Memories made in Ticino

Going to the Ticino, for me, is always like coming home. I spend many summer holidays there as a child and have so many sacred memories connected to it. So way back in May I went to Locarno with one of my best friends. We became quite good travel buddies over the years and had a wonderful time exploring Locarno and its surroundings. Even with gloomy and rainy weather the Ticino never disappoints.

But first we stopped at the Rofflaschlucht (Schlucht=gorge), which is a sacred place to my friend, whose ancestors built a way to a beautiful waterfall back in 1907, it took them 7 years to finish. There’s also a hotel located right at the entrance to the gorge and it is still led by some of my friend’s relatives.

We left the Rofflaschlucht and drove about 1.5 hours over the San Bernardino Pass and finally arrived at Locarno, from where it was a short but winding drive to Orselina, a pretty village situated in the hills above Locarno.

The mountains surrounding the San Bernardino were still covered with snow. While further down the highway between San Bernardino and Locarno is embedded between lush green mountains. I never get enough of this view it’s just so calming.

We stayed at a lovely hotel and were enchanted by the breathtaking views from our room and the interior of the house.

You really can see the love for detail in this house, we found so many antiques, like this quite old book, on how to behave like a lady, hilarious. Also the bathtub had feet for crying out loud!!

We had a delicious dinner at a charming grotto, with a view over Lago Maggiore that would take your breath away.

The next day we got up rather early to drive along the lakeside of Lago Maggiore and headed to the market in Cannobio, Italy. Found some nice souvenirs, had a quick lunch and then made our way back to Ticino up to Lavertezzo a pretty little village situated in the Valle Verzasca.

Market in Cannobio

Lavertezzo

Look at the color of the water. Depending on the light, you will find all shades of green in it.

As we left Lavertezzo and drove down the winding streets of this beautiful valley we stopped at the dam wall of Lago di Vogorno and had an ice cream, where once a bungee jump of the James Bond movie “Goldeneye” was filmed. So if you’re an adrenaline junkie you still can do your own bungee jump there.

Our quick weekend trip came to an end and I think I speak for both, when I say, we returned home refreshed, relaxed and inspired by the things we've seen, the company and the talks we had.