Ticino Wonders - Chocolate, Mont Bre and Herman Hesse

Park your car here. The first attraction of the day is 5 minutes away.
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 24h

The Cathedral is situated on the hill, from where you will get a wonderful view over the city of Lugano. With eye-catching magnificent groin vaulted ceiling, Enrnesto Rusca frescoes, captivating portal's figures (including the main, central one with Virgin Mary with child) of cherubs, birds, puttoes, angels, also sculptures of Four Evangelist and Kind Salomon plus intriguing frieze representing biblical personalities, this church is definitely worth a visit. Former Collegiate church, this building from 11th century presents a mixture between earlier Romanesque style and later Baroque.
Have a look at impressive facade made of Saltrio and Viggiu's white stone and marble from Carrara separated in three sections by four columns and designed by Constante Tencalla octagonal lantern located on two Baroque upper storey.
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 7:30 - 18:00

Visit the place where the most popular delicious Swiss chocolate is produced, at Chocolate Alprose SA in Caslano. Take a tour of "Alprose Chocolate Experience" during which you will learn about the process of manufacturing this, Swiss favorite, chocolate as well as about the ingredients starting from researching the best quality cocoa beans. You will experience an intriguing interactive display and find out about the secret of the chocolate factory success since 1957. Remember to purchase some of this sweet delicacies for snacking later from the shop.
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 9:00 - 17:00
Shop Monday - Sunday: 9:00 - 17:30
Groups above ten people are required to register in advance here

Herman Hesse is a world-famous writer whose publications were translated into 60 languages and the Nobel Prize laureate in the literature category for "inspired writings which, while growing in boldness and penetration, exemplify the classical humanitarian ideals and high qualities of style." He was German origin from Calw, Germany but lived most of his life in Motagnola, Ticino Canton from which in 1962 received honorary citizenship for his art work promoting the region in the form of publications but also paintings. He loved hiking in the nature, was a music connoisseur, a poet, a painter, a traveler, but mainly has been known from his writing.
In The Camuzzi Tower, part of the museum complex and the place of permanent exhibition, you will absorb the feeling of Hermann's personality and life by large display of his book, photographs, watercolors as well as personal belongings.
If you visit the museum on the fourth of June, the "Poet's Rose Day", a rose will be gifted to you as a kept for long term tradition.
Open Hours: March – October Monday - Sunday: 10.30 -17.30 November – February Saturday and Sunday 10.30-17.30
If you prefer guided tour, walk or reading:
Make a Reservation via e-mail: info@hessemontagnola.ch

Have a lunch in the place whose name was taken from the favorite by Herman Hesse cave where he spent long hours enjoying the nature.
Today in the same place you will find Grotto de Cavicc restaurant designed in the rustic but cozy style where among many options the Ticino region specialities are worth to considered like delicious veal shank served with polenta followed by melting in your mouth decadent chocolate cake.
Open Hours: Monday: 11:30 - 14:30PM, 17::30–22:30 Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 17:30 - 22:30 Thursday - Sunday: 11:30 - 14:30PM, 17::30–22:30

Leave your car here, the next attraction of the days in walking distance.

Stand at this rock balcony to get an unrestricted magnificent vista over the lake and Alps mountains. You will find on the local stone the "lover's confession". Herman Hesse used to like coming here to, inspired by wonderful nature surrounding, create another fantastic painting.

This charming intensive red cable car within 20 minutes will take you from Lugano - Casssarate station through picturesque landscape including local traditional villages like Suvigliana, Albonago or Aldesago to the top of another majestic mountain, Bre.
Opening hours vary by season, so please check the accurate schedule before your trip.

Known as one of the sunniest among Swiss natural places, Monte Brè sits on the East side of Lugano and from its top you will get a breathtaking view of the spectacular Bernese and Penine Alps including Monte Rosa and of course the city of Lugano. The funiculare has been connecting the mountain with the city from 1912.
Breathe with the full capacity of your lungs with this crisp-clear air and enjoy the moments in this splendor nature magical creation.

Use this panoramic view point to even more let this fair-like scenery soak in deeply into your soul, relaxing you completely. Take some photos to capture this unforgettable vistas.

Take a 20 minutes walk to the traditional rural Ticinese village Bre with little population of 300 inhabitants, with the typical from the region architecture of the houses where you will see "Lavatoio" which is a Medieval reminiscence of communal fountain as washing place and a "Path or art" in the center of the village-the favorite place for regular gathering and meetings of local artists including Pasquale Gilardi, Wilhelm Schmidt (the representant ant of so-called" Magic Nordic realism") or Josef Biro, who took advantage of being privileged of living in such a lovely desirable residential areas with a panoramic view by leaving rich art based heritage.
Take a stroll through charming ancient street of this such lovely village richly decorated by the artist and admire the views.

Return to the funiculare station at the top of the mountain ready to soak again in vibrant city life.

Leave the funicolare and walk towards the place where you left your car.

Have a unique dinning experience at this splendid restaurant located in the Art Gallery is a part of Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola. With a Michellin Star, 16 GaultMillau points this Galleria Arté al Lago Restaurant will provide you a service on the highest level.
The place itself has been decorated by internationally recognized artist and Frank Oerthle, the chef, creates innovative elegantly displayed dishes based mainly on the theme of lake and sea fish. During your fine dining, you will feel like being taken care of like the most world known movie start, and you would love to just stay here forever. Enjoy this memorable beautiful moments with again, stunning view from the city lake.
Open Hours: Monday - Tuesday: Closed Wednesday - Sunday: 19:00 - 22:00
Dinner requirements: Smart casual attire Gentlemen to wear long trousers
Book Now