Excursions In The Ticino Region

Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano lie on the border with Italy and the landscape has a distinctively Mediterranean feel complete with palm trees and nearby mountains covered by lush green forests. The Half Fare Card included with your holiday allows you to explore to your heart's content, with the travel being offered at a great discount. The complimentary Ticino Ticket will also provide you with discounts for the whole region. We will be happy to help you with your plans on 0800 619 1200.

View from San Salvatore

Monte San Salvatore

Mar-Nov. A historic funicular takes you to the 912m summit of Monte San Salvatore. From the summit you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Lugano, the local mountains and the higher Swiss Alps beyond.

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View over the lake from Monte Brè

Monte Brè

Mar-Dec. A delightful two stage funicular journey brings you to the top of wooded Monte Brè, where you can walk, enjoy a leisurely lunch and take in the magnificent views of the bay of Lugano and its surroundings.

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Morcote village on Lake Lugano

Lake Lugano Cruises

All year. There is a great choice of cruises and day trips on beautiful Lake Lugano, stopping at several scenic villages along the way. You'll be treated to unforgettable views of the lake and the wooded mountains that surround it.

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Walking in the Tamaro region

Monte Tamaro

Apr-Oct. Monte Tamaro has a fabulous choice of activities - from a toboggan run and water park to the Alpe Foppa cable car up to the panorama terrace with beautiful views of the Swiss and Italian mountains and lakes.

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Monte Lema

Monte Lema

Apr-Oct. The cable car takes you to one of the most panoramic summits of southern Switzerland at 1,624m. Enjoy the natural green terrace which overlooks the southern valleys of Ticino and the beautiful lakes of Lugano and Maggiore.

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Monte Generoso railway

Monte Generoso

Mar-Dec. Monte Generoso is Lugano's highest mountain and offers magnificent panoramic views over the Alps. You'll also have stunning views across the lakes of Lugano, Como and Maggiore which straddle the Swiss/Italian border.

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Swissminiatur - Stockalper's Palace in Brig

Swissminiatur

Apr-Oct. A charming day out for the young and young at heart. This model village near the lakeside town of Melide features delightful scale models of some of the most famous sights in Switzerland. Combine with a lake cruise from Lugano.

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Historic Bellinzona

Bellinzona Day Trip

All year. Historic Bellinzona is dominated by three fantastically preserved medieval castles which are recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and a famous market on Saturday mornings.

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Wattinger Curve on the Gotthard Panorama Express

Gotthard Day Trip

Apr-Oct. Enjoy this historic rail route on tracks that slowly loop up and down the Gotthard mountains. The scenery along the 3 hour route from Lugano or Locarno is superb and on arrival there is an optional trip to Mount Rigi.

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Lago Maggiore Express at Ascona

Lake Maggiore Cruises

All year. This beautiful lake offers a number of enjoyable cruises, ranging from a trip along the Swiss part of the shoreline to travelling down to picturesque Italian villages. Cruising to the Brissago Islands is highly recommended.

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Brissago Islands, Lake Maggiore

Brissago Islands

Apr-Oct. This is a wonderful day out. Over 2,000 species of plants grow in the fabulous botanical gardens of the Brissago Islands. Take a lake cruise to the islands and explore this subtropical paradise with its stunning blooms.

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Madonna del Sasso, above Locarno

Madonna Del Sasso

All year. A short funicular journey from Locarno brings you to this atmospheric wooded rock with lovely views of Lake Maggiore. This peaceful spot has been a site of pilgrimage since the 15th century, a must during your stay here.

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Cardada cable car

Orselina-Cardada-Cimetta

Dec-Oct. The cable car glides up to Cardada with wonderful views over the lake and you can continue by chairlift to Cimetta at 1,670m for its stunning vista over the Alps. A fabulous experience for those staying in Locarno and Ascona.

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Viaduct at Intragna - Centovalli Line

Centovalli Line Day Trip

All year. The Centovalli Train departs from Locarno and takes an incredible journey along the Centovalli (hundred valleys) region. It travels via Santa Maria Maggiore over the Italian border and along the Valle Vigezzo to Domodossola.

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Lago Maggiore Express at Ascona

Lago Maggiore Express

Apr-Oct. This splendid journey takes in the scenic highlights of the Swiss/Italian border region. It includes a train ride on the Centovalli Line through the 'Hundred Valleys' and a cruise on Lake Maggiore back into Switzerland.

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