Freedom in the area.

The Mendrisiotto has always been a favourite region for lovers of outdoor sports; it is ideal not only for walks in the countryside, rides on bicycles or mountain bikes but also paragliding in order to experience strong emotions, or for well-earned relaxation in the waters of the lake. But cycling is the main sport; there are many local, national and international

competitions which have taken place on the roads of the area, and many professionals and fans have started their careers here.

 Two wheels and the countryside of the Mendrisiotto and the Italian-Swiss cross- border area are a perfect combination responding to the need for freedom and pleasure of discovering an area without haste, in every season, enjoying the brilliant green of the woods in summer or the warm ochre colours of the winter landscape.

The proof of this is the decision to organise the World Cycling Championships in 2009 in this region. Enjoying free time does not only mean practising all kinds of sport but also being able to do sweet nothing, spending time between sacred and profane notes, noting a child’s smile during a traditional September festival or enthusing over frescoes and ancient stones or a tile on the cobble-stones.