Luxury hotel holidays to the Ticino

Luxury holidays to the Ticino: luxury hotel holidays, touring holidays and special interest holidays

An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Ticino allows travellers to witness the sheer diversity of Switzerland as a country. Hailed as having a Mediterranean climate, Ticino is Switzerland's most southerly region. Italianate towns, influenced by the proximity of the Italian border, provide a wholly different culture and atmosphere to the Bernese Oberland, the Saanenland, and other central and northern regions. A smattering of small lakes mark the upper boundary of Ticino, but it is Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano that dominate the south, prompting many of the long, straight valleys that lead into Italy. The River Ticino winds its way down from its source on the Ticino border, meeting dams, lakes, and trickling and tumbling waterfalls on its way. Palm trees line the lakesides, medieval Italian castles form the centre-points of towns, and colourful, higgledy-piggledy houses look out across the water or from their tiered position on the steep mountainside. Communities here seem to effortlessly blend the feel of southern coastal towns with the rural authenticity of the mountain villages of central Switzerland.

Frequently Asked Questions

Both lakes share Ticino's Italian language, cooking and southern light, but they differ in character, and many clients divide their time between the two, which lie around half an hour apart by train. Lake Lugano is the more dramatic, a narrow lake between steep mountains, with Lugano itself a lively, elegant small city of arcaded streets, lakeside parks and an active cultural life. Here we offer the Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola, set in large subtropical gardens on the lakefront, and Villa Principe Leopoldo, on the hillside above the city with sweeping views, as well as the central Hotel Lugano Dante and the lakeside Hotel International au Lac. Lake Maggiore is broader and more open, and its Swiss shore, around Locarno and Ascona, is quieter and more relaxed, with lakeside promenades, gardens and one of the mildest climates in Switzerland. Ascona, a former fishing village with a pedestrian lakefront, has a concentration of fine hotels: the Hotel Eden Roc, directly on the water; the Hotel Giardino, set in its own gardens; and the Romantik Hotel Castello Seeschloss, in a thirteenth-century castle by the lake. Villa Orselina, on the hillside above Locarno, has wide views across the lake. We know these hotels individually and will help you choose.
Lugano has the feel of an Italian lakeside city, with arcaded streets, piazzas and a long lakefront promenade, and it makes an excellent base for exploring the lake by boat. The old centre, around the Piazza della Riforma, is best explored on foot, and the church of Santa Maria degli Angioli holds a remarkable Renaissance fresco of the Passion by Bernardino Luini, one of the finest in Switzerland. The LAC, Lugano's arts centre beside the lake, houses the city's art museum and a concert hall. Two funiculars climb the mountains on either side of the bay: Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè, each with wide views over the lake towards the Alps. Lake boats link Lugano with villages along its shores, such as Morcote, with its arcaded lakefront and hillside church, and Gandria, a former fishing village clinging to the steep slope, from which a level path, the Sentiero dell'olivo, leads back towards Lugano among olive trees. In the hills to the west, the village of Montagnola, where Hermann Hesse lived for more than forty years, has a small museum devoted to him. South of the lake, Monte San Giorgio is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its fossils of marine reptiles and fish from around 240 million years ago.
The Swiss end of Lake Maggiore combines gentle lakeside towns, gardens and easy access to the mountain valleys. Locarno has a handsome arcaded square, the Piazza Grande, and a castle, the Castello Visconteo, while above the town, reached by funicular, stands the sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso, founded in the fifteenth century and perched on a rocky outcrop with views over the lake. From Orselina, a cable car climbs to Cardada and a chairlift continues to Cimetta, from which, on a clear day, the view extends from the highest point in Switzerland, the Monte Rosa massif, to its lowest, the shore of Lake Maggiore. Ascona, a short drive along the shore, has a lakefront lined with cafés and a maze of old lanes behind, and above it Monte Verità, an early twentieth-century community of artists and free-thinkers, now has a museum and gardens. From Ascona or Locarno, boats cross to the Brissago Islands, where a botanical garden on the larger island holds plants from around the world, flourishing in the mild climate. Lake boats also run south along the lake into Italy, to Cannobio, with its Sunday market, and to the Borromean Islands. Our By Rail to Swiss Lake Maggiore holiday is based in Ascona.
The valleys running north from Lake Maggiore are largely unspoilt, and they provide a striking contrast to the lakeside towns. The Verzasca Valley is the best known, with its emerald-green river running over smooth granite boulders; at Lavertezzo, the double-arched stone bridge known as the Ponte dei Salti spans the river, and the valley ends at the stone village of Sonogno. The Maggia Valley, the largest, is broader and wilder, with villages of stone houses and roofs, waterfalls and, at Mogno, a striking modern church by the Ticinese architect Mario Botta; its side valleys, such as the Lavizzara and Bavona, are quieter still. The Centovalli, or Hundred Valleys, runs west from Locarno towards Italy, and is best seen from the Centovalli Railway, a narrow-gauge line that crosses dozens of bridges and viaducts on its way to Domodossola, with connections to Brig in the Valais; our Centovalli Express holiday includes this journey. From Verdasio, a small cable car climbs to Rasa, a traffic-free hamlet with fine walks. The rivers here are cold and fast-flowing, and swimming should only be done where it is known to be safe. We can arrange a driver, a guide or self-guided walks.
