Bella Europa

Biking / Hiking     

Discoveries & Adventures

 

Tours for the aficionado

 

Bella Europa Adventures

Bike and Hike Adventure 2007

 

„Behind the Alps, in the south east of Switzerland,  hidden away from the masses, lies a little known, intriguing, very beautiful corner of the world…“

 

The day before we start:

After you have flown in and settled in your hotel, We meet in Zurich that evening, for a scenic dinner on the very pleasant Lake of Zurich  and a trip orientation.

Day 1:

We head south by train to a spot high in the Alps, just north of Ticino– for a flavor of Swiss alpine life in a quaint, typical village in the Canton of Uri.— One of my „Bella Europa Secrets“. On the way, we stop in the well known, but well worth a look– city of Luzern.  From here, we take a classic Swiss lake Excursion ship(possibly a paddle-wheeler)  across the Vierwaldstettersee– an immense, very beautiful lake, in the center of the Swiss Alps.

Day 2

Via Swiss Postbus (the local‘s transportation method in rural areas) to the top of the Passo del San Gottardo (Gotthard Pass)   - elevation 2092 meters.  We pause here for lunch and the impressive views…. Then we drop down to the border of Ticino, just under the pass.

To get a taste of the Southern Alps, we visit one of my favorite areas  above the typical north Ticino town of Airolo— taking Europe‘s steepest „Funicular“ (cable pulled tram) up.  This place is virtually unknown to foreign tourists– and few Swiss themselves outside of Ticino know about it. Another of my „Bella Europa Secrets...“

After a fairly flat 2 1/2 hour hike, we reach a our goal– a typical Swiss Alpine Club Capanna (see photo right) for an overnight stay in the  Alps.

 

Day 3:

After a look at one of my „Bella Europa Secrets“ :  unknown to all but a few locals– a hidden away Roman era bridge (I stumbled upon this gem a few years ago) -- We descend back to the Val Levintina Valley via foot, hiking down past 500 year old Alpine villages– crossing the Roman Built „Strada Alta“ that connected the Gottthard with Italy 2000 years ago,- an easy 3 1/2 hour, mostly downhill, hike to our next form of transportation:  Mountainbike.

We load our bikes and head down a winding, very picturesque side road through the Val Levintina.  After a few pleasant hours of mostly riding the brakes– we arrive in what I consider to be the best kept secret of central Europe– Bellinzona.  A small city with a very Italian charm, surrounded by no less than five old fortress/castles.  Here we pass the night, with plenty of time to enjoy the Italian evening ambiance.

 

Day 4:

Onward we pedal south to even warmer climes, passing through charming villages and small towns.  We arrive, after about 25km of biking, at another one of my „Bella Europa Secrets“ - a small village of perhaps 50 souls, with one no-cars-allowed street, skirting the Lago Lugano.  Some of the nicest, unchanged, typical architecture I have seen.  We take a pleasant lunch here,  here, with the sound of the waves of Lago Lugano enhancing the effects of the local Ticino Merlot… on the shores of Lake Lugano, with a backdrop of the mountains of Italy. (see photo gallery).  In fact, Italy is in pasta throwing distance of the town, and can be seen from the lake.

 

Back on the bikes, we push on for another 10 km to Lugano, also on the shores of Lago Lugano.  A lovely, very Italian town. Perfect for an afternoon stroll, and perhaps a cappucino in the piazza.  Here we overnight in a pleasant hotel. Participants have the afternoon free, for sight seeing, boat trips on Lago Lugano, or just relaxing.

 

Day 5 

After breakfast, from Lugano, we excursion into the secluded past of former Italy– another of my „Bella Europa Secrets“ - up the magnificient valley of Centovalli („Hundred Valleys“).  

We say goodby to our bicycles in Lugano, and take a Swiss Postbus up the steep, winding roads of this charming valley. While this area is sell know to Swiss, and some Europeans, it is virtually unknown to visitors from North America– truly a gem with its unchanged stone villages, winding alpine roads, waterfalls, and fresh blue rivers running in deep canyons. After a short hike, we arrive at a magnificient curved stone bridge from the Middle Ages.

We overnight in a typical old style mountain inn.

 

Day 6:

We return to Locarno by Swiss Postbus,. After a late lunch of local specialities in a Ticinese „Grotto“  ( literally this means „Cave“- but actually is a type of restuarant with a cave-like wine cellar attached), our Bella Europa Ticino Adventure ends.

Participants may elect to stay here for a longer look at Locarno, or to continue back to Zurich via train, or onward to their next destination. (I will assist my guests in booking tickets and hotels)

 

(Bella Europa LLC reserves the right to modify

itineraries and prices due to

logistics, transportation changes, etc)

 

 

Viva Ticino!