Overlooking the Swiss shore of Lake Maggiore, Ascona is a colorful town with a mild climate and a rich historical, artistic, and cultural heritage. Once a fishing village, today Ascona is a popular vacation destination for tourists from all over the world. Ascona has been home to various artists, whose creative spirit is reflected in the town’s narrow streets and atmosphere. It is also overlooked by a hill known as Monte Verità, where a group of free thinkers took up residence in a spiritual retreat at the beginning of the 20th century, attracting many internationally renowned philosophers, writers, and poets. Every year, it hosts interesting cultural events, such as JazzAscona, one of the most important international jazz festivals. Here, you can also find one of the most renowned 18-hole golf courses in Switzerland. The Brissago Islands, jewels with a rare subtropical climate, are only a 15-minute boat ride from Ascona.