ASCONA THE PEARL OR LAKE MAGGIORE
Ascona is often called the "Pearl of Lake Maggiore" because of its cultural heritage and its touristic allure. It is situated in the Ticino region, near the delta of the Maggia River, on the shores of a splendid sunny bay. Its unique position, Mediterranean climate and a long tradition of tourism and warm local hospitality, makes Ascona an ideal and celebrated holiday resort.
Ascona also has a cultural and artistic heritage, dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, which is still very much alive in the delightful town centre or "borgo". Ascona’s famous for this old world spirit, its mild climate and the lake promenade which is dotted with street cafés and boasts a rather latin ambience.
Sit on a lake side bench in the shade of some great sycamores and close your eyes a minute…let yourself be caressed by the breeze….you will feel the holiday spirit.
The cosy restaurants on the boardwalk, aperitifs, ice cream cones, the little shops in the back streets of the old town, the palm trees dancing in the summer breeze all contribute to relaxed holiday images you’d find at the sea, but here we are not at the sea! We are on lake Maggiore, in Tessin, southern Switzerland, to be exact.
Here, summer is abounding in events, from performing street artists to various music festivals such as the Ascona Jazz Festival. The surrounding mountains offer an array of possible excursions, walks and sports.
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"The summer feeling of this village, the lake, the little streets, the Ascona jazz festival."
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WHAT TO VISIT IN ASCONA AND IN THE NEARBY REGION
IN THE VILLAGE:
1. Enjoy an aperitif at the many bars on the famous boardwalk.
2. Lose yourself in the captivating alleyways of the old town.
3. Trek along the panoramic route connecting Monte Verita' to Ronco, over Ascona.
4. Relax at the Ascona lido.
IN THE NEARBY REGION:
1. Book an excursion to Brissago island by boat.
2. Take a day trip to the Maggia and Verzasca valleys.
3. Visit the Unesco heritage site at Bellinzona’s castles.
4. Discover the Cardada day trip.
5. Drive on the panoramic road of the Maggiore lake.
6. Visit Arona, Stresa and the Borromean islands.
7. Locarno the city of Lake Maggiore.
WHERE TO SLEEP IN ASCONA - HOTELS, B&B, APARTMENTS
Ascona offers a large number of hotels and holiday houses. It is possible to find an accomodation in the town or in the panoramic villages of the lake.
Thanks to pictures, facilities informations and reviews, You can check easly the availability of Hotels, B&B and Holiday Houses in Ascona and book the best solution for You, using this link:
BOOKING - HOTELS B&B HOLIDAY HOUSES IN ASCONA
HOW TO GET TO ASCONA
Ascona is located on the north side of Maggiore lake. It is well connected and accessible by pubblic transport and with the boat service of the lake.
If you arrive by car, we strongly advise that you leave the car in the convenient car park at the far end of the lake promenade or at the nursery school, under the Coop supermarket. To best visit the valley, consider hiring a car or scooter.
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ZHR - Zurich airport 2,30h
BSL - Basel airport 3,00h
MXP - Milan Malpensa airport 1,30h
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LECCO AND MALGRATE WALK ALONG THE COMO LAKESIDE
Lecco is the second city of the Como Lake. It is located on its eastern branch, where the water framed by the mountains comes in the Adda river.
The high conical bell tower is the heart of the town center, and in the background, there are the Grignetta and the Resegone’s peaks. Malgrate is located between the Barro Mountain and the Parè Bay. It is a typical Como Lake village with colorful walls overlooking the waters in front of Lecco.
- WHAT TO DO IN LECCO AND MALGRATE
- WHERE TO SLEEP IN LECCO AMD MALGRATE
- HOW TO GET TO LECCO AND MALGRATE
Lecco and Malgrate definitely worth a visit, especially in summer. In this time of the year, the Como Lakeside and the newly renovated Malgrate pier are great for family road-trips, a good ice cream, and a relaxing sunbath.
There are also many summer events. During the car-free Sundays, the area guarantees a huge pedestrian area for tourists and visitors. Lecco is the hometown of the poet Alessandro Manzoni, the author of the famous historical novel “The Betrothed”. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit Villa Manzoni’s house museum.
"It is always great to stop in Lecco and Malgrate to walk and relax on the lakeside – especially in summer and spring. Those villages mirror the peaks above it. I came through here just like many other climbers and hikers to reach the mountains, both in the summer and winter.
I had fun with some rock climbing of the Grignetta, ski mountaineering in Grigna, hiking on the Barro and the Cornizzolo Mountains. After so much effort, I enjoyed a nice dinner in Lecco, Malgrate or Galbiate before returning home. There’s nothing better than this! "
Lorenzo
The mountaineering history has been written on the Resegone, Grignetta and Grignone Mountains, the Corni di Canzo and Barro Mountain, plus the well-known Valsassina.
There are many tourists that reach Lecco and its valley every week to venture in the Valsassina, enjoying some rock climbing or ski mountaineering during the winters. Many famous climbers as Riccardo Cassin and Walter Bonatti, begun their adventures on the Lecco’s peaks.
