Albergo Ronco
 

Has anyone ever stayed at Albergo Ronco on Lake Maggiore? Is it impossible to get to by public transportation? Is it as wonderful as it looks on it's website?

I don't know of a train service, but I have never tried in that area. I'm sure you could get a bus. I'm assuming you are talking about the village of Ronco on Lago Maggiore, although there might be other hotels named Ronco. I do know the village is very nice and spectacularly located.

Hi, I wasn't able to access the site w/o downloading a flash gizmo. But if it is located in Ronco Sopra Ascona, you can get there by bus from Locarno. Notice that there are two Roncos right there, sort of, -- one at lakeside and one above. You can, of course, reach the lakeside one by lakeboat. J.

Thanks J. I figured worst case I could take a taxi. It looks like a beautiful spot. The rooms on the water are more than twice the rooms not facing the lake!

Sounds wonderful. I do plan to explore Ronco on my next trip (sigh), but in the meantime you can wave at little Gerra across the lake for me -- as you no doubt know, that's where I stay when I'm lucky enough to visit beautiful Lago Maggiore. J. p.s. Are you using any sort of pass? rail? boat? I'd be interested to know, because my Swiss Pass is not valid for the Maggiore lake boats, alas.

Hi again. Topping for Grasshopper, but I have another question. Does anyone know if it is possible to walk down from Ronco Sopra Ascona to Porto Ronco? I see a very wiggley road on my map, but I'm wondering if there's a walking path or steps or something. All the public transport from RSA goes either to Ascona or to Brissago before heading for Porto R. Any thoughts? J.

Hi JW, Tell me about Gerra. Why do you choose that? I wasn't able to get a room at Albergo Ronco, they are fully booked. But they put me on a wait list and I have a reservation now at a lovely looking small place just out of Locarno, on the lake. I plan to go go Ronco though and perhaps have lunch. I'll let you know about walking to the Port when I return.

jw: I did the way up from Porto Ronco to Ronco sopra Ascona. Lots of steps! Hot, exhausting, but well worth it.<BR><BR>I recommend to do the walking from Ascona to Ronco s. A.; incredible views, southern vegetation. So you can go down the steps to Porto Ronco and take the next boat to Gerra or somewhere else.<BR><BR>Why didn't you post this on the Support Group thread?<BR><BR>Grasshopper: Have a look at the old thread "Support Group for Those who love Switzerland". you will find some posts about Gerra and Ticino in general.<BR><BR>Ingo

Stayed close by and walked past Albergo Ronco. Great location well up the hill but with stunning views. Train to Locarno and grab a cab. Also Restaurant della Poste in Ronco town is stunning at night, also by taxi . There are rooms upstairs as well.

Hi. Grasshopper, I think I replied via the Support Group II thread, but I've got to ask about the 'lovely place' you've found just outside Locarno? Name? I'm always looking for such places, but I cannot recall if your budget and my budget are comparable. <BR>I also cannot remember when you are going. <BR><BR>Graeme, if you walked by the Albergo Ronco, maybe you can shed light on the possibility of walking downhill? Where were you walking to and from?<BR><BR>I'm really looking forward to exploring the two Roncos. Hope I don't fall down and break my crown, so to speak. J.

JW, I looked up the I love Switzerland threads to see you comments on Gerra. Also, checked out Hotel Panorama. It looks great! The most difficult thing about this trip planning is there are so many choices and so little time! I'm frustrated that this will only be a two week trip. In the past I've always managed a month off but can't do that right now because of work.<BR><BR>I have chosen Hotel Navegna www.navegna.ch which is just a little north of Locarno. It's on the beach and looks like it has great views. My email back and forth to the hotel have been very friendly and helpful. A single room is 95 swiss francs and half board is provided for 28 francs more. It seems incredibly reasonable. They have bicycles for rent, which appeals to me since I'm a cyclist.<BR><BR>I have just begun to travel solo in earnest and am fiercely protecting that status on this trip. (I've had a couple people suggest they join me). I want to become better at solo travel. I think the benefits far outweigh any discomfort. (lots of threads on this topic) For the record, I'm a woman "forty something" (forty-eleven is forty something, right?)<BR><BR>I have gotten a ton of valuable advice from Swandav. She's a wise woman.

Grasshopper, I think hotel Navegna is in Minusio, a (nice) suburb of Locarno. It is indeed a distance away from Locarno's great old town, but you can use the bicycle to get there. Just follow the wonderful "Lungolago" lake promenade.<BR><BR>I read very good things about the hotel and its restaurant. Highly recommended by guide books!<BR><BR>I am sure you will have a great time there! Please give us a little report when you are back!<BR><BR>Ingo

Hi Grasshopper, You embarrass me, 40-11 and cycling. I'm 40-18 and strolling. Anyway, did you catch Ingo's great description of walks around Ronco s. Ascona? Ingo, if you're around, is it possible for G' to cycle the path/trail/what-is-it between Ascona and Ronco s.?<BR><BR>Sounds like you've got a great place picked out. Will you stay there the full two weeks? If so, see Ingo's info about the 7 day whole-lake boatpass! I'm so curious about some of the little places at the Italian end of the lake. <BR><BR>Ingo, have you visited Cannero Riv. or Cannobio or the little islands near Stressa? If you have already described them, point me to the place. Sorry to repeat questions. Senior moments are starting early. J.

The path I described is not made for cycling. For cycling you better take the road (only little traffic)from Ascona via Monte Verita to Ronco s. A.<BR><BR>Yes, I have been to the Italian part of the lake. Please give me a little time for a description, I am tight on time right now. Only a few words: Stresa has seen better times before! Not very much to see of the splendour of past times. Anyway, it is still impressive.<BR><BR>I.

Hi Grasshopper, I know you've chosen another place to stay, but I just got back from a very petite visit to Maggiore and I made it a point to notice the Albergo Ronco. It does indeed look very nice with good views. Of course all of Ronco s. Ascona seems to have gorgeous views. I took the bus from Locarno's station and it took 24 easy minutes. There are 9 buses daily and 9 returns. I had intended to walk down the stairs to Porto Ronco and take lakeboat/s back to Gerra, but the fact that I chose the luxury of late starts almost every morning to max my relaxation requirement meant that I could not synchronize my busride plus time to explore RSA plus the walk down with the lakeboat schedule (which is sparse for little places like Gerra and Porta Ronco). Anyway, I always like to leave experiences for a return trip. Maybe you can bus from L to RSA, walk down, and get back to Minusio by lakeboat. By the way, I bought a three-day whole-lake boatpass for 56 sfr. Spent a lot of time on the water, but the approaches to the lake towns are all beautiful. J.