3 nights Rustici della Verzasca: Locarno, Verzasca and Maggia Valley
2 nights Hotel International au Lac: Lugano, Monte Bré and boat trip
3 nights Escape 52, Ascona : Ascona and Monte Tamaro
Our route and exotic birds
We deliberately choose a Friday for our outward journey through the Gotthard, as less traffic is to be expected than on a Saturday, and we can therefore get through the tunnel easily, without any traffic jams. So, at noon we are all set to go. As check-in is not until 4.p.m, we make use of the available time and visit the ‘Falconeria di Locarno’ on Via delle Scuole. At the falconry, a wide variety of eagles, vultures, falcons, owls, storks and other birds can be seen up close. And in addition to this, an exciting hour-long flight show is on offer. This takes place twice a day (11 a.m. and 3 p.m.). There are also koi carp and wolves to be seen. Although the entrance fee at 75 francs for a family of four is a little pricey, it is, in our opinion, well worth it.
Not for claustrophobics - for everyone else a little gem: the Rustici della Verzasca
Just a few kilometers from Locarno into the Verzasca Valley, a pretty little village of old stone houses pops up on the right. From afar you can hardly tell that this is a holiday resort. Converted rustic houses make up this vacation village, known as the Rustici della Verzasca.
Our cottage, the Edea (all cottages are named after a flower, and each one is unique) is ready at 4.p.m. The apartment key is deposited using a code - it's called self check-in and is a very smooth operation.
We had already received most important information in advance by e-mail-newsletter and had already reserved our dinner at the ‘Osteria Paradiso’ (which is also on site). Telephone contacts with the hosts were always very friendly and uncomplicated.
Our boys immediately inspect the house. The layout, with 37m2, is spread over three floors! "So lovely!" we all sing together in chorus! Well, maybe not. The apartment is way too small and mysterious for our firstborn. He would definitely be too scared to spend the night in a bunk bed in a dark basement while we slept upstairs. So, without further ado, we lug a mattress up the extremely narrow steps, in that we all get a good night’s sleep in the same room.
But before we lie down, we enjoy the delicious Ticino specialties in the ‘Osteria Paradiso’.
In the Rustico holiday village there is also a playground with a table tennis table, and a (unheated) pool. And in addition to this, the baker comes by every morning to sell fresh rolls.
Constant rain is forecasted for Saturday, which is why we choose to take a "road trip" through the Verzasca, and then later, through the Maggia Valley which runs parallel. The gloomy weather clothes the two valleys in a mystical fog ensuring that hardly any other tourists stay in the hotspots. The water of the Verzasca, however, is still shimmering green, which is where the valley's name comes from - from the Latin for viridi aqua - green water.
2 Nights Lugano: panorama, boat trip and gelati, our tips
The journey from the Verzasca Valley to Lugano is not boring. We choose to take the side roads and enjoy the view. In the pretty town of Morcote, we take a short stroll along the lakeside promenade and drink a cappuccino outside. We go across the city, along the lake and climb up the hill covered with villas, (Monte Bré) to the small, lovely town of Bré high above Lake Maggiore.
It is here, where we leave our car in the large parking lot and take the remaining 1.2 km (approx. 1/2 hour) walk to the Panorama Restaurant Vetta. Guests can actually drive all the way to the restaurant, but the road is so narrow that we opted for the guaranteed (and free) parking lot and the pleasant walk. The walk is manageable for our boys and is also worthwhile, especially as the view from the terrace is really spectacular. The whole of Lugano lies at your feet and the Monte San Salvatore, directly opposite, literally beckons.
Of course we are not alone here on this sunny spring day, but nevertheless, we do get a table right away. The food tastes good, the bill is ok, and the photos are in the bag. We go back, this time, taking the few hundred steps back to Bré.
We check in at 3 p.m. sharp at the Hotel International au Lac in Lugano and receive a nice, renovated family room (no. 573) on the 5th floor. The furniture is classic with wooden floors, the bedroom and bathroom area are spacious, and the light from the windows make the room bright. It even has a small balcony from where you can enjoy a partial view of the lake.
We were able to park our car comfortably in the hotel's own underground car park and use a car lift for the second parking level - much to the fascination of our children!
The hotel impresses with its central location at the end of the sophisticated shopping street Via Nassa- perfect for exploring the old town and the lake promenade on foot.
