Lake or sea? Loren or Belucci? Life is sometimes easier when you don’t have to decide. Like at the Giardino Lago hotel in Minusio – Locarno. Here, directly on the shores of Lago Maggiore, it feels like a piece of the Mediterranean coast.

A unique design hotel that forgoes five-star formality and includes a stylish restaurant with a terrace and the Roof Lounge. Switzerland infused with a touch of la dolce vita.

It’s actually more of a palazzo than a hotel. The Giardino Lago hotel in Locarno is replete with cosy charm and loving attention to detail, which you would rather expect to find in a private villa.

A distinct maritime touch lends the hotel ample light, a contemporary edge and an air of Mediterranean chic. The modern restaurant with a terrace and the breathtaking Roof Lounge conjure up images of an island paradise.

It doesn’t get any more beautiful than this. Soft colours, cosy lounges and a stunning view of Lago Maggiore. At the Lago restaurant, located on the waterfront promenade in Minusio – Locarno, the day drifts by gently.

It boasts modern Mediterranean cuisine and an unparalleled meat selection that makes other steakhouses look like mere vegetable stands in comparison. If you ask us: it’s the most beautiful place right on the lake.

Regardless of your event plans, the Giardino Lago hotel’s dazzling lake view is always a guest of honour. The ideal location for a romantic wedding by the lake or a casual party at the Roof Lounge. Team incentives? Customer events? We bring your plans to life. An event at sunny Lago Maggiore that will surely delight everyone. Exclusive bookings are also available on request.

Giardino has always been different from other luxury hotels in Switzerland. The Giardino hotels amaze guests with their very own interpretation of luxury. We break from the norm, try new things and have fresh ideas.

Giardino is pleasantly unusual. Yet we still have the heart of a Mediterranean host – and therefore are able to create a uniquely relaxing atmosphere. So you can feel completely at ease. Welcome home.

If Lago Maggiore were a sea, the Giardino Lago hotel would be an island. A haven for stressed city dwellers and a getaway for lovebirds. Featuring a total of 15 rooms and suites, a restaurant with a terrace and the Roof Lounge with a lake view that you’ll never want to leave. With its hand-picked interior and soft colour scheme, this is a design hotel where you can unwind and linger.

ROOMS & SUITES
Those who ascend the stone steps of the historic part of the building experience a tangible impression of its uniqueness. The walkways and doors resemble those of a villa, and reveal small and large spaces to retreat to for a while.

Each area has its distinct shape and size. However, all are light, incredibly cosy and emanate a maritime feel. Exactly what you would expect from a villa by the lake.

The colours of summer – white and turquoise. The rooms and suite at the Giardino Lago hotel exude a Mediterranean air, just like Lago Maggiore itself. All are located in the painstakingly restored historic part of the building.

Fabrics from Designers Guild, dark oak flooring and playful glass elements captivate the senses and leave you longing to set sail on your very own maritime adventure. It’s a good thing the lake is so close.

SUITE
Proof that life truly is beautiful. The lake and the Roof Lounge are just a short walk away, while the suite itself, surrounded by trees and a nearby stream, allows you to immediately unwind.

From the spacious 30-square-metre suite and its balcony, you can enjoy the panoramic view, as if the waters of Lago Maggiore were glittering just for you. A little bit of luxury perfectly suited for two.

DOUBLE ROOM
The epitome of rest and relaxation. With an airy design and spacious 15 square metres, you are sure to find your own private comfort zone. High-quality fabrics and a select interior – and always offering a view of the surrounding natural scenery. Guests can enjoy the mountains, a bit of the lake or a panoramic view. Our most popular category.

THE LAGO RESTAURANT
Modern Mediterranean cuisine at Lago Maggiore. The Lago restaurant is situated directly on the water-front promenade in Minusio – Locarno and features antipasti, homemade pasta and risotto, and gelati – everything that exudes la dolce vita.

Plus, the meat selection is every steakhouse’s object of envy. The restaurant makes the large terrace and the stylish Roof Lounge with its spectacular lake view seem almost unimportant.

Be prepared to abandon your favourite steakhouse after experiencing the Lago restaurant’s ten-der and juicy cuts of meat. Black Angus, Luma and Irish Nature steaks are cooked to per-fection at 800 degrees Celsius in the high-performance oven. Fillet steak wrapped in tree bark? Exclusive second cuts from the pros? That’s just for starters.

THE ROOF LOUNGE
Experience that Mediterranean vibe right here in Switzerland: think white sails, palm trees swaying in the breeze, inviting lounges and lazy days. While away a few blissful hours at the Lago restaurant Roof Lounge, with nothing to do but admire Lago Maggiore as it stretches out before you.

A world away from the daily grind, enjoying some laid-back grooves with a cold drink in your hand, you will soon rediscover the art of relaxation at the Roof Lounge – the perfect spot for sunbathing, catching up with friends or simply unwinding after a long day at work. Let’s set sail!

EVENTS & INCENTIVES
Are you planning an event in Ticino or directly at Lago Maggiore and need a venue to host it? Fantastic! We love organising unforgettable events and exciting incentives. The Giardino Lago hotel and Lago restaurant are one of Lago Maggiore’s most beautiful locations. Add to that our unique ideas and perfect service. Definitely a cause for celebration.

MEETINGS
Do you have an upcoming customer meeting or workshop in Locarno, an annual team incentive in Ticino or a special business event at Lago Maggiore?

The Giardino Lago hotel with the Lago restaurant and its Roof Lounge offers it all – from casual to memorable. For small teams or events with up to 200 persons. Want more? Our action-packed programmes liven things up even more.

TEAM BUILDING
Although the horizon over Lago Maggiore is not endless, the same cannot be said for the options offered. The small Palazzo moderno only has 15 rooms, which makes it easy to block out for your team or company.

What’s more, there are also many exclusive features for you – the huge Roof Lounge with space to develop ideas, the view over the lake will clear your mind, and the restaurant will ease any worries you may have. This is how work should be.

WEDDINGS
Do you have something to celebrate? Fantastic! At the Giardino Lago hotel, we are perfectly prepared for your event. A spacious outdoor terrace, the stunningly beautiful Roof Lounge or the modern restaurant are the perfect venues to celebrate and relax in contemporary style. With our lakefront location, you can’t go wrong. Exclusive rentals are also available on request.

You bet I do! If you’re looking for a casual, yet impressive location for a wedding reception, you cannot pass up the Giardino Lago hotel. We offer a modern villa, Mediterranean flair, friendly service and outstanding cuisine that meets everyone’s needs. Our event team plans everything to a T. All you need to do is say “I do”.

ACTIVITIES & EXPERIENCES
Everyone wants to find the perfect experience – the perfect hotel, the perfect location or the perfect moment. But what makes something perfect for you? Giardino has a few ideas, which are divided into six categories. Click the links below to add your very own personal upgrade to your stay.

BOAT TOUR
Hair in the wind, champagne in your hand – from the Patriziale harbor, we are heading across the lake directly to Italy in the morning.

Not far from the coastal town of Stresa and facing Isola Bella, we will have an excellent lunch at the Ristorante Milano directly overlooking the lake. Afterward, the tour goes around the Borromean Islands and past Santa Caterina del Sasso back to the home harbor.

GIARDINO FLOWER POWER
Whether romantically playful, boldly colourful, or wild – every bouquet and every floral decoration from our florist is unique and as individual as the occasion, the person receiving the gift, or any other reason for the flower creation.

Whether as a birthday surprise, decoration for private occasions, such as a wedding, or a bouquet for “just because”. The Giardino Hotels’ in-house florist will advise you individually and set no limits to your imagination. Say it with flowers!

Even as an external guest without a room booking, you can use the Giardino flower services. In the summer months in Ascona, as well as in the winter months in St. Moritz. The decorations are arranged according to your wishes and may vary depending on the season.

LAGO TASTING MENU
Dolce far niente (the sweet choice of doing nothing) or sitting back and enjoying is the motto of this evening. The evening starts with a “sundowner” with a glass of Franciacorta and aperitifs on the Roof Lounge.

Afterward, chef Francesco Leone will guide you through a 4-course tasting menu* with the highlights of the Lago menu*. Dessert and digestif can be enjoyed again on request on the Roof Lounge with a view of the glittering Lake Maggiore.

DINE UNDER THE STARS
Classic dinner at Restaurant Lago? That’s always a good option. But if you want to step it up a notch, you can also move the romantic dinner for two to the Roof Lounge.

With a direct view of Lake Maggiore and the starry sky at the same time, the surprise 3-course menu and the individual flower decoration almost become a secondary matter. To ensure that this moment is remembered for a long time, a trendy Polaroid, which is taken in the evening, is also included. Even Cupid with his arrow can’t keep up.

Bookable only on request and subject to availability for hotel guests of the Hotel Giardino Lago or the sister hotel Giardino Ascona. *Please note that the Roof Lounge is not exclusively available during dinner.

