Bellagio to Bellinzona and Lugano: Private day trip

The ancient Romans saw the defensive advantage the natural landscape in this valley provided and erected a frontier post, which was later expanded by the Lombards, and ultimately made into a heavily fortified Milanese town, controlling access to the Alps from the South. The heavy Italian influence has left its mark on the city, such as the neo-Classical theatre. The picturesque streets and squares are filled with decadent patrician homes and beautiful churches. Yet it is the city’s triple fortifications that are the most arresting. One of only 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Switzerland, they are some of the best preserved fortifications in the country. The Castelgrande is the oldest and mightiest, and offers breathtaking views of the Old Town and surrounding area, as well as a museum covering the history of Bellinzona.

The shores of Lake Lugano have been settled since the Stone Age, but the Lugano city proper can trace its roots back to around the 9th century. For centuries, warring powers clashed over the city, until it finally fell under Swiss dominion in 1513. Situated on a lakefront, and with a strong Italian history, it’s no wonder the town centre has Mediterranean-style squares and arcades, complete with subtropical plants. The city is a treasure-trove for art lovers, with the 16th century Church of Santa Maria degli Angioli filled with fine frescoes by Renaissance masters, while the San Lorenzo Cathedral, with its Lombardy Renaissance facade in the style, contains countless frescoes and Baroque artefacts. For a more contemporary experience, the Museo Cantonale d'Arte exhibits paintings by Klee, Renoir and Degas.