Visiting Ascona is always a joy. We did stay overnight in Locarno and came here for a few hours…read more Been here many times. This time I've visited with my students who enjoyed it very much as well. The Lungolago is pretty short, yes. But one of the most beautiful in this country. From the northern end (at the Grand Tour Switzerland sign) you can get a fantastic view. With all the pretty and colorful buildings as well as the impressive Chiesa Santa Maria. There are lots of restaurants and gelaterias. Benches along the way, nice trees providing shade. A small park at the southern end with some trampolines and also so arts and sculptures to enjoy. As well as the big "I Love Ascona" letters for another photo op. You can rent some boats here or take one of the boats that could take you even to Italy just across the lake! It's just a pretty place to be. The views, the vibe. It's just so relaxed and doesn't feel like Switzerland anymore. It's pretty much Italy (with much higher prices). And of course, Italy is just a stones throw away. We came with the public bus (included in the Ticino Ticket - free if you stay in a Hotel). But there's plenty of parking in the back around Migros and Coop. We did get a drink here at the lake as well. There's a restaurant near the park in the south that's directly at the lake. A nice place to watch the world go by. Surely we'll be back in Ascona someday soon.

Been up here many times. Mostly I come here with my students, showing them the Canton Tessin and…read moreits highlights. And Bellinzona with its castles is definitely one. This Castle here is very easy accessible from the town. You could drive and park on top. But it's nice to take the quick walk up here. The stairs might be steep for some, but it's really a 10min walk only. Castello di Montebello is a 13th-century fortress built by the Rusca family. Perched 90 meters above the city, it was expanded by Milanese rulers to secure vital Alpine trade routes. The complex features heavy 15th-century fortifications, including a deep defensive moat and distinct round outer towers. In 2000, it became a UNESCO World Heritage site alongside the city's other two medieval castles. Today, it hosts an Archaeological Museum showcasing ancient regional artifacts and offering sweeping valley views. Even though we didn't go inside (there's a fee), the views from outside are rewarding enough. What's even more rewarding are the views over the town and especially the Castelgrande! There's plenty of space around the castle to walk, to take pics. To take a picnic. It makes some nice pics here with the ancient walls around. Even if you have only little time in town, it's a quick walk up you shouldn't miss. Just take a left after you pass the church in the heart of the town and head up. And don't miss out on the Castelgrande of course. There's an elevator going up there just in case.

The second of the three Bellinzona UNESCO world heritage site castles. The walls of Castlegrande…read moreconnect to Montebello, and it is quite impressive to see the three castles standing strong together (although the third castle is not connected by the walls of the other two). Unlike the Castelgrande, Montebello was not protected by natural features. It is surrounded by deep moats that protected the walls. The castle is a bit smaller than Castlegrande. There is a museum here, but the Sunday we went it was closed, but, the grounds and castle walls free to explore. It was fun to explore and climb around the castle. As it is smaller, it is not quiet as breathtaking as Castlegrande. But, still fun to see. The inner keep dates back to before 1313.

The name Villa Olmo is derived from a magnificent hundred-year-old elm that no longer exists. It…read morewas built in the neoclassical style on the commission of Marquis Innocenzo Odescalchi, from the family line of Pope Innocent XI (1676-1689). The construction of the Villa started in 1782 and finished in 1797. The director of the construction was Simone Cantoni, an eminent architect from Ticino who developed the original project drafted by Innocenzo Ragazzoni also from Ticino. Cantoni collaborated with Domenico, Carlo, Luca and Giuseppe Pozzi and the sculptor Francesco Carabelli. The Villa played host to a number of famous visitors, among the illustrious guests being Napoleon Bonaparte in 1797 and Ugo Foscolo in 1809. Upon the death of Innocenzo Odescalchi in 1824, the villa passed to the Raimondi family who took it upon themselves to put the large piazza opposite the villa in order. Once again the villa was witness to historical visits and meetings; in 1835, the Queen of the Two Sicilies and the Queen of Sardinia were guests of the Raimondis. In 1883, the heirs of Marquis Raimondi sold the villa to Duke Guido Visconti di Modrone who decided to carry out a programme of restoration and improvement which would include the interior of the building. In 1924, the villa passed from the Visconti di Modrone to the city of Como. Thus began the fourth period in its history under the banner of Art and Science. On the centenary of Alessandro Volta's death in 1927, the villa hosted numerous local events, congresses, conventions, symposia and shows. Since 1982 it has been the home of the Alessandro Volta Centre of Scientific Culture and hosts many international events.

This villa would be better is a more boring place, but the lake outside is so much better that's…read moreit's probably not worth coming here unless you have time to burn. This was the least impressive attraction I saw here, but it's free.

I love Locarno. Always enjoy coming back here. We've came here since I was a small kid. This year I…read morecame for an overnight stay together with my students. After check-in we strolled up and down the Lungolago and then again shortly before dark. North you can walk all the way along the lake until the Parco Giochi. South you can walk a lot further. Past some other parks, a Minigolf course and a camping site. You could walk even further than that. Along the way there are Restaurants, Gelato stalls, a party boat (also to rent), drinking fountains and countless benches to sit down and take in the view. It's a spacious Promenade, in daytime pretty busy of course. But at dusk there are a lot less visitors around and the mood/lighting is just magical then - especially in spring when the climate is just perfect and not too hot yet. It's a pretty place to be, to walk. And never gets boring. It just feels so much more like Italy than Switzerland here. And that's pretty much the point to come down here. Surely we'll be back.

B o n g i o r n o... What a quant little Palazzo located next to Lake Como. Palazzo means square…read more Walk around on the ancient cobblestone streets to the many shops, eateries and churches. Plenty of Gelaterias for the ice cream addicts like myself. All though, it's a little hard to tell where one Palazzo ends and the other one starts, it's all one beautiful village.