Ticino

The weather forecast wasn't good for the north side of the Alps, so we went for 5 days by car to Ticino. The Italian part of Switzerland is on the south side of the Alps and often the weather is better there (and really we had some nice days). By car we had the possibility to drive around and visit some places which would be more difficult and expensive by public transport.

On the way from Thun (north side of the Alps) to Bellinzona (Ticino, on the south side) we had to pass 2 mountain passes; Grimsel and Nufenen (2'478 meters high). On the way back we drove via Lucomagno, Oberalp and Sustenpass.

In Bellinzona (1) we visited the Castelgrande from where we could see the other 2 castels, in Ascona (2) we enjoyed the Lago Maggiore (3), in Locarno (4) the Piazza Grande and from Morcote (5) we had a nice few over the Lago di Lugano.

On a day trip we went to the Verzasca valley near Locarno. In Lavertezzo we could see the famous bridge crossing the Verzasca river, however the water was very cold, so we put just our feet inside. After we went to the high dam at the end of the Verzasca valley. Here already James Bond enjoyed the height of 220 meters to do bungee jumping!!

On another day we went to the Maggia valley where we went for a walk to Fusio and then down to Prato-Sornico. On the way we passed Mogno where a chapel from Mario Botta stands. At the end we went to see the canyon of the Maggia river.