South of the Alps Switzerland still hasn’t finished. Here a piece of “almost Italy“, Ticino, is waiting for travellers on the Swiss Travel System. You can sense it after the Gotthard tunnel. The contrast with the more rugged northern side of the Alps becomes apparent gradually along the rail route for the time being. The light is different and the weather often is too. The mountains are still there. However, the houses and churches on the slopes left and right look different. They look Mediterranean. And already here and there a palm appears by a house, even though it is still mountainous here. Then the mountains recede. You have reached Bellinzona. To the west you can go to Locarno, or further to the south to Lugano. From the railway station go out into the city. It’s like in Italy, especially in the squares, that are called “la piazza“ here and at the lakes. A true holiday atmosphere!
This triangular corner of Southern Switzerland, Ticino, has something special. If you come from the west, from Valais through the Simplon tunnel, you are really in Italy for a time, in Domodossola. From there the Centovalli Railway winds through this valley of one hundred valleys to Locarno in Ticino. Ticino’s valleys are unique, with their villages built of granite boulders. The villages in chestnut forests on the steep slopes seem to be hiding themselves from the hustle and bustle of the sophisticated places on the lakes. Here you need your walking boots. You won’t regret it. And maybe a local bus will bring you back to one of the lakes, to Lake Maggiore or to Lake Lugano, for which Ticino is also famous. You will be where the palms are almost like in Capri.
A stroll through the piazza in Locarno and a refreshing drink in one of the street cafes? Pure Italianità! A boat trip from Lugano to Gandria or Morcote? A trip to a dream world! Ticino has in its small area so much to offer.
This short virtual trip through Switzerland is now at an end. Now you can plan your own trip on the Swiss Travel System. The next page will help you to do that. Click here >
