Page 98 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

266 6 MORE REGIONS WITH CULTURE TO RIVAL TUSCANY

ART AND CULTURE

Detail of the Franconia fountain outside the former residence of
prince bishops, Würzburg
Lower The pueblo blanco, or white village, of Cómpeta, overlooking the
Andalucian landscape
Franconia, Andalucía, Spain Manicured cypress trees lining the banks of the lake in the charming
city of Lugano
Bavaria, Germany NEED TO KNOW Ticino,

LOCATION The region Switzerland
NEED TO KNOW of Andalucía extends across 10356("- .BESJE
the south of Spain. Its
LOCATION Lower Franconia %PSUNVOE capital is Seville 41"*/
is in southern Germany, just NEED TO KNOW
AREA
east of Frankfurt. Würzburg is (&3."/: 2,875 sq miles (&3."/:
the region’s main city LOCATION The canton of
'SBOLGVSU $;&$) (7,470 sq km) 4FWJMMF Ticino is in southern Switzerland, '3"/$&
AREA 3,300 sq miles -08&3 8àS[CVSH 3&16#-*$ DAYTIME 4BOMVDBS .ÈMBHB hemmed in by Italy on three sides. ;VSJDI
(8,560 sq km) '3"/$0/*" /VSFNCFSH $ÈEJ[ .FEJUFSSBOFBO
TEMPERATURES "/%"-6$±" 4FB The Ticino river joins Lake Maggiore "6453*"
DAYTIME Jan: 50°F (10°C); Apr: 63°F (17°C); before heading into Italy #FSO
'3"/$& $IVS
TEMPERATURES 4UVUUHBSU Jul: 82°F (28°C); Oct: 68°F (20°C) AREA 1,085 sq miles 48*5;&3-"/%
Jan: 34°F (1°C); Apr: 52°F
(11°C); Jul: 68°F (20°C); (2,820 sq km) (FOFWB -PDBSOP 5*$*/0
Oct: 50°F (10°C) 48*5;&3-"/% "6453*" DAYTIME ;FSNBUU -VHBOP
Just west of the Costa del Sol, the wind picks up, TEMPERATURES
Jan: 36°F (2°C); Apr: 54°F (12°C); *5"-: .JMBO
blowing away the flotsam of mass tourism. The Jul: 72°F (22°C); Oct: 54°F (12°C)
The air really does get sweeter in Franconia. The tangled streets of the great sherry towns of Jerez
hills soften their hard outlines and acres of pines and Sanlucar de Barrameda are home to white
give way to the deciduous forests of the horses and the mixed blood of a centuries-old Over the mountains north of the fog-bound Po
Odenwald. The candyfloss Baroque architecture Anglo-Spanish aristocracy. Head inland, and the river, there lies a land of kinder temperatures and
that festoons Germany is replaced by a far more pueblos blancos rise above the stunning Andaluz bluer skies. You’ll find some of Europe’s most
refined style in Franconia, most evident in the landscape. A hundred castles of the Spanish elegant towns in this Swiss canton, with
Residenz, a palace in Würzburg. Here, the greatest Reconquista in turn rise above them, cruel Renaissance and Baroque buildings clustered
of all Baroque architects, Balthasar Neumann, reminders of a 700-year-long clash of civilizations. around Italianate piazzas or lining the shores
built a staircase that climbs to the Tiepolo Then there’s the city of Cádiz. Spectacularly of lakes Maggiore and Lugano. The belle époque
frescoes above. Inside Würzburg’s Cathedral are situated on a slim spur of sand, it self-consciously grandeur of Locarno rivals laid-back Lugano, a
two of sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider’s finest stretches away from Spain’s reactionary past. At city that seduces the fussiest with its ancient
works. West of the city, the Veitshöchheim Palace its heart, a golden-domed cathedral shines over churches, alleys, and Villa Favorita, home to one
boasts Europe’s most gorgeous Rococo garden. the elegant streets and squares of the old town. of the world’s greatest private art collections.

Practical Information Practical Information Practical Information
Getting There and Around Most of Lower Franconia can be reached by Getting There and Around Fly to Cádiz, Seville or Málaga. There are also Getting There and Around Ticino is accessible from main cities such as
public transportation from Frankfurt or Nuremberg airports. Numerous high-speed trains to Cádiz from Madrid. The local Al Andaluz express cuts Zurich, Geneva, and Milan. Transportation options in Ticino include post-
river boats also cruise up the Main from the Rhine and the Danube. through the region in vintage coaches. buses, cable cars, funiculars, trains, and ferries. Avoid taking cars as parking
When to Go August is busy throughout Franconia, especially on the When to Go This is one of the sunniest regions in Europe. But summer in is a problem.
famous Romantische Straße highway. Visit in spring or fall. the interior makes traveling hard, so visit in early spring or late fall. When to Go April and October are ideal times to visit.
Website www.bavaria.us Website www.andalucia.com/province/cadiz Website www.ticino.ch

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