Just a small note: I'm off to Lugano and Venice next week with my mother and brother, both visiting me for the first time in Switzerland. This is also my mom's first trip to Europe!
If you have any great tips or recommendations on what to see or do in Lugano or Venice, please leave me a comment. I'd love to take them both somewhere off the beaten path - especially in Venice. But naturally, as we don't have much time, we'll do the markets and boat trip on the lake in Lugano and all the tourist traps in Venice. Can't wait!
Thanks in advance for your tips! ;)
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
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7 comments:
The garden vegetable risotto at "Tango" in the plaza in Lugano is KILLER. Have a great trip!
I would definitely recommend the boat tour in Lugano. If you can swing it with your schedule and would like to get off somewhere, I would recommend Morcote. There is a very interesting church up the hill and the town itself is quite picturesque. (The park is outside Morcote and no longer very well maintained and not worth the trip, according to rumors.) But just a tour around the lake is nice if you don't have the time for stops.
If would like a long stroll, you can walk along the lake (mostly) down to Gandria, a small fishing town (or following the "Olive Path" signs, which will also lead you to Gandria). Although it is fairly touristy at this time of the year, it's still a nice walk and there are a some restaurants overlooking the lake which are good for a coffee break.
There are several nice "mountains" you can hike or take the funicular up. I've been to Monte Bre and San Salvatore, both of which are nice, but I've heard Monte Generoso has even more spectacular views. It's fun to walk down to tiny Bre from the Monte Bre funicular; there's a rustic little grotto there, as well as a little restaurant that seemed cute.
I would avoid the expensive/touristy restaurants downtown and visit a grotto instead. The best one I've been to is a bit more upscale than you might expect for a grotto, but is excellent: Grotto della Salute (via dei Sindacatori 4; located up in Massagno, 10-15 minutes out of town, but worth the short trip).
Okay, I could have more suggestions if you wanted, but these are the better things to do, in my opinion. Let me know if you need any more info or directions. I'd be happy to help!
And I'm not sure how to avoid the touristy things in Venice. We certainly didn't. Let me know if you find out how!
Awh?! I want to go to Lugano and Venice too!
Take me with you.
Please?
These are AWESOME tips. Thank you so much miranda and swiss ms. I am definately going to take them on a boat trip, and stop in Morcote if we can. My family is big into photography so the church on the hill sounds ideal. I also have found memories of my first risotto ever in Italy - so I think some vegetable risotto is definitely in order! Thanks so much.
in venice, see the sights on the square and then just wander. venice is fantastic, lots of roads and alleys. a great place to explore. have a great time!
I designed the bus terminal in Lugano, among many other things. I recommend you go take a long look at it, as it is very interesting.
Mario, that's awesome. Thank you so much for the heads up. It looks like a truly remarkable building. My brother, who is traveling with me, is studying architecture at the University of Knoxville in Tennessee and is in his last year. I'd love to put you in touch with him - please email me your details if you're up to it! jessica (at) swisstoryblog.com
Thanks!
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