South of the Gotthard Tunnel had also received snow, and even though the further South you go the less snow remains, at Lake Maggiore near Locarno there was still a smattering left on the shady spots (also slick and icy) and for this area also cold at about +6 degrees, although still better than -15!
On the Maggia Delta just across the river from Locarno is the lovely lakeside town of Ascona, popular with tourists in summer and a magnet for wealthy people, as it is almost like living on the Italian Riviera... in fact, from here it is only 10 km to the Italian border.
We only did a little walk this time, 5 km high along the West Shore of the lake above Ascona, an area I had not been before. Somehow it reminded me a little of Hollywood. But very pretty and so much to see!
Highlights were a villa for sale for about $8M and a restaurant in Ascona that sells cheeseburges and fries for about $30: An American diner with definitely non-American prices! (It claims to be the place to see and be seen!)
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| The "Riviera" as seen from the other side of the lake (Monte Gambarogno) |
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| Relatively short walk this day, 1.5 hours, 5 km, from Ronco to Ascona |
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| On our train ride from home to the South, the sun is shining but it's COLD! |
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| Heading up with the bus toward Ronco, this is a typical church structure |
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| From Ronco overlooking the Maggia Delta to the North (our destination) |
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| The reluctant photographer. |
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| So many palm trees here. These are special palms that can withstand low temperatures. |
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| Below is the Church at Ronco, where we started our hike. View South along Lago Maggiore to Italy. |
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| View North to the Maggia Delta and Ascona. |
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| There was snow here and it still remains in the shady spots. |
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| Lots of high end homes here. |
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| Lots of villas and high end homes here. |
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| This villa was for sale for about $6-8M |
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| A little Robin Redbreast on our path |
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| A whole series of stairs took us down through the properties to the lakeshore. |
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| Near the lakeshore on Lago Maggiore |
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| Ascona on Lago Maggiore, with Ronco on the hill in the back. |
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| Approaching Ascona. |
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| Approaching Ascona. |
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| Ascona on Lake Maggiore |
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| Ascona |
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| Ascona |
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| Ascona |
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| In Ascona |
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| In this restaurant called Papa Joe's, you can buy American Burgers for about $30 |
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