THE LAKE OF LUGANO
The oft used adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words” is certainly applicable to Switzerland. Wherever you go you’ll find scenery so beautiful it’s almost too difficult to describe with words. You will find many such spots south of the alps in the Canton of Ticino. The Lake of Lugano is one of those destinations. The Renaissance churches, the piazzas, the mild climate, the palm trees, the laid-back atmosphere of the region, the cuisine and of course the Italian spoken in the Ticino, make you wonder if you’re really in Switzerland and not in some Mediterranean town or village. The lake, originally named Lake Ceresio, is surrounded by mountains. A cog railway will take you to the top of Monte Generoso where you can enjoy lunch at the “Fiore Pietra” restaurant designed by the Ticinese architect Mario Botta. The other two well-recognized mountains, Monte San Salvatore & Monte Brè, can be reached by funicular railways.
The best way to reach some of the villages in the Lake of Lugano region is by boat or on foot via the many paths and hiking trails. For an easy and pleasant hike (approximately 3 miles), take the “Olive Tree Path” along the lake from Lugano to the picturesque village of Gandria. Located at the foot of Monte Brè, it appears to be clinging precariously on the mountain side. After exploring its alleys & stairways, consider having lunch at one of the restaurants -perhaps the Locanda Gandriese or Ristorante Antico- before catching a boat for a tour of the lake.
One of the must-do stops on your boat trip is Melide for a visit to “Swiss Miniature”. The park will give you the opportunity to see over 120 of Switzerland’s most well-known sites. Meticulously created models in 1:25 scale are spread out among thousands of plants and flowers. Railroad buffs will especially enjoy the 18 model trains travelling between the buildings & monuments over 3 ½ kilometers of tracks. From Melide you can tale the boat to the picturesque village of Morcote which won the title “the nicest village of Switzerland 2016”. A visit to the unique, culturally eclectic, Scherrer Park is recommended. Should you wish to visit Porto Ceresio at the end of this arm of Lake Lugano, you’ll need your passport.
You can return to the City of Lugano by boat, train or by bus to enjoy its lakeside promenades, Belvedere gardens and checking out the chic boutiques on the Via Nassa. We’ll come back in a future “spotlight” for a closer look at the City of Lugano and its historic buildings & monuments.
Check out the Videos & websites by clicking on the highlighted links above.
The oft used adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words” is certainly applicable to Switzerland. Wherever you go you’ll find scenery so beautiful it’s almost too difficult to describe with words. You will find many such spots south of the alps in the Canton of Ticino. The Lake of Lugano is one of those destinations. The Renaissance churches, the piazzas, the mild climate, the palm trees, the laid-back atmosphere of the region, the cuisine and of course the Italian spoken in the Ticino, make you wonder if you’re really in Switzerland and not in some Mediterranean town or village. The lake, originally named Lake Ceresio, is surrounded by mountains. A cog railway will take you to the top of Monte Generoso where you can enjoy lunch at the “Fiore Pietra” restaurant designed by the Ticinese architect Mario Botta. The other two well-recognized mountains, Monte San Salvatore & Monte Brè, can be reached by funicular railways.
The best way to reach some of the villages in the Lake of Lugano region is by boat or on foot via the many paths and hiking trails. For an easy and pleasant hike (approximately 3 miles), take the “Olive Tree Path” along the lake from Lugano to the picturesque village of Gandria. Located at the foot of Monte Brè, it appears to be clinging precariously on the mountain side. After exploring its alleys & stairways, consider having lunch at one of the restaurants -perhaps the Locanda Gandriese or Ristorante Antico- before catching a boat for a tour of the lake.
One of the must-do stops on your boat trip is Melide for a visit to “Swiss Miniature”. The park will give you the opportunity to see over 120 of Switzerland’s most well-known sites. Meticulously created models in 1:25 scale are spread out among thousands of plants and flowers. Railroad buffs will especially enjoy the 18 model trains travelling between the buildings & monuments over 3 ½ kilometers of tracks. From Melide you can tale the boat to the picturesque village of Morcote which won the title “the nicest village of Switzerland 2016”. A visit to the unique, culturally eclectic, Scherrer Park is recommended. Should you wish to visit Porto Ceresio at the end of this arm of Lake Lugano, you’ll need your passport.
You can return to the City of Lugano by boat, train or by bus to enjoy its lakeside promenades, Belvedere gardens and checking out the chic boutiques on the Via Nassa. We’ll come back in a future “spotlight” for a closer look at the City of Lugano and its historic buildings & monuments.
Check out the Videos & websites by clicking on the highlighted links above.
