Getting here
To those poets thinking of coming : We suggest poets apply to Arts Council for funding. They have funded poets to come for past editions.
(But they won't fund Poetry on the Lake - "no wide British public". No, surprisingly, not in Italy!)

THOSE COMING: let me know day, arrival time, flight,
so you can link up for taxi sharing. Otherwise contact
http://www.taxilagodorta.it/   much cheaper than Malpensa taxis

Nearest airport is Milan Malpensa, roughly 60 mins by road to Orta.
Taxi Malpensa-Orta costs minimum 150 euro for one to four passengers (!). Cheaper to get hotel to send taxi to meet.
If up to eight poets arrive roughly at the same time, hotel can send a minibus so fare works out about 15-20 euro per person)

Railway station is Orta-Miasino (to say when buying ticket ). Trains direct from Novara and Domodossola (Simplon pass to Switzerland). From either city it takes 55 mins. Trains from Turin and Milan: go to Novara and change to Domodossola line.Milan to Novara, train direction Torino P.N., descend at third stop, takes 45 mins
The railway station Orta- Miasino is at the village of Legro and a half hour walk from Orta.
Or take a direct train from Milan to Arona (roughly an hour) and a taxi to Orta (25 mins)      info: www.trenitalia.it

Road: from Milan take the Autostrada dei Laghi. Exit at Arona and turn left. Lake Orta is sign posted (in brown).
By car: Orta centre is closed to traffic, except for residents. Some hotels, not all, have car-parks. There are large car-parks just outside the centre and a toy train for those who do not wish to walk (5 mins) to centre. However the parling fees are pricey, 2 euro per hour.
n.b. Cobbled, sometimes steep, streets, thick soles advised. And a woolly for evenings, plus a light mac and brolly might be useful.