Location and Travel Information
The workshop will be held
at the
Centro Stefano Franscini
on Monte Verità,
Ascona
, in the Italian-speaking
part of
Switzerland.
A detailed description how to reach the
conference center is given below (I checked once the
information below, but everything changes...).
Ascona is located
4 km southwest of Locarno
and 42 km northwest of Lugano,
in the Canton Ticino.
Ascona is not far from one of the main axes connecting
the northern and the southern parts of Europe and is therefore close to
excellent rail and road service. The closest cities with international airports
are Zurich in the north and Milano in the south. (both are about 3 hours
by car or train from Locarno, the city right next to Ascona with a train
station).
Below we will explain how to get from either city to Ascona
On even hours that train leaves from track 9 or 10, and you can stay on there until you get to Bellinzona.
On odd hours the train leaves from track 3 or 5, and they will tell you after forty minutes, when you get to Arth-Goldau, to change to an Intercity train.
In both cases you arrive in Bellinzona after a spectacular train ride through the Gotthard mountains. 2 hours and 25 minutes after you left Zürich Main station.
In Bellinzona you change to a local train to Locarno which leaves on track 3 about five minutes after you arrive (don't worry if your train from Zürich is a bit late, the train to Locarno will usually wait for it). You will arrive in Locarno in 20 minutes and when you step off the train, follow the instructions below (from Locarno to Ascona).
By train from Milano:
From there trains leave (almost) every hour + 25 minutes to Bellinzona where they arrive two hours later. Change to the local train to Locarno which leaves 10 minutes after you arrive in Bellinzona. It will get you to Locarno in another 20 minutes and when you arrive follow the instructions below (from Locarno to Ascona).
If you want to put together your personal train itinerary, check the
Swiss Rail Timetable
(which lists also many connections from foreign cities).
Air Pullmann Bus Express runs coaches from bus stop 19, off exit 4 of Terminal 1 (free shuttle bus service is available every ten minutes between terminal 1 and 2) at 9:00 and then every even hour + 30 minutes (10:30 until 20:30). These buses take you to Lugano train station in 70 minutes.
Flycar runs buses at bus stop 22 of Terminal 1 at 9:40, 10:40, and 18:40. They take you to Lugano train station in 90 minutes.
From Lugano, regional trains to Bellinzona leave at x:09 but you will want to get off these trains about 30 minutes later in Gubiasco where you can change a few minutes later to a train to Locarno, where you will arrive at x:59. At x:36 direct trains leave for Bellinzona where you arrive 26 minutes later and can also change to a local train to Locarno which leaves at x+1:07 on track 3. Then follow the instructions below (from Locarno to Ascona)
After crossing the river, exit to Ascona, cross the traffic circle and the intersection that follows it and drive towards the old town of Ascona along the main road. When you cannot continue straight because you come up against the pedestrian zone, take a sharp right up the hill and follow the winding road all the way up to Monte Verita (there are occasional white signs "Centro Monte Verita"). This road will take you past the Hotels "Perla" and "Tobler" where some of you are staying.
Shortly after passing the Hotel Michelangelo on your left, you will see a number of round black signs announcing the conference center and, on your right, a red house. Take the cobblestone road between the two all the way up the hill. There are parking lots just before you come to the main, white building or after you pass it.
Below we provide two maps (one local and one regional) to guide people who come by car in their search for Monte Verita. Click on the thumbnail images to get a full screen version of each map.
From Locarno
train station to Ascona Monte Verita':
ECO TAXI, (free call) 0800 321 321 -
Alternatively you can reach Ascona from Locarno by taking a bus, which runs regularly and which leaves from the train station of Locarno. You should get off at the Post Office in Ascona (Ascona, posta, or PTT in the map above). From there you can either take a taxi to Monte Verita/Centro Stefano Franscini, which will cost about CHF 10.-, or you can walk. Just follow the sign to Monte Verita. The walk takes about 15-20 minutes and is up-hill. If you have heavy luggage, we advise you to take the taxi.
Should you get lost or be late, you can call the Centro Stefano Franscini at (091) 791 47 48 (where 091 is the area code, which is not necessary if you are in the Canton Ticino). People there speak English, German, and Italian.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask wea2003@idsia.ch Subject: INFO