A charming lake hike to beat the heat

Hiking is a Swiss National sport. Here is a suggestion for lovely day's outing through the picturesque Val Piora via a pleasant round hike over the high plateau.

A whole bunch of beautiful mountain lakes, remnants of the last ice age, are scattered throughout the Piora tableland high above Levantine. The largest is the bluish-green Ritom lake, which lies at solely a half-hour’s hike from the mountain station of the amazingly steep funicular railway. A small gravel path leads firstly to the western end of the lake, and then along the northern shore to Cadagno di Fuori.

From there you can reach Alpe di Piora either directly or via a delightful looping trail that runs through the moorland landscape surrounding the Cadagno lake.

The delicious Piora cheese is made on this Alp of the same name and is known to be one of Switzerland’s most refined and sought-after delicacies. From the Cadagno hut the route leads through a small arc to the opposite side of the valley and then slightly upwards via Fontanella to the highest point of the tour, close to the Forca Pass.

Stop for a well-deserved rest around the Ritomsee lake and enjoy the fantastic views from the upper Levantine before you make your way back to the Piora mountain station. The route is about 12km and takes about 4 hours without stopping but trust me you will want to stop time and again to take pictures with your camera or in your mind. It is a truly unforgettable experience and well worth the hike!

Watch the video and feel the vibes: 

La Spada nella Rocca in Bellinzona

Every once in a while it is worth driving up the valley to for a special occasion. This is an event your kids will adore ... and even the adults can set their imagination free!

The Medieval Festival "La Spada nella Rocca" takes place every year in the picturesque Alpine setting of the Montebello Castle, one of three Unesco Heritage sites in Bellinzona. Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere and enjoy medieval performances with various guest groups. Revive scenes from medieval live, discover swords and archery tournaments, watch falconers shows, flag flyers and hirelings.

Venue: Spada nella rocca,
Where: Castelgrande, 6500 Bellinzona
When: Saturday, May 30th & Sunday May 31st, 2015
Time: click here for the detailed programme: http://www.ticino.ch/pdf

150 years of Rabadan Carnevale

The definition of Carnival: A festival celebrated with merriment and revelry in Roman Catholic countries during the week before Lent, during a few days (three to ten) before Lent, ending with Shrove Tuesday. Any merrymaking, feasting, or masquerading, especially when overstepping the bounds of decorum; a time of riotous excess.

Carnevale in Ticino is as big a deal as it is in Basel just that nobody knows about it! That is if you don't live in the Ticino. We don't have skiing holidays like the rest of Switzerland, we have Vacanze di Carnevale .... eventough everybody goes skiing!!!

Bellinzona's carnival is Ticino's most famous celebration. Following the Roman-rite, the party starts on Thursday night when the keys of the city are handed over to King Rabadan, who will rule the happy crowds until the following Tuesday. This year the Rabadan Carnival celebrates its 150th Anniversary: don't miss it. But not only Rabadan: many more carnivals are warming up the cold winter days in the Canton.

In Locarno, the "Stranociada" is an appointment not to be missed on Friday night, where the old town is invaded by masks, little tents, Guggen, music and pure fun until early in the morning.

The Nebiopoli Carnival in Chiasso is the most important Roman-rite carnival in the Sottoceneri region, and its peculiarity is the absence of a king: in fact, the hand-over of power during the carnival goes to a Prime Minister, who transforms the town into the "Free Republic of Nebiopoli"'. During the "republican week", masked groups and Guggen transform the streets of the centre into a place where fun rules. The peak of the celebrations is Mardi Gras Nebiopoli masked parade, featuring large numbers of floats, groups, bands and Guggenmusik.

In many different locations throughout the Canton, celebrations take place only at the end of the Carnevale week, following the Ambrosian rite. Biasca, Brissago and Tesserete can pride themselves with some of the busiest Carnivals, with their Saturday parades featuring masked groups, floats and Guggen music bands. The large masked parties in public spaces all over the town centres start on Thursday night, with games, free risotto for everybody, many confetti and bands performing live music. A wild world of colors, masks and sounds, eventually winding down only on Sunday morning.

