Aug. 17: Monday- drive to Ticino region

Post date: Aug 19, 2009 12:02:52 AM

Arolla -> drive to Sion (a must stop) -> Visp -> Ulrichen -> SE over the Nufenen Pass (8300') -> into the Val Bedretto -> Airola.

• Gorgeous drive east across the country. Car's are a wonderful way to really see Switzerland.
• Moved from French speaking Valais region, to German speaking in central region, to Italian in the Ticino region (all in one day.)
• Airola: stopped at Information and gal spoke pretty good English. She showed us her 3 favorite hikes and was very helpful.
  • She called ahead to Faido and made reservations.
  • Faido: very old, poor village. Hotel : 1800's. Elderly owner spoke 99.9% Italian (no English). This was interesting.
    • But, the room was clean and that's all that mattered.
  • Drove down valley to Biasca to find a place to eat.
  • Very hot and humid.