DAY SPA
Sometimes it takes “more” than a short break from everyday life. A Day Spa ticket for the dipiù Spa at the sister hotel Giardino Ascona is therefore not only ideal in changeable or rainy weather but also to relax holistically during your stay in Ticino. If you wish, the Giardino Shuttle will pick you up and drive you to the Giardino Ascona.

In the dipiù Spa, you can use all the spa facilities (indoor and outdoor pool, sauna, steam bath, relaxation room, garden). Slippers, bathrobes, and towels are available for you on-site. The dipiù spa experience is rounded off with a 60-minute treatment of your choice. A dipiù starter set incl. a spa bag is also available during your stay and may be taken home for use.

PERSONAL TRAINING
No matter what sporting goal you are pursuing, getting fitter, shaping your body, losing weight, strengthening your back, reducing stress, or trying something new. Our Giardino team will help you achieve your desired goal.

During personal training, you will be individually advised and accompanied by our Giardino fitness experts. After an anamnesis and, if desired, also after a bioelectrical impedance analysis, a personal training plan is created.

The training plan can be built up either classically with strength training in the fitness room or in different fitness class units such as back exercises, yoga, functional training, TRX, jogging, walking, Power Plate, fascia training, or stretching.

You and our Giardino fitness experts decide together what suits you and your needs. Based on this, an individual, intelligent training plan is designed, which is accompanied by our Giardino team.

We are constantly improving our daily routine. We optimize our lives as a matter of course with the latest technology, the latest fashion trends, or quick relaxation in between.

Unfortunately, we often stop at the most important thing: ourselves. The Giardino Team will show you the potential of your own body and mind, set goals together, and put you on the path to achieving them on your own. On your marks, get set, me!

SUP YOGA SESSION
Yoga doesn’t make you sweat? You can’t really say that after a yoga session on the stand-up paddles on Lake Maggiore with the Giardino Coach. At the very least, you will get wet without any major exertion.

Dare to get on the 1-man/woman paddles and test your balance. Falling into the water is, of course, which is of course allowed and provides a freshness boost at the end of the session at the latest. First experience on a Stand Up Paddle and in yoga is recommended for this session. Afterward, a bowl and a smoothie will provide the necessary refreshment.

Bookable only for hotel guests of the Giardino Lago on request and subject to availability. Would you like to test your balance on the SUPs in advance? During your stay, you can borrow the paddles free of charge from the hotel reception at any time, subject to availability.

STAND UP PADDLE
The boards that are taking over the world are called SUPs – stand-up paddleboards. These compact, one-man rafts are a wonderful way to explore Lago Maggiore. You can take them from the hotel directly onto the lake. We’ll send you off with a picnic lunch and an experienced guide. A great workout is included free of charge!

BIKING
On the Focus e-bikes of the Hotel Giardino Ascona, you can discover the spectacular valley and the surrounding mountains even more easily. A must for all nature and sports enthusiasts – and with the e-bike, you can get higher, faster, and further exactly where you want to go. Simply charge up the care package in the stylish Giardino gym bag and off you go over hill and dale.

AIR TAXI
Those who have always wanted to be high-flyer get the opportunity to be just that with the air taxi offer. This is made possible by the Giardino hotels and Mountainflyers with the helicopter shuttle.

Whether single- or twin-engined, an Airbus helicopter or an Agusta: the air taxi is arguably the fastest and most fascinating way to travel the Alps. From the airport to the hotel, from hotel to hotel, or as a spectacular means of embarking on a heli-skiing tour – travel times are cut by up to 75%.

With state-of-the-art helicopters, almost 40 years of flying experience, and its flying school in Berne, Mountainflyers is an established, service-oriented and trustworthy provider. Fares are stated per flight excluding landing charges, handling fees, the overnight stay costs for the aircraft and crew, as well as any permit costs.

Website: www.giardinohotels.ch

Rooms: 14

Price: from 333 EUR per night

Immerse yourself in the world of “dolce far niente”: in the Ticino 5-star boutique hotel Villa Orselina high above Locarno with probably the most beautiful view of Lake Maggiore, you will find a paradise of relaxation in an elegant, Mediterranean ambience.

With 28 spacious, individually furnished rooms and suites, a wellness oasis La Spa, the heated outdoor pool, a tennis court and two restaurants, we offer you a unique setting for your perfect holiday.

A wellness oasis with a view of Lake Maggiore and Locarno, a gourmet hotel, a romantic retreat at the foot of the local mountain Cardada. A hotel where every detail is special.

