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Where to find palm trees and good music in Switzerland - A short trip to Locarno


 Over the last few years, I became very talented in optimizing my time while travelling. Means: I found ways to see the most important things in a very short time and coming home as relaxed as I would be after one or two weeks of holidays. This week, I had the oportunity to practice once again as I had won tickets for the "Moon & Stars" - festival in Locarno (Switzerland) (--> Link). A great reason to do a little short trip to a city that is really worth to visit! 

Even if Locarno is a city in Switzerland (approx. 2.5 h away from Zurich by train), it always seemed so far away and I admit I hadn't known it very well before. So I started my trip direction south - and the more south I drove, the more holiday feelings I got! Once arrived in Locarno, I really had the feeling I was in another country: The warm, almost mediterranean temperatures, the palm trees, the Italian language (yes, I know, it’s one of our 4 national languages in Switzerland, but believe me, this is often forgotten if you live in a german speaking region… :-) )…

I put my bag in a locker at the train station and immediately started my time-optimized sightseeing plan. First, I took a bus to Ascona, a very nice village at the shore of  Lago Maggiore. I walked along the waterfront and then did what I normally do when I see cozy looking deck chairs: I sat down, ordered a cappuccino and enjoyed the holiday feeling. 



Ascona




Filled with energy again, I took a walk through the village of Ascona. Aren't those colorful houses beautiful? 



Next task in my programm: I took a little train that brought me up to Orselina. From this hill, you have a wonderful view over Locarno and the Lago Maggiore. Orselina is also very famous for it’s church Madonna del sasso. Isn’t that a very beautiful view?



I didn’t have enough of this nice view, so I took another gondola which brought me from Orselina up to Cardana. After a short walk, I reached the famous viewing plattform. The view over Locarno, Lago Maggiore and the surroundings was absolutely stunning!





Once back down in Locarno, I checked in into my Hotel (it was called Albergo Vecchio Locarno, isn’t it cute?), but didn’t stay long. There was still a lot to see in Locarno! So I walked up and down the cozy streets full of little cafés and shops (and off course stopped for another café or two...). 

Albergo Vecchio Locarno - a wonderful little hotel in the middle of the old city of Locarno

Downtown Locarno
A busy street in Locarno during the "Moon & Stars" - festival

Dear coffee mobile, could you please stop by every morning in front of my house? 

In the evening I enjoyed good concerts on the beautiful Piazza Grande downtown Locarno. The atmosphere was fantastic - the "Moon & Stars" is probably one of the most beautiful festivals I've ever been to - I reeeally recommend it! And isn't a concert in Locarno a perfect excuse to plan a weekend trip? :-) See you there next year!! 
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