which runs through Romagnano Sesia offers some of the most exhilarating rafting experiences available and several rafting schools operate in the area.
Hiking trails are everywhere from the easiest and shortest trails to advanced rock and ice climbing. The flora and fauna are breathtaking and clothing designer, Ermenegildo Zegna, opened up a park called Panoramica Zegna, to appreciate the natural beauty.
The U.N.E.S.C.O. Heritage Site, Sacro Monte di Varallo, is nearby. So is Mottarone where you can look down on seven lakes.
Every Saturday morning, trucks pull up on the street in front of the house vending everything from fresh vegetables and homemade sausages to jewelry and handbags for a farmer's market. A block away from the house in the town square is a grocery store with a deli where you can find almost anything you would like to eat. There is also a bakery, and pasta shop right there. If you want to venture farther to find groceries, there is a large supermarket a mile away and in Novara 20 miles away is the largest supermarket ever, Ipercoop, at the San Martino mall. Ipercoop also sells electronics, clothing, and housewares. The mall has many clothing and interior design stores with a large food court.
In Romagnano Sesia is a large store with anything you would want for the home called Mercantone Uno. This is a great place to buy firewood packaged ready to use. There are also designer discount stores like Colombo Cashmere, Omnia Sport, Tutta Via (factory of eye glasses) and Trabaldo Togna men's wear. Romagnano has a Mexican restaurant, several pizza parlors, an ice cream shop, dance clubs and an award winning restaurant called Ristorante alla Torre. Romagnano Sesia also offers many other services including a sports club, a yoga studio and Ayurvedic practitioner.
The house is under the campanile of the Chiesa di San Silvano founded in 1008 with its very melodic church bells and carillons. Romagnano Sesia is well known for its pageants at Christmas and Easter in which 400 people take part in a passion play with reenactments throughout the town. It also hosts a wine harvest festival the third Monday in December.
The towns of Gattinara and Ghemme are only about a mile away from the center of Romagnano Sesia in either direction with their "Castelli di Vino". One of the castles has been made into a hotel in Gattinara called Barone di Gattinara whose restaurant features specialties of the area. Both Gattinara and Ghemme have enotecas with daily wine tastings. Wine lovers know that these wines carry the coveted Denominazione di Origine Controllata Garantita. Also wine lovers will find Monferrato just 40 minutes away with its Barbera and Grignolino and Barolo with its self-named wine known as the king of Italian wines is less than two hours away.
Also within a half hour from the house are the Italian lakes Orta and Maggiore. Lago Maggiore is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. Designer boutiques, gourmet restaurants, palatial hotels with grand ballrooms and lakeside villas make Lago Maggiore a great place to watch the beautiful people. Near Stresa on Lago Maggiore are the legendary islands Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Isola Pescatori. On Isola Bella is a palace built by Carlo Borromeo in the 17th Century. It is distinguished by its lavish architecture and interior design, its sculpted gardens and white peacocks. Another important tourist destination on Lago Maggiore is Villa Taranto in Verbania. Its colorful gardens rival any others in the world.
Lago di Orta is considered the most romantic lake in Northern Italy and has inspired poets like Robert Browning, writers like Balzac and philosophers like Nietzsche. The island Isola San Giulio in the middle of the lake is said by legend to have come up from the water after San Giulio killed a ferocious serpent that was threatening everything in the lake and that San Giulio spent his remaining years on the island. For a nominal fee motor boats take you to the island from Pella, Orta San Giulio and San Filiberto. The area around the lake is known for its Romanesque stone architecture. Orta San Giulio has many hotels, restaurants and shops where Italian handicrafts like hand painted ceramics, embroidered linens, and antique jewelry can be purchased. Nearby is the town of Gignese with the only museum devoted to the umbrella and the parasol.
Having a car is definitely helpful to maneuver around this part of the country but the railway station is just two blocks from the house with easy access to Novara, Milano, Torino and Genova, the gateway to le cinque terre, the famous five villages carved onto the rock cliffs of the Italian Riviera. Milano Malpensa airport is just 30 miles away and downtown Milano is less than an hour away so that you can enjoy the natural beauty of the area one day and the hustle bustle of a world class city the next day.
The house has everything: space for a crowd, great location with a marvelous view, close to shops and tourist attractions yet private enough to have peace away from all of the tourists who visit Italy every year.
Photo 1: Olympic Stadium in Torino
AVAILABILITY:
Fee: Fees vary by season and the number of people staying at the house.
June through August 2008 will be reserved for private tour groups led by the home owner. Contact us if you are interested in a tour of the area or if you would like more information on discounts for longer rentals. The rental also requires an additional REFUNDABLE
damage deposit of $500 charged to a major credit card. The person making the reservation must be 21 years old or older.
A copy of a valid driver's license, identification card or passport will be required for proof of age. Payment may be made by MasterCard, VISA, wire transfer, money order, or PayPal.
IMPORTANT: The rental fee is nonrefundable so be sure that you are committed to the time of stay. You may purchase trip insurance
if you are concerned about interruptions in your vacation outside your control.
For reservations: e-mail profitguys@yahoo.com with your request or call (800) 256-5292 Ext. 704 if you require any more assistance.
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