The Guide
If it is true that their only original contributions to the world are the cuckoo-clock and the raclette cheese, the Swiss have fully exploited their accomplishments, presumably with a little help from the banking system.
In Locarno, the Mercedes Coupés are more common than the minis, and their owners seem not to frown at £25 menus - that's just for lunch. So when packing your suitcase, remember to take a gold card, or a substantial cash advance from the expense account.
Yet the most immediate pleasures are free. The splendour of the Alps and the serenity of the Lake Maggiore provide a dense beauty. Peace and tranquillity are instantly accessible.
This Mediterranean climate, in the sunniest part of Switzerland, encourages the favourite festival pastime: sitting outdoors - for instance, waiting at a café for a cold drink, which will arrive two minutes before you have to leave for a screening. (This is the country which invented precision, and trains may be punctual, but do not expect the waiters, or anyone else in the Tician region, to be busier than their Italian colleagues.)
A dip in the water will naturally come to mind. There are swimming pools, and all 38 public beaches on the Swiss side of the lake undergo monthly quality checks, but bathers say the best idea is to rent a boat and jump in to the middle of the lake - or better still, find a river with fresh glacier water (Vallemaggia or Valle Verzasca, for instance).
Local life gravitates around the Piazza Grande. From there, a city walk could take you to citta' vecchia (the old town) and past the chapels to the Santario della Madonna del Sasso, a 15th-century sanctuary.
Also not to be missed are the Castello Visconteo (the Visconti Castle), the remains of a 13th-century fortress, and a couple of chiesae (churches), each with its own history: the San Antonio, San Vittore, San Quirico and Nuova.
As a tourist centre, Locarno will cater for most of your out-of-theatre needs, including gambling at the Casino, trekking and parachuting, golf, riding, sailing, or balloon flying. The local bicycle club is as old as cinema: 100 years.
The thriving nightlife takes off around midnight, and on your way home you can have a coffee and a croissant at the Bar Silo, Piazza Stazione, which opens at 5.30.
SWITZERLAND
Area: 41,288 sq km
Population: 7 million
LOCARNO
Population: 15,000
Official language: Italian (French, German and English also spoken, in that order).
TIME
Central European Time is one hour ahead of GMT.
WEATHER
With over 2,300 hours of sunshine a year, Lake Maggiore is Switzerland's sunniest area, with an average yearly temperature of 12.5° (August: 24°). For the weather forecast tel 162 (Italian), 021-162 (French), 01-162 (German)
AIRPORT
Lugano-Agno International Airport Tel 091-505001. Swissair Lugano tel 091-236331, Crossair Lugano tel 091-505001. Check-in Swissair/Locarno 336564.
Trains from the airport to Locarno: approx CHF 20,00.
Taxi from the airport to Locarno: approx CHF 150,00.
Free shuttle service between Locarno and Lugano-Agno for festival guests.
BANKS
Open 8.30 to 16.30/17.30 Monday to Friday.
Money can also be exchanged at the railway station, or at automatic exchange machines at the Banca Popolare Svizzera and Unione di Banche Svizzere.
BARS AND CLUBS
Recommended hang-outs include the Bar Sport, Via della Posta, the Bar Castello, by the Visconti Castle, and Club 55, Via Borgo 55. If you feeling like dancing, try the Lago Bar, Ascona, or the Bussola, Lungolago Muralto.
CAFÉS
For a snack or an aperitif locals recommend the Cibarius, Via della Posta 17, or the Canetti, on the Piazza Grande.
Recommended for those ice-cream addicts amongst us are the Pizzeria Burbai, Viale Verbano 45, the Pizzeria Primavera, Via dell'Ospedale 4, and the Golosona, Viale Verbano.
CAR RENTAL
Avis, Ascona tel 354455. Europcar, Locarno tel 318844. Hertz, Muralto tel 335050. Limousine service, Minusio tel 336271.
CONSULATS
Germany: Lugano, tel 091-227882. France: Minusio, tel 339839. Italy: Locarno, tel 311776. UK: Lugano, tel 091-238606. USA: Zurigo, tel 01-4222566.
COURIERS
DHL Lugano tel 1557777
ELECTRIC CURRENT
220-230V/50 cycles.
FESTIVAL OFFICES
Management: The Locarno International Film Festival, Via della Posta 6, CH-6600 Locarno tel 310232, fax 317465. Festival director: Marco Müller.
Press, Hospitality, Sales and marketing (during the festival): The Sopracenerina Building, Piazza Grande tel 310232, fax 317465. Press: Frédéric Maire. Hospitality: Wilma Luban. Marketing: Francine Brücher
HOTELS
What the Carlton is to Cannes and the Kempinski is to Berlin, so the Grand Hotel is to Locarno. Distinguished elegance and a splendid bar for CHF 240-380 per night, tel 330282. The festival also suggests the Pestalozzi, CHF 120-160, tel 310292; the Sempione, CHF 110, tel 313064; or the Home Sant'Anna, CHF 60, tel 311797.
EMERGENCY
Doctor and dentist tel 111. Ambulance tel 318383.
Hospitals and clinics: Clinina Santa Chiara, Locarno tel 310252. Ospedale la Carità, Locarno tel 310121.
Police Tel 158 117. Central police station tel 311262.
RESTAURANTS
Although your luncheon voucher will hardly buy you a tooth-pick, it is possible to have a decent meal in Locarno without spending a fortune. Suggestions in and around Locarno:
* The Pizzeria/Gelateria Burbai, Viale Verbano 45, is famous for the best pizza in town tel 332020.
* If you like risotto (CHF 40), try The Centovalli, Ponte Brolla (tel 811444). Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
* Enjoy spare ribs for less than CHF 20 at Grotto Cavalli, Verscio (tel 811274).
* Mid-budget proposals: The Osteria della Madonna, Golino tel 811220; The Osteria Centrale, Intragna tel 811284 — closed on Wednesdays; The Uno più, Gordevio,15 mins from Locarno, tel 871012 — closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; The Ristorante Stazione, Valle Maggia, Avegno tel 812098 — closed on Saturdays; The Carlo Magnon, Via Simen 96, Minusio tel 332020— closed on Sundays and Mondays.
* Best fish restaurant in citta' vecchia is The Cittadella tel 315885 — closed Sunday lunchtime.
* Up-market choices for the gourmet: The Ristorante Centenario, Lungolago 17, Muralto - 17 points in the Gault Millau, menus CH 98-128 tel 338222 — closed on Sundays and Mondays; The Osteria della Posta, Agarone - 16 points in the Gault Millau, menus CH 50-250 tel 092-641498 — closed on Mondays.
TAXIS
Alfa Piccolo Tax SA tel 314444/334343. Mini Taxi tel 317777/316161.
TELEPHONE
National code for Switzerland: 41. Area code for Locarno: 093. (Locarno from abroad: 4193.) International calls from Switzerland: Dial 00 + national code.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Tourist Office of Locarno and Surroundings: Largo Zorzi 1, 6601 Locarno tel 310333, fax 317090.
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