DOLCE VITA IN TICINO

We begin our journey to Ticino aboard this special train. In the elegant dining cars of the “Prestige Continental Express”, styled after the legendary “Orient Express”, we experience the romance of rail travel from a bygone era. These luxuriously arranged, air-conditioned coaches offer the highest level of comfort at tables for two or four passengers.

Shortly after 9:00 a.m., we depart from Zurich Main Station. Our route takes us through the Limmat Valley and the Freiamt region, before continuing via Arth-Goldau (boarding possible) onto the legendary Gotthard panoramic route, where we experience Swiss history at first hand. As the fascinating Alpine scenery unfolds outside our windows, we enjoy a freshly prepared lunch while travelling via Airolo to Bellinzona. After this culinary highlight, we continue by scheduled first-class train service to our destination, Locarno.

Upon arrival, we check into our residence in a privileged elevated position above Locarno. At the Hotel Belvedere****Superior, elegant rooms with magnificent lake views and sweeping panoramas of Lake Maggiore and the Ticino mountains await us. This exceptional retreat offers not only breathtaking scenery, but also outstanding cuisine: the hotel’s restaurant, awarded 14 Gault Millau points, delights guests of the highest level and invites you to enjoy an unforgettable individual dinner experience in the evening. Here, every moment becomes a treasured memory. The remainder of the day can be enjoyed entirely at your leisure amid the Mediterranean flair of southern Switzerland.

After a leisurely breakfast, we take a walk to the boat landing stage in Locarno. A scheduled boat cruise carries us gently across the lake to the Brissago Islands. There, an exclusive private guided tour through the botanical gardens awaits us, offering fascinating insights into the subtropical world of plants. Afterwards, we enjoy a light lunch directly on the island, surrounded by this unique and enchanting setting.

After returning by scheduled boat service to Ascona, we continue by first-class train to Bellinzona. There, we once again board our special train, the “Prestige Continental Express”. As we travel north along the spectacular Gotthard panoramic route, an exquisite early dinner is served in the luxurious saloon coaches. Shortly after 8:00 p.m., we arrive at Zurich Main Station via Arth-Goldau (disembarkation possible), carrying with us unforgettable memories of a weekend filled with elegance, culture, and memorable highlights.