Sample text from Under the Olive Tree - Giretto del Lago.

Cities built on lakes or by the sea have a particular characteristic - they all are focused on the water like a sunflower following the sun and, in a subtle way, turn their back on the land. I have always loved the lake. In my childhood the waters were clean and sparkling and we used to go swimming throughout the summer. Lake Lugnao is a lesser known member of that group of sub-alpine lakes across the north of Italy that includes the more famous Como, Maggiore and Garda.

For the most part, the northern sides of the lake are steep and drop sharply from high up into the waters. They are covered in chestnut woods which give the whole area a particularly wild character. It is not over-built because it is too steep, so its natural beauty has been preserved. Various points along the lake large villas have been constructed surrounded by splendid and rather exotic gardens.

Today we hired a traditional wooden launch and headed for the northern side of the lake to a chain of buildings known as Catine di Gandria, or Gandria’s cellars. They are really grotti and have evolved with outdoor tables under spreading trees for warm days and al fresco dining at night...