Italian swiss-style (Lugano)

Member Name: vhart

Product:	Lugano
Date:	01/07/00 (78 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: beautiful scenery, quiet

Disadvantages: too quiet!

I only went to Lugano for a day but that was probably enough to see most of the 'sights' such as they are.

It is on Lake Lugano (surprisingly!), in the foothills of the alps in the italian-speaking canton of Ticino. It was a very clean and beautiful city and it seems to be well-kept.


As for things to do there, there is a very good (and very expensive - aimed, I think, not at the budget traveller..) array of shops, all major watch manufacturers seem to be very well-represented.

There is a strange half-wooden church (it's hard to describe quite what it is like) on the side by the lake. I can't really be more specific about this, unfortunately, as it really has to be seen, but it kept me entertained no end. It's hard to describe, but it has been made of strips of wood (but it is a cross-section), and apparently, is a replica of one of the churches in Rome. I was told by someone there that it was a gift from the italian government, but I'm not sure I could completely trust my source..

It seemed as if it would be a lovely place to spend a few days although not terribly lively. It is an little part of Italy, with the organisation and efficiency of Switzerland. An odd, but somehow charming combination.

It is possible to take ferries across Lake Lugano as well, but they are quite expensive. Or at least, more expensive than the ferries one can get across Lake Como or Lake Maggiore (just over the Italian border).

It had the effect of a charming place to spend a holiday if you had a lot of money to spend, and wanted a nice, relaxing time. Perhaps not the liveliest place to head to though.

It made a very nice day trip from Como in Italy, but I think it might have been a bit dull if you are looking for a wild nightlife. For a quiet holiday, it was very charming and picturesque and the surrounding countryside is absolutely exquisite.

Personally, I prefered Como, it's a
bit cheaper, and the ice cream was better, but there are certainly worse places to spend a day, than Lugano!

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