High above Locarno and Lake Maggiore, we offer you a unique setting for your event. Whether for a small or large event, our hotel is available for up to 150 people. Are you looking for a special location for your event? We also rent out our hotel exclusively, depending on the season.

In our wellness oasis La Spa, our experienced team will pamper you with massage and cosmetic treatments. Swiss Made is a guarantee for the best quality. We work with the innovative Swiss beauty line NIANCE®, which is made with glacier water from the Corvatsch mountain.

Let yourself be carried away by genuine charm of Ticino and delight in some moments of bliss at the Panorama Boutique Retreat.

Panoramic views
In a unique location high above Locarno, with spectacular panoramic views of Lake Maggiore and the Ticino mountains, our elegant Swiss 5-star boutique hotel Villa Orselina awaits you. Orselina is a small village in the hills above Locarno. Locarno railway station is only 2 km away.

Only 50 metres separate you from the church Madonna del Sasso, the cable car to our local mountain Cardada-Cimetta and the funicular to Locarno. From our Villa Orselina you have the most beautiful view of the lake and yet you are in Locarno in a few minutes by car or train.

Our Villa Orselina is the most beautiful base for all those who prefer to spend a lot of time in nature. From spring to autumn, our garden, the heated outdoor pool, the various golf courses and of course the mountains and Lake Maggiore lure you outdoors. When does your wellness and activity holiday in Switzerland start?

Leisure
The region around Villa Orselina offers you countless opportunities to experience a varied break, such as golfing, hiking, biking, sailing or a trip to Como or Milan. We can help you with the organisation and provide you with tailor-made recommendations.

Did you know that you have free travel on public transport when you stay at the hotel? With the Ticino ticket you also get discounts on mountain railways, boat trips in the Swiss lake basin and main tourist attractions in Ticino.

Location & Journey
Our 5-star boutique hotel Villa Orselina is located just a few minutes above the centre of Locarno and is easily accessible by funicular Madonna del Sasso or by bus. We will be happy to pick you up at Locarno train station free of charge. Please let us know your arrival time in good time.

Our hotel has its own parking garage. You will receive your Ticino Ticket at the reception upon arrival. With this ticket you enjoy free travel on public transport in Ticino; you also receive discounts on mountain railways, boat trips in the Swiss lake basin and main tourist attractions in Ticino.

Rooms & Suites
Our Boutique Panorama Retreat offers 28 spacious rooms and suites, all with direct lake views as well as stylish, innovative interior design. Light colours and noble interior design create a comfortably elegant atmosphere that will make you feel at peace.

The ultimate highlight: The view from the private terrace or balcony. Our garden, the Ticino mountains and Lake Maggiore, everything is within reach. The amenities include a Nespresso coffee machine, hairdryer, scales, bathrobe and slippers, flat-screen TV/radio, free WLAN, direct-dial telephone, safe and minibar.

Two Bed Room Suite
Experience a magical family holiday in our Signature Suite in combination with a Charming Double Room. In addition to the wonderful view of the lake, this combination offers plenty of space and flexibility for every need.

Signature Suite
A cosy evening in front of the fireplace in the living room or a siesta on the panoramic balcony – in our 100 square metre Signature Suite you can celebrate “dolce far niente” with a spectacular view. Insider tip: Bathing under the starry sky. Hundreds of little stars twinkle from the bathroom ceiling.

Lifestyle Suite
Starry skies as far as the eye can see. In our large Lifestyle Suites you can experience the boundless starry sky over the lake from your balcony to the bathroom. Why bathroom? Let us surprise you. While you lie comfortably in the bathtub, hundreds of tiny stars shine above you. And maybe you will discover a shooting star

Style Double Room
Bright, quiet, open – that describes our spacious style double rooms. In the morning you will be woken up by the sunrise over the lake through the panoramic windows.

Restaurants & Bar
Your time out in our 5-star boutique hotel Villa Orselina will be unforgettable for one reason above all: because of the culinary delicacies at gourmet level.

Because not only our wellness area La Spa and the hotel’s own Mediterranean garden with lake view will give you well-being, but also the creations from the kitchen of our 5-star wellness hotel in Ticino.

Immerse yourself in an unforgettable active and wellness holiday in our boutique hotel in Ticino and taste the Mediterranean dishes! We are sure: you too will discover a new favourite dish that will particularly delight you.

Our Villa Orselina has a bar with a romantic loggia and two restaurants, both with fantastic panoramic views. Chef Riccardo Scamarcio and his team will spoil you with light Mediterranean dishes, regional wines and refreshing summer drinks.

