Locarno stretches elegantly along the west bank of the Lake Maggiore, competing with Lugano for the rank of the most beautiful city in Ticino. Our tour will lead us not just through the streets and piazzas of Locarno city but also on land and water, and between the old and the new around the shore and islands of the magical Lake Maggiore.

First, narrow streets take us on a journey around the old town of Locarno. From the famous Piazzo Grande to the early baroque church Chiesa Rossa and then up to The Castello Visconteo, which was built in the 15th century from the foundations of a 13th century fortress and now houses the city’s archaeological museum.

Next, the Mediterranean lake promenade reveals the charm of Lake Maggiore. We jump on a small train up to Orselina, which is only a few steps away from the Madonna del Sasso monastery and its magnificent view of the lake.

To the south, near the border with Italy, lies Brissago, a small town surrounded by palm trees, that enjoys a panoramic position on the lake. After taking in the culture and the romantic atmosphere of the town, we board our next boat towards the Brissago Islands.

From the boat, we step into a natural paradise. Once owned by an extravagant baroness, the islands offer beautiful exotic gardens, palazzos and cactus groves to explore, not to mention their very own Roman baths. After so many years, the unique romance of this special place lives on.

Finally, we head north to Ascona, the Swiss playground of the rich and famous. But with its picturesque old town, beautiful churches and renaissance courts, the town is also a destination loved by sun hungry tourists.

Lake Maggiore reflects the mixture of Italian ease and Swiss rigour, a truly fascinating destination with never ending lake views.