Yes. Bellinzona, the capital of Ticino, is often overlooked, but its three medieval castles form a remarkable fortified ensemble and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built mainly by the Dukes of Milan in the fifteenth century to control the routes over the Alpine passes, they are linked by long stretches of wall that once closed the valley. Castelgrande, on a rocky hill in the centre of the town, has a museum and was sensitively restored in the 1980s and 1990s by the architect Aurelio Galfetti; Montebello and Sasso Corbaro, higher up the hillside, give wide views over the valley and the town. Below the castles, the old town is quiet and attractive, with arcaded streets, churches and the Palazzo Civico, and the Saturday market, which fills the centre with stalls of local produce, cheese and wine, is one of the best in the canton. Bellinzona lies on the main north–south railway, so it is easy to visit as a day trip from Lugano or Locarno, or to include as a stop on the journey between Ticino and northern Switzerland. A half day is enough for the castles, though a full day allows time for lunch and the market.
Ticino is easier to reach than ever. Since the opening of the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the longest railway tunnel in the world, Lugano is around two hours from Zurich by direct train, and Zurich airport has frequent flights from the UK; Milan's Malpensa airport, just across the border, is another option. By rail from London, our By Rail to Swiss Lake Maggiore holiday travels via Paris and Zurich. For those who would like the journey to be part of the holiday, several of Switzerland's great scenic routes lead to Ticino. The Gotthard Panorama Express combines a boat across Lake Lucerne with a panoramic train over the original Gotthard line, with its spiral tunnels, down to Lugano or Bellinzona. The Bernina Express crosses from the Engadine over the Bernina Pass into Italy, with a connecting bus from Tirano along Lake Como to Lugano. The Centovalli Railway links Locarno with Domodossola and the Simplon line to the Valais. Our holidays include each of these, and we can combine them in a grand Swiss rail tour. Once in Ticino, trains, buses, funiculars and lake boats link the main towns and sights, and we can arrange rail passes and luggage forwarding.
Ticino has the mildest climate in Switzerland, with palms, camellias and magnolias growing by the lakes, and it can be enjoyed for much of the year. Spring, from March to May, brings camellias and flowering gardens, particularly around Locarno, and is a lovely time for walking; summer is warm and lively, with lake swimming and outdoor dining. September and October are often settled and golden, with the grape and chestnut harvests and fewer visitors. In August, the Locarno Film Festival screens films each evening on a giant screen in the Piazza Grande, one of the largest open-air cinemas in Europe, and in summer JazzAscona and Lugano's Estival Jazz bring music to the lakesides. In autumn, Ascona and other villages hold chestnut festivals. The food of Ticino is Italian in spirit and rustic at heart, and is best enjoyed in a grotto, a traditional country restaurant, often in an old stone cellar with tables under the trees, serving polenta, risotto, braised meats, local salami, cheeses from the mountain pastures and chestnut dishes. Merlot has been grown here for more than a century and is the principal wine of the canton, and many producers welcome visitors for tastings. We will advise on the best timing for your interests.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Switzerland and within Switzerland, combining flights, hire-car, rail and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to Switzerland

● Food and wine holidays
● Cultural tours for individuals
● Visits to local music festivals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Walking holidays
● City breaks
● Spa breaks
● Family holidays
● Sports holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Highlights of Ticino

Two of the main cities in Ticino lie quite close together in the south of the region: Locarno and Lugano. On the banks of Lake Maggiore, Locarno is rich with cultural treasure. Visit the 17th century Church of St Anthony, the 16th century Church of San Francesco, the mid-17th century New Church, or the late 15th century Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso to begin your tour of Locarno's beautiful and historic sites. Perhaps most noteworthy, however, is the Visconti Castle, in which there is a permanent exhibition of Roman glass. On Thursdays a market is held in the centre of the town, which always makes for an excellent place to enjoy Locarno at its liveliest, as well as to pick up a few delicacies. Venture outside Locarno to climb the Cadada Cimetta, from the top of which you can see both the Valais High Alps and Lake Maggiore, the highest and lowest points in Switzerland. Follow the paths of the Magic Valley or the Verzasca Valley to witness the turquoise-green, crystal-clear waters that flow there. For a more leisurely day out, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Maggiore. As you leave Locarno and head west down the valley towards Italy, you will see the rocky gorges that prove so popular with cliff divers. Eerie tunnels and caverns have been carved out over time, providing ethereal little spots to stop off on your travels.

