Il Portico

The quiet hillside setting was a highlight. Il Portico sits between Baveno and Feriolo, away from town bustle and traffic noise, yet Feriolo is only a 12-minute walk and Baveno is reachable by bus. Both apartments look out over the lake. If you want calm and a taste of Northern Italian authenticity, this is a lovely spot. We stayed in one of the two apartments, 'Iris' for couples and 'Gardenia' for groups of 3-4. The place was modern and clean, with a fully equipped kitchen, all the amenities we needed and easy private parking. We arrived feeling very unwell after catching a virus while travelling, and the apartment became a home away from home where we could recover a little from our hectic schedule. Vittoria had left maps and useful tourist information inside, saving us a trip to the tourist office. Vittoria was proactive and quick to respond. Before we arrived, she sent helpful details about local supermarkets and places to visit. We were coming by bus, and she offered to pick us up at the drop-off point and drive us to the accommodation, which was a huge help. A practical note: the apartments are on the first floor, up an outdoor flight of stairs, with no lift. Our apartment also had a loft bedroom. Separating the living and sleeping areas was nice, but going up and down for luggage or to reach the bathroom got tiring. With mobility issues or heavy bags, the stairs may make this a difficult stay.