a special brochure for wheelchair users

Locarno & Ticino
Infos
Infos and tips for people on a wheelchair
Locarno & Tessin
für Personen im
Rollstuhl
The Locarno Youth Hostel
In addition to the Youth Hostel, the unique "Palace of Youth" (Palagiovani)
also houses Ticino's local radio station (Radio Fiume Ticino), a youth bureau
and a music school (Accademia Ticinese di Musica). The youth hostel offers
accommodation for 200 people.
The youth hostel in Locarno is also suitable for wheelchairs.
The following rooms are adapted for wheelchairs and have an easy access to
showers and toilets:
37 Double rooms with bunk beds.
Washbasin in the room. Toilet and shower conformable for wheelchairs
on the floor.
8 42bedded rooms with bunk beds.
Washbasin in the room. Toilet and shower conformable for wheelchairs
on the floor.
2 Twin rooms.
Shower and toilet suitable for wheelchairs in the room.
Reservations can be made per e2mail at [email protected] or per
Telephone 091 756 15 00.
In the following pages we suggest some activities for people on a wheelchair
in Locarno and other places in Ticino.
Arrival at the YH Locarno
With Public Transport
From Locarno train station it’s a 252minute walk to the youth hostel.
Alternatively, take bus No. 1/7 direction Ascona/Losone as far as the “Cinque
Vie” stop, it takes 10 minutes. These buses are accessible to wheelchairs.
For more information on the accessibility of individual stations and trains
to/from Locarno you can contact the SBB at 0800 007 102 (Call Center
Handicap 2 free of charge from anywhere in Switzerland) or under
www.sbb.ch/handicap.
Walking
It takes about 20230 minutes to walk to the youth hostel from the train
station. You have to consider that with a wheelchair it takes longer and it is
quite unpractical.
With the car
When you take the Locarno exit you arrive at the “giant roundabout”, make
almost the whole round and follow the “Palagiovani” sign.
Public car parking close by (chargeable). The hostel owns a few parkings as
well (free), but there are not many available.
Falconry Locarno
Live an exciting experience in the world of birds of prey, observe from near
the flight of eagles, hawks and owls in a respectful environment of the
animals. Daily from Tuesday to Sunday, birds of prey flight representation
and Spanish horseback riding of the duration of 45 min.
The Falconry is accessible to people on a wheelchair.
Season
March 2October
Season
Price
CHF 20.–
Opening hour Tue – Sun 10.00 212.00 / 14.00 – 16.30 (July/August also on
Mondays)
Performance 11.00 and 15.00
More informatio
informations
nformations www.falconeria.ch / 091 751 95 86
How to get
get there
You can walk to the Falconry
youthhostel in about 15220 minutes.
Falconeria Locarno
Via delle Scuole 12
6600 Locarno
from
the
Casino Locarno
Between the Piazza Grande and the harbor is situated the Casino of Locarno.
Admission fees
free – from 18 years old only!
Opening hours
Slot2Machines
Daily 12.00 – 3.00 (Friday & Saturday until 04.00)
Live Games
Mon–Thu 19.30 – 3.00 / Fr 19.30 2 4.00 / Sa 17.00 – 4.00 / Sun 17.00 2
3.00
What they offer
2 Bars and the Restaurant „Le Bistro“
150 Slot2Machines
4 tables American Roulette
Black–Jack, Ticino Stud Poker and Ultimate Texas Hold’em
More Information at 091 756 30 30 / www.casinolocarno.ch
How to get there
You can reach the Casino from the youthhostel in about 15 minutes walking.
From the bus stop „Cinque Vie“ (1 min. walking from the hostel) there are
regularly buses that stop at „Locarno Debarcadero“, right in front of the
Casino.
These are suitable for wheelchairs. Timetable at www.sbb.ch
Lido Locarno
The new Lido Locarno from November 2009 presents itself as a true
recreational, sports and well2being oasis focused on a water theme in the
splendid scenario of Lake Maggiore. The new Lido Locarno is open
throughout the year and in all weather conditions, with its numerous indoor
and outdoor swimming pools, from the Olympic size swimming pool to the
thermal pool, from the play pool, with its water effects, to the 4 fantastic
chutes and represents the most complete and modern bathing facility in
Ticino.
