Lugano Off The Beaten Path

It’s a week of great tennis, with players ranking among the first 100 in the world, that you’ll be able to enjoy together with a series of exclusive events: art exhibits, shows and music. It’s a wonderful opportunity to watch world class tennis in Lugano and spend a week in the magical atmosphere of one of the most interesting events that the region has to offer.

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Bellinzona is not off the beaten path, but it makes a nice daytrip from Lugano, and it is easy to reach with train in 30 minutes.

Since 2000 the three castles, Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbarco, have been an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bellinzona has a beautiful location. It is situated by Ticino River in Ticino Valley and has a strategic position along the route over the Alpine passes. A fortress was built already in Roman times, it was later added to by the Bishop of Como. When Bellinzona was under the control of the Dukes of Milan two more castles were built and they had, not only a good defence, but also control over the passing traffic and trade.

Below Castelgrande is the Old Town of Bellinzona with narrow cobbled streets, some squares and fine buildings, like the Town Hall with a courtyard with Renaissance arcades around.

I visited Bellinzona on a sunny day in February and I enjoyed my stay very much. I walked around in the Old Town, ate at a café and visited all three castles by foot.

Aranno, a typical village in Malcantone, not so well known among tourist but where I spent many happy weekends. Offers a wonderful view of the lake Lugano with its surrounding mountains and valleys. Reached by car through a scenic winding road from Agno, Iseo or from Bioggio through Cademario. Vineyards with Merlot grapes, ancient chestnut trees (chestnut trees was the bread tree of the poor) romatic old churches.
There is even a Chestnut Trail (Sentiero Del Castagno) beginning in Arosio

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Take the road direction Rivera and when you reach the highway entrance, there you are.
In the middle of a big field you will see a cable car station that will bring you right on top of Monte Tamaro.

The church Santa Maria degli Angeli designed by the world famous architect Mario Botta, a wonder of contemporary architecture, with the paintings of Enzo Cucchi.

The church is dedicated to Santa Maria degli Angeli, builded during 1992 and 1994 presents an innovative feature in the sphere of planning a religious building.
Realized in porphyry, she is located on a slope on which end opens a straordinary panoramic view.

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Take the road direction Rivera and when you reach the highway entrance, there you are.
In the middle of a big field you will see a cable car station that will bring you right on top of Monte Tamaro.

Hiking, biking, take sun, ... whatever you want to do, even paraglinding, don't miss che chance to go up and spend a different day fully immersed in the nature, with a breath-taking view.

Take rest at the local restaurant and spend time outside in the nice open space where you can even eat.

Gandria is the best preserved of the traditional fishing villages near Lugano... and it is a nice day trip destination. The best way of getting there is on foot: from the Castagnola area of Lugano it's about 30/40 minutes on a well-kept path. It starts right by the Museo delle Culture Extraeuropee (you can get a bus there) and it's all by the lakeside.

Once in Gandria, visit the small village and it's little alleys, then take a boat to the "Cantine di Gandria", where you will find an interesting museum dedicated to the border aptrols: "museo doganale svizzero". Here you can learn all about smuggling between Italy and Switzerland, especially during WWII.

You can then return to Lugano by boat, or else stop at one of the traditional restaurants by the lake, those that you can only reach by boat.

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From Lugano you can take a train to Locarno, on Lake Maggiore. It's an easy journey... just one change at Bellinzona... and you can enjoy some nice scenery from the comfort of the train.

The train station at Locarno is in the centre of town and close to the lake. The lakeside promenade is nice and the Old Town interesting but for me, the highlight of the day was taking the funicular up to the Santuario della Madonna del Sasso Church and monastery - a spectacular building perched on a hill above Lugano. It's a beautiful and historic building and worth looking around.

When you come out of the church, go back to the road and walk up past the funicular station to the smart Hotel Orselina. Inside is a very nice lounge with a terrace where you can sink into one of the wonderfully comfortable chairs, order a pot of coffee and sit and admire the amazing views.

Almost opposite the hotel is a cable car station which takes you even higher but I didn't have time to do that before nightfall.

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Take a boat or bus to the tiny, traffic-free village of Gandria. In the main tourist season it is apparently swarming with visitors but when I went in March, I virtually had the place to myself. The tiny streets are lined with pastel-coloured houses and around every corner are wonderful vistas of the lake and the mountains beyond.

Stop for lunch at Ristorante Locanda Gandriese. If the weather allows, choose a table on the terrace, with a perfect setting almost hanging over the lake. Otherwise there are tables inside from where you can still see the lake through the large windows.

After lunch, walk back along the lakeside path that goes all the way back to Lugano. It's very peaceful, easy walking and the views on the way are stunning.

You can reach Gandria by boat or bus from opposite the Lugano Tourist Office.