Ticino, Switzerland, on the southern slope of the central Alps,
bordering on Italy. Bellinzona is the capital. Largely a mountainous region,
Ticino embraces the Ticino River valley and part of Lago Maggiore and of the
Lake of Lugano. Ticino is noted for its resorts, particularly Locarno and
Lugano; tourism is the region's most important industry. The population is
mostly Roman Catholic and Italian-speaking.
The Italian flair of Switzerland. The Mediterranean region seems to begin on
the southern side of the Alps. There is a feel of Italy, with palm trees at
clean beaches and lanes and alleyways leading to piazzas and churches.
But the Alps are always close by. Mountain tours that start in snow, ice and
rock, end in balmy chestnut forests. Gentian blooming on Alpine pastures and
wooded hills rising to high peaks on the shores of Ticino's lakes contrast with
rich camellia on lakeshore promenades. If you want la dolce vita, search no more
- it is waiting for you in the numerous sub-tropical parks and gardens. If you
crave excitement, take a white-water ride. And if you prefer cultural pursuits,
they're available at every turn; romantic landscapes have always attracted poets
and artists and inspired architects to dream up daring constructions - often
based on ancient architectural tradition. A rich blend of past and future, north
and south, mountains and plains, nature and culture, city and country - that's
Ticino in a nutshell.
Sun, snow and palm trees, an espresso on the piazza on a mild winter day,
camellias in bloom, against a background of snow-capped mountain peaks in their
early spring glory. Downhill ski runs with a breathtaking view of deep-blue
Lakes Maggiore and Lugano, quiet mountain valleys covered in deep snow - that's
Ticino, a secret tip for all those who wish to combine winter sports with the
flair of the city, complete with a southerly ambience.
The glamour of their canton, and its stunning natural beauty – lushly
wooded hills rising from azure water, date palms swaying against deep blue
skies, red roofs framed by purple bougainvillea – often seem to blind
outsiders with romance. And the German-speaking Swiss in particular fall head
over heels for the Latin paradise on their doorstep. It takes just three hours
from the grey streets of suburban Zürich to reach the fragrant subtropical
gardens of Lugano, and from March till November German Swiss come in their
thousands to sit beneath vine-shaded outdoor terraces of simple grotti or
osterie (rustic local taverns) and choose polenta, risotto or herb-scented
salads from bilingual Italian-German menus, sample a carafe of one of the dozens
of varieties of Ticinese merlot, and still pay with francs at the end.