For the past three years, I have taken an annual mother-daughter trip to Switzerland to spend time with family members that we have in the canton of Ticino near Locarno. Ticino is an incredible summer destination, known for its incredible mountainous geography and one of Europe’s largest film festivals—the Locarno Film Festival.

However, one fun film fact is that Ticino is also home to the filming location of what was dubbed by one poll to be the “best movie stunt of all time.” The Verzasca Dam in the Verzasca Valley is the 25th largest dam in the world, and in 1995 was the filming location of the opening scene of GoldenEye, in which James Bond (played by Pierce Brosnan) bungee jumps from what is supposedly the Arkangel Chemical Weapons Facility in the Soviet Union. Nowadays, thrill-seekers from all over the globe flock to the dam so they, too, can bungee jump like James Bond.

My family mentioned taking a trip to Verzasca Valley for Switzerland’s National Day, and I secretly made a promise to myself, that as long as the line to bungee jump wasn’t terribly long, I would have to make the plunge. I immediately regretted my decision once I saw the massive Verzasca Dam, looming in the distance on my approach into the valley.

At the top of the dam, the area was packed with young adults waiting their turn for the thrill of a lifetime. “If they can do it,” I told myself, “so can I.” I marched over to the trailer used as an office, paid the 225 CHF (about US$235), asked for a release form and began to sign my life away.

The company that operates the bungee jump has the operation down like clockwork, and in less than an hour more than a dozen jumpers had jumped. Soon, the time had come. With my bare feet hanging slightly off the edge of the platform, I took a big gulp, let out a scream and began the harrowing seven-second, 220-meter descent alongside a giant wall of concrete.

Now, I can proudly say, “I jumped like James Bond.” For other ways to be just like everybody’s favorite international spy, check out our TravelMuse article, “Be Like Bond, James Bond.” Or, leave your suggestions about other ways to be like 007.

Oh, woe is me. I just got back from a weeklong escape to Switzerland, and I must admit, I’m missing my little slice of Ticinese heaven on Lake Maggiore. I wrote a blog post last week about the great hotel that I stayed at, Hotel Garni La Meridiana. But even now, I can’t get the image of the Piazza or the smell of the roasting chestnuts out of my mind. So I decided to write more about the small town that’s captured my heart.

European Beauty

Although Ascona is just a small resort town, it will take your breath away. With a prime location right on the edge of the huge lake, which extends into neighboring Italy, the city is also surrounded by towering mountains. Actually, Asocna is the lowest city in all of Switzerland, which means prime Mediterranean weather year round. The temperature hovered in the 60s during most of my early October visit.

Ascona is a very old town with some of its oldest buildings dating back to the 16th century. Once a fishing village, it has developed into one of the most popular tourist destinations in the canton. It is located next to Locarno, the capital of Ticino and a great little city in its own rights. Ascona’s Piazza is lined with hotels, both modern and old (one used to be part of a castle), restaurants, cafes and adorable shops.

It’s not the main drag that captured my heart the first time I came here; it was the narrow, cobblestone streets that wind through what is known as the town’s Old Quarter. They are barely wide enough for a bicycle to pass two pedestrians. There’s absolutely no way a car could navigate them, not even the ever-so-small Smart car. Here, you’ll find boutique jewelry stores, small clothing stores, gelato shops and such lining the historic streets.

Ascona Events

There are many great things to do here during tourist season, which runs from May to mid-October. The town hosts special events year round, from the Ascona-New Orleans Jazz Festival in late June, a chestnut festival (chestnuts are a regional specialty) in the beginning of October, an artist and performer festival in May and a month long classical music festival that runs from September through October.

During the high season, a boat runs trips from Ascona around the lake. Stop at the popular Brissago Islands to peruse the beautiful grounds and gardens of an old house located on one of the islands and dine at Ristorante Brissage, a lovely restaurant. Or, stop in Italy. Lake Maggiore is bordered by Italy and the boat stops at several small Italian towns, many of which hold markets throughout the week. Although I never had a chance to take the boat trip around the lake, it’s top on my list for next year’s visit. I already know I’m going to return to Ascona. The question next time is whether I’ll ever leave.