We found amazing views (and food) on Mt. San Salvatore

During times of rain and cold weather north of the Alps, savvy locals know where to find the sun. The southern region is sometimes called "Switzerland's sun room", and there is a reason for this. Most of the time, the sun is out and the Italian way of life is at full swing in Ticino.

So on a recent grey weekend, we hop on the train and end up in Lugano where the sun is pushing through the clouds. From there, we climb to the top of Mt. San Salvatore where we find even more sun.

The ropeway is incredibly steep - even for ropeway connoisseurs like us! It climbs some 600 m/1970 ft to the top of Mt. San Salvatore.

Our plan is to hike from the top about halfway down through the mountain's chestnut forests to Carona. But first, we enjoy an outdoor exhibit on vintage Swiss tourism posters. It feels like traveling back in time...

The 360 degree views of Lake Lugano and the surrounding hills of Italy are simply astonishing!

All the hiking paths are well marked. Our destination: Carona. Have you noticed that way signs in Switzerland always mention the time it takes to hike there, rather than how many kilometers it is?

Lots of switchbacks on the steep descent from Mt. San Salvatore...

Carona is a very typical Ticino town with colorful houses and cobblestone alleys.

Fortunately, we come across Grotto del Pan Perdü, which is open. It is already past lunchtime and we have worked up a hunger for some polenta, a typical local corn dish...

After a relaxing and truly delicious meal on the vine-covered balcony, we descend all the way down to Melide at Lake Lugano. This part of the hike took another 45 minutes. But the next time, we are going to walk all the way to the town of Morcote on the southern tip of Mt. San Salvatore...