In the footsteps of the Swiss olive
The only olive suitable for processing in the Confederation matures around Lugano. Of course the yield is low, around 150 liters per year, but olive cultivation continues a long tradition. Since the Middle Ages, the fruit has been cultivated for the production of lamp oil. The olive path Sentiero dell’oliv near Gandria gives an insight into the history of olive cultivation in Ticino. Over three kilometers, 18 boards convey interesting facts about the green fruit. The olive harvest is done at the end of October – sometimes you can help too.
Joy of life and art in Lugano
1 hour 53 minutes – that’s how fast it’s been to get from Zurich to Lugano since the opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel. Now you can run south for an afternoon espresso. But that would be very bad. Because Lugano and its surroundings offer so much that you should stay for a few days. First, there’s the foretaste of the south: nowhere else does Switzerland breathe as much Mediterranean dolce vita as on the shores of Lake Lugano. The largest city in the canton of Ticino is also the cultural center of the region. First of all, the MASI art museum spans far beyond the area with its three locations. Or could it be a glimpse into the history of literature? German-Swiss writer Herman Hesse (1877-1962) lived near Montagnola for 43 years. A museum in his house gives an insight into the author’s life and thinking.
By e-bike in the Maggia Valley
While the rest of summer shines with its beautiful colors and pleasant scents, it’s the ideal time for a bike tour, for example in the Maggia Valley, which is fully accessible via 31 bike paths. The first kilometers pass through the agglomeration of Locarno and Ascona. This is not idyllic. But at the latest, in Ponte Brolla, where the River Maggia cuts deep into the limestone, rural, authentic Ticino begins. We pass by the picturesque places that are Eldorado for Instagram snapshots. About 30 kilometers from Ponte Brolla to Bignasco (plus about 7 kilometers from Locarno). The road is largely straight and runs through field roads, the old cantonal road and the old railway line and is therefore also suitable for older children. The route can be completed in two hours – five hours is more realistic. Because there is so much to see along the way: historic village centres, various waterfalls where you can swim in their pools, churches and holy houses on (almost) every corner.
Gandria – time travel to the south of Switzerland
The small village of Gandria on the shore of Lake Lugano exudes pure nostalgia. Even if it’s not world-famous, this beautiful place has to be one of the top ten tourist attractions in Switzerland. Time seems to stand still in the town of 200 people, and its proximity to Italy is clearly noticeable. Until the 1930s, there was not even a road to the village of Ticino at the foot of Monte Bre. Arriving by ship is still the prettiest option today, thanks to the incredible backdrop of noisy, colorful houses.
Mogno – the most impressive church in the canton
April 25, 1986 was a disastrous day for the small hamlet of Mogno, high above the Maggia Valley. An avalanche roared over the houses and also dragged the old church into the valley. Architect Mario Botta (79), one of Ticino’s most famous sons, therefore bequeathed a new church to the small hamlet. Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista is now one of Ticino’s most famous monuments and captivates visitors from all over the world. The elliptical structure of white Peccia marble and black Riveo granite was built in the early 1990s and can only accommodate 15 visitors. The black-and-white, windowless building fascinates even non-architects with its chessboard pattern and unusual building forms.
Morcote in the Miracle Garden
The small town of Morcote at the tip of the Ceresio Peninsula in Lake Lugano is a postcard idyll that could have come out of an artist’s imagination. But the colorful lake cruise, quaint cafes, and quaint hotels are all real and worth a trip in their own right. On the other hand, Parco Scherrer is a real magical world where you feel transported to the wonderful East. A Greek temple, an Egyptian mausoleum, an Arab palace and an Asian teahouse are on the terraced slope of Monte Arbostora – in miniature, of course. Among them are statues of countless ancient gods, exotic animals and beautiful women. The park, which is suitable for the relevant regions, is full of many foreign plants that thrive here thanks to the mild climate.
Brissago – in the Baroness’ private domain
Ticino Botanical Garden in the Brissago Islands is a unique blend of natural paradise and garden design. The park was created by the Russian Baroness Antoinette de Saint-Léger (1856-1946), who lived here from 1885 to 1928. For financial reasons—she died on social security—she had to sell two small islands. Now belonging to the canton of Ticino, the park has been open to the public since 1950. Due to the mild climate, plants from all subtropical regions of the world thrive here. Bald cypress, cinnamon and eucalyptus trees are among the 1,700 plant species in the 2.5 hectare area. A teaching deposit explains interesting facts about fauna.
Malcantone – Where wild chestnuts bloom
Autumn time is chestnut time. And nowhere in Switzerland has chestnut shaped the landscape and people’s lives more than in the Malcantone region in Lugano’s hinterland. In the wild and romantic hilly terrain, the “Chechen” has played a central role for centuries. Farmer families have always specialized in chestnut cultivation.
For example, you can immerse yourself in the world of chestnuts on the chestnut trail, which is a five-hour circular hike from Arosio, the highest village in Malcantone. You walk through huge forests for about 15 kilometers, passing old chestnut groves, old Ticino churches and (depending on the season) a few graceful Ticino cows.