Lake Maggiore, Italy

La Foleia

La Foleia is a special, recently renovated destination. “Foleia” is the Latin word for “follia” which translates into folly, or madness. It was first imagined, then realized with art, courage, and determination. Once an oak forest, it became a property with a 4000 sqm circle of water filled with a private, natural spring from the Ticino River. On the lake’s two opposite shores are two mirrored houses: one has an octagonal plan, with French windows that frame the water and the statues that adorn its edges from the living room. The other, is a neoclassical pavilion, with large windows that open onto a stairway that accompanies you into the lake.

Check availability

hotel Guide

Facilities

Wi-Fi, Floris bathroom amenities, herbal tea, coffee capsules, and natural water. Bathrobes, bath towels.
Honesty bar.
Natural stone pools.
Parking: free of charge onsite.

VILLA OTTAGONALE

4 guests – 2 double rooms – 180 sqm
Big patio with tables and seats
Private garden with deckchairs
Orangerie – dining room
Front lake living room
2 bathrooms
Equipped kitchen

VILLA PADIGLIONE

4 guests – 2 double rooms – 110 sqm
Big patio with tables and seats
Private garden with table and seats
Front lake living room
3 bathrooms
Equipped kitchen

Services Available upon Request

Personal chef
Transfers to/from the airport or rail station
Baby sitter
Masseuse

Breakfast

Italian breakfast is served in the living room or patio on the lake: fresh bread, croissants, fine pastry biscuits, jams, honey, butter, fresh fruit and juices, yogurt, cereals, coffee, milk, cappuccino, and soja milk upon request.

Gourmet Experiences

There is a personal chef for your exclusive dining experiences, ready to prepare refined, local cuisine.
Offering refined Italian and local cuisine, with a careful selection of products from nearby gardens, organic farms, and local grocers to give you the most authentic, wholesome experience and a wide selection of local and national wines curated by their Sommelier.

Dresscode

Lakeside chic.

Budget

Rates start at EUR. 800 per night per Villa.

Local Guide

Location & Setting

The villas are just a couple of minutes' drive from Lake Maggiore, one of the most beautiful Italian lakes. In the areas surrounding the lake, you can practice sports such as hiking, biking, golf, and horseback riding. The lake waters are ideal for sailing, canoeing, and yachting, with shore facilities all around.

Surroundings

Only 5 km away from Arona, a small town that offers culture, restaurant, and shopping options year-round, joining forces with them to make the region an attractive destination for all seasons. One of the largest statues in the world is located in Arona: the Colossus of St. Carlo Borromeo is more than 35 meters tall.
25 km away from Stresa, the preferred holiday resort of many celebrities and politicians. Beautiful villas and imposing fortresses and castles are located around the area and bear witness to the history and culture enriching the charm of this place.
In half an hour you can reach the fascinating archipelago of the Borromean Islands set between Stresa and Verbania. Immersed in the marvelous and suggestive waters of Lake Maggiore, they are just jaw-droppingly beautiful.
20 minutes away from the Mottarone, a national park that has acquired notoriety due to its scenic paths along the mountains. Once at the top, you can enjoy a marvelous view of Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta, the lakes of Varese, and Lake Mergozzo are overlooked by the majestic mountain circle featuring Mount Rosa.

Activities

Boat on the Lake: elegant motorboat (that can be used without a license) located a few kilometers from the property to tour Lake Maggiore in every corner, alone or accompanied by a guide.
Horseback riding lessons and tours
Access to golf clubs nearby
Mountain bike rental
Trekking on Mount Mottarone
Wake board on Lago d'Orta
Kite/Windsurf rental for Lake Maggiore
E-bike
Cooking courses with a chef
Excursion on Maggiore and Orta Lake
Tours of Isola Bella, Isola dei Pescatori, Isola Madre (The Borromeo Islands on Lake Maggiore)

Cultural Sights

Palazzo Borromeo
Villa Pallavicino
The Gardens of Villa Taranto

Wine Tastings

They can organize wine tastings in the surrounding wine cellars:

Cantine Miru di Ghemme
Castello Conti di Boca
Nervi Cellars

Cheese Tasting

Luigi Guffanti in Arona has been breeding Italian cheeses since 1876. They organize on request a visit to their maturing cellars followed by a tasting of their cheeses.

Favourite Restaurants

La Cucina della Darbia (Vacciago) Right above Orta San Giulio, with amazing views and excellent local cuisine.
Il Sole di Ranco (Ranco) On the other side of the lake, is a really special restaurant where the sun sets right in front of you. Excellent cuisine and wine list.
Albergo Ristorante Verbano (Pescatori Island, Lago Maggiore) This restaurant is on one of the three Borromeo islands (Isola dei Pescatori) protected by UNESCO.
Battipalo ristorante (Lesa) Right next to Il Rapanello, another great restaurant with amazing views, right on the lake.
Gu.sta.re (Borgomanero) Impressive fine dining restaurant that recently opened in a cute local town (no lake view).
Trattoria dei commercianti (Borgomanero) Family run, typical Piedmont cuisine, amazing local ingredients, excellent wine list.