All year offer
thermal pool 34 ° C / 252m & 162m indoor pool
Summer offer
outdoor pool / diving pool
Admission fees CHF 12.– / You can get discounted tickets at the reception!
Opening hours
Mon – Fri 08.30 – 22.00 / Sa – Sun 08.30 – 20.30
More information at
www.lidolocarno.ch / 091 759 90 00
Both indoor pools have a facilitated access for people on wheelchairs.
For the other pools you can ask for help to the Lido’s bath attendants. A
special toilet for people on wheelchairs is provided.
How to get there
From the youthhostel you can reach the Lido in
about 25 min. walking (ca. 35240 min. with a
wheelchair).
There are many parking possiblities in the
surroundings.
Lido Locarno
Via Respini 11
6600 Locarno
Acquasana
Multipurpose swimming pool, thermal grotto, sauna, relaxarium, frigidarium
and solarium in a single facility. An indoor pool with a mobile floor, also
accessible to the disabled, awaits you with a pleasant water temperature
(ranging from 31.5° C to 34° C) and an air temperature (ranging from 29° C to
30° C). Do not miss the Acquafitness Circuit2Training. A water slide and
games are available.
Acquasana Muralto SA
Centro Wellness
Via Balli 1
6600 Muralto / Locarno
Tel. 091 730 15 75
Fax. 091 730 15 76
www.acquasana.ch
Schwimmbad Bignasco
Position
The swimming pool is 5 minutes walk from the bus station. It is near the
Bignasco waterfall, which is a beautiful view.
Infrastructure
The heated swimming pool has got a divingboard, changing rooms, showers,
toilets, a bar, and a small playground, all surrounded by a big lawn.
The parking has got space for 200 cars and it is free. There is also a football
ground nearby, free of charge, and which can be reserved as well.
season
The swimmbad is open from June 17th to August 28th, every day from 10AM
to 6.30PM, only when the weather is nice.
Piscina comunale del comune di Cevio
zona sportiva2
sportiva2quartiere di Bignasco
CH 2 6676 Bignasco
Tel. 091 754 18 38
Cardada
Cardada/Cimetta, just a few minutes from Locarno, offers you peace, nature
and wonderful walks and excursions. Here awaits you a breathtaking view on
the Lake Maggiore and the surrounding peaks, as well as the landscape
promontory, the play path and the geological observatory. The cable car as
well as the valley and mountain stations were designed by Mario Botta, the
famous Ticino architect in partnership with the architect Paolo Pedrazzini.
At the Cimetta geological observatory you are treated to 360 degrees
panoramic view. From the Maggia river delta between Locarno and Ascona,
the lowest point of Switzerland, to the Monte Rosa massif, the highest point
of Switzerland.
In the restaurants and huts you can delight yourself with the characteristic
Ticino’s cuisine.
Cablecar Orselina – Cardada
The Cablecar to Cardada is suitable for wheelchairs.
Season
March2 October
Timetable:
09.00 – 18.00, every 30 minutes. High season: extra rides.
Prices:
round trip: CHF 27.00. Half price for members of the YHI.
More information
information:
091 735 30 30 / www.cardada.ch
nformation:
How to get there
From the bus stop „Cinque Vie“ (1 min. walking from the hostel) you have to
take bus nr. 2 direction „Orselina2Brione s. Minusio“ to the stop „Orselina2
stazione funivia“ (cable car station). These buses are suitable for
wheelchairs.
You can get brochures and timetables at the reception desk 2 www.sbb.ch/en
Ascona
Nestled in a suggestive sunny bay, the village of Ascona is considered the
„pearl of Lake Maggiore“ and one of the most refined resorts of Switzerland.
Five2star Hotels, classy restaurants and ist 182hole golf course, embedded in
magnificent surroundings, stand for exclusive holidays. You will be
fascinated by the old part of town with an intertwined network of alleys,
squares and cobblestone streets which lead to the Piazza, the promenade
along Lake Maggiore which hosts a series of events, markets and festivals,
the most famous being the New Orleans Jazz Festival.
