Switch mode

La Dolce Vita

How to enjoy the sweet life in Switzerland’s south.

Swiss Deluxe Hotels Stories Summer 2020 La Dolce Vita 01 ST0017434 Bearb C

In the charming towns and soothing nature of Ticino, a Mediterranean lifestyle meets Swiss quality and orderliness. Think yachts floating on turquoise lakes, hikes through chestnut forests, or a series of unmissable events.

During summer months, when it can be cold and wet north of the Alps, Ticino is basking in the sun. With more than 2000 hours of sunshine annually, you can often find us hanging out in Switzerland’s sun room. It boasts conditions for a variety of exciting outdoor activities, be it up in the hills or down in the valleys, up in the air or in the water.

As a base for your explorations, use one of the three Swiss Deluxe Hotels properties. We simply could not pick a favorite, all of these prestigious hotels have their own distinct character. Check into the Eden Roc or the Castello del Sole in Ascona, or the Splendide Royal in Lugano, and you can be assured that these houses remain at your disposal while you are out there enjoying the sweet life.

Whether you are into nighttime photography or outdoor sports, you will quickly find that Ticino has a playground for almost everyone.

In Bellinzona, at the foot of the Alps, medieval castles offer a backdrop for striking portrait pictures. Or take your wide-angle lens up to the Carasc Tibetan bridge for some adrenaline inducing photographs. Further south, in Ascona-Locarno, it is all about the valleys and their distinct characters. There are waterfalls, historic bridges, or villages that appear stuck in time. You could relive the bungee jump from the opening scene of James Bond 007 – GoldenEye. Or you could try something more gentle by trekking with llamas in Malcantone.

To end the day, head to Lugano, its bay area and characteristic mountains. Be it on the top of Monte Brè or at the Parco Tassino, you will find the perfect backdrop for stunning sunset photographs.

Swiss Deluxe Hotels Stories Summer 2020 La Dolce Vita 02 Hotel Splendide Royal P6080084 Bearb Ecirgb
Swiss Deluxe Hotels Stories Summer 2020 La Dolce Vita 04 4 Ascona Eden Roc Ecirgb
Swiss Deluxe Hotels Stories Summer 2020 La Dolce Vita 03 Hotel Eden Roc P6030413 Ecirgb

A guide by Dimitri &  Mamiko Burkhard
© Landscape Ticino, swiss-image.ch
© [Lev Radin] / Shutterstock.com

Related Stories

St. Moritz isn’t just for skiers and spa-lovers – it’s also a runner’s paradise. Whether it’s a gentle jog at sunrise or something with a bit more altitude, here are five gorgeous summer routes, all starting from or easily reachable from Badrutt’s Palace and open in the warmer months.

Discover more

For almost 50 years, the artist Setsuko Klossowska de Rola has lived and worked in a centuries-old, listed house in Rossinière, the largest chalet in Switzerland. If its beautiful wooden walls could speak, the stories they would tell would certainly be remarkable.

Discover more

The Gstaad Saanenland region is rich in natural beauty and architecture, the diversity and sophistication of which are virtually unparalleled. Chalets from the 17th and 18th centuries accompany explorers at every turn, one such gem being the Gander House in Gsteig-Feutersoey near Gstaad.

Discover more

Pack light but bring your sense of curiosity. We are heading to Gstaad, where alpine charm and glamour converge. Between turreted fairytale palaces and intimate chalet hideaways, this is not just a destination for a quick stop, but a place to take a breath and slow down. Discover a place where tradition is not staged but lived. This is elegant immersion in Swiss luxury at its best – intimate and breathtaking. Lingering over long breakfasts, drifting from exceptional dinners to soaking in the mountain air; in Gstaad, grandeur feels personal, and time stretches gently with every moment carrying a touch of magic.

Discover more

Dog heaven on earth: At the super-­luxurious Beau-Rivage Palace hotel, not only are Labradors treated like kings, they are also kings in themselves. Some pets have stayed at the hotel forever – in its own dog cemetery.

Discover more

Faster, higher, stronger: visiting the Lausanne Palace, over whose entrances hangs a flag with the Olympic rings, with a muscular Labrador. The hotel is a dream destination for all dogs, from the sporty to the pleasure-oriented. Fortunately, chocolate, cheese and wine doping for the master is legal here.

Discover more

A giant mythological creature, fish in beeswax and fluffy dog beds: at The Alpina Gstaad luxury hotel, animals play more than just an insignificant supporting role. Nevertheless, they also need to be able to behave appropriately, as author Titus Arnu found out during his stay as a guest in Gstaad with his Labrador Oskar.

Discover more