Cultural highlights of Ticino

East of Locarno is Bellinzona, a town remarkable in that it is the most Italianate town in Switzerland and capital of Ticino. The central medieval castle and its two neighbours are among Switzerland's best preserved, coming together to form a picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ramparts of the central castle run alongside the vineyards within, with lush grass carpeting the fortified walls. North of Locarno, you will come across Tegna, the site of some interesting prehistoric ruins. Continue along this route towards the Italian border on the Centovalli Express to discover the old wine press in the village of Cavigliano, the museum and cableway in Intragna, the cable car up to the solitary, traffic-free hamlet of Rasa from Verdasio, and finally, across the Italian border to Re, where the stunning, yet imposing, Sanctuary of the Madonna of the Blood stands on the very edge of a dramatic cliff. In eastern Ticino is Biasca, a town where a waterfall cascades down the mountainsides, under bridges and over rocks that have been smoothed by time. Towns and villages such as Airolo, Lavizzara, Acquarossa, Blenio, and Brione all offer alternative views on this beautiful region. Any visit to Ticino is incomplete without a few hours spent in Lugano. Famous for its eponymous lake, San Salvatore Mountain, and Monte Bre, Lugano is a quintessentially ‘Ticino’ town. Take the funicular railway from Casserate as high as possible up Monte Bre to witness the phenomenal panoramas and enjoy the traditional Swiss rail experience.

Festivals in Ticino

As with much of Switzerland, there is a high focus on dairy products in both the regional dishes and their self-identification. To appreciate Swiss dairy products in Ticino, head to Ambri Quinto in the Leventina Valley at the end of September to enjoy the Agriculture and Cheese Fair. The first weekend in October brings with it a celebration of autumn. In Lugano, this autumn festival focuses on local products, folkloric music, and small dramatic shows. In Ascona, the autumn festival celebrates the versatile chestnut, with jams, cakes, cheese dishes, and entertaining concerts. Ascona's unique carnival is celebrated on Mardi Gras on the lake promenade. In Muralto on the second Sunday of March there is a fish festival beside the water, involving a fishing contest, music, games, and food stalls. Beside the smooth rocks of Solduno, on St Joseph's Day in March, the streets are filled with the smell of the speciality Tortelli, a fritter whose recipe is strictly guarded.

Gastronomy in Ticino

The varied and delicious specialities of Ticino may very well be the highlight of your trip, influenced by hearty Swiss cuisine, as well as Italy's Mediterranean flavours. One particular feature of dining here are the ‘grotto' restaurants. Usually housed in picturesque stone farmhouses, with abundant flower boxes, shuttered windows, and vast terraces canopied by views on which customers eat fresh, home-cooked food. Popular so-called ‘slow foods' include farina bona flour, cicitt sausages, Zincarlin cheese and shortbread biscuits. At the heart of many dishes you may come across are polenta and Merlot wine, which can also be sampled at a local winery. Originally cooked in a large cauldron like porridge, polenta is now best served alongside braised beef. Before leaving Switzerland, ensure you sample some of the world-famous fondue.

Ticino travel information

Ticino is reached easily from the UK by rail and air. Due to the excellent rail service available in Switzerland, we always recommend navigating your tour, while in the country, by rail.

Rail travel

Trains are known for being punctual and comfortable and offer an excellent way of viewing the sublime scenery as you pass. Many of the most picturesque villages and towns in Switzerland are also traffic-free, or have complex, winding roads as their only access-point by car; yet, you will find they almost unfailingly have a rail station. Many iconic rail journeys allow travel from the UK direct through France into Switzerland, which we have always found adds a new dimension to your trip.

By air

Flights from the UK into Geneva or Zurich are also regular, providing a quicker alternative for those who would like to spend their entire trip in Switzerland. From Ticino, you are well-placed to continue your tour on into Italy, or north-east towards historic Chur and St Moritz, or up into the Bernese Oberland and Interlaken, Grindelwald, and Wengen.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Switzerland and within Switzerland, combining flights, hire-car, rail and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to Switzerland

● Food and wine holidays
● Cultural tours for individuals
● Visits to local music festivals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Walking holidays
● City breaks
● Spa breaks
● Family holidays
● Sports holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Here you will find a map of Ticino showing the locations of the hotels that we offer

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements to Switzerland and within Switzerland, combining flights, hire-car, rail and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to Switzerland

