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The “LLB Voices” editorial team would like to share their favourite travel destinations and best travel experiences with you. Browse through our insider tips and get inspired for the upcoming summer holidays. Whether Switzerland, southern Europe, or even Canada – we wish you a great summer, no matter where it takes you.
Curzútt / Ponte Tibetano Carasc
Why: Ticino flair, sporting activities, a good dose of culture, slowing down, culinary delights, views
Your starting point: Monte Carasso (222 m), to the west of Bellinzona
Your activity: hike up to Curzútt (600 m) or take the cable car; visit the Romanesque San Bernardo church with its frescoes (14th/15th century); cross the 270 m long Tibetan suspension bridge on foot; discover stone houses, dry stone walls, and an old mule trail; take lots of breaks, enjoy the view
Your physical well-being: backpack picnic, Guesthouse-Restaurant Curzútt (regional wine, Ticino prices)
Your time commitment: day trip
How to get there: public transportation recommended, very limited parking on site
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The Algarve – a paradise on the Atlantic
The Algarve in the south of Portugal offers golden sandy beaches and turquoise waters. In Sagres, the westernmost point of Europe, you can enjoy impressive sunsets and a fresh sea breeze. There are crystal-clear grottos that seem almost surreal and hidden bays that invite you to go kayaking. The Benagil cave, nestled on the south coast in one of the regionʼs most impressive rock formations, is one of the Algarveʼs top sights.
Charming coastal villages provide the perfect backdrop for tasting fresh fish straight from the cutter – the cataplana, a traditional stew, is a must. An excursion into the back country leads through orange groves and olive fields and offers picturesque views.
The Algarve is a perfect place for relaxation and adventure and is waiting to be discovered – full of hidden treasures in the southernmost part of Portugal.
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Galicia, Spain
My travel recommendation is Galicia, a region in the north-west of Spain, an ideal destination for surfers. In addition to the fantastic waves, the region also offers breathtaking landscapes and a multitude of pristine beaches with crystal-clear water – even though the Atlantic can only be endured for a short time without neoprene. Galicia is also home to the historic city and pilgrimage destination of Santiago de Compostela. The breathtaking cathedral and charming old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are especially worth visiting. Galicia offers the perfect mix of nature and culture, which I very much enjoyed. With its proximity to the sea and green meadows, the region also offers a culinary diversity that rounds off a trip to the region.
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Taormina, Sicily
Taormina, a picturesque gem in Sicily, offers a perfect mix of ancient history and natural beauty. Spectacularly situated above the Ionian Coast, it has stunning views of the sea and Mount Etna.
My personal highlights include: a visit to the ancient Greek theatre, a boat trip to Isola Bella, and a quad bike tour on Mount Etna. The island also offers many culinary highlights.
My recommendations: a granita with brioche for breakfast, then a pasta alla norma – at the Cottanera winery, for example, including a tasting of the estateʼs own wines – or a pizza in Taorminaʼs old town at Villa Zuccaro. To round off the culinary experience, be sure to leave room for the many typical Sicilian dolci such as cannoli, le minne di SantʼAgata, torte di mandorle, etc.
If you have an evening flight home, you can also pass your time at the market in Catania.
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El Cotillo, Fuerteventura
Desert, tranquillity, sandy beaches, and wind. A paradise on Fuerteventura for switching off, away from the all-inclusive bunkers. The small fishing village offers a large selection of fish restaurants (of course) and an atmosphere that invites you to slow down. Thanks to the still vibrant fishing tradition, there are daily deliveries of fresh fish, served in the evening at the local restaurants.
The beaches are covered with pearly white sand, without any noisy beach clubs nearby. The only thing you hear are the grains of sand that are always shimmering for you, and the pages of your book that are filled with sand as soon as you open them. So, put down your book, put on your sunglasses, and enjoy the endless view!
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Graubünden: Patgific*
Welcome to the fabulous canton of Graubünden, where the mountains are so majestic that even the ibexes are jealous! If youʼre tired of the sand between your toes and are looking for a summer adventure off the beaten track, Graubünden is just the right place.
How about a refreshing dip in picturesque Lake Cresta near Flims? But be careful: The water is so clear you might think youʼre jumping straight into a bottle of mineral water. Or are you more in the mood for a thrill? There are about 1,000 mountain peaks in Graubünden that will make your heart beat faster – like at the Pinut via ferrata near Fidaz. But again, be careful – even though itʼs a fascinating nature experience, itʼs not for the faint-hearted.
All of these adventures will make you hungry and thirsty – but donʼt worry. Graubünden also has plenty of culinary delights to offer. Visit the old alpine hut in Brigels and listen to Julian Cathomas talk about the traditions of the past. His stories are accompanied by simple menus that he cooks just like in the olden days: over a wood fire.
So pack your hiking boots, sunscreen, and your good mood and immerse yourself in the summer magic of Graubünden.
* The Romansh word “patgific” means slowing down and the art of enjoyment.
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Brittany, France
Vive les vacances! Heading west, towards the sunset, is a liberating feeling. Where better to experience this than in Finistère, the end of the world. Myths, druids, dolmens, and menhirs as far as the eye can see. Crime thriller fans follow in the footsteps of detective Georges Dupin and discover gems in the most remote corners of Brittany. Will a pack of wild boars happen to come around the corner, pursued by Obelix, who is feeling a little peckish? The country between the English Channel and the Atlantic offers wonderful culinary delights. Itʼs the perfect place for fans of oysters and crustaceans of all kinds as well as galettes and crêpes – ideally accompanied by a cider. Vegetables such as artichokes thrive in the mild climate.
Whatʼs the best way to get there? Airports and train lines are in short supply – connoisseurs rely on their own car and are unbound. Brittany makes anyone happy who dreads package tours and likes to get to know the country and its people on their own. The impressions of enjoying the sunset from a cliff in Finistère will stay with you for a long time. Nothing but the view into the sea, towards the sun – at the end of the world.
Vancouver, Kanada
In about 12 hours from Zurich or Vienna, you can cross the Atlantic and the North American mainland and disembark on the Pacific coast. Vancouver is a modern city in the middle of expansive nature, with a skyline dominated by bright blue glass skyscrapers. Plan about 3 or 4 days for sightseeing, taking in not only the city centre but also the waterfront promenade between Canada Place and Bayshore West Marina, Stanley Park, English Bay Beach, the lively Granville Island Public Market, and the chic Coal Harbour and Yaletown districts with their typical architecture. Outside the city, excursions to Vancouver Island, whale watching boat tours, sightseeing flights on a seaplane, and a road trip to Whistler, the famous winter sports resort, are very much worthwhile.
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