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 pierce the Swiss border. Discover the 7 secret spots of Ticino.
Tip-1 Island hopping between the Alps
Admittedly, most of Lake Maggiore is located in Italy, but from Switzerland you can go island hopping. Take the Isola Grande, the 'big island', where you can walk among the subtropical plants. And how about the island of San Pancranzio, part of the Brissago Islands. Here is an amazing palace with palms, enormous yuccas and bamboo – as if you were standing on an island in the South Pacific!
Tip-2 Like James Bond on a rubber band
It is one of the most spectacular stunts in the film world: the jump that Pierce Brosnan made as James Bond from the 220 meter high Verzasca dam in the film Goldeneye. You can also do the same jump yourself: the Goldeney 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. Make a reservation, 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 past old olive groves. You start at the old town hall of Castagnola and then you just follow the signs. Or you can walk it the other way around, from the village of Gandria. It's nice that you always come across information panels along the way with interesting facts about olive cultivation and the history of those little green balls. And when you've finished 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' may be a bit flat for Monte Verità (Mountain of Truth, near Locarno), but around 1900 this 321 meter high hill 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 & Walking
You need big calves and at least twenty gears, but then you are ready for a spectacular bike ride around Lake Maggiore, with slopes of up to 20 percent. But: no one is surprised if you do the most difficult parts on foot. Sporty cycling routes can be found under 'what to do' on this website
If you prefer walking, 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 on the rocks in the Calnegia valley. Bring your camera!
Tip-6 At the table!
Sausage, polenta and risotto – these are the specialties that you see on the menu everywhere in Ticino. The dishes in which farina bona plays the leading role are also special: flour from roasted corn, with an intense flavor. In the past, cornmeal 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: you can only get there on foot from the village. 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 near Lake Maggiore... You will never forget this train journey for the rest of your life. You board at Locarno station and then pass no fewer than eighty bridges, thirty tunnels, bizarrely high viaducts, dizzying precipices, countless waterfalls and green vineyards. The railway line is officially called 'Ferrovia Vigezzina Centovalli' and ends in Domodossola, Italy. And the return journey? It looks completely different! Read more on this website
Camping tip in Ticino
Camping Campofelice is a luxurious family campsite directly on Lake Maggiore and the Verzasca River. Water lovers are in the right place here: you can SUP (stand-up paddling), surfing and canoes and motor boats can be rented. The campsite even has its own harbour. There is a free boat connection to Tenero and Locarno, but beautiful Ascona is also just around the corner. The campsite has 600 places available for camping enthusiasts and various luxury rental accommodations. Click here for the Campofelice website
That's how you 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 terminus Ticino. Or via Germany, largely on the 61, then continue on to Basel and on the A2 to Ticino.
Distance Utrecht – Ticino: approximately 970 km.
Looking for a nice camper or caravan with which you can explore Ticino? Take a look at it CampersCaravans.nl
