Transportation
- we used a rental car from Milan Airport
Inspirations
-
How to Spend ONE or TWO Days in Lucerne, Switzerland: The Best Itinerary
- Lucerna – najpiękniejsze miasto w Szwajcarii. Co zobaczyć i co robić?
- An Ultimate Guide To Bellinzona
- Places to see in Bellinzona
- One Day in Lucerne, Switzerland (11 Free Things to Do)
-
Day Trip to Bellinzona, Switzerland: A Hidden Gem Just Beyond Lake Maggiore
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:
- Heidi (2015)
- On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
- Goldfinger (1964)
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
- Three Colors: Red (1994)
- The Bourne Identity (2002)
-
Five Days One Summer (1982)
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
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
Favourites
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.
