Before leaving Milan, we made a quick stop so I could give everyone on the Islands and Lake Tour a close up view of the Bosco Verticale, the amazing green-garden tower high-rise designed by Stefano Beori.
I had seen it – stumbled upon it, actually – the day before and was so impressed that I felt compelled to take the entire group to view it up close the next day.
It was a risk worth taking. There was always the chance someone might be disappointed and think it a waste of their time. But that was not the case – everyone was awed and loved it.
From Milan, we moved up the highway to Lugano, but stopped on the way at Como for lunch. This turned out to be a very pleasant stop. Everyone found a restaurant close to the waterfront where they could have a happy lunch and also enjoy the view of the lake.
From there, we moved to our hotel on Lake Lugano, Park Hotel Principe.
We were all happy to find this hotel had a lovely outdoor heated pool with views of the low Alps, And all around were lovely flowering azaleas.
In Lugano, we walked the beautiful promenade and visited the Belvedere Garden and the city garden, both of which were very pleasant.
A funny aspect of the Belvedere Garden was that it contained a monument to Americans – an actual temple-like belvedere inside of which the Swiss have placed a bust of George Washington. However, they have decided to call him Georgio Washington. Which seems a little silly since I am not sure Washington had any Swiss or Italian roots.
In Lugano, we explored the shops and restaurants and very quickly came to know the high-price of Swiss hospitality.
A glass of wine is very skimpy – 1dl which is the 10th of a litre or the equivalent of 3.38 ounces. The standard – and accepted and recommended wine pour – in most countries is a five-ounce minimum, but more often than not six ounces.
In London, pubs offer six ounces as a “small” or nine ounce “large” glasses of wine and most bars and restaurants in Canada serve five- or six-ounce minimums.
In the dining room at our hotel two ladies in my group paid 20 Swiss Francs each, the equivalent of $25, for a Negroni cocktail.
I thought the price ought to have been accompanied by a spectacular view – what you might get in a lounge in New York with a view of the Empire State Building or in bar in Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower or Arc de Triomphe.
When I asked about this charge, I was told: “Well, this is Switzerland. Everything is more expensive here.”
And this is what I experienced in Lugano – a fierce independence for charging tourists surprisingly high prices.
At a local cafe, the bill for a milk coffee, small coke and small bottle of water was $18 (14 Swisss francs).
Regardless, this irritation didn’t spoil the beauty or sweetness of the Alpine air of this lakeshore town with its attractive street and well-kept buildings and savvy dress-conscious citizens.
After lunch, with bright sunshine pouring down on the lake water, we board a boat for ride around the communities and significant sights around the lake.
This turned out to be a very pleasant trip with only a light breeze cooling the air, even at the centre of the lake.
It was one of the happiest moments of our day in Lugano and my group returned to the shore feeling very rested and relaxed.
Tomorrow we are moving over to Lake Como and will be visiting some of the key towns there including Menaggio and Bellagio.
MORE SNAPSHOTS FROM OUR TIME IN LUGANO
Oh my so many dear and wonderful friends! Thanks for sharing and a big hello to all
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