A room with an alternative view: are you planning a trip to Ticino this summer? If so, thinking outside the box when choosing where to stay can pay dividends, particularly in these cash-strapped times.Accommodation is arguably ar·gu·a·ble adj. 1. Open to argument: an arguable question, still unresolved. 2. That can be argued plausibly; defensible in argument: three arguable points of law. the most important aspect of any holiday. Bad weather might be beyond your control, but even a stormy summer can be bearable--often memorable--when there's a cosy cottage in which to retreat. That three-hour motorway tailback tail·back n. Football The back on an offensive team who lines up farthest from the line of scrimmage. tailback Noun Brit a queue of traffic stretching back from an obstruction , the car-sick child and the irritation of forgetting whatever it is you've almost certainly left on the kitchen table are all forgotten when the luxury lakeside apartment looks even better than it looked in the photo. The Swiss are world-class hoteliers, and few need an introduction to the joys (or otherwise) of a night under canvas--but in between lie all manner of accommodation alternatives. Agriturismo, otherwise known as agricultural tourism, has been popular in neighbouring Italy for decades. Sometimes referred to as farm holidays, they needn't involve beasts of any kind--though all should offer an experience that goes beyond that of a standard weekend in the country. Bikes will often be available, and there might be horses for riding, cookery classes on site, or an opportunity to get your hands (and feet) dirty by helping out with some of the daily tasks. Many agriturismi also feature restaurants serving home-cooked fare. And the furry beasts and creatures, should there be any, are great entertainment for the kid in everyone. Beautiful views & local wine Azienda Montana Odro, on the slopes of Pizzo Vogorno in Valle Verzasca The Valle Verzasca is a valley in the Locarno district of the Canton of Ticino, Switzerland. It comprises the municipalities of Mergoscia, Vogorno, Corippo, Lavertezzo, Brione (Verzasca), Gerra (Verzasca), Frasco and Sonogno with a total population of 3,200 (as of 2004). , is as simple an agriturismo as you'll find. Little more than a huddle of stone-built rustici (the typical Ticinese cottage), a donkey and some goats, Odro also comes with fabulous views across the Verzasca Dam The Contra dam (or Verzasca dam) is a 220-meter high arch hydroelectric dam in the Val Verzasca, Switzerland. It was constructed between 1960 and 1965. The dam forms Lago di Vogorno, an artificial reservoir. It was designed by Lombardi Engineering. . Tranquillity is all but guaranteed, as is wildlife that includes rare butterflies, mountain goats mountain goat: see Rocky Mountain goat. mountain goat or Rocky Mountain goat Ruminant (bovid species Oreamnos americanus) of the Yukon to the northern Rockies that is more closely related to antelopes than to goats. and soaring eagles at the peak. Guests can bunk up in the 12-bed dorm or stay in one of two tiny rustici that come complete with wood-fired stoves and water in one flavour: ice-cold. Toilets are shared and the shower is open-air. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Odro has been run by Jean-Louis and his partner Marlis for more than a decade. At more than 1,200 metres up, this is a rural relaxation that involves some steep, relentless walking. And I know, I've walked it. Help is on hand in the form of a donkey to haul your bags. Or, those who want to mix style with substance can take the helicopter. A different kind of agriturismo (with no hiking involved) is offered at Fattoria l'Amorosa. Located in Gudo, close to Bellinzona, Fattoria l'Amorosa is run by the local wine-producing Delea family, and is set slap in the heart of a vineyard and olive plantation. Stay in one of the nine pretty rooms--whitewashed and simple, though with the contemporary comfort of air conditioning--or rent one of the two cottages. Cottage Suite Vecchia Isabella has some of the most memorable bathroom facilities you'll have seen in a long while: a massive bathtub carved directly into the rock. You can take a tour of the vineyard, taste some of the wine produced and enjoy lunch in the restaurant here. Wine lovers can also arrange tours of Delea's wine cantina can·ti·na n. Southwestern U.S. A bar that serves liquor. [Spanish, canteen, from Italian, wine cellar.] (cellar) in nearby Losone. For art enthusiasts Further south at Castelrotto, east of Lake Lugano Lake Lugano (Italian: Lago di Lugano or Ceresio) is a lake in the south-east of Switzerland, at the border between Switzerland and Italy. The lake, named after the city of Lugano, is situated between Lago Maggiore and Lago di Como. and a stone's throw stone's throw n. A short distance. stone's throw Noun a short distance Noun 1. from the Italian border, is B&B Vallombrosa, an agriturismo for art lovers. Surrounded by the lush, rolling hills Rolling hills are like a mountain chain, only a "hill chain" of hills that roll on and on continually. You will often find them in between plains and mountains, near major rivers, or randomly anywhere. The only places without rolling hills are deserts and flood plains. of the Malcantone and set in one of the Tamborini vineyards, each of the attractive mini-apartments here is named after, and shows works by, a contemporary or 20th-century Swiss artist. The rooms are spacious and very comfortably furnished with balconies or gardens, and families are made very welcome. Aside from wine (tastings are available upon request), the estate produces grappa grap·pa n. An Italian brandy distilled from the pomace of grapes used in winemaking. [Italian, from Italian dialectal, grape stalk, brandy, of Germanic origin.] Noun 1. , honey and olives. The area is full of walking and cycling trails, and mountain bikes can be borrowed from the B&B. It's a short hop from here to the city of Lugano with its shops, restaurants and galleries--and of course the splendid Lake Lugano. