SWITZERLAND BY RAIL - REGIONS
Ticino - Spring 2012
Camellias, Easter and Leonardo
100 years of Monte Brè
Lugano
It
only takes 15 minutes on the funicular to get from Lugano-Cassarate up to Monte
Brè (993 m), the sunniest mountain of Switzerland. The Monte Brè fu-nicular
was built in 1912. Enjoy the stunning view of Lugano, the lake and the Bernese
and Valais Alps from the terrace of the newly renovated mountain restaurant.
And if you take a short walk you discover the nucleus of Bre with its fascinating
interior furniture and urban areas.
Locarno Camellia
Locarno - March 28– Apr 1 2012
Camellias are spring’s ambassadors. Locarno welcomes the new season
with a celebration dedicated to these beautiful flowers. “Locarno
Camellia” is consid-ered one of the most important events in its
genre, second only to the Japa-nese exhibitions of camellias. Locarno
Camellia comprises among others an exhibition in the camellia garden
hosting more than 900 species of camellia.
“Easter in town”
Lugano - Apr 6– Apr 9 2012
Over Easter a festive atmosphere reigns in Lugano’s pedestrian
area, one of the largest in Europe. The city center turns into a cheerful
stage
with a varied enter-tainment programme, streets and squares are populated
with more than one hundred stands offering local products, craftwork
and every kind of Easter items. Also, three concerts take place on Piazza
Riforma, the picturesque square in the heart of the city.
Historical Easter Processions
Mendrisio - Apr 5 – Apr 6 /2012
Mendrisio’s Easter processions are unique. On Maundy Thursday spectators
come flocking from the furthest places to watch Jesus carry the cross through
the streets of the little town. More than 600 people participate in this religious
play keeping 17th century traditions alive.
New Meride Visitor Center
Meride, May 2012
Mountains like pyramids, deep blue lakes, picturesque villages: This
is a descripition of the sourroundings around Mount St. Giorgio which
would deserve the UNESCO label just only because of its natural beauty.
The place is unique due the 230 million year old fossils which are hidden
under the surface. A part of these precious fossil records (about 10’000
pieces) can be visited at the new visitor center in Meride. The center
has been built by the architects plan of Mar-io Botta, the famous “starchitect” from
Ticino.
On the tracks of Leonardo da Vinci.
Lugano
What may very well be the best alternate redition of the world-famous “Last
Supper” painted
by Leonardo da Vinci is in the parish church S. Ambrogio in Ponte Capriasca.
The tracks of the great master further lead to the church S. Maria degli
Angioli in Lugano where Bernardo Luini, one of his pupils, painted the
Passion of Christ. This fresco of the crucifixion, painted in 1529, is
considered Switzerland’s most beautiful Renaissance mural.
Maggio Gastronomico
Bellinzona and Tre Valli
In May the northern part of the Canton offers a variety of culinary highlights.
During the “Maggio Gastronomico” restaurants primarily serve
typical regional dishes. Many apply the zero-kilometre-principle: chefs
merely use local prod-ucts that did not have to “travel”.
This year the “Maggio Gastronomico” cele-brates its 25th
edition.
The Longest Night
Locarno - May 12 2012
On the 12th of May, night is turned into day in Locarno. During this
so-called “Notte Bianca” (a sleepless night) celebrations
take place until dawn. The city is filled with life in every corner.
The varied programme features music and shows in open-air theatres, visits
to museums, exhibitions and performances. Indeed, restaurants and shops
are open until late in the night.
A musical interlude becomes a top event.
Jazz Interlude
Ascona Jan 23 - May 14 /2012
The Jazz Cat Club located in Ascona is no longer just a musical interlude
to the Jazz Festival which usually takes place at the beginning of summer
in June. The spring program, which is made by the director Nicolas Gilliet,
is
a top selection. You can find famous names, such as Giorgie Fame, Olaf
Polziehn Trio feat. Harry Allen, Ron Carter Quartett, the singers Stacey
Kent and Catherine Russell, among the perfomers in the Jazz Cat Club.
The concerts are hold at the “Teatro del Gatto”.
Best Merlot wine of Switzerland
Lugano
Lugano has one thing in common with Bordeaux: You can find vineyards
in the centre of the city. The architect, Mario Botta, has restyled the
old vinification plant “Moncuchetto”. The quality of the
wines which are produced in that place is high. Therefore, they won the
gold medal in the category of Merlot Wine pro-ducers in Switzerland.
Apart from the excellent wines, one can enjoy also ex-cellent food at
the “Moncuchetto factory”. José De la Iglesia is the
chef in the kitchen. He was the former chef at the ristorante Motto del
Gallo in Taverne.
Wilhelm
Tell Express Tour
Swiss
Mountain Peaks Tour