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WHAT TO DO AND VISIT IN LECCO, MALGRATE AND IN THE NEARBY AREA
IN LECCO AND MALGRATE
1. Walk along the Como Lakeside during the summer Sundays.
2. Take a break at lunch or dinner in the colorful village of Malgrate.
3. Shop in the town center of Lecco and discover its many fashion shops.
4. Visit the Villa Manzoni’s house museum in Lecco.
IN THE NEARBY AREA
1. Enjoy your summer on the Parè and the Bione beaches.
2. Discover the Barro Mountain’s Nature Reserve.
3. Climb the Corni di Canzo and the famous Grigna and Grignetta.
4. Reach the San Pietro al Monte abbey and the Cornizzolo Mountain’s peak.
5. Bike to the famous Bellagio across the hills and visit the museum of the bikers at the Santuario Della Madonna del Ghisallo.
6. Don't miss a visit of Como and Brunate.
7. Take a boat from the beautiful Varenna to Bellagio.
8. Visit the museum of Moto Guzzi in Mandello del Lario.
9. Paragliding adventure on the Monte Cornizzolo.
EXCLUSIVE EXCURSIONS AND ACTIVITIES IN LECCO
INFO AND BOOKING
WHERE TO SLEEP IN LECCO AND MALGRATE- HOTELS, B&B, APARTMENTS
Lecco offers a good number of hotels and holiday houses. It is possible to find an accomodation also in Malgrate and others villages of the area.
Thanks to pictures, facilities informations and reviews, You can check easly the availability of Hotels, B&B and Holiday Houses in Lecco and Malgrate, book the best solution for You, using this link:
BOOKING - HOTELS B&B HOLIDAY HOUSES IN LECCO AND MALGRATE
HOW TO GET TO THE LECCO AND MALGRATE
Located on the east side of the Como lake, Lecco is well connected by pubblic transport to Como and Milan. Malgrate is in front of Lecco and connected to the center by bus.
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LIN - Milan Linate airport 0,40h
BGY - Milan Bergamo airport 0,50h
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TRACCIOLINO THE PANORAMIC MTB TRAIL
The Tracciolino trail, at the altitude of 850m, was built to connect the structures of an hydroelectric system, between the artificial lake of Moledana, in the Ratti valley above the village of Verceia, and the dam of Ganda in the Codera valley, above the village of Novate Mezzola.
The Tracciolino is a perfect itinerary for MTB lovers. It is more that 9 km long and almost flat. Hikers can also easly enjoy this itinerary.
It runs on the side of the mountain trough several small tunnels and bridges, beside deep canyons and forests.
During this trip the panoramic view extends on the Como lake, the natural reserve of the "Pian di Spagna" and the Novate Lake.
A beautiful village with a medieval center to visit in the center of the Alps.
With a MTB or by foot is possible rich easily the Brasca Hut at the altitude of 1300m, almost 6 km from Ganda.
The hikers can plan longers trip from the lake to the group of Badile mountain, visiting the small villages of those valleys served by huts and bivouacs:
Rifugio Frasnedo in the Ratti Valley.
Locanda Risorgimento in Codera.
Rifugio Bresciadega in the Codera valley.
Rifugio Brasca in the Codera valley.
Wilderness lovers and alpinist would enjoy the areas of Mounts "Sasso Manduino", Ligoncio and "Pizzo di Prata".
CLOSE TO OUR HEARTS
"The beautiful view of the Novate lake and the small villages of the Ratti and Codera valleis"
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WHAT TO DO AND VISIT IN THE AND IN THE NEARBY AREA
ON THE TRACCIOLINO AND IN THE CODERA AND RATTI VALLEIS
1. By foot or MTB enjoy this beutiful trail from Verceia to the Codera valley.
2. Visit the villages of Codera and Frasnedo.
3. Reach the Brasca mountain house and admire the view of the mount Ligoncio north face.
4. Discover the wild Ratti valley and sleep on night at the Primalpia hut (bivacco Primalpia), a beutiful mountain house with the view of the peaks and of the lake.
5. Climb the ridge of the Manduino mountain, an adventure far a way from the turistic itineraries.
IN THE VILLAGES OF VERCEIA, NOVATE AND IN THE NEARBY AREA
1. Enjoy the summer feeling at the Lido of Novate Mezzola
2. Save the date of Pasteggiando every year in June, a gastronomic trail walking beside the Novate lake.
3. Reach by boat or by a canoa the romanic church of San Fedelino.
4. Discover the natural area of the Pian di Spagna between the Como and Novate lakes.
5. Canyoning adventure in river of Val Bodengo.
6. The log and historical trails of Via Spluga and Via Bregaglia.
7. Bike to the Como lake. 25 km from Chiavenna following a new bike road, beside river Mera and lake Novate.
8. Ski, Freeride and Alpinism in Madesimo and Valle Spluga.
WHERE TO SLEEP IN VERCEIA AND NOVATE - HOTELS, B&B, APARTMENTS
The Tracciolino Trail begins in Verceia, that is a village that offers fewer hotels and a number of holiday houses. It is possible to find an accomodation also in others villages of the Chiavenna valley.
