As you arrive in the Locarno Port Marina (o port) you immediately notice a jaunty yellow boat moored at the Muralto dock. It's the Katjaboat, an original floating watering spot, open to patrons when it is not navigating the lake's waters on a trip to nearby Italy or hitting the weekly markets in Cannobio and Luino.
The informal, cozy atmosphere warmly greets whoever takes a break from the fast-paced daily routine. Rustic furniture, rigorously handcrafted by the owners, puts the patron at ease right away, whether he be a stressed career man on his lunch break or a happy-go-lucky vacationer visiting our region. Here you breathe an atmosphere of times gone by, adventurous but at the same time relaxing thanks to the unobtrusive background music.
The boat, conceived, designed, built by Captain Roberto Bottani and launched on 21 June 1995, is truly unique. Passenger fares are accessible for anyone. Patrons only pay for their beverage (e.g. a mineral water costs CHF 7.50), while the boat trip itself is free of charge.
But what makes this floating pub, directly in touch with the lake, so special? According to the Captain "the vicinity of the water provides a feeling of security and self-confidence. When the boat leaves the dock, detachment from the world is total and an indescribable feeling of liberation takes over. The fact that there is no schedule allows us to improvise and follow the wishes of our clients. Thus a trip that would usually last 30 minutes is often stretched out to accommodate for time to enjoy the environment.
Captain Bottani, the modest worker who had this great idea, has gone through rough times, too, but thanks to his perseverance and the complicity of his wife Aila he overcame the hurdles with flying colours. Fifteen years ago he would never have imagined that he was going to face an adventure of this kind. From the manner in which he tells about his "boat" one can sense the passion for his job, the love for his lake and the great openness toward his ever-growing number of customers. As he smiles from behind the helm, he greets his next patrons with a hearty "Welcome aboard!"
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