Beside us, the orange-and-blue rack railway train readies itself to climb Monte Generoso, where the Fiore di pietra blossomed in 2017. We get on our bikes, ready to set off, pedalling through the tranquil streets of Capolago. The metallic clatter of the rails slowly fades as we ride away. The air is crisp, our pace unhurried, and the vast blue horizon of the lake unfurls before us. The road winds quietly between houses with brightly painted doors. To our right we see the baptistery of San Giovanni, the oldest Christian monument in Switzerland. It’s time for our first cultural stop, tucked away in a peaceful corner of Riva San Vitale.
We resume cycling around the contours of the lake, a gentle breeze rippling the water. A duck, resting on the pier, warms itself in the sunlight. A kayak glides alongside us, stroke after steady stroke. Today, there’s no rush; we’ve chosen to take our time, to look around and savour every moment of the ride. After about twenty minutes, we arrive at the village of Brusino. Colourful houses line the road, just steps from the water. Across the way, the bell tower of the church of Santa Maria del Sasso rises prominently, unmistakable above the rooftops of Morcote.
