Summer Excursion to Tessin

Annual Excursion for the Company Employees

Better Half’s company goes to some lovely place each summer for employee appreciation day. This time it was to the south of Switzerland along the Italian border. A long train ride took us to a little mountain cog-wheel train, which took us up to the top of Monte Generoso (the middle of the map below).

Winding the way up the mountain.

Up and up and above 

To the end station, where sits a Mario Botta-designed hotel/restaurant (because Swiss mountains need such at their tops; incentives, you know). 

Botta’s original sketch

It replaced the original hotel, that had to be removed, because it was sliding down the mountain. 

They had the grace to save five of the exterior etchings.

The hotel was and is built right on the edge of the mountain.

Goat terrain

Cows, too. But Swiss cows are probably part goat. At least they don’t mind the mountains. There are farms at that altitude. 

The restaurant views are quite spectacular. 

So was the food - here, my mountain salmon from Graubunden. 

A three-meat Antipasti, including a tartar.

Lava cake dessert 

Or seasonal fruit and parfait 

After which sumptuousness one treks to the summmit.

Via the terrace 

Past the bear

And multitudes of these little fellows sunning themselves on the warm rocks.

Past the local farm

Past the Gemsbok tracks in the concrete 

Right along the Italian border. In fact, we did invade Italian territory. No shots were fired. 

A border stone. To the right is Italy (note the I on the rock)…

….and to the left is Switzerland ( note the CS, for Swiss confederation)

Part of the path to the summit 

More path - indeed, it is a path

So is this. Some hardworking fellows laid those rocks. Summit in view.

Summit achieved. Elevation 1700+meters. 

To be continued….