Offbeat Alert: A Guide To The Canton Of Ticino In Switzerland, Where Italian Is The Official Language

Named after the Ticino River, the canton of Ticino in Switzerland has sun, snow and palm trees. It is the only canton in the country where Italian is the sole official language and is a popular tourist destination for Europeans looking to bask in its warm climate, Mediterranean culture and gastronomy. The region is particularly known for its rich architectural heritage, which ranges from the anonymous rock architecture of grottos and splüi to Romanesque, Baroque and more contemporary styles. In fact, as early as the 18th century, aristocrats from Russia and Italy employed numerous architects from Ticino to work on their palaces and mansions. The region is also home to two spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the three castles of Bellinzona and the Monte San Giorgi near Lake Lugano. Here then is your complete guide to the canton of Ticino in Switzerland.Places To Visit In The Canton Of TicinoBellinzonaThe capital of Ticino is Bellinzona, arguably the most Italian city in Switzerland. The town is famous for its three castles of Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro, all of which were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2000. Bellinzona stretches from the Alps in the north to the popular holiday resorts in the south, which makes it the ideal starting point for excursions into the surrounding mountains and valleys. Stroll through the Old Town’s squares and courtyards where you will come across the large Renaissance fresco of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, and walk into any café to try bissoli, Bellinzona’s famous sweet chestnut treat. For a real adrenaline rush, cross the Carasc Tibetan Bridge, take a bike tour up Monte Ceneri or go on a hike into the Maggia Valley from the town.AsconaAscona is Switzerland's lowest-lying town and is located at 196 metres above sea level on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore. The place is famous for its mild climate, Old Town, and a lake promenade that is dotted with street cafés and boasts a Latin ambience. Stop at the Church of San Pietro e Paolo, whose basilica dates back to the 16th century. The interior of the basilica is defined by columns, but it is the bell tower that remains Ascona’s landmark. The 321-metre-high Monte Verità (“mountain of truth”) lies above Ascona and was a well-known meeting place for pacifists, artists, writers and supporters of various alternative movements in the first decades of the 20th century. Today, it is home to a museum which documents this history.LuganoLugano is the largest town in the canton of Ticino and one of Switzerland’s most important financial centres. It lies in a bay on the northern side of Lake Lugano and is surrounded by numerous mountains offering splendid viewpoints. The traffic-free historic town centre, the numerous buildings in Italianate Lombardy style, the exclusive museums, the mountains, the lake, and a packed calendar of events all invite visitors to see the sights and enjoy dolce far niente (which roughly translates to “pleasant relaxation in carefree idleness”). Check out the Museo d’Arte della Svizzera Italiana (MASI) which holds paintings by Paul Klee, Alexej von Jawlensky, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edgar Degas, among others. The mountains of Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè provide a beautiful panorama of the town, Lake Lugano and the alpine scenery, so bring your hiking boots and traverse its trails.Brissago IslandsThe Brissago Islands are a group of two islands located in Lake Maggiore. The water of the lake stores warmth so well that there are hardly any days with frost in the winter, and the Alps also form a protective barrier against cold air from the north. Thus, the climate favours the growth of exotic plants like lotus blossoms, giant sequoias, bald cypresses, perennial banana plants and even eucalyptus trees. The 2.5-hectare Botanical Garden on the larger island of Isola Grande houses plants from nearly all of the subtropical regions of Asia, South Africa, America, Australia and the islands of Oceania. The smaller Brissago Island—Isola di Sant'Apollinare—is covered by vegetation that grows of its own accord and is kept in its natural state.GandriaGandria refers to both a quarter section of the city of Lugano as well as a village on the northern shore of Lake Lugano. The little village lies at the foot of Monte Brè and has a nostalgic atmosphere, having remained unchanged for about 100 years. The town is a car-free zone and the original character of many buildings, such as the Chapel of San Rocco which dates back to 1645, has been preserved. Check out the Swiss Customs and Smuggler Museum which was once a border post on the adjacent border with Italy, but now forms part of the Swiss National Museum. It covers the history of smuggling in the area, and the work of customs officers to counteract it. You should also visit The Cantine, the erstwhile storehouse of the village.Things To Do In The Canton Of TicinoBook A Boat Trip On Lake LuganoA boat cruise is the perfect way to explore the