swiss efficiency, italian charm
by call_me_rhia
it's a bit of a cliché but for once it's true... Lugano has a bit of both Italy and Switzerland. italian charm and swiss cleanliness and efficiency. Nothing too exciting ever happens, but it's quite pleasant to spend a few days here, or even a lifetime, and it's hassle-free. On the down-side you get to pay swiss prices here (ok so this is a form of criminality maybe) - but if you are wise you can get by on a budget too: after all it's much (much!) cheaper than London, and the air is clean and free... so if you can afford London, you can surely afford Lugano. It may not be as spectacular - or as fashionable - as the big L, but I can guarantee you'll have a good time anyway. A word of warning: not many people speak English: if you know italian, french or german, by all means use them. In the summer the free music festivals - in the winter - the absolute quiet - the town goes to sleep.
LAKES
by nygaston
Lugano and the lakes . . . Lugano is for anyone who wants to be spoiled: fine food, shopping (especially on Via Nassa), hotels, and camaraderie. It's a marvelous walking city dotted with palm trees, flowers, parks, and museums. You can stream across its sun-streaked lake or stroll for hours through gardens that border it, sit high above the lake on the terrace of a restaurant, sip an espresso or cappuccino at an outdoor cafe, or take a funicular to the tops of Monte Bre or Monte San Salvatore. As part of the Italian lake region (Lakes Maggiore and Como are close by), Lugano offers a multitude of excursions.
Morcote . . . Seven miles south of Lugano, this pictureque lakeside village is easy to reach by boat or bus. At the end of the peninsula stretching south from Monte San Salvatore, arcaded restaurants, boutiques, and the landmark medieval belltower of the Madonna del Sasso church make for magnificent wide-angle photo.
Nature . . . Well-marked trails provide enchanting local and Alpine flora and fauna. Take an excursion in the regions of Monte San Giorgio, Piora, Lucomagno, and Malcantone.
day trip 3: carona
by call_me_rhia
Carona is a little old village not far from Lugano. You can reach it by bus and from there you can do many things. The main reason to come here is for lake views, as it it on top of a mountain - but there are other reasons. First of all, if you're visiting during the spring, the botanical garden parco San Grato is unmissable... wonderl flowers in bloom, sweet smells! Your senses will thank you! you should also visit the old village with the traditional stone houses, the main church of the village and the Loggia museum for paintings. Only a few minutes walk away there's an interesting sanctuary in the woods (madonna d'ongero). if it's summer, and you'll have ,amy hours to spend before your next bus (admittedly they are quite obsolete), bring your swimsiut... as Carona has a nice public swimming-pool!
BUS SERVICE TO CASINO di CAMPIONE TO & FROM MILAN
by thinking
This bus departs at the following locations in Milan to Casino Di Campione and returns on weekdays.
Da Milano (Porta Garibaldi):
partenza ore: 11.00, 15.00, 20.30
Da Campione:
partenza ore: 19.00, 00.30,
Canyoning
by ealgisi
Different kind of places with different difficulties.
Spend a different day, in the middle of the nature with, climbing and jumping.
In some places the water could be a little cold but with the Neoprene suit you will feel really confortable after 5 minutes.
Check out the website for more info.
Chiesa de San Rocco
Lake Lugano
The top, notice the goat poop!
Maggia
