Things to see and do Gozzano

These hills stretch north from the town of Novara (hence their name) and south from Lakes Orta and Maggiore, about a fifteen-minute drive from Gozzano. More a rural area to explore than a tourist attraction in itself, you'll be amazed by the beauty of the villages that dot the area, including Romagnano Sesia, Ghemme, Cavallirio and Borgomanero. Ancient bridges, fortifications, vineyards and rice fields are the main features of the unique landscape of the Novara hills. A beautiful region of Piedmont.

This splendid sanctuary is just an hour's drive southwest of Lake Orta, in the village of Oropa (not far from Biella). Set in the heart of a natural mountain amphitheatre, this complex of 19 chapels is one of nine Sacri Monti in Piedmont and Lombardy to have been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 2003. These sacred buildings feature frescoes and sculptures telling the story of the Virgin Mary, as well as a number of biblical episodes. A visit well worth the detour.

Did you know that Italy was Europe's leading rice producer? And did you know that Piedmont, and more specifically the area around the town of Verceil (or Vercelli), was the heart of this production? Just an hour's drive south of Lake Orta, you'll find more than 110,000 hectares of rice paddies (perfect for making risotto), creating beautiful, wet, rural landscapes. We'd like to encourage you to explore this beautiful region... and try a dish of rice!