You can also find many interesting boutiques and appetizing restaurats.
The promenade along the lake is beautiful and easy. There is also a public
toilet that can be used by people on a wheelchair.
Wheelchairs2friendly restaurants in Ascona (incl. WC):
2 Ristorante Castello del Sole (www.castellodelsole.com / 091 791 02 02)
2 Ristorante Lanca (091 792 28 28) (no parkings)
2 Ristorante Ascona (091 785 15 15 / www.hotel2ascona.ch)
How to get there from Locarno
From the bus stop „Cinque Vie“ (1 min. walking from the hostel) you can take
bus nr. 1 direction Ascona. These are accessible for wheelchairs.
The journey last 10 minutes.
Ascona can easily be reached also with one of the NLM ferry boats
(Navigazione Lago Maggiore). The boats are accessible for wheelchairs.
Brochures and timetables available at the reception desk 2
www.navigazionelaghi.it/ www.sbb.ch
The Brissago Islands
The Brissago Islands host the Botanical Garden of Canton Ticino. Exotic
plants, colours and sweet scents offer the visitors moments of emotion and
relax. Thanks to the extraordinary climate conditions this garden hosts more
than 1’600 different kinds of plants and flowers of subtropical origins and
from all five continents, presented in an inviting surrounding.
Individual guided tours and public guided tours are offered during the
season. Embedded in the park there is the splendid Villa Emden which hosts
a fine restaurant with a fantastic view of the lake. Overnight stays at the Villa
Emden (min. 8 persons) are possible. The gardens are open from March to
October, every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Season
March 2October
Season:
son:
Opening hours: daily from 9am until 6pm
Prices:
free for people on wheelchairs (normal price CHF 8.00)
More Informations
091 791 43 61 / www. isolebrissago.ch
Informations:
ons:
The island is only partly accessible for wheelchairs. Part of the island and the
exhibition can be visited also from people on wheelchairs.
A special toilet for people on wheelchairs is provided.
How to get there from Locarno
The Brissago Islands can be reached with the NLM ferry boats.
The boats are accessible to wheelchairs. You have to allow 30 to 60 minutes
for this stretch.
Brochures and timetables
www.navigazionelaghi.it
available
at
the
reception
desk
2
The Valle Maggia
This Valley is not just the longest and mostly spread out valley of the Italian
part of Switzerland: it’s a fantastic alpine valley which has been modeled
throughout the years by the clear waters of the river Maggia. The same
generous river that during the summer time is specially appreciated for it’s
refreshing powers. The side valleys Val Bavona, Val Lavizzara and Val Rovana
increase the territory value with thier spectacular mountains.
A magical atmosphere, surrounded by wild nature, water, stone, history and
culture is the special ingredient added to the simple but just fantastic food
offer at one of the many „Grotti“.
What people on a wheelchair can do in the Valle Maggia:
Visit of the Vallemaggia Museum in Cevio – www.museovalmaggia.ch
Visit the church of San Giovanni of the architect Mario Botta in Mogno
www.botta.ch
Trip with the cable car from San Carlo to Robiei www.robiei.ch
San Carlo is unfortunately not reachable with the public transports for
people on a wheelchair.
More information on the Valle Maggia
Tourist office Valle Maggia 091 753 18 85 / www.vallemaggia.ch
How to get there from Locarno
From the bus stop „Cinque Vie“ (1 min. walking from the hostel) you can take
bus nr. 315 „Locarno2Bignasco2Cavergno“, accessible to wheelchairs.
From the stop „Bignasco Posta“ there are the Postautos (yellow buses) that
go to Fusio. Not all of these are accessible to wheelchairs.
You can get infos on specific bus trips at 091 754 16 19 (Autopostale Ticino2
Moesano).
Market in Cannobio (I)
Cannobio is situated on Lake Maggiore (at 214m of altitude with 6000
inhabitants), in the province of Verbania, Piemont. This medieval village is
only 4 km from the border to Switzerland, between Verbania and Locarno
(Switzerland).
