Thursday, June 19, 2025 - Monday, June 30, 2025
Ticino, Switzerland,
International,
Switzerland
The Ticino region is Switzerland "off the beaten track." The mountainous regions are wilder, more remote, and less populated compared to other areas. Lush narrow valleys are surrounded by granite peaks. Ticino's unique topography allowed it to become one of Europe's primary north-south trade routes since the Middle Ages. Italian substitutes for German and French as the primary language. Polenta and minestrone soup replace dumplings and cheese fondue. Palm trees fringe the lakefront towns of Lago Maggiore and Lago Lugano. The weather and water are warmer: the beaches on Lago Lugano are invitingly swimmable. Ticino tempers its classic Alpine looks with Italian good living. Over the course of 12 days, we traverse Ticino from north to south, staying in the three principal towns of Airolo, Bellinzona, and Lugano. We stay in nice *** hotels and do day hikes into the surrounding countryside often using funiculars or ski lifts to rapidly gain altitude. On many days we are able to lunch at a remote mountain hut a.k.a. capanna. In the middle of the trip, we set aside one day without scheduled hikes to allow us to explore the various cultural highlights of the region. Please click on the link below to obtain the complete trip prospectus.