Il ristorante di Villa Orselina
Our Il Ristorante di Villa Orselina stands for fine Italian cuisine and offers the most beautiful panoramic terrace in Locarno / Ascona with a breathtaking view of Lake Maggiore. The restaurant has direct access to our garden and is open daily for lunch and dinner.

Buon appetito
Chef Riccardo Scarmacio and his team will spoil you with fresh and light cuisine. We select our products carefully and pay attention to seasonality and regionality. Experience the perfect combination of Mediterranean flavours and Italian and Ticino cuisine. Enjoy the dishes with exclusive Ticino wines and nearby Italy.

La Pergola Restaurant
Idyllically set amidst subtropical gardens directly by the hotel pool, the “La Pergola” restaurant caters to healthy appetites with a delicious salad buffet, authentic pasta fresca, a variety of grilled dishes and more, to gratify all kinds of tastes.

Panorama Lounge & Bar
The elegantly furnished Panorama Lounge & Bar is the perfect place to round up an enjoyable day. Guests feel at home here – in a relaxed ambiance with a large assortment of selected drinks to tickle the palate. Your glance will be torn between the heart-warming chimney and the spectacular view of the lake and mountains.

Cantina
Discover merlot specialties from Ticino and the best products from Italy and France, all lovingly selected, in our wine cellar. Our sommelier will be pleased to host you for a private wine tasting.

Events
Our Villa Orselina is the perfect place for private parties and weddings. It is not for nothing that our region is called the sunroom of Switzerland.

From a relaxed aperitivo in the Mediterranean hotel garden with a dreamlike view of Lake Maggiore to an exclusive 5-course dinner: we will make your occasion an unforgettable memory. A large banquet hall offers you privacy and an enchanting setting for your celebration. We look forward to your enquiry.

Weddings
With a lot of cordiality in the midst of Mediterranean flair, we organise your dream wedding together with you.

What could be more romantic than a wedding ceremony under palm trees with a panoramic view of the lake and mountains? You don’t have to fly for that Miami feeling and a dolce vita lifestyle. That’s what we offer at Villa Orselina in Locarno.

Celebrations
High above Lake Maggiore, we offer you a unique setting for your private celebration. A birthday to celebrate in style or an occasion for a few close friends, our boutique panorama retreat offers you space to welcome about 150 people. We are gladly available for more information.

Banquets and meetings
Hold a meeting in a Mediterranean atmosphere with a view of the lake and mountains: the Villa Orselina has elegant and functional facilities that are ideally suited for banquets and conferences.

Seminars, workshops and business events
Our light and modern meeting room, with state-of-the-art technical infrastructure and all-round service courtesy of a motivated team, accommodates up to 25 persons.

La Spa
We are proud and delighted to introduce you to our La Spa with unique and all-embracing pampering programs. With best-qualified professionals, we are pleased to provide an extensive range of offers that leave no wishes open.

Our program combines carefully selected cosmetic and therapeutic products of the utmost purity and effectiveness with an exquisite service designed to balance your inner self and to give you new strength and vitality.

Our focus is your beauty and well-being. Enjoy this experience with all your senses. Our Spa Team is pleased to compose a personal and individual pampering program to suit all your needs.

Treatments and massages
Our program combines carefully selected cosmetic and therapeutic products of the utmost purity and effectiveness with an exquisite service designed to balance your inner self and to give you new strength and vitality.

Saunas and pools
Our focus is your beauty and well-being. Enjoy this experience with all your senses. Our Spa Team is pleased to compose a personal and individual pampering program to suit all your needs.

Sport & Activities
“Il dolce far niente”, or sweet idleness, is celebrated in the Villa Orselina, but if you’re a sports enthusiast, you’ll get your money’s worth as well.

Our fitness room and heated outdoor pool with idyllic sunbathing areas are available to you, and both have a dream view of Lake Maggiore and the mountains of Ticino. If the view alone is not enough for you, you can scale the surrounding hills on foot or with one of our mountain bikes.

Hiking: Ticino is famous for its countless well developed hiking routes. Whether it’s a leisurely ridgeway with a panoramic view over Lake Maggiore or an adventurous trail run, we’ll be happy to give you advice.

Golf: In the immediate vicinity of the Villa Orselina are two 18-hole golf courses in Ascona and Losone that are open year-round. We’ll be happy to organise a day of golf for you.

