We are told it’s a good time to head north into the lake country of Northern Italy. The google search which suggested Lago d’ Orta promised a less touristy experience than more well known lakes, and indeed we were accepted immediately without a reservation at the 200 year old lake front hotel, “Leon D’Oro”. Our breakfast balcony looked through a mature grape vine covered patio at an island with a 12th century Basilica.

We caught a boat to that magical island with the basilica and were greeted by a stand of Tupelo trees showing their red leaves of fall. 

Tupelo honey which is mentioned in a popular American song  by Van Morrison, is made by bees collecting the nectar from the white flowers.

On the next morning a walk on a cobblestone path uphill through a fragrant forest brings us to the Sacro Monte with twenty carved stone chapels, dating back to 1590 with statues and frescos telling the story of the life of the mystic Italian friar, St. Francis of Assisi.

      

The linden roots reveal centuries of erosion on the hilltop having created a symbiotic landscape with the hand carved chapels.