Thanks to pictures, facilities informations and reviews, You can check easly the availability of Hotels, B&B and Holiday Houses in Verceia and book the best solution for You, using this link:
BOOKING - HOTELS B&B HOLIDAY HOUSES IN VERCEIA AND NOVATE
HOW TO GET TO VERCEIA AND TO THE TRACCIOLINO
Located between the Como lake and the Maloja and Spluga Passes, VERceia is reachble by car driving on the 36ss road.
Verceia is well connected by busses and Train to Chiavenna and by train to Milan.
The Tracciolino begins at the altitude of 850m and from the village of Verceia it is possible to reach the parking area located just 100m from the Tracciolino. This road is private and it is necessary to pay a fee. Ticket are available in the bars of the village (Bar Val dei Ratti on the ss36 road).
By foot it is possible to walk to Codera and then walk back to Novate then, by foot or train, to Verceia.
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LIN - Milan Linate airport 1,30h
BGY - Milan Bergamo airport 1,30h
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VAL BODENGO THE CANYONING PARADISE
Val Bodengo is a lateral valley of Valchiavenna and thanks to the river Bodengo, is one of the most famous areas in Europe for canyoning.
- WHAT TO DO IN VAL BODENGO AND VALCHIAVENNA
- WHERE TO SLEEP IN VALCHIAVENNA
- HOW TO GET TO VALCHIAVENNA
Canyoning in Val Bodengo, started in the 90 and consists of travelling in deep canyons using a variety of techniques such as walking, scrambling, climbing, jumping, abseiling and swimming. The Val Bodengo offers three itineraries (Bodengo 1,2,3) with different levels of difficulty.
River Boggia, in Val Bodengo, is one of the most famous canyoning destination of Europe.
Although everyone can try this sport, we recommend this activity with a certificated mountain guide. Canyoning is also possible in other rivers of this area of Valchiavenna.
MOUNTAIN GUIDE INFO AND BOOKING: Mountain Guide FRANCO GIACOMELLI
VALBODENGO IS REACHABLE BY CAR BY A PAYMENT OF A FEE ONLY.
The private road that connect Gordona to the Val Bodengo is accesible by car only by a payment of a fee. It is possible to pay a day or multi days ticket in the bars of Gordona.
CLOSE TO OUR HEARTS
"The 200m deep canyon of the river Boggia in a wild and green valley"
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WHAT TO DO IN VALBODENGO AND IN THE NEARBY REGION
AROUND THE VALLEY
1. Book an official mountain guide for your canyoning adventure in the Boggia river.
2. Hike to the romantic and Panoramic Alpe Cima (3h walking from Gordona).
3. Enjoy local food in the typical restaurants "Dunadivo" and "Pra Pince".
4. Reach and sleep in the Ledu Bivaouc, to admire a beautiful view of the Como Lake (3h walking up from Bodengo).
IN THE NEARBY REGION
1. Hike on the log and historical trails of Via Bregaglia.
2. Visit the beautiful town of Chiavenna 5km from Piuro
3. Reach the panoramic village of Soglio, for the best picture of the Piz Badile north face.
4. Bike to the Como lake. 25 km from Chiavenna following a new bike road, beside river Mera and lake Novate.
5. Ski, Freeride and Trekkig in Madesimo and Valle Spluga.
6. Climbing and Alpinism on the Piz Badile and in the Albigna area.
WHERE TO SLEEP IN GORDONA AND VALCHIAVENNA - HOTELS, B&B, APARTMENTS
Gordona is a village that offers fewer B&B and a number of holiday houses. It is possible to find an accomodation also in others villages of the Chiavenna valley.
Thanks to pictures, facilities informations and reviews, You can check easly the availability of Hotels, B&B and Holiday Houses in Gordona and in Val Chiavenna and book the best solution for You, using this link:
BOOKING - HOTELS B&B HOLIDAY HOUSES IN GORDONA AND IN VAL CHIAVENNA
HOW TO GET TO VAL BODENGO
Located between the Como lake and the Maloja and Spluga Passes, Val Bodengo, close to Chiavenna, is reachble by car driving on the 36ss road to Gordona.
Gordona is connected by bus to Chiavenna that is well connected by busses to Switzerland (Splugen, St. Moritz and Lugano) and by train to Milan.
A private road connect Gordona to the Val Bodengo (Pubblic transport services are not present). It is necessary to pay a fee directly in one of the bars of Gordona, to acces to the Val Bodengo by car.
FLIGHT CONNECTIONS: Check here for your flight on:
ZHR - Zurich airport 3,30h
MXP - Milan Malpensa airport 2,00h
LIN - Milan Linate airport 1,40h
BGY - Milan Bergamo airport 1,40h
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