March 17 - Marathon Hike! Carona to Vico Morcote

A panoramic from under the porticos along the lake in Morcote, Switzerland

It was another very clear day with unusually warm temperatures for this time of year. Rick and I got on the 9:18 bus and headed up to Carona - a very quaint, tourist destination down the slope behind Mont San Salvatore. We began our hike high up along this mountain peninsula - where Lake Lugano surrounds 3 sides. The trail was well marked, but took us much longer than the posted time, but of course we have to stop for pictures and just take in the surroundings. 

Our first destination on the hike was a large meadow high up called Alpe Vicania. There was a restaurant there, but I know better by now - it's only March, and it's also a Monday. The likelihood of finding it open was nil. I was right. So we continued down to Vico Morcote. I knew that would be a steep decent - a labor of love for whoever made that trail of stone steps. Oh my knees after that long hike and all these steps down! And then it was the same story in Vico Morcote - restaurants closed because it's either March or Monday! Fortunately there was a bus coming by soon near the church. 

At the exact posted time, a "bus" came by - actually, a small van, with a small "posta" sign (the post office runs some of the bus lines to smaller towns) and also "scuola" (school). The van stopped and we asked - is this the bus? The young driver got out and came around to open the door. Yes! this is the bus! There was one child in the van, and we picked up more kids along the way - they had gone home for lunch and were going back to school - so basically we were on the school bus with the kids! It was really cute - we told them we were from Chicago. Then the kid behind us pops up his head and says in perfect English - I'm from New York! And another kid was from Miami! They just happened to have very international parents who decided to move to Vico Morcote (and who must have some money) 
This was really a highlight to find ourselves riding with the kids! 

The bus dropped us off down in Morcote, which is along the lake - one of our favorite towns - it is SO picturesque and quaint, and there are many very good restaurants under the old porticos along the lake. It was a nice, relaxing end to our 3 hour hike! Phew! I am totally wiped out. 

 Part of the town of Carona

Rick in Carona

 Along our walk in the woods - looking west . The large snowcapped mountain on the left is the second tallest in the Alps - Monte Rosa.

Playing around with the panoramic. Rick walked from left to right while I panned the camera. He is like a ghost in the middle! 

 Rick in the Alpe Vicania. The view is looking south, in the direction of Varese and finally Milan, Italy. 

 A view from Alpe Vicania looking west, to a town high up in the mountains in Italy, (you can see the town of Marzio, Italy) with Monte Rosa in the background (snowcapped, on left).

 As we walked down the east side of the mountain headed down to Vico Morcote, I took this picture of the town of Brusino, Switzerland, along Lake Lugano. The forested mountain above Brusino is Monte San Giorgio, a UNESCO world heritage sight for its abundance of prehistoric marine life.

 Another view of Lake Lugano, with Monte Generoso (with snow) straight ahead. 

 Coming down the side of the mountain looking over Vico Morcote.  It looks like Vico Morcote is along the lake front, but it's really still quite high up! 

 Rick heading down the mountain steps to Vico Morcote

 We are finally reaching Vico Morcote!

 One of the narrow "streets" in Vico Morcote

 Oh Yes! We were thirsty! Enjoying a Panache at the Osteria die Portici in Morcote. 

 The restaurant under the porticos in Morcote

Another restaurant with seating right over the lake. The couple on the patio were waving for our picture! I didn't realize it until afterwards. We ended up making some new friends!