2½ Holiday Garden Apartment with sea view and a whirlpool in Ticino

Location

Directions

By car
Take the highway (Autobahn) named A2/E35 until Via Cantonale/follow Route 2, exit at 47. Follow the street signs named Luino / Magadino / Locarno. At the last roundabout at “Cadepezzo” take the second exit to get to Via Mondette heading towards Luino/Gambarogno. Pass “Vira” along the lake to get to San Nazzaro. Once in San Nazzaro look for the street sign Vairano.

By public transportation
Take the train from Bellinzona to San Nazzaro. From there guests can either take the post van or the extra pick up service provided by our holiday-apartment caretakers. Once you decided to get picked up by us we will be able to hand-over the keys immediately as well as do some general groceries.

Additional services provided:
Our on-site “Casa Loma” - Team takes care of the holiday apartment and prepares everything for you in advance. If you wish to have the fridge filled up, the beds prepared, the apartment heated before your arrival we will be glad to assist you. Pick-up service from train station or airport is not a problem either just let us know your priorities prior to your arrival.
You are planning to celebrate your birthday in Ticino, are in need of a babysitter or a non medical assistant for people with special needs? Do not hesitate to let us know, we will be glad to assist you and provide you with reliable and outstanding service.
Generally the hourly fee amounts to CHF 40.00. If you wish to get picked up from the airport or train station we will be charging a reimbursement per kilometer which amounts to CHF 1.20/km.
So far our guests were pleasantly satisfied by our services. Feel free to let us know if you are in need of our services so that you will be able to have a great start into your well-deserved vacation!

Neighborhood

Situated in the middle of the canton Ticino the municipality Gambarogno (Vairano) borders on Locarno and is just 10km away from Bellinzona. It is definitely a pleasant place to be in and an ideal starting point for long walks to other villages nearby. For more than just a long walk: Hiking trails ranging over 150 kilometers and 1500 m altitude difference will lead you to satisfying new places!

The botanical garden in Vairano
Between Piazzogna and Vairano, is located the magnificent "Parco Botanico" on more than 17'000 square meters with thousands infinite colored flowering plants. Known in the spring for the camellias and magnolias. Plants drawn with much love and skill, mounted on a hillside terrace park, they roam some 950 species and varieties of camellias, 350 different magnolias, azaleas, peonies and rhododendrons; in between grow ivy, pine, juniper bushes and other rare European and Exotic conifers.

Exursions on the Lago Maggiore
Regular boat services provide transport from the lakeside towns and villages to Locarno, Ascona, the Brissago Islands and other excursion destination on Lake Locarno. The Ticino city triumvirate of Lugano, Locarno and Bellinzona is as quickly accessible from the Gambarogno as the nearby Italian market town of Luino.

Bellinzona Region and Northern Ticino
Bellinzona is situated at a strategic coomb on the entrance to the Gotthard, San Bernardino and Lukmanier Alpine passes. For the North, it is the gateway to Italy while at the same time it is the key to the Alps for the South.
The fortifications of Bellinzona, belong among the most important witnesses of medieval fortification architecture in the Alpine region; since the year 2000, they belong to the UNESCO World Heritage site. The Castelgrande, the oldest and most powerful Castle of Bellinzona, offers beautiful views of the old town and the surrounding area. A small museum in the Castelgrande, documents the history of the castles and the old city centre.
A visit to the historic centre of Bellinzona, which recalls Lombard cities with their arcades, is advisable especially on Saturday morning, when the popular with locals and tourists alike weekly market on the Piazza Nosetto, will be held.
Ticino specialities, such as the especially spicy Alp cheese, are offered on the market. In many alleys, can be found richly decorated patrician houses and beautiful churches. But the austere charm of the medieval city, conceals the pulsating life of a modern meeting centre. Numerous boutiques, specialty stores with culinary specialties and Cafés, invite you to stroll and relax.

The Lago Maggiore Region with its tributary valleys
On winding roads you will reach valleys that carry the names of their wild waters: Verzasca, Maggia, Rovana, Bavona.
In the summer, locals and tourists appreciate equally the shady forests and the bathing areas on sunny rocks - and of course the rest in a cosy Grotto after a hike.

Verzasca Valley
The Verzasca Valley is a wild, romantic and fascinating valley. Thanks to the maintain of the pristine properties, it is undoubtedly one of those Ticino valleys, which give a real impression of the past of the Alpine region in the South of the Gotthard.
An idyllic walk leads through the entire Verzasca Valley until Sonogo or Lavertezzo, where can be found the most beautiful route from Sonogno to Lavertezzo, where is the famous Roman bridge ‘Ponte dei Salti’.
For the ultimate adrenaline rush, ensures the Verzasca-dam on the Lago di Vogorno. For daring, are offered under professional instruction, bungee jumps from the 220 m high Verzasca-dam.

Maggia Valley
The Maggia Valley is one of the most famous valleys of Ticino.
Of breathtaking beauty, it makes its way from the Lago Maggiore (Ascona, Locarno) through the Alps, pampers the senses and the palate alike and offers nature and culture in a perfect interplay.
In the typical, called Grotti, pubs, traditional Ticinese specialities can be tasted in the shade of the trees.

Indemini
Vairano offers an ideal jump-off point for a nature hike to Monte Gambarogno with a breathtaking view over Lago Maggioro.
Other than that the post van stops at the Alpe di Neggia where it takes another 3h hike to get to Indemini. If you are not much of a hiker the post van (#326) can take you over 132 curves (38 hairpin curves..), 1200m altitude difference to the typical Ticino stone village Indemini.
In former times residents of the secluded village Indemini earned some extra money from smuggling because the farming was not too profitable. It is known for its angled narrow streets and is located behind Gambarogno in the italian part Val Veddasca. The village offers a few restaurants with traditional Tocino cuisine. If you are interested in learning more about the past of this village try heading to the photo exhibition located the village museum.

Wallfahrtskirche Maddona del Sasso in Orselina
One of the most historical places to visit is the pilgrimage church Madonna del Sasso. This church is one of the most significant religious attraction in canton Tocino.
The church is standing on a spectacular ledge, surrounded by a large plaza - an enchanting view over a small valley on a mountainous area once formed by the lake “Ramogna” in the municipality “Orselina” 370m above sea level. Other spots aside from the convent are the Church of the Annunciation and the chapel of Via Crucis.
Another destination not only for pilgrims: It is currently being discussed if the Holy Mountain should become a part of the UNESCO world heritage.

Entertainment
A wide range of activities and entertainments allows us to welcome guests and tourists all year round - the municipality of Gambarogno and the neighboring regions do not have typical visiting seasons. The grandiosity of this place is defined by the colors and odors of the Botanical garden, the variety of concerts on different stages, the relaxing spots along the lakeshore and the traditional and rural festivals. Fun and excitement for young and older generations! Any plans on visiting in summer? Head over to the events in La Campagnola Hotel in Vairano -you will be entertained by Jazz Piano Nights, Blues Nights and Music Nights! Looking for a great place to eat?