7 secret spots of Ticino: a piece of Italy in Switzerland
A piece of Italy in Switzerland: that is the Ticino region. Italian flair, palm trees and a wonderful climate. Here, the northernmost parts of Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore cross the Swiss border. Discover the 7 secret spots of Ticino.
Tip-1 Island hopping between the Alps
Admittedly: most of Lake Maggiore is in Italy, but from Switzerland you can go island hopping. Take Isola Grande, the 'big island', where you can walk among subtropical plants. And what about the island of San Pancranzio, part of the Brissago Islands. Here stands a magnificent palace with palm trees, enormous yuccas and bamboo – as if you were on an island in the South Pacific!
Tip-2 Like James Bond on a bungee cord
It is one of the most spectacular stunts in film history: the jump Pierce Brosnan made as James Bond, from the 220-meter high Verzasca dam, in the film Goldeneye. You can do that same jump yourself: the Goldeneye-Bungee-Jump takes place at Lake Vogorno, on a bungee cord. More than 7 seconds of free fall guarantee an adrenaline rush that you will continue to feel for the rest of the day. You reach the bungee location from the village of Gordola. Reservations are required,you can do that here
Tip-3 The olive route
A beautiful winding route with a wonderful view over Lake Lugano. That is the olive walk, which takes you along old olive groves. You start at the old town hall of Castagnola and then you just follow the signs. Or you walk it the other way around, from the village of Gandria. It's nice that you constantly come across information panels along the way with interesting facts about olive cultivation and the history of those small green balls. And when you're done walking? Then you can take the bus back to where you started. More information can be found here
Tip-4 The Hippie Mountain
Okay, okay, 'hippie mountain' might be a bit crude for Monte Verità (Mountain of Truth, near Locarno), but around 1900 this 321-meter high hump was a commune for hippies from all over the world. Vegetarian food, free body culture and free love were on the agenda, but after 20 years that was pretty much over. Now all that remains is a museum, a Bauhaus-style hotel and a tea garden with a thousand tea plants where you can experience a special tea ceremony.
Tip-5 Cycling & Hiking
You need strong calves and at least twenty gears, but then you are completely ready for a spectacular bike ride around Lake Maggiore, with gradients of up to 20 percent. But: no one will look surprised if you walk the most difficult parts. Sporty cycling routes can be found under 'what to do' on this website
If you prefer hiking, put the Bavona Valley on your bucket list, with its spectacular waterfall near the village of Foroglio. Here, a crystal-clear stream plunges 80 meters down, to splash apart on the rocks in the Calnegia Valley. Bring your camera!
Tip-6 To the table!
Sausage, polenta and risotto – these are the specialties you see everywhere on the menu in Ticino. Also special are the dishes in which farina bona plays the main role: flour from roasted corn, with an intense flavor. In the past, corn flour was only made with water, milk and blueberries, but nowadays you can order it in restaurants as cake and even ice cream. The tiny restaurant Grotto Efra, in Sonogno (Valle Verzasca), specializes in local dishes – eating is an experience in itself, but so is the journey there and back: from the village you can only get there on foot. More information can be found here
Tip-7 Train spectacle
It is almost a century old: the 52-kilometer long railway line through the Centovalli, literally: the hundred valleys. And if you are already near Lake Maggiore... You will never forget this train journey. You board at Locarno station and then pass no less than eighty bridges, thirty tunnels, bizarrely high viaducts, dizzying abysses, countless waterfalls and green vineyards. The railway line is officially called 'Ferrovia Vigezzina Centovalli' and ends in Domodossola, Italy. And the return journey? That looks completely different! Read more on this website
Camping tip in Ticino
Camping Campofelice is a luxurious family campsite directly on Lake Maggiore and on the Verzasca River. Water lovers are in their element here: you can go SUPing (stand-up paddling), surfing and canoes and motorboats are available for rent. The campsite even has its own small harbor. There is a free boat connection to Tenero and Locarno, and the beautiful Ascona is also just around the corner. The campsite has 600 pitches available for camping enthusiasts and various luxurious rental accommodations. Click here for the Campofelice website
How to get there
From Utrecht via Antwerp and Brussels, cheap refueling in Luxembourg and then via France towards Basel and on the A2 to Lucerne and finally the destination Ticino. Or via Germany, mostly on the 61, then keep to Basel and on the A2 to Ticino.
Distance Utrecht – Ticino: approximately 970 km.
Looking for a nice camper or caravan to explore Ticino? Take a look at CampersCaravans.nl
