Ticino

Ticino is home to plenty of family-fun activities - from lidos and free swimming spots to adventure parks and scenic funiculars. Families looking for outdoor activities have lots to choose from, with cycling, canyoning and mountain playgrounds to get stuck into. Picturesque towns and Medieval castles add a touch of charm for those more laid-back, sightseeing days. Ticino also has excellent transport links so you can take the train to other Swiss destinations or Northern Italy for a multi-centre holiday.

After a day exploring the mountains, settle down to a bowl of golden polenta, traditionally cooked slowly over a fire and served with local cheese, braised meat or seasonal specialties. It's proper mountain food – simple, hearty and exactly what you want after a day outdoors.

Ticino is home to some excellent Merlot, and there's no better way to try it than at a traditional grotto. These rustic local restaurants are often tucked into the shade of woodland, with granite tables outside and menus packed with regional favourites. Order a glass of local red, settle in and let lunch turn into an afternoon.

Ticino's Italian influence really comes through in its food. Try a creamy risotto paired with Luganighetta, a local pork sausage – or look out for the particularly Ticinese combination of risotto cooked with local Merlot. It's the sort of dish you'll look forward to after a day spent exploring the great outdoors.

Ticino's scenic trails wind through palm-fringed lakeshores and dramatic alpine landscapes - a real Swiss-meets-Italian adventure. Follow the 'Olive Trail' from Lugano to Gandria for Ticino at its most Mediterranean. The lakeside path leads through ancient olive groves towards Gandria, a pretty fishing village tucked beneath Monte Brè. The walk is rated easy to moderate, and once you arrive, you can stop for lunch or a picnic before catching the boat back to Lugano. A lovely way to combine a bit of walking with some serious lakeside scenery.

Other options include Monte San Salvatore, where you can take the funicular from Lugano up to the top before soaking up the views across Lake Lugano. The route can be enjoyed as part of an easy-to-moderate excursion, with the option to walk down towards Carona or Paradiso. It's a great example of how Ticino makes it easy to swap city streets for mountain views without committing to a full day's hike.

For gentler and family-friendly routes, head up from Locarno on the Cardada cable car - there's plenty of trails to explore, so you can choose something that suits your pace rather than setting off on an all-day trek. There's easy access to viewpoints and plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery.