We had an easy start to the day and walked up to the train station and had breakfast prior to boarding the train from Milan to Lugano. We were finally in Switzerland. Or were we? People speak Italian, the scenery looks very much like Lake Como or Garda or Maggiore and the food is Italian.The people look Italian but we crossed the border and have arrived in the Italian speaking part of Switzerland.
We had the good fortune to have an attendant assist us at the Lugano Train Station and sorted out the remaining issues for our time in Switzerland. Then it was an easy downhill path with no steps to our hotel. Our room was ready and we were soon walking down to the Lakeside for the views and lunch. Yes it was Italian! On the way we stopped at The Cathedral of Saint Lorenzo. Another small cathedral!
We decided to tour the local area by Lake boat rather than the exertion of the walk all be it with the aid of funiculars, to one of the hilltop view points. We will save this for the high mountains. We boarded our old Lake Boat and headed off on what is called the Classic Lake Tour. Our first stop was Paradiso. This is an upmarket town that is a real competitor with Lugano.
The fountain seems as high as the mountain backdrop.
The lake as we moved on towards St Rocco.The mountains had that special tiered effect.
The water looked perfect as we arrived at Caprino. This is on the shore opposite Lugano.
Our next stop was The Grotto Dei Pescator opposite Lugano.
The Lake has been a key transport for centuries and some of the beautiful boats remain. I want this one!
We had our first stop ashore at Gandria. It is the pick of the small shore towns. We walked around and saw the old and the new.
Coming into the landing.
Gandria is still an important olive producing region and this is one of the original stone wheels used to extract the oil.
Over the rooftops, past the olive trees is the lake. It dominates each of the towns.
The church dates from the 16-17th centuries. We climbed on and later looked down on the top of this belltower. Gail was posing for the photo but also enjoying the rest.
Before we headed on we had time to enjoy a drink in one of the small bars.
It was an Aperol Spritz sort of place!
The return trip took us to Grotto Elvezia and Cassarate before our return to Lugano.
The Lido
The first try at a panorama on our new camera
Back at Lugano we had a gelato and did some clothes shopping before riding the funicular back up the hill to the station as from there it was an easy walk downhill to the hotel.
Our Hotel Federale
We had the good fortune to have an attendant assist us at the Lugano Train Station and sorted out the remaining issues for our time in Switzerland. Then it was an easy downhill path with no steps to our hotel. Our room was ready and we were soon walking down to the Lakeside for the views and lunch. Yes it was Italian! On the way we stopped at The Cathedral of Saint Lorenzo. Another small cathedral!
We decided to tour the local area by Lake boat rather than the exertion of the walk all be it with the aid of funiculars, to one of the hilltop view points. We will save this for the high mountains. We boarded our old Lake Boat and headed off on what is called the Classic Lake Tour. Our first stop was Paradiso. This is an upmarket town that is a real competitor with Lugano.
The Lake has been a key transport for centuries and some of the beautiful boats remain. I want this one!
We had our first stop ashore at Gandria. It is the pick of the small shore towns. We walked around and saw the old and the new.
Before we headed on we had time to enjoy a drink in one of the small bars.
The return trip took us to Grotto Elvezia and Cassarate before our return to Lugano.
Back at Lugano we had a gelato and did some clothes shopping before riding the funicular back up the hill to the station as from there it was an easy walk downhill to the hotel.
2 comments:
Boat seems to be the way to get around, and I LOVE that Chris Craft style boat - don't you think you need one of those moored out the front of the unit?
Loved your first attempt at a pamorama shot! Amanda
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