Luxury, Lakes and Leisure – A Perfect Day Trip from Cannobio to FoxTown Outlet and Splash e Spa Tamaro

A soft breeze moves across Lago Maggiore as the morning sun touches the mountains above Cannobio. The lake is calm, reflecting the colours of northern Italy and southern Switzerland — a world where Alpine peaks meet palm trees.
For travellers staying in Cannobio or at one of the nearby camping Lago Maggiore resorts, this view marks the perfect start to a memorable day: a cross-border adventure that blends shopping, wellness, and scenic travel in one.

Your destinations? Two of Ticino’s most exciting attractions: the world-famous FoxTown Factory Outlet Mendrisio and the futuristic Splash e Spa Tamaro near Rivera.
It’s a day that begins with luxury brands and ends in bubbling warm water beneath the Alps — the very definition of La Dolce Vita Svizzera.

Morning – Leaving Cannobio and Following the Lake

Set off after breakfast on Cannobio’s lake promenade, perhaps with an espresso and a fresh croissant from a local café.
The route from Cannobio to Mendrisio follows the panoramic lakeshore road through Brissago, Ascona, and Locarno before joining the motorway toward Lugano.
It’s a drive of about 90 minutes, but every minute offers new views of Lake Maggiore — glittering water, hillside villages, and the blend of Italian ease and Swiss precision that defines Ticino.

If you prefer a scenic pause, stop in Ascona for a short stroll along the waterfront before continuing toward your first destination: FoxTown Outlet Mendrisio, Switzerland’s capital of fashion.

FoxTown Factory Stores – Where Swiss Order Meets Italian Style

A World of Brands under One Roof

Arriving in Mendrisio, you immediately notice the mix of efficiency and elegance.
The FoxTown Factory Stores complex resembles a small indoor city — three levels of arcades, marble floors, and more than 160 boutiques offering up to 70 % discounts on luxury brands.
You’ll find everything from Gucci, Prada, Moncler, Armani, Burberry, Hugo Boss, and Versace to Nike, Diesel, and Samsonite.

It’s the kind of place where shoppers wander slowly, enjoying both the bargains and the air-conditioned comfort.
Classical music hums softly in the background, and every detail feels unmistakably Swiss: clean, quiet, and perfectly organized.

The Experience

Shopping at FoxTown isn’t just about buying; it’s about indulging.
You can start with a cappuccino at the central café, browse Italian leather goods, pick up Swiss watches, and finish with a glass of wine or risotto at one of the mall’s restaurants.

The tax-free shopping system makes it easy for non-Swiss residents — just bring your passport and complete your refund at the customer-service desk before leaving.
Free parking, multilingual staff, and on-site dining make the outlet convenient for visitors from Italy and beyond.

By late morning, your bags are full and your credit card a little lighter — time to trade shopping energy for spa serenity.

Afternoon – Into the Mountains for Splash e Spa Tamaro

Leaving Mendrisio, the motorway north winds through the Ticino valley, past vineyards and small villages framed by green hills.
In just 30 minutes, you arrive at Rivera, where the unmistakable domes of Splash e Spa Tamaro shimmer like silver bubbles against the backdrop of Monte Tamaro.

From the outside, it looks like a space-age temple dedicated to water — and in a way, it is.

Three Worlds under One Roof

Inside, the complex is divided into three main zones: Splash, Spa, and Sky View.
Each offers a different rhythm — from family fun to deep relaxation.

The Splash Zone – Adrenaline in Water Form

Here you’ll find five massive slides, including Twister (a loop slide for thrill seekers) and Gravity Killer, which propels riders down a near-vertical drop.
There’s also a wave pool, lazy river, and outdoor heated lagoon, where you can float while admiring the mountains.
Kids love the interactive play area, while parents relax with cocktails at the swim-up bar.

The Spa Zone – Quiet, Warm, Restorative

Step into the Spa dome and the noise fades.
Aromas of eucalyptus fill the air; warm lights shimmer on wooden benches.
There are Finnish saunas, steam rooms, salt grottos, and a full Hammam ritual area, where you can enjoy scrubs, massages, and body treatments using Alpine herbs and essential oils.
It’s modern, clean, and deeply relaxing — the kind of wellness Switzerland does best.

The Sky View Dome – Water under the Sky

The outdoor infinity pool offers panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
In summer you’ll sunbathe under pure blue skies; in winter, you can swim while snowflakes fall into the steaming water.
Few experiences capture Ticino’s luxury-meets-nature spirit better.

Food and Comfort

The on-site restaurant serves Mediterranean and local dishes — fresh salads, pasta, risotto, or even a simple pizza for families.
Everything runs like clockwork: spotless changing rooms, wrist-band lockers, and friendly staff who switch effortlessly between Italian, German, and English.

Plan to spend three to four hours at Splash e Spa Tamaro; you’ll leave feeling refreshed, balanced, and ready for the scenic drive home.

Evening – The Road Back to Lago Maggiore

As the sun lowers over the mountains, head back toward Lago Maggiore.
The return drive to Cannobio takes about 90 minutes, winding past the towns of Bellinzona, Locarno, and Ascona, whose lakeside promenades glow gold at sunset.

If you have time, stop in Locarno for dinner beside the Piazza Grande — a plate of pasta, a Ticino Merlot, and live music under the stars.
By the time you return to Cannobio, the lake will be calm again, the lights of Switzerland twinkling across the water.

Day-Trip Overview

Why This Trip Is Unique

This itinerary is more than just shopping and spa — it’s an immersion in Ticino’s diversity.
Within one day, you cross from Italian Cannobio’s laid-back rhythm into Switzerland’s polished elegance and back again.
You experience both urban glamour and mountain calm, all framed by the same lake that links them.

FoxTown Outlet Mendrisio satisfies the senses of fashion lovers, while Splash e Spa Tamaro soothes the soul of anyone seeking rest.
And through it all, Lago Maggiore provides the perfect scenic thread connecting each experience.

Practical Travel Tips

• Documents: Carry your ID or passport for the Swiss border.
• Currency: Switzerland uses CHF; credit cards are accepted everywhere.
• Parking: Free at both FoxTown and Splash e Spa.
• Timing: Weekdays are quieter; weekends bring more visitors.
• Weather: Both destinations are open year-round, perfect for rainy or sunny days alike.
• Combine with: Nearby attractions like Monte Tamaro Cable Car, Bellinzona’s Castles, or a walk through Ascona’s art quarter.

Camping Lago Maggiore – The Ideal Base

For travellers who prefer flexibility and nature, camping Lago Maggiore offers the perfect base between Italy and Switzerland.
Campsites such as Lakeview Cannobio Camping & Resort combine direct lake access, modern facilities, and breathtaking mountain views.
You can enjoy breakfast under palm trees, spend your day exploring Ticino, and return to your own lakeside terrace at night.

Many campers plan several day trips like this one — alternating between adventure and relaxation, culture and comfort.

Conclusion – The Best of Both Worlds

A day trip from Cannobio to FoxTown Outlet Mendrisio and Splash e Spa Tamaro captures everything that makes the Lago Maggiore region extraordinary.
It’s a journey through contrasts: Italian charm and Swiss precision, luxury and leisure, energy and calm.

In the morning, you walk through designer boutiques surrounded by marble and light; in the afternoon, you float weightless in warm water while watching the Alps fade into the horizon.
By evening, you’re back on Cannobio’s promenade, gelato in hand, listening to the lake whisper beneath the stars.

That’s the beauty of this corner of Europe: in one single day, you can experience shopping, spa, and spectacular nature — all seamlessly connected by the timeless magic of Lake Maggiore.