For those of you who are really serious about their Carnevale you'll find an application to download on i-tunes: https://itunes.apple.com/it/app/rabadan.

Here is the entire calendar for the Ticino Carnevale: Carnevali-in-Ticino-2013. So pick and choose your venue and start partying! Have fun!!!

Swiss Cheese Award 2012 in Ticino

Of course, Switzerland would have a Swiss Cheese award. I have just never heard about it until this week but yet again it is all happening in the Ticino. So, to appease your hunger after yesterday's flashmobbing choreography session why not head to Bellinzona?

For four days, Bellinzona has become the capital of Swiss cheese where the experts have decided on the king of all cheeses: the Swiss Champion 2012 title goes to Charles und Patrick Hauser (Le Lieu VD) for their Vacherin Mont-d’Or.

I am wondering at this point: how DO you decide for the best cheese when you have a choice of 700 different ones?

Well, find out for yourself. Visit the Palazzo Civico in Bellinzona today and tomorrow to discover the winners of each of the 28 categories. Then take a stroll on the Piazza del Sole along the local cheese market. If you're lucky you might even spot Dimitri, the famous Swiss clown/actor who is performing with his Theatre company.

Click here for the programme: http://www.cheese-awards.ch/it/program/

I know what you'll be having for dinner!

Carnevale in Ticino 2012

The definition of Carnival: A festival celebrated with merriment and revelry in Roman Gatholic countries during the week before Lent, during a few days (three to ten) before Lent, ending with Shrove Tuesday. Any merrymaking, feasting, or masquerading, especially when overstepping the bounds of decorum; a time of riotous excess.

Carnevale in Ticino is as big a deal as it is in Basel just that nobody knows about it! That is if you don't live in the Ticino. We don't have skiing holidays like the rest of Switzerland, we have Carnevale holidays .... eventough everybody goes skiing!!!

Bellinzona's carnival is Ticino's most famous celebration. Following the Roman-rite, the party starts on Thursday night when the keys of the city are handed over to King Rabadan, who will rule the happy crowds until the following Tuesday. But not only Rabadan: many more carnivals are warming up the cold winter days in the Canton.

In Locarno, the "Stranociada" is an appointment not to be missed on Friday night, where the old town is invaded by masks, little tents, Guggen, music and pure fun until early in the morning.

The Nebiopoli Carnival in Chiasso is the most important Roman-rite carnival in the Sottoceneri region, and its peculiarity is the absence of a king: in fact, the hand-over of power during the carnival goes to a Prime Minister, who transforms the town into the "Free Republic of Nebiopoli"'. During the "republican week", masked groups and Guggen transform the streets of the centre into a place where fun rules. The peak of the celebrations is Mardi Gras Nebiopoli masked parade, featuring large numbers of floats, groups, bands and Guggenmusik.

In many different locations throughout the Canton, celebrations take place only at the end of the Carnival week, following the Ambrosian rite. Biasca, Brissago and Tesserete can pride themselves with some of the busiest Carnivals, with their Saturday parades featuring masked groups, floats and Guggen music bands. The large masked parties in public spaces all over the town centres start on Thursday night, with games, free risotto for everybody, many confetti and bands performing live music. A wild world of colors, masks and sounds, eventually winding down only on Sunday morning.

For those of you who are really serious about their Carnevale you'll find an application to download on i-tunes: http://itunes.apple.com/ch/app/carnevali-ticino or a facebook page to follow: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carnevale-Ticino.

Here is the entire calendar for the Ticino Carnevale: Carnevali-in-Ticino-2012. So pick and choose your venue and start partying! Have fun!!!

Castelgrande Opera in Bellizona July18th to 24th, 2011

“An opera begins long before the curtain goes up and ends long after it has come down. It starts in my imagination, it becomes my life, and it stays part of my life long after I've left the opera house.”
Maria Callas

Bellinzona is probably Switzerland's most Italianate town. The skyline of the capital of Ticino is defined by the powerful fortifications, comprising three of the best-preserved medieval castles in Switzerland, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The great opera is back in Bellinzona after almost nine years of absence from the stages of Ticino's capital. It is back to one of the most exclusive locations, the monumental Castelgrande.

