The Lugano Walk: A Stroll through Time Woven in Tangled Cobblestone Paths

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When it comes to suits-and-ties, the city of Lugano comes with an air of importance from the nation’s banking business. Like bees to honey, the lake city attracts high-profiles to take advantage of the secure and private banking system, as well as its other asset in the form of escapes between the maze of streets of the cobblestone-path city.

While Zurich is a more popular sister of Lugano that thrives under its model phrase of “live to work,” there is energy just beneath the surface of this relaxed city. Living up to the opposite of the Zurich ideology, Lugano and its proverb of “working for living” is a place of choice to ease the tightening muscles caught by too much stress.

LOCATION

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A Swiss city surrounded by Italian towns, Lugano is a mix of suave charms and lovely sophistication. It lies in one of the southernmost regions of Ticino in Canton.

It has a close relationship to nature with Lake Lugano’s south bay running into Lugano and the mountains Monte Bre in the northeast and Monte San Salvatore in the south beautifying the city.

It is the largest city in Ticino, Canton and holds a respected reputation in terms of banking. However, it is not the capital of the region. Twenty-two kilometers to Lugano’s north is Bellinzona, which is the capital of the area.

CLIMATE

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The best time to visit Lugano is when the weather is most comfortable. In terms of temperature, the best time would be in the months of July and August.

The temperature during these months’ ranges from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. Other months that can also be marked for your visit are April to June and September to October.

The weather is slightly cooler in this period, between 10 to 20 degrees Celsius, but still remains comfortable.

The remaining months can become freezing, but also opens up other activities available only in winter. Visiting in this season requires layers of clothing.

TRANSPORTATION

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Another attraction of Lugano is its promising location. Lugano is easily accessible to different modes of transportation such as through the rail system, the A2 Motorway for private transportation and through the domestic Lugano airport.

Moreover, it is within the perimeter of different alpine passes that connects north to south. One such advantage of this is the connection to the city to Milan, a major financial and cultural center that could be reached in under an hour.

ATTRACTIONS

Via Pessina

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History is an enduring attraction and Lugano is a place that delivers. However, this is not entirely why this city stands out. Together with quenching one’s thirst for knowledge about the past, Lugano also delivers relaxation as you navigate through its Mediterranean-style squares and streets.

Starting from the town center, walk to the bottom part of the square where you can find small, colorful shops selling local bread, cheese, salami, and wine. In this part, you can also find Grand Cafe Al Porto.

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Built in 1803 first as a convent, Grand Cafe Al Porto witnessed the unraveling of important historical events that affected their current society.

A meeting place for Giuseppe Mazzini and fellow Italian patriots as well as the setting for the conclusion of World War II, this historic cafe has more than its coffee to boast.

Piazza de la Riforma

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The setting for local festivals, bustling markets that open on Tuesdays and Fridays, as well as a venue for open-air cinema, Piazza de la Riforma is a multi-purpose square that caters to the enjoyment of its people. At this square, you’re only steps away from the street that will further lead you to the other leisure spot of Lugano.

The street is called Via Canova that will lead to Museo Cantonale d’Arte, which highlights its 19th to 20th century collections, and further to the Church of San Rocco, which in turn pays homage to the saint that is said to have protected the city from a plague.

Parco Civico

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After the Church of San Rocco is the Piazza Indipendenza, marked by a giant head lying on its side. This square will finally lead to Parco Civico or the City Park.

Its main feature is called the Villa Ciani protecting art within its walls. Furthermore, the landscape filled with exotic and modern trees and the 19th century water gate are other features of the park.

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After a blissful stay in the park, you can trek back to the town center via the waterfront. This promenade overlooks the lake and leads to the largest Casino in Europe called Casino di Campione.

Restaurants with a view of Lake Lugano are available on top of the Casino.

Via Nassa

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On the walk back to the town center, one should not miss visiting Via Nassa. It is a long street serving as the shopping center of Lugano.

You can enjoy shopping for brands like Prada, Versace and Louis Vuitton among others. There are also boutiques for jewelry and chocolate shops for souvenirs.

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Images

(1.) https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3256/3129249246_3461366d7e_o_d.jpg
(2.) http://www.nationsonline.org/maps/switzerland-admin-map.jpg
(3.) https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8484/8281135961_376ff5e709_b.jpg
(4.) https://www.rhb.ch/fileadmin/_processed_/csm_wi-alp-gruem_20130126111157_49ae07ad4c.jpg
(5.) https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8435/7930535906_615a044304_b.jpg
(6.) http://www.grand-cafe-lugano.ch/repository/Normal/Il%20Ristorante%20Grand%20Cafe%20Al%20PortoH.jpg
(7.) https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2821/11381453843_28e2167c1f_b.jpg
(8.) http://media.ticinotopten.ch/Parco-Ciani-villa-Ciani-27849-T10-HD.jpg
(9.) https://patricetodisco.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/img_9853_21.jpg
(10.) http://www.tourbillon.com/content/design/bgs/lugano.jpg