Best place 2-3 nite Ticino: Lucano vs Ancona

So, stay tuned for our Trip Report from Locarno. We'll be staying there for a week at the end of April. We picked Locarno over Lugano for the same reason you list. And we picked Locarno over Ascona because it was a bit more of a hub for daytrips (probably more of a consideration for a week-long stay versus 2-3 nights.) We'll have a travel pass that includes rail and boat, which I think will be key to being in the region without a car. Our current plans fill a whole week, so I don't think you'll be lacking for things to do...

Where is Lucano? I cannot find any village by that name in Switzerland, or in Italy (though there is a Muro Lucano in Basilicata. The only Lucano” that comes up when I search is a restaurant in Gig Harbor, WA.

Madonna del Sasso is on Lago d’Orta. We will be there this summer, but going with a hiking group so I have not looked into transport because they will take care of that. Looks like there is a ferry to the base of the mountain from the town of Orta San Giulia, which is served by regional train.

Locarno. I meant Locarno! As I'm sure the OP did as well. Fixed my post. I'd say I need more coffee, but it is after lunch already!

I thought Lugano was one of the most scenic towns we had visited near Lake Como. To me, there was something magical about it. We took the bus from one of the small towns along Lake Como to/from Lugano. There is a tourist "Choo-choo" that gave us an introduction to the town. I wouldn't hesitate to return.

OK, if the OP,does mean Locarno not Lucano, then that is adjacent to Ascona, on the other side of the peninsula. The train serves Locarno; for Ascona they could take a taxi from the train station, or the ferry from the ferry dock.

Isola di Brissago is a ferry ride from Locarno (or Ascona):

https://www.ascona-locarno.com/en/explore/brissago-and-ronco-sopra-ascona/brissago-

I am guessing the “stone villages” would be the villages like Sonogno in the beautiful Valle Verzasca:

https://www.ascona-locarno.com/en/explore/valle-verzasca/sonogno

A Postbus runs frequently up the valley from Locarno as far as Sonogno, making for a nice daytrip.

I have long wanted to visit the Valle Verzasca and have finally managed to put Locarno on our itinerary for this September. I chose a hotel near the Locarno train station, right on the lake, for convenience.

I know nothing about Ascona other than seeing it on a map and reading about on travel blogs; it appears to be more of a charming village than larger Locarno, with some more upscale resort hotels. But perhaps not as convenient in terms of transport to other places, apart from the Isola di Brissago.

Luzern v Weggis—-we have stayed in Luzern a couple of times and I am not a fan. Maybe I just chose the wrong hotel and restaurants, but I did not find the town itself particularly charming or welcoming. And it was packed with tourists, even in September. So for our most recent visit with family we chose Weggis instead, and love our little family-run hotel:

https://www.gotthard-weggis.ch/en/

It sits just across a small quiet road from the lake, with lakeview balconies in all 3 rooms we had. Their garden restaurant sits right on the lake, and is a wonderful place to be in the evening. Guests have access to the very nice lakeside pool at the hotel next door. In rainy weather one can dine inside at one of their other dining rooms.

I have talked up Weggis so many times here I now wonder if that is the reason we are starting to see people chose this little town over Luzern for their visit. So I am curious—-what made you think of Weggis? It is a 40-minute ferry ride from Luzern, so something to consider when you want to go elsewhere.

Yes intended Lacarno
Travel sites and DM have suggested Weggis.
If I want to day trip to Lucerne from Weggis s that realistic?
Thank you

Yes, it is realistic; some of us did that one of our days there (the rest did a hike up Rigi on the Mark Twain Discovery trail.)

It is only 40 minutes each way by ferry (scenic and enjoyable); or you can take a bus from the town square to nearby Küssnacht am Rigi and a train from there.

Stephanie, it is very important to get the spelling right, especially in Italian- speaking area where one letter change can make a difference. So Ancona is a port city on the Adriatic coast, not in Ticino. Lucano is part of the name of several cities in southern Italy (Mura Lucano, Olivedo Lucano, etc. ) and it means a resident of the historic region known as Lucania. Or it the name of a liquor made there, Amaro Lucano.

And Locarno is spelled Locarno.
The spelling is especially important if you are looking for train tickets. I have seen people who want to take the Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano. But if they write Torino or Tirana they will end up in the wrong place—- like Albania.

Meant Locarno. My typing was off
Thank you for information and help.