Locarno

Our last night in lugarno we had a pleasant evening at a restaurant across the road from the train station and our hotel. The main centre is a short walk or Funicular ride into the valley below, with houses nestled into the mountain opposite, so the view of the lake and the evening lights was magnificent!

We had hitherto avoided this particular restaurant because it looked too fancy for our crew, but not only was it reasonably priced, but they were surprisingly accommodating of the kids, producing pencils, paper and a domino set that kept Dash amused for a couple of hours! Of course the handmade 'nu-nus' were also right up his alley.

The following morning we left our hotel and headed to Locarno - little sister of the larger Lugano. Dash was very excited about taking a funicular ride into the hills above and luckily it had come back into service that very day after being on hiatus for maintenance. We alighted at Orselina and were rewarded with spectacular views of Locarno, the lake and the Santurio Della Madonna Della Sasso that overlooks the town.

We then returned below and randomly chose a trattoria for lunch in the main square Piazza Grande. Dash amused himself on a nearby 'wild west' carriage and horses ride, but was somewhat put out when another child jumped on too and their less miserly parents put money in and started the ride, so he demanded to get down, being unfamiliar with the concept that rides move if you aren't too cheap to put the money in!

Reluctantly we made the four hour journey home (note exhausted, fast-asleep family), knowing that it was the end of our cross country mini-jaunts in Switzerland, which have been enormously fun (note gratuitous inclusion of photo demonstrating sad state of Mack humor).