Affluent Ascona

January 18, 2017 -- We had really been wanting to go on a long winter walk high up in the middle of the Alps, but although the forecast was for lots of sun, temperatures were at -15 degrees with a fairly strong and cold NE wind, so the obvious choice was to go South again.

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!)

The "Riviera" as seen from the other side of the lake (Monte Gambarogno)

Relatively short walk this day, 1.5 hours, 5 km, from Ronco to Ascona

On our train ride from home to the South, the sun is shining but it's COLD!

Heading up with the bus toward Ronco, this is a typical church structure

From Ronco overlooking the Maggia Delta to the North (our destination)

The reluctant photographer.

 

So many palm trees here. These are special palms that can withstand low temperatures.

Below is the Church at Ronco, where we started our hike. View South along Lago Maggiore to Italy.

View North to the Maggia Delta and Ascona.

There was snow here and it still remains in the shady spots.

Lots of high end homes here.

Lots of villas and high end homes here.

This villa was for sale for about $6-8M

 

A little Robin Redbreast on our path

A whole series of stairs took us down through the properties to the lakeshore.

Near the lakeshore on Lago Maggiore

Ascona on Lago Maggiore, with Ronco on the hill in the back.

Approaching Ascona.

Approaching Ascona.

Ascona on Lake Maggiore

Ascona

Ascona

Ascona

In Ascona

In this restaurant called Papa Joe's, you can buy American Burgers for about $30