JazzAscona is one of the biggest
Traditional and Classical Jazz Festivals in Europe offering over 400 hours of music on 5
main stages (and numerous smaller venues) played by 200 artists from all over the world.
Music commences at around 6p.m. each evening continuing with ad hoc jam sessions, sometimes
as late as 2a.m. You will need your stroller badge for the five lake-side stages.
Ascona and Locarno
The towns are either side of the River Maggia delta, 12 miles
inside the Swiss Border in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino. English is widely
understood, as is German and some French. The currency is the Swiss Franc. Euro is also
accepted.
Locarno was once the most important town on the lake, while Ascona is often called the
“Pearl of Lake Maggiore”. Both towns are steeped in history going back as far as the 11th
Century. The Mediterranean style weather and lakeside setting make this area a very popular
destination.
Ascona and Locarno lakefronts are approximately 1½ miles apart across a river delta. Buses
run every 15 minutes, take approximately 12 minutes and costs about £3.00 return. Taxis are
available for a fixed fee, take about 7 minutes and cost £3.00 per person based on carrying
4 passengers.
Accommodation
We have chosen to stay in Locarno, as hotels
in Ascona are generally small and are booked year on year by regular
festival-goers. Locarno is ideally suited as a start point for
excursions having excellent public transport services to the surrounding
area, including Ascona. We are offering a choice of 3*or 4* hotels that
are three minutes walk apart.
3* Hotel Pestalozzi
Situated in the heart of Locarno, just 100 yards from the
lakefront and 75 yards from where the buses leave for Ascona, the hotel offers easy access
to the town’s restaurants. The rooms have an en-suite shower room, a balcony, telephone,
lockable drawer for personal effects and a mini-bar. There is a ground floor Pizzeria.
4* Ramada Arcadia
Overlooking the lake, the hotel is just three minutes walk from
the town centre. The rooms are en-suite and also have a lounge area with a sofa, air
conditioning, a mini-bar and balcony. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, sauna and
solarium.
An enhanced continental breakfast is served each morning in the
full service restaurant. We have secured a limited number of lake view rooms.
Hotel Ascona (Ascona)
Set in a tranquil hillside location overlooking Ascona and the
lake with its own garden, pool and sauna, the hotel is ideally situated for those who want
to be right on the doorstep of the festival.
All the rooms offer a lake view and have en-suite facilities, a
mini-bar, safe and a fan.
Single supplements and room sharing
The Hotel Pestalozzi supplement for single occupancy is £75 (the
first two bookings received incur no supplement) and for the Ramada Arcadia £95, though
availability is very limited. We only have two single rooms available at the Hotel Ascona
with no supplement. We do offer a same gender room sharing service - please call for
details.
Excursions
There are many museums, churches and places of interests in
Ascona and Locarno, however it would be a shame not to get out of town and explore the
surrounding area during your stay. We are planning some optional half and full day
excursions during the week and will confirm the schedule nearer the time. In the meantime,
these are what we have in mind
Boat & Train - Lake Maggiore Express
Take the train through the panoramic Centovalli (100 valleys)
with its beautiful streams, waterfalls, chestnut forests and villages clinging to the side
of the mountain slopes. Return by boat to Locarno across the lake from Stresa (in Italy - so
take your passport) via Isola Bella, with its beautiful palace and gardens.
Mountain High - the Cardada
Take a funicular, a cable car then a chair lift to enjoy 360o
views over the Alps upwards to the Monte Rosa massif and down to the Maggia delta between
Locarno and Ascona. If you don’t want to eat at one of the mountainside bars, why not go for
a walk and take your own picnic lunch?
Castles and Courtyards - Bellinzona
Once Italian, this picturesque town nestles within the remains
of its original defensive walls, overlooked by three mighty castles dating back to the 4th
century. It retains its original charm with piazzas, lanes and beautiful architecture. Enjoy
our guided tour of the town and its castles with time for lunch and shopping. A great hit
with this year's participants.
Itinerary
Saturday June 23
Group flights check in at Heathrow, or your preferred airport,
in time for the BA scheduled flight to Milan. Onr arrival, you will be transferred to your
hotel, where you will stay for the next 8 nights on a bed and continental breakfast basis.
Later this afternoon we have arranged a welcome reception in a lounge in Ascona – your
chance to socialise with the other tour participants.
Sunday June 24
After breakfast, we will take you on a short orientation walk of
Locarno to familiarise you with the towns’ key locations. The rest of your time is free to
enjoy the festival. We plan to offer some full and half-day excursions to visit the local
area.
Sunday July 1
After breakfast check out of your room. Late morning transfer to
the airport for your return flight home.
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Itinerary Information
