Discover Ticino’s autumn pleasures
The tourist board of the southern canton of Ticino has put together an itinerary of autumn walks through some of the countless chestnut groves in the region.
There are walks of varying lengths and difficulty, and all offer rare insights into the age-old culture of Switzerland’s native Italian-speaking population.
The chestnut was for centuries the main ingredient used in traditional dishes of the people in the poor valleys of Ticino.
But since it was considered the “poor man’s bread”, it was cast aside in the prosperous post-war years, and has only recently enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance.
The various trails wind their way through chestnut groves, through ancient villages and past medieval churches and castle ruins.
According to local custom, each tree in a grove was marked with its owner’s number or a cross.
Visitors can look closely at the houses in the villages they pass to discover how many uses the local population found for chestnut wood: doors, vine props, fences, bridges and wooden roof tiles among them.
The itineraries, available in English on the Internet (see link under “related sites”), also list shops selling chestnut specialties and restaurants serving up traditional chestnut fare.
Since winter sets in later in Ticino than the rest of the country, walking conditions are often ideal right through to the end of November.
Discover Lake Biel
One of the last Swiss wine festivals is being held in the village of Twann on the shores of Lake Biel from October 24 to 26.
With only 235 hectares of vineyards, the Lake Biel region is one of the smallest wine growing areas in the country.
The Chasselas grape dominates here, and the white wine produced from it can be enjoyed in any of the cosy restaurants on the lakeshore, accompanying a plate of freshly caught fish.
A one-hour walk through the vineyards between Twann and the neighbouring village of Ligerz offer splendid views of the lake and St Peter’s Island where Jean-Jacques Rousseau took refuge.
Discover world wines
You can choose from more than 4,000 different wines from more than 20 countries at this year’s wine show in Zurich, Expovina, between October 30 and November 13.
What makes Expovina unique is the fact that the show takes place on a dozen passenger boats moored at Bürkliplatz on the edge of the city centre.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Expovina will be kicked off this year with a fireworks display over the lake.
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