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lugano city-escape Thinking outside the box is also recommended if you prefer to stay in the city of Lugano itself, particularly when you're looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. accommodation with bags of charm at a price that's right. If the thought of a youth hostel youth hostel Supervised shelter providing inexpensive overnight lodging, particularly for young people. Often located in scenic or historic areas, hostels range from simple farmhouses to hotels able to house several hundred people. fills you with unpleasant memories of bunk beds bunk beds bunk npl → lits superposés bunk beds npl → Etagenbett nt bunk beds npl → letti mpl , backpacks and sweaty feet you'll be bowled over by the Lugano-Savosa Hostel, generally considered one of the best in Europe. Family-run for decades, the former villa features a range of accommodation range of accommodation n. The distance between one object that is viewed with minimal refractivity of the eye and another object that is viewed with maximal accommodation. types and facilities, including family rooms with or without cooking facilities. A double room with a kitchenette will cost about SFr 100 a night for two people, with a reduction for smaller children (toddlers under two sleep free). It's the location, the grounds and the facilities though, that make this hostel so special. Set in 10,000 square metres of lush gardens, there's a swimming pool, a glasshouse with orchids and other exotic plants, a badminton/volleyball court, boules boules French ball game, similar to bowls and boccie. Players take turns throwing or rolling a steel ball as close as possible to a small target ball; an opponent's ball may be knocked away if necessary. The playing field is called a pitch. and table tennis. Smaller children will find a play area that includes a tree house, and there are chickens and rabbits on site too. And all of this a stone's throw from the city centre. Lakeside lodging And so, finally, to the lakes: Maggiore and Lugano. Lakeside lodging is usually thought of as a luxury--and there are certainly no shortage of chic villas to rent with private moorings, infinity pools and luxuriant luxuriant /lux·u·ri·ant/ (lug-zhoor´e-ant) growing freely or excessively. gardens--but an uninterrupted lake view can be yours for much less than you might think in a room above a restaurant, an accommodation category simply called "restaurant with rooms" (look for ristorante con alloggio). On Lake Maggiore Lake Maggiore (in Italian: Lago Maggiore or lago Verbano) is the most westerly of the three large prealpine lakes of Italy and the second largest after Lake Garda. It lies approximately at . , the pretty village of Vira-Gambarogno has a number of such places, some right on the lake, others higher up the hillside. Ristorante Vela vela plural of velum. Bianca has a couple of rooms with a lake view (and more without), a small, sunny garden that leads straight to the water's edge and a beach area. And, some of the best Mediterranean food around. On Lake Lugano, try the characteristic, car-free village of Gandria for a sense of luxury at a fraction of the price. Locanda Gandriese is principally known for its food--it serves classic Ticinese and Italian dishes--and its lovely terrace overlooking the water, but it also has four simple rooms to rent. Or head to the delightful village of Caprino on the Gulf of Lugano. A favourite place for chilling out and dining (many guests arrive by boat), the village has a number of lakeside bars and restaurants, some of them only accessible on foot or over the water. Grotto San Rocco has one room to let (sleeps three) with a fabulous view across the water to the city--and is reachable by car. Alternative accommodation Azienda Montana Odro 6632 Vogorno Telephone: 091 745 4815 www.odro.ch B&B Vallombrosa Vallombrosa, 6980 Castelrotto Telephone: 091 608 1866 www.vallombrosa.ch Fattoria l'Amorosa via Moya, 6514 Sementina-Gudo Telephone: 091 840 2950 www.amorosa Am`o`ro´sa n. 1. A wanton woman; a courtesan. .ch Ostello della Gioventu (Lugano-Savosa Hostel) via Cantonale 13, 6942 Savosa Telephone: 091 966 2728 www.dieoase.ch Ristorante Vela Bianca 6574 Vira Gambarogno Telephone: 091 795 11 41 www.velabianca.ch Locanda Gandriese Sotto la Chiesa, 6978 Gandria Telephone: 091 971 4181 www.locanda.com Grotto San Rocco via San Rocco 3, 6823 Caprino Telephone: 091 923 9860 www.grottosanrocco.ch |
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