Hamilton Lodge, nearby but totally different…
Enjoy Bella Italia…
From the high mountains to the palm trees in two hours?
Yes you can, going from Belalp the Lago Maggiore in Italy. Your car or the train takes you via Domodossola to Stresa in no time. Here you will find this big lake, with its Borromean Islands, under the Mediterranean sun. Like pearls on a string other pretty villages such as Baveno, Belgirate en Arona are waiting for you.
Have a Spritz Aperol at a lakeside bar and enjoy Bella Italia.
Talking about Domodossola: with its recently restored historic center this town, too, is a must-see if you’d like to spend a day in Italy. Walk the narrow streets and squares around the church and enjoy the medieval atmosphere. Each Saturday there is a big market where you can buy great cheese and other local food.
Totally different indeed
Get into a different world…
As a matter of fact, you don’t even have to cross the border to get into a different world.
The Valais vineyards, on the mountain slopes, offer a surprisingly new view of the region.
Especially in early autumn, when the vine leaves color yellow and red, there are splendid walks to be made near pretty little towns such as Sion (the canton’s capital), Saillon, Sierre, St. Léonard en Salgesch. Here the language is French, which again gives you a different holiday feeling.
«Salgesch»
«Sion»
Train junkies: don’t miss this!
Domodossola is the starting point of the Cento Valli train which has as its final destination the town of Locarno on the lake with the same name. A narrow-gauge railway curves over the mountains and through, yes, a hundred valleys, riding right across a beautiful piece of Italy to arrive in a Mediterranean Switzerland.
You can take the same train back, or, alternatively, travel to Andermatt by SBB and from there, through the Goms valley, back to Brig.
Vineyards of Visperterminen…
Somewhat closer, still in the German-speaking area, vineyards are to be found near the village of Visperterminen, above Visp.
