A Weekend in Switzerland?
by Tiffany Simpson
Imagine a place with palm trees, a scenic lake, mild temperatures year round, mountains and some of the best rock climbing in Europe. Pizzerias and cafés are in abundance and Italian is spoken everywhere. While sitting outside at a bistro or strolling through Old Town, you can gaze through the houses to see breathtaking views of the mountain peaks in the distance. But you’re not in Italy – you’re in Switzerland. Confused? So were we.
Locarno is a rather small city in the Ticino region of Switzerland with about 15,000 inhabitants. It is frequented by Italians who want a nice summer escape and Germans who look forward to enjoying the surrounding hiking paths and mountains. Tourists flock here during the summer months and traffic must become quite terrible; but somehow this city is likely to maintain its laid back atmosphere and idyllic peace.
We decided to take a trip to Locarno after reading an article about the incredible climbing opportunities available there. We were certainly not disappointed and enjoyed incredible weather during mid-April when we visited. The sun was shining almost the entire time we were there and because it was still very early in the season there was very little traffic, the cafes were rather empty and we never found ourselves waiting in line for Italian ice cream.
CULTURAL LOCARNO
The Città Vecchia
The Città Vecchia is the “Old Town” and historic heart of Locarno. In this area of the city you will find old brownstone-style houses, beautiful courtyards and fountains, and narrow alleys barely wide enough to drive a car down. The Via San Antonio and the Via Cittadella are the two main streets of the old town and you can find many cafès and shops scattered throughout. The Piazzetta delle Corporazioni is one of the smaller squares here that is worth a visit, especially if you are hungry. We stayed less than a block from the Via Cittadella and Piazzetta delle Corporazioni so view “Our Trip Details” if you’d like to stay in or visit this area.
Source:Ticino Turismo PR & Communication |
The Piazza Grande
One of the most heavily trafficked areas of Locarno is the Piazza Grande. There is a multitude of restaurants and cafès, stores, tourist traps and other venues around the central square. You can also find many festivals here throughout the year such as the Locarno Film Festival and Moon and Stars.
The Locarno Film Festival has been held for 59 years and now rivals Cannes. Nearly 200,000 spectators and thousands of journalists and guest visit the event. More information can be found at http://www.pardo.ch.
Moon and Stars is a week of concerts with international rock and pop music stars such as Joe Cocker. The event attracts about 10 thousand people to the square. Visit http://www.moonandstarslocarno.ch for further details.
Castello Visconteo
This castle of the Visconti family of Milan dates back to 998. It is a central monument of Locarno and you may even pass it on your way into the city. The 15th-century inner courtyard and richly inlaid ceilings can be seen when you visit the archeological museum now housed in the castle. The museum displays valuable vases and hand-blown glass goblets, as well as artifacts from Roman times. One room also commemorates the Peace Conference held in Locarno in 1925 in attempt to end World War I.
Opening Hours: April - October; Tuesday - Sunday 10.00 - 12:00 & 14:00 - 17.00
Admission Fee: CHF 3
Getting There: A short walk between the Città Vecchia and the Piazza Grande.
Further Information: Tel. +41 (0) 91 756 31 80
Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso
Probably one of Locarno’s most striking sites, the “Santuario della Madonna del Sasso” seems to float above Locarno on the rocks (“sasso” means rock). The sanctuary is built upon the site where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Brother Bartolomeo d’Ivrea in 1480. Inside you will many pieces of art to feast your eyes on, including the lovely terracotta sculptures of biblical scenes and a number of paintings. The twenty-minute walk through the ravine of the Torrente Ramogno and past several decaying shrines (similar to those built in such places of pilgrimage as Lombardy) is a wonder to behold. If walking is not your ideal, there are also half-hourly gondola rides which will also provide some amazing photo opportunities.
Opening Hours: Daily 6:30 am - 7 pm
Church of St. Francesco
This church was founded by wandering Franciscans either during St. Francis of Assist’s lifetime or shortly after his death in 1226. Brother Bartolomeo d’Ivrea, who saw the Virgin Mary at the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso, was from this monastery. The church was renovated in the sixteenth century but its frescoes are one again in need of some TLC.
ADVENTURE SEEKERS
Go Vertical
This area of Switzerland has tons of climbing available with just about any difficulty and type of surface you might be looking for. Trad or sport, slab, cracks or anywhere in between, you are almost certain to find it here. A great advantage of this region is that it stays rather warm even during the winter so you can be climbing amongst the palm trees while your friends go skiing. See “Our Trip Details” for more details.
Bungee Jump at Verzasca Dam
Always wanted to follow in the footsteps of James Bond? Here at the Verzasca Dam you can. This 722 foot dam is the highest bungee jump in the world and was used in the movie Goldeneye (you just thought they were filming in Russia). It takes a full 7.5 seconds to reach the bottom and is said to be one of the best jumps in the world. For the time being, due to the technique involved in the 007 jump, tandem jumps are not available. You can do tandem jumps at the Centovalli bridge jumping center (it is only 20 min. away from the dam).
If you’re not quite ready to take on bungee jumping, “swinging” is also available here. You’re hooked up to two ropes instead of one, which could make you feel safer and perhaps will make you want to do a real bungee jump afterwards.
Tour Operator: Trekking Team AG - http://www.trekking.ch
Opening Hours: Generally open days from Easter weekend until the end of October. Phone or e-mail bookings required. Special night jumps are planned once a month.