On Sundays there is a big market in Cannobio, along the lakeside 2 a big
attraction with a wide selection of food and non2food. Fresh fish from the
Lake Maggiore, local cheese, fruit, vegetables and an extensive choise of
bread.
During all year round Cannobio offers some typical village feasts and dance
nights, nearly all during high season. A way to meet people of the village and
other tourists.
When: every Sunday from 8am til 1pm Where: on the lakeside
How to get there from Locarno
The market in Cannobio can be reached with the NLM ferry boats. The boats
are accessible to wheelchairs. The trip last about 1 hour. There’s also an
hydrofoil that reaches Cannobio in 30 minutes. Reservation required for the
hydrofoil.
Price for round trip: CHF 27.50 (+ CHF 6.– for the hydrofoil)
Reservation for the hydrofoil: 091 751 18 65
Brochures and timetables available at the reception desk 2
www.navigazionelaghi.it
Market in Luino (I)
In Luino, you do not have to miss the market on Wednesday. People come
even from Switzerland, Germany, France, Holland with bus/coach to visit it.
The stalls fill the main roads of the town, which are full of tourists looking for
a good shopping. Every kind of goods are offered by shouting men and
sellers. It is a picturesque, coloured, folksy, cosmopolitan spectacle, dating
back to XVI century.
When: every Wednesday from 9am until 4.30pm
How to get there from Locarno
The market in Luino can be reached with the NLM ferry boats. The boats are
accessible to wheelchairs. The trip last about 80 minutes. There’s also an
hydrofoil that reaches Cannobio in 40 minutes. Reservation required for the
hydrofoil.
Price for round trip: CHF 29.50 (+ CHF 6.– for the hydrofoil)
Reservation for the hydrofoil: 091 751 18 65
Brochures and timetables available at the reception desk 2
www.navigazionelaghi.it
Parco Ciani in Lugano
Overlooking the shores of lake Ceresio, its 63.000 sq. metres constitute the
city’s green lung; it’s a quiet place where you can take nice walks and where it
is impossible to remain unperturbed by the grandeur of century old trees.
One of the major attractions of the park are the flowers whose colours
harmonise and blend with the colours of the lake and the surrounding
landscape. Every year the flowers and patterns of the flowerbeds are
changed to tickle the curiosity of the local inhabitants who witness the
changing of the seasons through the changing colours in the park.
This park is one of the most admired in Switzerland.
In the park there is also the Villa Ciani that houses the civic museum.
In 1912, the estate was bought by the city of Lugano for more than 1.5million
swiss francs. Professor Angelo Pizzorno made this comment in Consiglio
Comunale (council meeting) :“This is not crazy pointless luxury; it is a shrewd
investment by a city whose moral and economic standing is due in great part
to the assets of its natural beauty.”
Opening time: summer 6am211pm / winter 6am29pm
Entry to museum: Ticket. Monday closed.
More informations www.lugano2tourism.ch
A restroom with wheelchair access (WC) is provided, but the access to the
park itself is not easy for wheelchairs.
Swissminiatur Melide
If you want to have an overview of Switzerland and spend a nice time in a
wonderful region, don't miss Swissminiatur, an exciting place and a must see
attraction for everyone visiting this beautiful country. It's an open2air
miniature park located in Melide, on the shore of Lake Lugano, in the Italian
speaking part of Switzerland. The park is surrounded by mountains like
Monte Generoso, Monte San Salvatore and Monte San Giorgio. On a surface
of 14,000 m2 visitors can admire more than 120 models at a scale 1:25
representing the most important buildings and monuments in Switzerland.
The self2service restaurant offers local, Swiss, Italian, authentic Chinese and
Indian cuisine.
The Swissminiatur Melide is wheelchair2friendly.
Price: For not self2sufficient disabled people and their companions entrance
is free.
Opening time: Open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
From March 2 October
More informations www.swissminiatur.ch / 091 640 10 60
From Locarno
Locarno
Unfortunately for people on wheelchairs it’s not possible to reach the
Swissminiatur with the pulic transport.
With the car you take highway A2 direction Chiasso, exit in Melide and then
follow the signs to Bissone. A big car and bus park is available.
