Villa Torino, pictured above, was originally built as a monastery in the 16th century.  It was turned into a private residence in the 1860s. As we continued along Via Giovanetti, at the building numbered 49, we found the Oratorio della Santissima Trinità, which dates from 1727.  This small, narrow oratory has frescoes that were painted…

In our new adventure, our first stop was the charming lakeside town of Orta San Giulio.  We flew into Milan’s Malpensa Airport, and were heading down to Sicily.  After an eight-hour flight, we shuddered at the thought of  having to take another flight the same day, even if it was a short one, so we…

The Sala Rossa, or the Red Room, still retains the original wall covering that gave the room its name.  The Visconti coat of arms is seen over the doorway, and the Dal Pozzo family tree hangs on the adjacent wall. The next room one enters is the Sala Biliardo, or the Billiard Room. The Salone…

On our third day in Oleggio Castello, the weather turned out to be a bit better.  There were specks of blue sky above us, unlike the day before, when clouds and rain were all one saw.  We decided to spend the day exploring the grounds of the hotel, as well as the castle, which gave…