Perfect for Adventurous Types
“ASCONA and LOCARNO aren’t as well known asLake Como in Italy, but these neighboring Swiss towns on Lake Maggioreare just as quaint,” says Bob Preston (bob@globebleu.com), a Switzerland expert. A good way to get out on the water in this Italian-speaking region is with a day cruise to the Brissago Islands botanical park. “There are rare plant species, a terrace overlooking the lake, and Roman baths and ponds,” Preston says.
In May, the International Center of Sculpture will open in Peccia, a small village about 45 minutes by car north of Locarno, with a show of Mexican artist Jose Dávila’s site-specific installations carved from local stone. The Michelin two-starred Ecco Ascona,Led by executive chef Rolf Fliegauf, does multicourse menus of Mediterranean meets-Swiss cuisine, leaning heavily on Alpine ingredients such as salmon and game.
The top places to stay are the grande dame Hotel Splendide Royal, which debuted a new spa and pool deck with lake views last year, and the Hotel & Lounge Lago Maggiore, which opens in May.