Miscellaneous#1
Museums
Museo Cantonale d’Arte, Via Canova 10, 6900 Lugano
incl. WC
www.museo2cantonale2arte.ch
Museo Cantonale di Storia naturale (natural history), viale C. Cattaneo
4, 6900 Lugano
incl. WC
www.ti.ch/mcsn
Museo del Ferromodellismo (model trains), Via S. Franscini 24,
6850 Mendrisio
incl. WC & Parking
www.gb2trains.ch
Museo del caffè (Chicco d’Oro), 6828 Balerna
incl. WC & Parking
www.chiccodoro.com
Theater
Teatro del Gatto, Via Muraccio 21, 6621 Ascona
incl. WC
www.ilgatto.ch
Cinema2Teatro Kursaal, Largo Zorzi, 6600 Locarno
incl. WC
www.teatrodilocarno.ch
Sport
Minigolf Losone, via Saleggi, 6616 Losone
Tel. : 091 791 66 16
Centro Sportivo Tenero: Athletics track
Centro sportivo nazionale della gioventù,, Via Brere, 6598 Tenero
Tel. 091 735 61 11
[email protected]
Shopping
Fox Town, Via. Ang. Maspoli 18, 6850 Mendrisio
incl. WC & Parking
www.foxtown.ch
Miscellaneous #2
Internet Cafés
Al Bottegone, Piazza Grande 20, Locarno
Bar Carioca, Via A. Franzoni 75, Locarno2Solduna
Ristorante Snack Bar Pax, Piazza Stazione 9, Muralto
Hot2
Hot2Spot Wireless
Palazzetto FEVI, Zona Peschiera, Locarno
MC Donald’s, Via Stazione 1, Locarno
Ristorante Emporio (Bahnhofsbuffet Locarno)
Restaurants
Restaurants
Al Bottegone,
Bottegone Piazza Grande 20, Locarno
Specialties: Pasta, Lasagne, Panini, Focacce
provided & parkings
Telefon: 091 751 80 90
FEVI,
FEVI zona Peschiera, Locarno
Specialties: Spanish cuisine, Paella, Pasta
provided & parkings
Telefon: 091 751 90 07
La Farfalla,
Farfalla via della Posta 44, Locarno
Specialties: Risotto, Pasta, Fish
provided
Telefon: 091 756 37 45
Ristorante Lido,
Lido via Respini, Locarno
Specialties: Grill, Pizza, Pasta
provided & parkings
Telefon: 091 220 12 12
Antico Grotto Mai Morire,
Morire Avegno
Specialties: Polenta, Risotto, Piatti Freddi (various appetizers)
provided & parkings
Telefon: 091 796 15 37
Grotto Broggini,
Broggini via San Materno, Losone
Specialties: Polenta, Risotto, Piatti Freddi (various appetizers)
provided & parkings
Telefon: 091 791 15 67
Lost & Found
Lost objects Locarno: 091 756 33 27
Weather forecasts
Telefon: 162 / www.meteosvizzera.ch
Tourist Office Lago Maggiore
Tourist office Locarno, Largo Zorzi 1, Locarno, Telefon: 091 791 00 91
Parkings
Largo Zorzi, Via Cattori
6 parkings and WC accessible to wheelchairs
Piazza Stazione, Piazza Sazione
2 parkings and WC accessible to wheelchairs
Pharmacies
Pharmacy Celesia, Piazza Grande
Pharmacy Elvetica, Via Stazione 4
Pharmacy Lafranchi, Via S. Francesco 6
Pharmacy Portici, Largo Zorzi
Pharmacy Soldati, Via Vallemaggia 61
Churches
Church Evangelica Monti, Locarno Monti
accessible to wheelchairs
Church Sant' Antonio, Piazza S. Antonio
accessible to wheelchairs
Church Sacra Famiglia, Via. S. Balestra
accessible to wheelchairs / WC accessible
Church San Francesco, Piazza S. Francesco
accessible to wheelchairs
Church San Giovanni Battista
accessible to wheelchairs
At www.ftia.ch (association for the integration of people with handicap) you
can get more information about what you can do and where you can go (they
have many infos about the accessibility of buildings) if you are on a
wheelchair.