Seven dates - from 18th to 24th July, 2011 - compose the "Lyric Week" of Castelgrande Opera Bellinzona. The programme includes great classics such as "Tosca" by Puccini, "La Traviata" by Verdi, "The Barber of Seville" by Rossini and the Lyric Gala with Mariella Devia. The cycle of representations has been realized with the collaboration of IKO International Orchestra and IKO Chorus.

Given the theatrical surrounding of the castle, I believe this is a perfect time to introduce children to the world of Opera if you havn't done so yet. I'm sure mine would be mezmerized by the Barber of Seville.

Information and programme: www.operabellinzona.com.
Ticket sales: Bellinzona Turismo, Palazzo Civico, Tel. 091/ 825 48 18. Ticketcorner sales points, tel. 0900 800 800 (Fr. 1.19 min.) or online at www.ticketcorner.ch and at the box office during show days.

Aretha Franklin at Bellinzona's Rabadan Carnival

When the Swiss let lose they really let lose!

Give the Swiss half a chance to step out of their ruled and highly organized routine and they really know how to have fun. Now, I know that might be hard to believe but have you ever met a Swiss abroad? Have you noticed how relaxed and humourous they can be? I am a firm believer that Swiss are a great deal of fun you just need to get to it!!!!

This year's carnival in Bellinzona featured a pink "Guggenband" grooving to the rythm of Aretha Franklin. Just my kind of style. Check it out on: Ticinonews - Aretha Franklin at Rabadan.

Ticino's Carnival ends today...therefore the king and queen of the various cities in this canton will be returning "the keys" to their respective mayors in order to reinstall Swiss law and order until next year!!!!

Carnevale in Ticino

"Semel in anno licet insanire"
translated from Latin: Once a year one is allowed to exaggerate

Bellinzona's Rabadan

From March 3rd to 8th, Bellinzona will be under the reign of King "Rabadan". Bellinzona is famous for its carnival. Rabadan, the name of this celebration, literally means noise. For a few days, more than 150’000 people joyfully celebrate in the streets and in marquees. This makes Rabadan the largest carnival in Switzerland, after the one in Basel.

The leader of this racket is Dante Pesciallo who has been elected “king” by the carnival association. On Fat Thursday, the first day of carnival, the mayor of Bellinzona hands him the (symbolic) keys to the gates of the city and for the next five days the fools rule Ticino’s capital.

The Friday of carnival is dedicated to the youngest: indeed, there is the parade for the children of Bellinzona and the surrounding area. On Saturday, carnival bands, so-called “Guggen”, from Ticino and the German-speaking part of Switzerland give concerts far into the night. The highlight of Rabadan is the big parade on Sunday. Around fifty carnival bands and carriages participate in the “Grande Corteo Mascherato”. On the television of the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland there is even a live broadcast of the parade.

The Rabadan which this year celebrates its 148th edition, offers a wide variety of entertaining activities to its visitors: Mask competitions, tug-of-war tournaments, theatres on the streets and the most traditional dish from Ticino: risotto. Meat and drink is further offered in numerous marquees. During carnival the celebrations in the city of Bellinzona stays up until dawn.

Click here to view the week's progamme

Chiasso turns into a „Free Republic“

Carnival is celebrated also in Chiasso, the town on the border with Italy. Here the ruler is not a monarch but the “Prime Minister of the Free Republic Nebiopoli”. The “Nebiopoli” is the largest and most important carnival event in the Sottoceneri, the southern part of Ticino.

During the “republican week” masked groups and “Guggen” turn Chiasso’s town centre into an entertainment quarter. The highlight takes place on the Tuesday of carnival, shortly before returning to everyday life: numerous carriages, groups and bands take part in the big parade which crosses Chiasso’s streets.