diversity of the Lugano region, whether that is Morcote village’s stately patrician houses; the imposing features of Monte San Salvatore and Monte Generoso; Switzerland’s largest miniature park (Swissminiatur); or Gandria village. The trips usually last from two to four hours and the route is fully covered by the Swiss Travel Pass Flex and the GA Travelcard. Cruises are usually inclusive of coffee, tea, pastries and delicious meals if you book on the Lake Lugano website.Go Llama TrekkingWho could have imagined that there would be llamas in Switzerland? This domesticated South American animal traverses the rugged mountains and forests of Iseo village and the Centovalli ("valley of a hundred valleys"), whose stunning views are worth staying overnight for. Both places offer anywhere from a four-hour trek to a multi-day excursion with your family alongside these gentle animals. Visitors can also learn about the animals’ behaviour and diet at the corresponding llama farm in Iseo.Try A Wine Tour Across MendrisiottoLocated in the southernmost corner of Switzerland, the Mendrisiotto region extends up to the Italian border. This important commercial and tourist transit zone offers a vast hilly landscape that is ideal for hiking and biking tours. It is also a traditional wine-growing region that is home to several renowned wine producers: the Cantina Sociale, the wine purveyors Guido Brivio and Gialdi. From March to December, these vineyards are open to visitors every Saturday morning for guided tours and wine-tasting experiences. Those with a more adventurous bent can book a guided bike tour through the hills of Mendrisiotto, with visits to three wineries and tastings of at least 10 local wines that are accompanied by local delicacies. It’s best to book these activities in advance.Explore All Corners Of The VallemaggiaJust a few kilometres from the well-known Ticino resorts of Locarno and Ascona are the unspoilt romantic valleys known as the Vallemaggia (or the Valli di Locarno). The most well-known are the Centovalli, the Onsernone, the Maggia and the Verzasca. The Maggiatal is crisscrossed by a network of 700 kilometres of footpath, leading visitors to discover nearly 40 mountain lakes and a wealth of fauna and flora. The Onsernone Valley is a realm of woodland, water and rocks, where footpaths take you to wild, deep-cut valleys and picturesque villages to panoramic peaks and glassy mountain lakes. The picturesque Centovalli is primarily famous for the spectacular ride on the Centovalli Railway along deep gorges, over impressive bridges, through chestnut woods and pretty villages. The narrow Verzascatal is characterised by its steep sides and the emerald-green river Verzasca, which bubbles out of pure white stones. Walk along the bank and you'll find naturally formed bathing pools and whirlpools. Don't skip a visit to Sonogno, the village at the end of the valley—it still preserves its traditional appearance with its old houses and alleyways.Experience Winter In LocarnoAn ice rink, concerts and a Christmas market in the enchanting Locarno winter is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you shouldn’t miss out on. The Winterland Christmas Market comes alive with 25 quaint little houses dedicated to handicrafts, Christmas decorations, gift ideas and culinary delights every year. This year's edition takes place from November 21, 2024, to January 5, 2025. The houses can be rented on a weekly basis for one to six weeks. All this is made even more extraordinary by an audiovisual show projected onto the picturesque façades of the Piazza Grande.Ticino Canton’s Culinary HeritageThe canton of Ticino enjoys a reputation for its culinary diversity. Its grotto restaurants are extremely popular with visitors and were originally built as natural rock cellars in which to store food. They have become firm favourites for their excellent cuisine and are located in splendid locations, such as valleys, secluded woodlands or directly by the water. The Grotto San Michele in Bellinzona, the Grotti Milani of Ludiano, the Gabbani Gastronomia of Lugano, the Grotto Eremo San Nicolao of Somazzo and more such places are ideal for indulging in polenta, Ticinese minestrone soup, risotto, brasato al Merlot, and the Ticinese strudel Luganighetta. Top it up with spoonfuls of gelato.Where To Stay In The Canton Of Ticino In Bellinzona, consider staying at the Hotel Bellinzona Sud, the Hotel La Tureta, and the Hotel & SPA Internazionale. In Ascona and Locarno, consider stays at the ibis Locarno, the Hotel Eden Roc, the Giardino Ascona and the Ostello della Gioventù Locarno. In Lugano, book rooms at the Villa Sassa Hotel, Residence and Spa; the Youth Hostel Lugano Savosa; the Hotel Firenze Lugano; and the Hotel de la Paix.How To Reach The Canton Of Ticino The international airports of Milan Linate (LIN), Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Orio al Serio International Airport (BGY) are all reachable from Ticino by car. The Swiss Federal Railways links Ticino to major European cities and can be reached directly from Basel, Zürich and Milan. Buses, cable cars, funiculars, local trains and boats offer great connections to move easily in the region.