La Perla

On the shore of the lake

La Perla is a wonderfully situated semi-detached house, perched right on the shores of Lago Maggiore. It is an extremely private house, located in one of Italy's most popular regions. It is a picturesque, excellently designed and furnished villa with its private landing stage, manicured lawns and a view that only a few houses have to offer.

This accommodation is unique because it is situated far from the hubbub of the roads. As you may know, the lakes of Upper Italy are usually encircled by a lake-shore road. This house, however, is far away from the busy roads. Here you have direct access to the lake, only a few steps away from the house.

On the lawn there are two separate houses with separate entrances (see last picture left). The two owners live in one house; the other, a spacious accommodation, is nowadays available to travellers. Both are connected by a joint courtyard. Although the owner and her daughter live in the other half of the house, you will still have complete privacy.

The house is situated in an exclusive and secluded residential area in a former palace garden. So the villas on this property can be accessed only via a private access road with entrance gate. Peace and tranquility are guaranteed here. The house is built in the mediterranean style: thick walls, painted in white, shining terracotta floors, beautiful, naturally-coloured arched windows and doors. As it was originally designed and furnished for private use, the house offers the charm of a private domicile.

Ground floor: On the ground floor there is one twin bedded room with independent access from the garden and en suite bathroom (shower). This bedroom is connected to the rest of the house through the passage single bedroom (with French-style bed/1.15 m wide). Steps lead from the single bedroom to the upper floor. Adjacent to the single bedroom there is a gorgeous bathroom with an old-fashioned marble bathtub and a modern shower. Furthermore there is a spacious, bright living area with a fireplace, large arched French doors leading to the garden and a professional-sized billiard table. The kitchen is fully equipped, large and stylish, like the other rooms in the house. Before entering the kitchen, you will find a nice dining corner by the window, also with direct access to the garden.

Upper floor: Overlooking the single bedroom from a lofted area is the master bedroom with air-conditioning unit. On this upper level is a second, smaller and more simply furnished single bedroom appropriate for a child under 6.

The various direct accesses to the garden from several rooms of the house are very convenient. The well-kept, carpet-like lawn directly leads to the water and the private landing stage (30 m). Considering the neighbourhood, the house is reasonably priced and unbeatable as regards the location and the interior design.

About the region

This accommodation is an excellent starting point for excursions in Northern Italy. The nearby town of Stresa calls invitingly to visitors: the Belle Epoch is now covered by patina, and the plaster is crumbing off the walls but to this day Stresa still exudes the elegance of a fin-de-siècle bathing resort. In the 19th century, the little town on the west shore of the lake was one of Italy's noblest spas.

You can go summer-skiing in Switzerland (90 minutes north). The popular Swiss towns of Bellinzona and Locarno on the northern shore of the lake can easily be reached by speed-boat (90 minutes). Ferry boats go regularly from Stresa to the three picturesque Borromean islands: Isola Madre, Isola Bella, and Isola dei Pescatori (6 km north).

In the nearby town of Lesa there is a modern sporting club with four tennis courts, a sauna, steam bath, fitness centre, two outdoor pools (one for adults, the other for children) with large lawns, as well as a bar with restaurant.

In the vicinity there are facilities for horseback riding, in addition to two panoramic golf courses only 30 minutes away from the house. The nearest village is Solcio (approx. 400 m far) with a very good alimentary shop, a church and a 3 star restaurant - while in Lesa, the main village (approx. 1 km), you can find a pharmacy, post office, 3 restaurants, a petrol station, a coffe shop and a little harbour. 5 km from the house, there is the boat club of Stresa, where you can lend a boat (sailing boat, motor boat) and do water skiing.