An Extraordinary Natural Spectacle on Monte Generoso
The first guests arrive at our travel centre in Windisch as early as 5.30 am. The mood is good from the start, even though rain has been forecast for Ticino. You can sense the positive attitude among the guests that it will be a great day regardless. After all, the weather is a matter of attitude. Before our punctual 6 am departure, the member of staff at the travel centre wishes us “better weather than forecast”. We gladly take those wishes along with us.
Already on the Axenstrasse we enjoy a wonderful view of Lake Uri. The surrounding mountains are shrouded in cloud and the lake is astonishingly calm. This is definitely not picture-postcard weather, but it is very atmospheric. Before we know it we are in Ticino, where we take a half-hour break at the newly built Bellinzona Nord service area. As we climb back onto the coach, it is pouring down, as it so often does in Ticino: “in buckets”. The hope that there might still be some sunshine has faded at this moment. But once again, our guests take it with humour and the mood is good.
At half past ten the cog railway then takes us up the steep, winding route towards Monte Generoso. We enjoy the magnificent view down into the valley, pass along rock faces and through a beautiful forest until we arrive at the summit. A member of the mountain railway staff is waiting to welcome us, his elegant waistcoat whipping around his ears in the gale. We cannot see two metres ahead, the wind is strong and there is now only one way to go: into the “Fiore di Pietra” building. At first glance we see nothing of the architecture. It is now also clear that the planned sunrise viewing definitely won't be happening, so instead there is an exciting video offering an insight into the construction of the “Fiore di Pietra” by the architect Mario Botta.
In the meantime, as well as fog and wind, there is a heavy sleet shower, topped off with thunder and lightning. Inside the building you can feel that it has to withstand severe storms, and we feel very safe indoors. After a relaxed aperitif we move on to the restaurant, where we are served a delicious three-course menu. Through the huge window fronts we suddenly see the first gaps in the fog, and surprisingly quickly it disappears altogether. Most of the guests rush outside and snap wonderful photos – what an experience! We are thrilled to witness these changes in the weather first-hand and enjoy the wonderful, highly atmospheric views in every direction. On the Italian side of the mountain we can still see the storm, while on the Swiss side it keeps clearing up. And indeed, we enjoy the first sunshine. With a great sense of satisfaction we later set off on our journey home, returning with wonderful memories. This day showed that even with a poor weather forecast, it can turn into a very special day.
Incidentally, there were no other guests on Monte Generoso and we had the mountain virtually to ourselves, EUROBUS-exclusive. That too was a unique experience!