● Food and wine holidays
● Cultural tours for individuals
● Visits to local music festivals
● Private guided sightseeing
● Walking holidays
● City breaks
● Spa breaks
● Family holidays
● Sports holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

1

CENTOVALLI EXPRESS HOLIDAY

BY RAIL OR FLY-RAIL. 5-night Centovalli Express iconic Swiss rail holiday visiting Zurich, Locarno and Bern with a journey on the Centovalli Express from Locarno to Brig. From £2,200 per person.
1

GRAND HEART OF SWITZERLAND MOUNTAINS RAIL TOUR

BY RAIL OR FLY-RAIL. An 11-night grand tour by train of Switzerland’s mountains including travel on three iconic scenic train journeys, the Bernina Express, the Glacier Express and the GoldenPass Line. Prices from £4,100 per person.
1

GRAND LAKES OF SWITZERLAND RAIL TOUR

BY RAIL OR FLY-RAIL. 11-night grand touring holiday of the lakes of Switzerland by train, visiting Lakes Geneva, Lucerne, Lugano and Zurich as well as lesser-known ones. Prices from £4,100 per person.
1

THE GRAND, GRAND SWITZERLAND RAIL TOUR

BY RAIL OR FLY-RAIL. 15-night grandest of grand ultimate Swiss rail touring holiday visiting dramatic mountains and serene lakes of Switzerland, from Lake Geneva to Zermatt, Lugano to Lucerne, St Moritz and the Bernese Oberland. From £5,320 per person.
1

GRAND ROMANTIC SWISS RAIL TOUR

BY RAIL OR FLY-RAIL. 9-night romantic Swiss rail touring holiday including four panoramic trains, majestic scenery and picturesque villages, from Lake Geneva to Zermatt, on to Ascona and then to Lucerne and Gstaad. From £3,600 per person.
1

GOTTHARD PANORAMA EXPRESS HOLIDAY

BY RAIL OR FLY-RAIL. 5-night iconic Swiss rail holiday staying in Lucerne and Lugano, with a journey on the Gotthard Panorama Express including a boat crossing of Lake Lucerne and train across the Gotthard. From £3,200 per person.
1

BERNINA EXPRESS HOLIDAY

BY RAIL OR FLY-RAIL. 5-night Bernina Express iconic Swiss rail holiday visiting Zurich, St Moritz and Lugano with a journey on the Bernina Express from Chur to Lugano. From £2,200 per person.
1

BY RAIL TO SWISS LAKE MAGGIORE HOLIDAY

BY RAIL. 7-night rail holiday to Swiss Lake Maggiore staying in Ascona, with rail travel from London via Paris and Zurich. Stay in one hotel and explore Lake Maggiore in depth. Prices from £3,600 per person.
1

GRAND HOTEL VILLA CASTAGNOLA Lugano

This is a luxury 5-star hotel in a beautiful lakeside location. Michelin-starred gourmet cuisine and excellent wellness facilities afford guests a tranquil and indulgent experience.
1

HOTEL EDEN ROC Ascona

This is a 5-star deluxe hotel in a stunning lakefront location. A variety of delicious cuisine, superb, extensive spa facilities and stunning luxury amenities afford guests a truly relaxing and indulgent experience.
1

HOTEL GIARDINO ASCONA Ascona

This is a boutique 5-star deluxe. Award winning cuisine, superb spa facilities and stunning grounds make it a secluded retreat with tranquil grounds and a blend of classical and modern styles.

1

HOTEL INTERNATIONAL AU LAC Lugano

This is a 3-star boutique hotel in an excellent lakeside location. It is ideally located in the town of Lugano to explore both the urban and surrounding rural areas of the region.
1

HOTEL LUGANO DANTE Lugano

This is a comfortable, 4-star hotel in the centre of Lugano. This hotel serves as a comfortable and welcoming base from which to explore the town, lake and surrounding area.

1

ROMANTIK HOTEL CASTELLO SEESCHLOSS Ascona

This is a charming 4-star boutique hotel in a beautiful waterfront location. With comfortable accommodation and delicious cuisine, as well as idyllic, serene views afford guests a luxurious, relaxing retreat.
1

VILLA ORSELINA Ascona

This is a 5-star boutique hotel with beautiful lakefront views. With delicious gourmet cuisine, excellent spa facilities and beautifully stylish, luxurious accommodation it affords guests a truly luxurious, indulgent retreat.
Villa Principe Leopoldo red building with green shutters and pool with chairs

VILLA PRINCIPE LEOPOLDO Lugano

This is a luxurious 5-star hotel set above the city of Lugano on the southern side of the Swiss Alps. Spacious rooms, excellent cuisine and astounding views of Lugano and the surrounding mountains ensure a memorable and relaxing experience of the Italian region of Switzerland.