Biking: We provide test bicycles free of charge for you to explore. Mountain bike routes through Ticino’s Alpine world with fantastic views start right at the hotel. Water Sports: You can water-ski or ride a jet-ski, sail or rent a motor boat on Lake Maggiore. We’ll be delighted to put together a programme for you.

Tennis: Villa Orselina has an outdoor tennis court that was completely renovated in 2020. The location of the clay court is fantastic. It is located below the hotel with a view of Lake Maggiore, the famous Madonne del Sasso pilgrimage church and is surrounded by palm trees and chestnut trees.

Things to do in and around Locarno
The region around the Orselina Villa provides countless and varied possibilities for taking a break. We will help you with organisation and can look after you with tailored recommendations.

Cardada/Cimetta
Could you have imagined that right above Locarno there be an easily accessible vantage point from where you can see the lowest (river delta at Ascona) and the highest (Dufour summit, Monte Rosa) points in Switzerland?

Located just a few minutes from Villa Orselina is the Cardada cable car, designed by Ticino’s star architect Mario Botta. A range of activities such as hiking or walking are available for visitors, both in summer and winter, for example Nordic walking, mountain biking, paragliding, snowshoeing and skiing.

Valle Maggia, 1254–1289 m
No two days are the same in the river landscape of the Valle Maggia. Countless waterfalls, the highest peaks, deserted low-lying pastures, unforgettable villages and tributary valleys. Here you can enjoy the good feeling that goes with being free to do nothing but able to do everything.

There are many reasons to discover the valley – art, nature, architecture, sport or simply a leisurely swim in the river. Then let the day draw to a close in one of the cosy grottos.

Valle Verzasca
The Valle Verzasca is undoubtedly one of those Ticino valleys that give a true impression of the history of this Alpine region south of the Gotthard.

These traces of the past, reflected in the harmony and simplicity of the dwellings tell of the tough lives of the inhabitants, forced by a sometimes harsh nature to make their livelihood in places that today seem so idyllic that they warm the hearts of visitors.

All this awaits sensitive and observant visitors – the valley in all its stature and natural glory before their very eyes, welcoming them in.

Madonna del Sasso, 346 m
The famous pilgrimage site of Madonna del Sasso re-opened in April 2012. Its viewing terrace overlooks the town of Locarno, the mountains and the shimmering blue Lago Maggiore. A wealth of art, architecture, history and spirituality has been carefully restored and enhanced.

The present site of the ochre-coloured, richly adorned pilgrimage church, Santa Maria Assunta, dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries. The original Franciscan church itself underwent some significant changes between 1900 and 1925.

A “must see” and the main attraction of any visit is the Bramantino altarpiece, “Flight into Egypt” (around 1520). Following the footsteps of the pilgrims, visitors can retrace the ancient stations of the cross to Locarno in a journey taking roughly 40 minutes and passing two pilgrimage chapels.

Brissago Islands
The beautiful Isole di Brissago are reached by boat from Locarno and Brissago. The Brissago Islands are the botanical garden of Ticino. The smaller island (or Isola di Sant’Apollinare) is covered in spontaneous vegetation primarily originating in Insubria and left to grow naturally.

The Isola Grande (or Isola di San Pancrazio) has been open to the public since 1950 and has mainly been planted with subtropical species of the northern and southern hemisphere.

In 1885, Baroness Antoinette Saint-Léger made the islands her home and frequently entertained painters, sculptors, musicians and authors as her guests. The large island was turned into an exotic garden.

In 1927, the new owner Max Emden, a businessman from Hamburg, had the present island palazzo, the harbour and the Roman bath built and extended the cultivation of exotic plants. The botanical garden offers a fascinating insight into subtropical horticulture. Open from March to October.

The Castles of Bellinzona – UNESCO World Heritage
In the center of the Ticino capital Bellinzona stand some magnificent examples of mediaeval fortification architecture. Three castles located here, with their fortified battlements, towers and gates, are a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000.

Cannobio
Cannobio is the first Italian town after crossing the border. Going by boat from Locarno, Ascona or Brissago is a particularly good way of getting here, as the roads are very busy on market day. The colourful market on the lake is a popular tourist attraction.

It mainly sells food and produce, cheese from the region and the whole of Italy, sausage and meats, fresh fish from Lago Maggiore and flowers are always in plentiful supply.

The market’s second main commodity is leather goods such as shoes, bags, belts and jackets. The piazza itself has many bars and restaurants. Please remember to observe the customs regulations. Open every Sunday from 8 am to 1 pm.

Website: www.villaorselina.ch

Rooms: 28

Price: from 295 EUR per night