ORIGLIO by nygaston
Origlio Paese . . . The Val Capriasca area and this village with its rustic homes, loggias, and inner courtyards are worth seeing. From there, it's only a five-minute walk to Lake Origlio surrounded by reeds and chestnut trees and a breeding place for rare birds. It can be reached from Lugano by post bus (Lines 633.28). Get off at the village stop.Palm Express or Pendolino . . . There are two special ways to reach the Ticino. The former, a four-hour bus ride from the Engadine (St. Moritz) to Lugano takes you down the Maloja Pass through Italy to Lake Como and the lakeside resort of Mennagio. The border, Gandria, and Lugano are close by. The ``Pendolino,'' part of Italy's fast train system, runs twice a day between Zurich and Milan with brief stops in Bellinzona and Lugano. Zurich to Lugano takes about 3 hours 15 minutes.
Quinto . . . Just off N2 south of Airolo in the Leventina Valley, this village is home to the church of Sts. Peter and Paul. The six-story Romanesque campanile is from the 12th century.
Riva San Vitale . . . This lakeside village, a half-mile west of Capolago at the base of Monte Genroso, is home to Switzerland's oldest ecclesiastical building, an early Christian baptistery (circa AD 500) The parish church and Church of Santa Croce, a 16th-century building with an impressive dome, are also well worth visiting.
Swissminiatur . . . At Melide, ``Switzerland in Miniature'' consists of small-scale replicas of scenes from all parts of the country, including working models of trains and cable cars. It can be reached by bus, train, or lake steamer.
