Blog

Nature en spring is on its way 1 may 2026

The attentive eye of the photographer captures spectacular elements in the colorful expanses of crocuses that herald the arrival of spring. I dedicate this series of shots to those who love the wide open spaces at altitude. To those who care less about reaching the destination than about savoring the beauty of the journey, intended […]

Biking en down by the river 26 april 2026

In the saddle from Chiavenna to Lake Mezzola, discovering the animals getting ready to welcome their young this spring. Spring gives families the chance to enjoy plenty of outings along Valchiavenna’s network of cycling paths. Among the many routes available to those on two wheels, the one starting from Chiavenna and following the Mera River […]

Passo spluga, the sublime ascent 21 april 2026

Valchiavenna is bordered to the west by the Lepontine Alps. A crown of magnificent peaks that runs northward, touching the towns of Samolaco, Gordona, Mese, and San Giacomo Filippo, separating them from Switzerland. From Chiavenna to the Splügen Pass, pedaling along the hairpin bends hung on granite, designed by the genius of Carlo Donegani in […]

Palazzo Vertemate Franchi 12 april 2026

Built in the second half of the 16th century by the Vertemate Franchi brothers, wealthy merchants from Valchiavenna, the villa stands in a privileged position that allowed it to survive the landslide of 1618, which destroyed the nearby village of Piuro. A harmonious landscape surrounds the palace, including vineyards, orchards, vegetable gardens, an Italian-style garden […]

Palazzo vertemate and its connoisseur 1 april 2026

Having the pleasure of visiting the splendid residence in the municipality of Piuro under the guidance of Ralph Oliver Gschwind Guanella offers the opportunity to appreciate details and secrets known to few. To call Ralph Oliver Gschwind Guanella the “custodian” of Palazzo Vertemate Franchi is certainly an understatement. The fact that he has lived for […]

History renaissance revealed 1 march 2026

The paintings on the buildings of Chiavenna’s historic center tell the story of the taste and style of an elegant town, whose nobility also expressed itself through the splendid frescoes that have resurfaced in recent years. That Chiavenna’s historic center is the best preserved in the province of Sondrio is not a matter of opinion. […]

Along the lepontine flank 28 february 2026

Valchiavenna is bordered to the west by the Lepontine Alps. A crown of magnificent peaks that runs northward, touching the towns of Samolaco, Gordona, Mese, and San Giacomo Filippo, separating them from Switzerland. In this vast geographical area, a number of already existing trails linking mountain pastures and small hamlets have been connected, giving rise […]

The crowns of Gallivaggio 1 november 2025

Through a fortunate turn of circumstances, the precious ornaments that once adorned the head of the Madonna and Child have returned close to the venerated statue in the sanctuary where, on October 10, 1492, the Virgin appeared to two young girls. Half-hidden in the small cobbled courtyard next to the church of San Lorenzo in […]

On the rails of Valchiavenna 15 october 2025

Sleepy morning commuters or teenagers using it for school or leisure don’t pay much attention to what they see out the window of the train running the Chiavenna–Colico line, yet this route is also an excellent link between various points of historical, artistic, and natural interest, as well as simple holiday leisure, across the whole […]

Alpe Servizio: back to its origins 1 october 2025

Enjoying the quiet of a typical alpine village, discovering an evocative place where traces of an intense and vital past still remain. Alpine pastures are a world of their own, far from the tourist crowds, the chaos, and the traffic. Places of delicate beauty, rich in history and traditions worth preserving. This is one of […]

The ace up the sleeve 23 march 2025

I’m pleased to note that young men and women of my generation care deeply about environmental issues, and, as I travel, I realize that more and more people are interested in vacations inspired by the values of sustainability and responsible tourism. A growing group of “green” travelers is on the rise in Italy too, encouraged […]