Villa Orsi, a mansion rental in Piedmont, Italy

Luxurious Living in a Park-Like Setting

This aristocratic, early 20th-century residence stood all but forgotten until its new owner painstakingly restored it to its former glory. Once the luxurious lake property of the prominent Orsi family, whose ancestral crest still adorns its walls and ornamentation, this villa for rent in Italy occupies a classic Mediterranean garden of citrus and evergreens where a neat pool, vivid green lawn, and stately palm trees add to its Gatsby-esque feel.

An elegant manor, this four-story grande dame overlooks Lago Maggiore from its manicured lot opposite a gleaming private sailboat port. Painstakingly restored by its owner, the updated villa features furnishings by Baxter, Gervasoni, Cattelan and Twils, paired with original turn of the 20th-century frescoes, ironwork, and elegant marble fixtures and flooring. There's even a Baecker piano that was rescued from the home’s rubble. A deep portico overlooking the lawn hides an outdoor dining room, offset by traditional colonnades, and the villa’s extravagant 12-foot ceilings, spacious terraces, and manicured garden create the ambiance of an elegant life of leisure.

Furnishings are a blend of old and new. A modern kitchen and adjacent dining room sit on a traditional parquet floor. A sitting room features arching stained-glass windows and simple, clean-lined seating. And bedrooms range from the antique to the understated.

A welcome basket includes wine and ingredients for dinner, and the villa also offers a curated local wine selection for purchase.

Around

The classic Italian garden at this villa for rent in Italy holds citrus and evergreen trees, sentinel palms, a rose garden and bocce ball court, as well as a Serizzo granite and Bisazza mosaic swimming pool lined with sun beds and oversized shade parasols.

Lago Maggiore shimmers just beyond a small sailboat port in front of the residence, and a watersports center next door allows for the rental of paddleboats, kayaks, and SUPs for a day on the water. Cannero Riviera is a small waterfront town on Lake Maggiore’s upper shore best known for its pretty promenade, wide lake views, and its Castelli di Cannero landmarks, offshore castles dating from 1519. The town benefits from its location on a natural inlet that creates a distinctive Mediterranean microclimate where citrus, palms, olives, and its signature camellia flowers grow abundantly. The town makes a great base for exploring both mountain sports and water recreation.

The Val Grande National Park’s once glacial peaks offer hiking, mountain biking, and trekking opportunities, and the lake allows for sailing, swimming, windsurfing, fishing and pleasure boating. Golfers will find courses with stunning views within easy driving distance, and nearby towns and villages offer cafes, restaurants, boutiques and services.