Grotto Bellavista

We had been hiking on often very beautiful paths through forests, hamlets and villages on the middle slope of Gambarogno, parallel to the Lago Maggiore. Further up one walks through the Monti, the summer pastures of the villages, while down by the coast are now a road and rail tracks, not suitable for hiking. The village of Sant'Abbondio is one of the most attractive places on this stretch, especially also thanks to its church. We took a break in the 'Nucleo', as all the old parts of the villages here are called. The restaurant 'Bellavista' (beautiful view), which also calls itself a 'Grotto', that typical type of traditional Ticinese 'snack and wine bar', just suited us right for a coffee break, before continuing towards the border between Switzerland and Italy. We had espressos, which were from the well known roastery 'Chicco d'Oro' from the Ticino, which gets sold all over Switzerland and which we often use at home, always happy with their quality. While sitting there on the terrace we found out that the place is also a 'Pensione', offering seven modest rooms for a very reasonable price.