Hidden Ticino
Bask in the warmth, rich heritage, and delectable cuisine of the Swiss Alps – Italian-style
June-September. Reserve your place for our June 8-15, 2012 tour by January 31 and receive a $200 discount.
On the sun-dried, ancient, southern slopes of the Swiss Alps, wedged between the German-speaking Switzerland and Italy, lies one of the great cultural regions of Europe—Ticino. Here, glaciers give way to stands of chestnut trees, and even palm trees. Picturesque villages and clusters of stone houses cling to hillsides. Waterfalls and rivers grace every valley and become the focus of village life, recreation, and most of our hikes.
In Ticino, great food and a distinctly Italian lifestyle and culture are as much an attraction as the hiking. With over 2,200 miles of hiking trails--many at low elevations--and a southerly location, Ticino has a long season and wonderful spring and fall hiking opportunities.
Day 1 – Arrive Switzerland - Val Bedretto
You’ll be met upon arrival in Zurich before making a quick escape south to the Gotthard Pass, which has connected the historic heart of the Swiss Confederation with Ticino and onward routes to Milan and Rome since the 13th century. What will soon become the world's longest land tunnel speeds the trip, but castles and sinuous carriage roads serve as a reminder of the region's strategic importance. After an easy afternoon warm-up walk along the Strada Bassa, we'll take shelter just below the pass in the peaceful natural haven of the Val Bedretto. SD
Day 2 – Val Bedretto, Bellinzona
With a jaw-dropping gradient of 87.8%, the Ritom funicular--one of the steepest in the world--takes us to glistening mountain lakes for a morning hike. The 15th century Bellinzona Castles are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the finest example of fortified castles in the alpine regions. We'll explore these battlements on foot before retreating into the Val Verzasca for the evening. We stay in the village of Lavertezzo at a traditional osteria with a panoramic riverside setting. BLD
Day 3 – Val Verzasca, Sonogno
A gently-graded valley walk beside the emerald-green waters of the Verzasca River leads past smoothly sculpted rocks and plunging waterfalls. We cross beautiful stone-arched footbridges including the double arch of the Ponti dei Salti before arriving at the head of the valley and the charming village of Sonogno. BLD
Day 4 – Sonogno, Vallemaggia
Only the beauty of the hillside hiking trails can persuade us to leave the idyllic heart of the village. we enjoy lunch under a vine-draped pergola, at one of the many grottos, the traditional stone-tabled outdoor restaurants in Ticino. An afternoon shuttle takes us to the Vallemaggia, the largest of Ticino's mountain valleys. We stay the next three nights at the 19th century Villa d'Epoca in Ronchini. BLD
Day 5 – Val Bavona
Ascending the sweeping Vallemaggia, as the river forks we take the trail up the Val Bavona a living museum of history and rural architecture. We pass through picturesque villages–Cavergno, Sonlerto, Foroglio–each with splendid scenic appeal and characterful stone buildings, before arriving at the top of the valley. Returning to Ronchini we are once again the guests of acclaimed chef Roger Nanzer at the Villa d'Epoca. BLD
Day 6 – Val Lavizzara
Today the eastern fork of the Vallemaggia entices us with its small farms and villages forever set in stone. We admire the richness of villages like Broglio and Sornico, before reaching the village of Fusio with its jewel-like setting at the top of the valley. You'll enjoy a final dazzling culinary experience with Chef Nanzer in Ronchini. BLD
Day 7 – Vallemaggia, Monte Cimetta, Locarno
We make an ascent of Monte Cimetta from the Vallemaggia along a challenging but panoramic route. Then a dramatic descent by cableway and funicular brings us right into the heart of Locarno where we stay for the evening. BSD
Day 8 – Locarno
This morning we explore the steep and narrow lanes that radiate from Locarno's Piazza Grande, and enjoy a walk along the palm-lined shore of Lago Maggiore. Afternoon train to Zurich and a farewell dinner–Italian cuisine, of course. BD
Day 9 – Depart Zurich
An early morning departure from Zurich. Welcome home.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Alpenwild trips are designed for people who are energetic, active, and filled with a spirit of adventure. We rate this trip as moderate. You should be an experienced hiker in good physical condition. You should be capable of walking 4 to 6 hours per day on good trails with some steep ascents and descents (averaging 1,000 to 2,000 vertical feet per day) at an elevation up to 10,000 feet above sea level.
INCLUDED
The services of an expert trip leader, all accommodations (8 nights hotel), all meals as shown (B=breakfast, S=snack, D=dinner), ground transportation including trams and mountain railways, admissions and luggage transfers.
NOT INCLUDED
Beverages (beer, wine) with meals, items of a personal nature (laundry, phone calls, room service),
PRICE
$3,295 per person, double occupancy from Geneva or Zurich
$399 Single supplement.
PAYMENT
A $300 per person deposit due at booking guarantees your place on the tour.
Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure.
CANCELLATION POLICY
More than 60 days before departure – $200 penalty
Between 60 and 15 days before departure – $500 per person penalty
Less than 15 days before departure – Non-refundable
REVIEW OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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