The main square, the Piazza della Riforma, can be reached quickly. Here we immediately stand in line at the traditional Café Vannini for a table on the piazza and enjoy a cappuccino, soft drinks and the wonderful gelati. This won’t be the only time we visit here during our two-day Lugano stay.
We end the first day in Lugano with a leisurely stroll through the old town, some shopping and a delicious pizza.
After a good night's sleep, we look forward to the breakfast included. The decor of the dining room is a little dated and leaves you feeling like you have been transported back a few decades, but the extremely rich variety and high quality buffet which is on offer, is surprisingly modern. From fresh croissants to Bircher muesli, cakes, and fruit, to scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages and smoked salmon - it has everything your heart desires and can even be enjoyed until 10.45 a.m.
But we are drawn back to the old town, where we take a short stroll past all sorts of jewelry stores to Piazza Cioccaro. From here we take the Funicolare (tickets: 5.20 francs for the whole family without the Half-Fare travelcard). The 244 meters to the modern main train station in Lugano is not only fun for the kids. The tram has been in operation since 1886 and, with well over 2 million passengers a year, carries the most passengers in Switzerland.
Once at the top, we enjoy the view over the old town and take the many steps that lie under our feet, past the picturesque church of San Lorenzo.
In the traditional delicatessen Gabbani on the Piazza Cioccaro, we stock up on the obligatory souvenirs for those at home (we decide on the Ticino pineapple cake).
Afterwards we take a short walk to the Parco Ciani on the lake. The numerous plants and flowers, which are in full bloom in early May, provide a wonderful backdrop for photos of our children.
But now we have to hurry totheat 12:15 pm ship catchfrom Lugano Giardina to Cantina di Gandriasharp. We would like to visit the customs museum there, which can only be reached by ship. The journey there is thrilling and takes about 40 minutes. We have a good hour until the return trip at 2 pm, which works out perfectly.
The Schweizer Zollmuseum (Swiss Customs Museum) is open from the beginning of April to mid-October and is free of charge between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. Spanned over a space of three floors, you are taken into the world of borders and border control. What are the guard’s responsibilities? How was it before? The explanations about smugglers and refugees in World War II and exhibits from over 170 years of border history are particularly captivating.
On the second evening in Lugano, our boys have fun in the hotel garden, driving go-karts and playing table tennis. The pool is a little too fresh for us at this time of the year.
3 Nights Ascona - Lake, mountain and jacuzzi - Our experiences
Energized from the breakfast buffet and checked out of the hotel, we drive the short distance to Melide and stand in line for the Swissminiature. The family ticket (2 adults and 2 children between 6-15 years) for the largest miniature open-air museum in Switzerland costs 52.20 francs. The 128 models on a scale of 1:25 are amazing replicates of the most famous buildings and sights of our country. The kids also love to ride the mini train around the park. Worth noting are the backstage tours of the workshop that also take place a few times in the year.
After the hour-long visit, we continue our journey onto Ascona, where a fantastic apartment (Escape 52) awaits.
Immediately after unpacking the suitcase, we throw on our bathing suits and try out the jacuzzi. Ahhh, wonderful!
And then off to the old town and the lake promenade of Ascona, which by the way is only about a 10-minute walk away from our apartment! The inviting weather forces us to take a stroll and then sit down in a pizzeria directly on the lake.
Sunshine is forecasted again for the next day, which is why we choose to visit the adventure mountain Monte Tamaro. We take the gondola up to Alpe Foppa, to an elevation of 1530 meters. Once at the top, we first look around the imposing church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, designed by Mario Botta, and the great panorama.
The church is just one of the many attractions that Monte Tamaro has to offer. In addition to various hiking routes and downhill routes for mountain bikers, the summer toboggan run, a long zip line, a large children's playground and an adventure rope park attract many of the visitors. Our children have a lot of fun on the toboggan run at the mountain station.
We begin the final day of our stay in Ticino with a dip in our whirlpool. Then we head to the lake promenade for a cappuccino before heading out to compete against each other at the miniature golf. The oldest miniature golf course in Switzerland is located in Ascona (since 1954). It is beautifully laid out amongst many flowers and shaded trees and is open from April to October, and in July and August even until 11 p.m.
And the holiday week comes to an end.
For the return trip to Zurich we choose the longer, but more beautiful route over the Lukmanier Pass.
Commenti