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Travel Destination Guide - Locarno
Locarno (Switzerland) 
Locarno Information
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Though it was once the seat of the dukes of Milan, Locarno has been Swiss since 1516. Set on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore, Locarno has art galleries, excellent antiques and the Church of Madonna del Sasso.
A pretty city of banana and palm trees, Locarno offers visitors a chance to rest and renew in its many piazzas and outdoor cafes. You can take a cable car up to the Cimetta, a belvedere with a wonderful view over the town and lake.
In the nearby town of Melide , the Swiss miniatur provides fun for kids of all ages: It has models of hundreds of Swiss landmarks on a scale of 1:25. Melide also hosts an open-air film festival in summer.
There are many other quaint villages in this area offering spectacular scenery, peaceful lakes, stone churches and wine tasting. Among them are Ascona , Morcote , Gandria and, across the border in Italy, Como, Luino and Campione.
(If you plan to go to Italy, remember to take your passport with you.) 145 mi/235 km south of Zurich.
The area is Generally suited to well-heeled middlemarket travellers looking for a relaxing holiday, the local tempo is moderate and quiet, particularly at night, and Switzerland is one of the more expensive European destinations. Half its many visitors are from Germany.
The accommodation ranges from charming 1- and 2-stars to old-fashioned, comfortable 4-star hotels. There is nothing for backpackers in the area.
Overview:
Locarno is in south Switzerland, at the northern tip of Lake Maggiore, the largest of the north Italian lakes (25 mls NW of Lugano and its airport, 125 mls S of Zurich and its airport, 200 mls E of Geneva and its airport, 75 mls NW of Milan). It is situated right on the edge of the lake, backed by bold, beautiful, wooded mountains.
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There is a host of souvenir shops with Swiss and Italian products on arcaded side of Piazza Grande. You will find Bric-a-brac and craft shops in Old Town. Many of the local stores selling the locally made pasta,cheese, sausages, wine and a type of brioche called "panettone" abound.
During the daytime activities include a town tour, particularly Old Town with its interesting buildings and churches, lakeside promenades, 15th-century and the Visconti Castle and museum.
There are a range range of lake-based water sports along with tennis, golf, and mountain walks.
In winter, skiing on Cardada/Cimetta slopes above the town becomes popular.
The nightlife here is generally low key. There is one dazzling casino, a few cinemas with films in their original languages, concerts and theatres.
The food on sale in restaurants here is predominantly Italian cooking in a broad choice of restaurants, pizzerias and taverns. There are some snack bars, but most of the hotels are proud of their standards of cuisine.
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Population: 7.489.400
Languages: German 64%, French 20%, Italian 7% (all official);
Currency: Swiss franc
Currency code: CHF
Local Times:
Switzerland - Bern
Switzerland - Bern
Switzerland - Zürich
Country Dialling Code: +41
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
 
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Switzerland, in central Europe, is the land of the Alps. The fusion of German, French and Italian ingredients has formed a robust national culture, and the country's alpine landscapes are certainly vast and varied.
With snow-capped Alps, forested hills, fairytale castles, Renaissance cathedrals, shimmering lakes, stylish spas and luxury ski resorts - it's easy to see why Switzerland has been one of the world's top tourist destinations for the past two centuries.
It's the country that fashioned tourism, so it's no surprise that Switzerland caters to visitors all year round. In spring and summer it offers lakeside chalets, mountain trails and spa resorts. In the sunny southern region of Ticino, near the Italian border, visitors will find palm-fringed Riviera-style resorts offering a host of water sports. Those keen on hiking and mountaineering will find over 31,000 miles (50,000km) of mountain and forest trails throughout the country.
In November the country's ski resorts begin opening, and visitors pour in throughout the Christmas season and until the snow begins to melt with the onset of spring. With the highest pistes in Europe, Switzerland's ski runs offer reliable snow and breathtaking views. Most resorts also have plenty to do for those not so keen on skiing, making Switzerland the perfect destination for a winter fantasy of log fires, fondues and glistening snow.
Switzerland's cities are pristine and beautifully laid out with famous Swiss precision. Zurich is widely held to be the intellectual and artistic centre of the country, sporting incredible architecture and more than a thousand fountains, with many museums and galleries. Geneva is the principal city for the international community, and is home to hundreds of world organisations. Its setting on the shores of Lake Geneva give it a romantic atmosphere, and the city has an exciting, if rather expensive, nightlife.
Mostly German in Central and Eastern parts. French in the West; some Italian in the South. Raeto-Romansch is spoken in the Southeast by 1%. English is spoken by many.
Climate varies throughout Switzerland. In the Alpine regions the temperatures tend to be low. The lower land of the Northern areas has higher temperatures and warmer summers.
This is a very law abiding nation. Dropping litter can cause offence. Don't give Chrysanthemums or white Asters to a host as they are considered to be funeral flowers. Many cultures overlap in Switzerland. |
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Local Area Weather
Milan, ITALY |
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9°C
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