Lugano, Switzerland

   Lugano, the largest town in the region of Ticino, is not only Switzerland's third most important financial center,  it is a conference, banking and business center. It is also a city of parks, flowers, villas and sacred buildings. With Mediterranean flair, Lugano offers all the advantages of a world-class city, combined with the charm of a small town.

   Lugano lies on the northern side of Lake Lugano, surrounded by numerous mountains offering splendid views. The traffic free historic town center, the numerous buildings in Italian Lombardy style, the exclusive museums, the mountains, lake and a packed calendar of events all invite visitors to see the sights, soak up the atmosphere � and enjoy "dolce far niente". Thanks to its mild climate, Lugano is a popular tourist destination year round.

   The town center with its Mediterranean-style squares and arcades, and numerous parks with sub-tropical plants on the shores of beautiful Lake Lugano invite you to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Near the lakeside promenade is Belvedere Gardens, where the parkland boasts not only camellias and magnolias but also countless sub-tropical plants and modern works of art.

   Art lovers are attracted to this city of art and architecture by the high standard of the exhibitions it hosted here.  In the Museo Cantonale d'Arte are paintings by Klee, Jawlensky, Renoir and Degas, among others.  In the last 50 years, the Ticino region in general, and Lugano in particular, have developed into an important region for architecture.  The most well-known representatives of the "Ticino School" are Luigi Snozzi and Mario Botta.  Botta's Banca del Gottardo (Viale Franscini), the Palazzo Ransila (Via Pretorio) and his own workshop on the Via Ciani are excellent examples.

   The two nearest mountains to Lugano, Monte San Salvatore and Monte Br�, give you an outstanding panorama of the town, Lake Lugano and the alpine scenery.  From Monte Br� you can walk down to the village of Br�, which has preserved its typical Ticino village center with works of art.  From the San Salvatore another popular hike leads down through the beautifully situated Carona to Lake Lugano at Morcote.  Taking a boat trip back to Lugano is a wunderful way to round out the day. Other excursions you can take are to the fishing village of Gandria, up the Monte San Giorgio or the Monte Generoso or to the Lilliput world of Switzerland in Miniature at Melide.