36 Hours in Lugano

Lugano, in Ticino, Switzerland’s Italian-speaking canton, has its own distinctive culinary, wine and cultural scene, not to mention casinos and serene views across an alpine lake.

'Lugano is known for blending Swiss efficiency with the sunny charm of Italy along the steeply pitched shores of a postcard-perfect alpine lake that reaches deep into both countries. Add Renaissance churches, belle epoque hotels, modernist villas, a couple of casinos and lush gardens that improbably combine palm trees and snow in winter, and you’ll understand why the region is known as the Swiss Riviera. But it’s not all play.

With about 65,000 residents, Lugano is a major destination in Ticino, Switzerland’s lone, Italian-speaking canton, which has its own distinctive culinary, wine and cultural scene. With the end of Swiss banking secrecy a few years ago, there have been fewer Ferraris rolling in from Italy to visit the private banks. While that may be bad for the banks, it’s made the city much less buttoned-up and more visitor-friendly. A new cultural center known as LAC (Lugano Arte e Cultura) and various gastronomic and music festivals fill out the calendar throughout much of the year.'>>>

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/13/travel/what-to-do-in-lugano.html?