Cost: Youth (up to 18 years), students etc., the first jump is CHF 195. Adults CHF 255. Second jumps the same day only CHF 125.
Ages: Starting at 10 years old, you can soar down this 220m dam…with your parent’s permission of course. Those over 60 are asked to bring a medical certification that they are fit to jump.
Hang from the Trees
Often used as a team building exercise, there are few things in life like using a thin rope to cross from tree to tree while hanging 45 feet off the ground. The Adventure Park Gordola has 700m of ropes course hung amongst their trees and offer 53 different games with 6 different difficulty levels, from children’s to “demanding” routes for those over 150cm tall. The admission price includes the individual protection equipment (harness, double longe and karabiners, pulley, helmet, gloves), the briefing and the assistance from the Park’s instructors. The briefing and running the course lasts about 2 ½ hours on average. Located about 15 minutes from Locarno by car.
Opening Hours: Vary according to the time of year. See website. Closed January, February and December.
Cost: Children (>120cm tall):CHF12
Young people (under 16 years): CHF 20. Adults: CHF 25
Further Information: http://www.parcoavventura.ch
Looking for more?
In case I haven’t mentioned your adrenaline rush of choice, there are plenty of other activities to be done in the Ticino region. Canyoning, paragliding and skydiving are just a few I have left off the list but there are usually multiple tour operators who can arrange tours as needed. And if you’re going to be there during the winter, why take a course on igloo building?
Further Information: http://www.adventureguide.ch
LESS EXTREME SPORTS
Go for the Green
There are quite a few golf courses located in and around Locarno. One in particular, Golf Club Patrizale Ascona, is considered “one of the most fascinating courses in Switzerland.” If you’re just getting started, you can take private lessons or just hit a few balls at their driving range which is open year round.
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 6pm.
Cost: Adult: One Round - CHF 100; One Day CHF 150. Juniors: CHF 50. Slightly more expensive on the weekends.
Driving Range: CHF 22
Further Information: http://www.golf.ascona.ch/
Biking, Hiking or Canoeing
Source:Ticino Turismo PR & Communication
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With a virtually limitless number of mountains in this area, there is no shortage of places to go mountain biking, hiking, canoeing or any other mountain sport that strikes your fancy. If you want to try out a new adventure, there are tons of trekking, biking and other adventure companies in the area so just visit the local tourism office when you get to Locarno or do a bit of research online before you leave.
JUST AROUND THE CORNER
Visit Ascona
Very similar to Locarno, the small town of Ascona with around 5,000 inhabitants is a great tourist destination. Many artists seem to flock to the town for inspiration, especially to the “Monte Verità” (the Hill of Truth), and there is much evidence of that fact in Ascona’s many art galleries and museums. At the end of June, the New Orleans Jazz Festival is also held here every year. The event lasts 10 nights with 250 musicians, 200 concerts, 400 hours of music and 70 thousand spectators.
Further Information: www.ascona.ch/
Ascona Jazz Festival: http://www.jazzascona.com
Go to Brissago
The even smaller town of Brissago with only 1500 inhabitants is said to be one of the most beautiful towns in this area. Numerous hiking paths can be found around this area which allow you to reach many nearby towns and cities within a few hours time. You may also want to visit the Brissago Islands and the magnificent botanical gardens there with over 1500 species of plant life spread across 2.5 hectares. Many subtropical plants from places such as the Mediterranean region, South Africa, subtropical Asia, America, and Oceania, thrive here in the mild climate. If plants and beautiful gardens are not your thing, skip the island and visit the beach or Brissago’s cigar factory which has been in existrnce since 1856.
Further Information: http://www.brissago.ch/
Brissago Islands: www.isolebrissago.ch
Take a Ride on the Centovalli Railway
Centovalli (“100 Valley”) is the name given to the valley which runs from the Maggia river delta to the Italian border. You can view the entire region via the Centovalli Railway, the most direct route to the French part of Switzerland and Bern, the Swiss capital. The journey takes you through picturesque villages, spectacular waterfalls, colorful fields and daring bridges.
Further Information:
Centovalli Railway: http://www.centovalli.ch/
MORE TO SEE AND DO
Looking for an interesting way to see the lake and the beautiful towns and mountains surround it? Be like the locals and hop on a ferry to take you around the Lake Maggiore. Many living in the area use the ferries to commute to work or school but you can use it to take in everything you don’t want to miss before your trip is over. And if you’re interested to visit any of the nearby cities and don’t have a car, this is a great option to the Centovalli railway. Visit http://www.navlaghi.itfor more information.
Should you be in Locarno in April, you can visit the Camellia Festival. Lake Maggiore has been the European capital of the camellia for more than 150 years. Locarno celebrates the flower every year with an exhibition with over 300 varieties of the flower, a market and musical events.
Another eagerly-awaited event, held every year during the long weekend of the Feast of Ascension, is the “Brocante” in Città Vecchia. This antique fair has more than 100 stalls and thousands of visitors.
Although Locarno is already a popular tourist destination for some, the city is not so well known to most of the world and does offer a wonderful getaway for those who love the outdoors. You will certainly appreciate the rather warm temperatures if you are there during the winter and the scenery is not to be missed. There are plenty of other things to do in Locarno and the Ticino region, so go explore today and find out for yourself.
