Fact Sheets & Video - Switzerland

Ticino's Castles in the sun!

If you were looking at photographs of the Ticino region of Switzerland, especially of the swaying palm trees by the edge of beautiful Lake Maggiore, you would be forgiven for thinking you were looking at photos of Italy or anywhere else in the Meditteranean.

This is not the Switzerland most people would imagine, but Ticino offers a wonderful Swiss alternative to the snow and alps, that the country is most famous for.

Ticino is the 4th largest Swiss Canton and is located in the south of Switzerland, bordering the north of Italy's Lombardia region - indeed it once belonged to Italy. Here, even in winter when the snow covers the Alpine peaks and valleys, the lake regions enjoy a mild, Mediterranean climate, making it truly an area of great contrasts.

For visitors exploring the region, the lake is likely to be at the top of your list and Lake Maggiore will not disappoint, having enticed visitors to its shores for over 100 years. It is the most westerly of the three large prealpine lakes of Europe and the second largest after Lake Garda, with the majority of the lake in Italy and the Northern end extending 13km into Switzerland.

On the lakeside, Locarno and nearby Ascona are the places to be, with Locarno boasting of having the country's sunniest climate, and both locations offering the perfect departure point for a lake cruise and plenty of opportunities for coffee in the piazza, shopping and relaxation.

In contrast to the lake, Bellinzona, the capital of the Canton, is a "Unesco World Heritage site", offering a rich historical heritage, with three medieval castles overlooking the town and its charming piazzas, narrow lanes, museums and ornate buildings.

Finally, the breathtaking valleys of the Centovalli (100 valleys) are not to be missed and a trip on the Centovalli Railway is the way to cap of an unforgettable holiday in this diverse, spectacular and little known region of Switzerland.

Further Information:

Thai Airways International

THAI have 40 flights a week from Australia to Bangkok and daily connections onto Zurich.

Contact THAI on 1300 651 960 or visit www.thaiairways.com.au

Swiss International Airlines

For domestic flights within Switzerland contact Swiss International Air Lines on www.swiss.com

Piccolo Hotel Garni

Located close to the centre of Locarno

T: +41 91 743 0212

Email: info@piccolo-hotel.ch

www.piccolo-hotel.ch

The Centovalli Railway

FART, Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi

Tel: +41 091 756 0400

www.centovalli.ch

Asconautica - Scuola Vela Ascona

Lake Cruises on Lake Maggiore

T: +41 91 791 51 85

www.scuolavelaascona.ch