Ambrosian continuation

With the Roman rite carnival comes to an abrupt end on Ash Wednesday – however this is not the case in many parts of Ticino where celebrations only just start on this day. Indeed, in the region Tre Valli (Leventina valley, Blenio valley and Biasca), in Capriasca (Tesserete) and in Brissago the Ambrosian carnival is celebrated. The legend says that these villages refused the Roman rite in order to shorten the forty-day-long period of fasting before Easter (which starts on Ash Wednesday).

The fact is that in the Middle Ages these areas belonged to the diocese of Milan, while the other regions of Ticino where subordinated to the diocese of Como. Even if Ticino has become an independent diocese in 1888 the boundaries of the old dioceses revive during carnival time.

This means that depending on the region in Ticino either the Ambrosian or the Roman carnival continue to be celebrated. In the past this fact lead to tensions and priests of villages which belonged to the diocese of Como spoke of „abuse“. They even prohibited their members from entering Ambrosian territories during carnival.

In many different locations throughout the Canton, celebrations take place only at the end of the Carnival week, following the Ambrosian rite. Biasca, Brissago and Tesserete can pride themselves with some of the busiest Carnivals, with their Saturday parades featuring masked groups, floats and Guggen music bands. The large masked feasts in public spaces and in marquees all over the town centres start on Thursday night, with games, free risotto for everybody, many 'coriandoli' (coloured confetti papers) and bands performing live music. A wild world of colour, masks and sounds, finally winding down only on Sunday morning.

Some traces of the religious meaning of carnival – a last gluttony before the period of fasting – can be found when risotto is eaten under the open sky. This old tradition was born in the 19th century, when rich people offered rice to the poor who could not afford this expensive dish.

Lugano's Queen and King Sbroja

Lugano celebrates its carnival on Thursday, March 3 at 14:30 as the children of the local schools parade through the center of Lugano with their costumes. At around 15:30 when the kids arrive in Piazza della Riforma snacks are offered for all and at 17:00 the keys are presented to the King and Queen Sbroja.

On Monday, March 7 from 11:30 the classic risotto dish is offered for free in Piazza Riforma.

Click here to see Lugano's Carnevale programme by community.

Mr.Warhol's cow

"Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes."
Andy Warhol

"Mr.Warhol's cow" is a fun educational approach for children to discover the artist and his works. The exhibitions is on until Sunday, January 16th so if you haven't seen it yet hurry up and enjoy this interactive trail between pastures discovering cows, balanced nutruition and Andy Warhol.

The children will encounter a silver world inhabited by Superman, Mickey Mouse, tomato soup, a portrait of a beautiful blonde lady drawn with strange colors, a yellow and pink cow, a juke-box and old vinyl record covers. The star of this show is called Andy Warhol and the "Mueso in Erba" is his studio, the famous "Silver Factory" - which in Bellinzona - has become the Factory of imagination. The kids discover some of the most famous paintings of this artist's Pop Art, which has transformed everyday objects into works of art and have become icons of an era.

Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley here we come!!!!

L'Atelier del Museo in erba

6500 Bellinzona - Piazza Magoria 8

Tel. +41 91 835 52 54

Orario: 15:00 - 16:30

Bellinzona by night

Enough writing about my Christmas and travel adventures and back to some Ticino event suggestions.

One experience you should not miss is "Bellinzona in luce". The city of Bellinzona has organized 40 days of events around the Piazza del Sole to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the castle's declaration as UNESCO World Heritage patrimony.

Bellinzona's three castles Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro are considered amongst the finest examples of medieval fortification architecture in Switzerland. As they appear today, the fortifications, whose origins actually go much further back to a prehistoric settlement on Castelgrande hill, are mainly the result of intensive and complex building activity instigated by the Dukes of Milan in the 15th century.

Castle Castelgrande is open every day from Dec 26th to Jan 6th from 10.00 to 17.00.
Castello Montebello and Sasso Corbaro are open from 11.00 to 16.00.

The real treat during the holiday period is the spectacular decorative lighting of the three castles, the walled fortress and the Piazza del Sole. Definately worth an exciting "after- dark" outing with your kids.