Surprise and beauty on a mysterious pirate island

THE PERFECT MOMENT
  • 12 May - 15.00
  • 22°
  • 194 m
  • Surprised

Pirates? Fairies? Hidden secrets? On the Brissago Islands, you'll find a bit of everything. All you need is curiosity, patience, a little luck and a map to start your treasure hunt! And, if you don't find the treasure you're searching for, just enjoy the beauty of nature in this botanical gem.

“Look over there, behind those beautiful flowers. There's something glittering!” “Is it a treasure, Daddy?” “Of course! Look closer!” 

In his eyes you can see the pleasure of discovery and adventure, but you are really having fun too and, among those bamboo canes, you think you can see a pirate with his eye patch and cutlass. 

All of your family had the same sensation. This morning, as you left Ascona's lakefront and boarded the boat, you thought: today will be an adventure. And what an adventure! More than 2,000 species of plants, from all over the world, flourish in just 2.5 hectares. 

Azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, but also Japanese bananas and bamboos take you to the Far East; gazanias and lion tails to Africa; magnolia, agave and yucca plants to America; and eucalyptus and acacias to Australia and New Zealand. Lastly, there is the bald cypress, with its strange roots in water ‒ where your children launch a flimsy paper boat ‒ takes you to the United States.

All on board!

All on board!

A journey through time and history

A journey through time and history

Discovering the botanical park

Discovering the botanical park

May the adventure begin!

May the adventure begin!

Discovering some of the wonders of the Brissago Islands

Discovering some of the wonders of the Brissago Islands

Admiring over 2,000 plant species from all over the world

Admiring over 2,000 plant species from all over the world

Lost in the Bamboo canes

Lost in the Bamboo canes

Following the traces of mysterious pirates

Following the traces of mysterious pirates

The strange roots of the bald cypress in the water

The strange roots of the bald cypress in the water

A journey in space, but also in time and history. The island you are exploring was home to a nunnery in the Middle Ages. Later, starting from 1885, Baroness Saint-Léger transformed these islands into the lush botanical park where you are now wandering, on the tracks of mysterious pirates and amazing treasures. The palatial building, with its sun-drenched terrace where you enjoyed an excellent breakfast, was built between the 1930s and 1949. It also has a romantic swimming pool in the patio, overlooking the lake, where a graceful bronze statue is bathing. 

But it's time to recall your own memories: your children have repulsed the pirates and now you just have to open the chest to take a shower in doubloons! Shiver me timbers! What an adventure!  

Fabrizia Girò, - fascinated by the Bolle di Magadino
Fabrizia Girò,fascinated by the Bolle di Magadino
You might be interested also in the following story
I love the mountains, I love walking and exploring and I have been discovering Ticino on my walks for almost 20 years.
Read the story
A GOOD DAY
14.14

Ready? Go!

14.45

What's behind those bushes?

15.00

The footprint of a dinosaur!

16.15

What's in the chest?

What to put in your backpack

You can't search for a treasure empty-handed: you need a treasure map, binoculars to scan the horizon, doubloons and a sword to defend your finds, plus a skull and crossbones flag as the authentic finishing touch.

IN THE SURROUNDINGS

USEFUL INFO

Ask for the map of the treasure hunt at the entrance and follow the clues.


CONTACTS
WHAT TO LISTEN TO

OTHER EXPERIENCES