Switzerland, Bellinzona - Castello di Montebello

Our route

Cama - Lucerne - Verzazca - Ascona - Lugano - Bellinzona - Cama

Switzerland map

Transportation

  • we used a rental car from Milan Airport

Recommended books and movies

BOOKS:

  • A Tramp Abroad (Mark Twain, 1880)
  • A Farewell to Arms (Ernest Hemingway, 1929)
  • The Night Manager (John le Carré, 1993)

MOVIES:

Some prices

At the time of our travel:

10 Swiss franc (CHF)  = 10,91 euro = 45,96 zł (PLN)

  • espresso - 3,70 Fr
  • cappucino - 4,90 Fr
  • Aperol Spritz - 11 Fr
  • parking 1hr - 2 Fr
Switzerland, Lucerne - Lake Lucerne

Travel essentials

  • travel dates: 20-22 January 2026
  • accommodation: our friend's house - THANK YOU Marcin 🙂
  • currency: the Swiss franc (CHF)

TIPS:

  • A Swiss motorway vignette is mandatory for driving on Swiss motorways/expressways in vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, costing CHF 40 for an annual, non-transferable pass

Our itinerary

Day 1 - Cama

  • arrived in Cama village

Day 2 - Lucerne and Valle Verzasca 

  • visited Lucerne, ranked amongst the world's prettiest cities
  • walked across the famous Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) - a beautiful wooden pedestrian bridge that crosses the Reuss River
  • visited The Lion Monument featuring a stone-carved lion on a marbled wall, created to honor the Swiss Guards who were killed during the French Revolution
  • explored the Old Town - full of history, narrow streets, colorful buildings, and painted facades
  • strolled along the shores of Lake Lucerne and enjoyed the stunning views of the surrounding mountains
  • drove through the Gotthard Road Tunnel (longest mountain road tunnel in Switzerland - 17 km)
  • walked on the Verzasca Dam (also known as the James Bond Dam) famous for the iconic opening bungee jump scene in the 1995 film Golden Eye with Pierce Brosnan - 220-meter high arch dam, creating the Lago di Vogorno reservoir
  • visited the romantic bridge Ponte dei Sati - a 17th-century stone bridge known for its fairytale-like double stone arches and stunning turquoise waters of the Verzasca River

Day 3 - Bellinzona, Ascona and Locarno 

  • explored Bellinzona - best known for its trio of UNESCO-listed medieval castles that look like they’ve been plucked straight from a fairytale
  • wandered through Montebello Castle
  • visited the Towering Sasso Corbaro Castle
  • explored the castle grounds of Castelgrande
  • strolled around Piazza Collegiata
  • discovered the charm of Ascona and soaked in the sun while sipping delicious coffee on the like side
  • visited Locarno and strolled along its Lago Maggiore
Switzerland, Lucerne - Old Town

15 Interesting Facts You May Not Know (source: internet)

  • Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh, reflecting its diverse cultural heritage.  
  • The Swiss Army Knife, an iconic multi-tool, was originally designed for soldiers in the late 19th century.  
  • Switzerland is home to the longest railway tunnel in the world, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, stretching over 57 kilometers (35 miles).  
  • The tradition of yodeling in Switzerland originally served as a method of communication between Alpine communities.  
  • Swiss chocolate is renowned worldwide, with companies like Lindt and Toblerone originating here.  
  • The Red Cross, a global humanitarian organization, was founded in Geneva in 1863.  
  • Switzerland has no official head of state; instead, it rotates a federal council presidency among its seven members annually.  
  • Lake Geneva is one of the largest lakes in Europe and offers stunning views of both Switzerland and France.  
  • Switzerland’s banking secrecy laws are famous, although they have become less strict in recent years due to international pressure.  
  • The Matterhorn, one of the most famous peaks in the Alps, is a bucket-list destination for mountaineers and tourists alike.  
  • Swiss watches, such as Rolex and Patek Philippe, set global standards for precision and luxury.  
  • Switzerland has a direct democracy system, allowing citizens to vote on important decisions through referendums.  
  • The Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall by volume, is located in Switzerland near the town of Schaffhausen.  
  • Swiss cheese, particularly Emmental and Gruyère, is a staple in traditional dishes like fondue and raclette.  
  • Despite its small size, Switzerland has over 1,500 lakes, ensuring there’s always water nearby.