TICINO
Swiss charm meets la dolce vita in Ticino, Switzerland’s
southernmost, sole Italian-speaking canton. Words: Sarah GilbertH
ome to historic lakeside cities and
a strong tradition of farming and
gastronomy, Ticino’s cultural sights,
scope for outdoor pursuits and culinary gems
are an open secret in Switzerland — and yet
its name is unfamiliar to many Europeans.
Ticino’s regional cuisine is shaped, in part,
by its high-altitude tea plantations, rice fields
and vineyards — the most famous of which are
those around Mendrisiotto in the south, which
produces white Merlot. Come in May, when
the Open Wine Cellars days offer the chance
to be bussed between vineyards for tastings
and musical events. The canton’s castle-
rich capital, Bellinzona, has an unmissable
morning market on Saturdays.Further afield, in the historic lakeside cities
of Lugano, Locarno and Ascona, restaurants
range from Michelin-starred wonders to
simple taverns. There are lots of ways to burn
off Ticino’s gastronomic treats, however, from
hiking, biking and kayaking to climbing and
canyoning. For the brave, the area is also
home to one of the world’s highest bungee
jumps — a 721ft leap off the Verzasca Dam.
Ticino has a busy calendar of events,
too, including international film festivals;
harvest celebrations dedicated to grapes,
strawberries and chestnuts; and the
Holy Week processions in Mendrisio,
which hold UNESCO Intangible Cultural
Heritage status.WEEKENDER38 nationalgeographic.co.uk/travel