Northern Italy | schwingeninswitzerland

We stopped in Tirano because it is the end point for the Berninia Express. Most visitors to Tirano stop on their way somewhere else whether on a train journey, to ski areas like to St. Moritz or Pontresina, or on the way to Milan. On someone’s advice, we decided not to stay in Tirano, Italy, but stayed in Lugano instead. They told us Tirano was small and Lugano offered more to see and do in Lugano. They were right. It has only about 9,000 inhabitants (it is still considered a city because it has walls that were built to protect it). We took a 30-minute train tour of the town. Although it was in a wonderful setting, our tour was enough. Here are the highlights: The Catholic shrine of Madonna di Tirano is dedicated to the supposed appearance of the Blessed Mother to Mario Degli Omodei on September 29, 1504. Pilgrims credit the appearance to an end to a pestilence. They have a nice plaza around the church.

The town has some pretty old buildings but their beauty is trumped by the natural beauty of the Alps that surround it.

Tirano has a river, a gorgeous setting, some tranquil sun-drenched piazzas and some ancient, winding streets. I’m pretty sure that the food there is pretty good. We saw lots of people out in cafes enjoying the sun. If we head there again, I will put it to the test.