Barefoot paths and Kneipp-basins in Ticino

The park surrounding the Villa dei Cedri, which today is home to the Municipal Museum for Modern and Contemporary Art, is a living example of an English-style park of the 19th century. A further attraction is the vineyard behind the villa, whose grapes are used to produce the popular Merlot.

The ruins of the old Craveggia baths are easy to reach on foot from Spruga, though you will have to wade across the Isorno because the spa is located on Italian soil on the other side of the river.

The Green Line is something truly special: this route serving picturesque Gandria is proud to call itself the first sustainable boat service.

The Mendrisiotto and southern Lake Lugano region are dotted with highlights. Take, for example, the narrow lanes in the heart of Bissone, home to numerous artists and Francesco Borromini (1599–1667), the “starchitect” of the Renaissance period. The green “pyramid” on the other side of the lake is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site: fossils of fish and species of reptiles have been found on Monte San Giorgio, testifying to life on Earth more than 200 million years ago.

There are many reasons to visit Avegno: the picturesque stone houses, the romantic location right on the Maggia, the chestnut trees. But Avegno is more than a typical Ticino village: anyone who follows the signposted village walk also explores a piece of Swiss farming history.

The church, which was originally part of a Franciscan monastery, is home to Switzerland's most famous Renaissance fresco. It covers the whole wall of the nave. The "Passion and and Crucifixion of Christ" is defined by great expressiveness and vividness of the individual scenes.

The sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso in Orselina above Locarno is the most famous place of pilgrimage in the Italian part of Switzerland. It is rooted in the ancient tradition of votive gifts.

The former papal college has a magnificent two-storey courtyard in the Lombard style (1585-1602) embellished with coats-of-arms and open loggias.

For over a century, Kurhaus Cademario Hotel & SPA has been the ideal destination for those seeking a well-being vacation. At the beginning of the 20th century, Dr. Keller chose this sunlit hill — one of Switzerland’s brightest spots — as the location for his natural healing facility, recognizing it as a powerful energetic location. Nowadays, from the very first minute of your arrival, you can sense the unique energy in the air. Situated at 850 meters above sea level and surrounded by nature, the hotel offers guests stunning views of Lake Lugano and the Malcantone mountains.

Located between Monte San Salvatore and Monte Arbostora at an altitude of just under 700 metres, the botanical gardens are a mecca for park visitors and plant lovers – particularly in April and May, when the azaleas and rhododendrons form a fragrant carpet.

The San Michele Park sits high above Lugano and offers spectacular views of the city, the lake and the mountains. The typically southern vegetation is sure to thrill many of its visitors too.

Experience with your family the natural scenery of Switzerland's sunny parlor. Accompanied by the faithful you will have no problem motivating your children to go on a hike.

The village of Sagno is located in Ticino’s southernmost valley, the Muggio Valley. It boasts a unique, sun-drenched hillside location on the slopes of Monte Bisbino, which straddles Switzerland and Italy. This is where the important ingredients are grown for the local gin Bisbino – Ticino’s first ever gin.

The Vela family is omnipresent in Ligornetto right up until today: And no wonder, as close to Milan, it brought the sculptor Vincenzo Vela fame, glory and prosperity. He invested his money in an imposing art villa, which today is home to the Museo Vincenzo Vela, where you can admire the works of the artist family.

You can learn how posters tell entire stories and writings express emotions at the m.a.x. museo. The building, by architects Durisch+Nolli, is enclosed in glass cladding. At night it shines with soft light, during the day it is a place of pilgrimage for lovers of graphic design.

The Muggio Valley was once very nearly abandoned, but precisely because the locals place importance on their past, it now lives on into the future as an open-air museum.

The idyllic Brissago Islands lie off the western shore of the upper part of Lake Maggiore. The larger island delights visitors with its unique botanical gardens and splendid manor house. On the Isola Piccola are the ruins of the medieval church of Sant'Apollinare.

Opened in 1959, Swissminiatur is the largest open-air miniature museum in Switzerland. It is located in Melide on the shores of Lake Lugano. There are more than 100 models of the most famous buildings, monuments and means of transport in Switzerland, all at the unusual scale of 1:25. Traditional methods and innovative processes come together to create genuine miniature masterpieces. Admire precision craftsmanship, faithful to the original and executed with loving care.

After undergoing careful restoration work, the historic Castello San Materno – located at the entrance to Ascona – has housed the art collection of the Kurt and Barbara Alten Cultural Foundation since 2014

Simple, authentic experiences for guests who, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, wish to discover and visit farms, wineries and dairies, where they can learn about cultivation, wine-making and cheese-making techniques and then taste the delicious results.

The region of Ascona-Locarno has a lot to offer for the entire family. From llama trekking to exciting treasure hunts, there’s plenty to do. Anaïs and her family enjoyed an exciting short break in Switzerland’s sunniest region.

A significant building with a Renaissance facade. In the interior you will find numerous frescoes and important Baroque decorations.

Take your taste buds on a journey of discovery along the banks of the Ceresio.

Go off to explore the medieval village through the 3D.

Located on Lugano's lakeside in the historic Villa Malpensata, the MUSEC offers a rich program of exhibitions and events dedicated to ethnic and oriental arts, photography, modern and contemporary art.

This magnificent botanical garden is set on the Gambarogno side of Lago Maggiore, on the hillside terrace between Piazzogna and Vairano. Here, the Parco Botanico del Gambarogno foundation lavishes endless love and skill on the over 17,000 square metres of gorgeously colourful plants.