Day 23 - Bellinzona, Castles and Gaffer

Our day began with a gentle start—a decent breakfast at the patisserie-café next door, the kind of place where the coffee is strong, the croissants flaky, and the locals chat over tiny espressos with remarkable intensity. Then a quick, practical diversion: a trip to Lidl to pick up some gaffer tape for the wing mirror temporary fix.

Originally, we had other plans—but with the rain falling steadily we drove to Bellinzona. About half an hour north of Lugano, this town is known not just for its mountain-framed beauty but for its remarkable trio of medieval castles, perched like sentinels across the hills.

We started at Castelgrande, the oldest and grandest of the three, sitting squarely above the old town on a rocky outcrop. With its vast courtyard and panoramic views, it felt more like a small walled city than a simple fortress. After exploring its battlements and towers, we caught the little tourist land train, which winds its way up to the two higher castles—picnic provisions from a local deli tucked under our arms.

Lunch was eaten in the rear carriage, al treno—perched on the land rain's wooden benches. First to the highest castle Castello di Sasso Corbaro, built in a frantic six months in 1479, and standing proud on the highest ridge. Its views over the Ticino valley are stunning, even through a curtain of mist.
The middle fortress, Castel di Montebello, is perhaps the most classically ‘castle-like’—with layered ramparts, turrets, and a fairytale silhouette.
After our descent, there was time for the obligatory gelato, a bit of aimless wandering through Bellinzona’s cobbled lanes, and a return to the van. Back in Lugano, we made a simple tea of meatballs in tomato sauce with pasta and salad, eaten indoors while the rain continued to patter down.

We’re still waiting on our Airbnb host to sort the washing situation—a minor mystery yet to be resolved. That’s tomorrow’s job. Then it’s onward, heading for Lake Maggiore and whatever stories it holds.Baca lagi