Ticino: a Bacchanalian Dreamscape on the Wine Side of the Alps

Set between snow-capped mountains, balmy chestnut forests, shimmering lakes, and Medieval castles, Switzerland’s southernmost canton of Ticino offers the best of both worlds: Italian delicacies and Swiss planning.

In September and October, the region's wealth of intimate small-town squares erupt with harvest festivals. For visitors, this is an excellent opportunity to experience what often amounts to a La Dolce Vita-styled Octoberfest on the wine side of the Alps.

Set between no less than three Unesco-listed Medieval castles, Bellinzona is incredibly picturesque. While this friendly town is quiet most of the year, the PerBacco! Wine Harvest Festival in September turns it into a bacchanalian dreamscape of open street markets, wine tastings, music stages, and local delicacies for everyone, all day and all night.

Not to be outdone by its smaller cousin in Bellinzona, Lugano’s PasSteggia is a glammed-up food and wine tasting festival along the town’s fabulous lakeside promenades and traffic-free historic streets. Alongside this is the chance to tour the city's incredible modern architecture, including the Museo d'arte della Svizzera Italiana (MASI), which forms a cultural bridge between Latin and Germanic Europe.

On the second Saturday of October, Ascona celebrates its bounty of chestnuts on the waterfront of Lake Maggiore. Here, the local maronatt (chestnut roasters) roast over 2000 kgs for visitors to enjoy, along with various chestnut-based jams, honey, and cakes. At lunchtime, the region's best wines and polenta, mortadella, and gorgonzola are served with a side of live music.

Just let us know and we'll start planning a trip for you that's packed with sights, flavors, and festivals.