There’s hardly a corner of Switzerland so marked by exciting contrasts as Ticino. It’s both the sunniest and the rainiest part of the country. Rough mountains meet a Mediterranean climate, and while the North is still covered in a blanket of snow, camellias and magnolias are already in flower in the South. Its unique geography dictates an astonishing spectrum of climatic conditions across such a small area. Above all, Ticino is famous for its lakes, including the stunning Lago Maggiore and the Lake of Lugano. Remnants of Ice Age glaciers, they are the essence of the Italian idea of the Dolce Vita, boasting a splendid alpine backdrop and popular tourist destinations. Yet just a stone’s throw from the Piazzas and Promenades, there is wild nature, including the bird paradise Bolle di Magadino and the rough Muggio Valley.
Ticino was an extremely poor area until quite recently. Numerous deserted villages, especially in the inaccessible side valleys of the high mountains, bear witness to a tough past. In some places like the Val Bavona, only one village has electricity. But then as now, Ticino is rich in natural beauty. The alpine meadows of the Alp Piora and Dötra are covered in blankets of flowers that are the scene of miniature life-and-death dramas. Its fauna is just as colourful and diverse, including the marmot and emerald lizards. With a bit of luck, you can even come across wild horses on the Monte Generoso.
Colourful and glossy pictures illustrate Ticino’s impressive diversity. Exciting wildlife footage showcases natural wonders like the famous courtship dance of great crested grebes and the astonishing flight manoeuvres of the Eurasian swallow. They leave us astonished and immerse us in one of the most impressive regions of Switzerland.
