Lugano: Swiss-Italian charm, lakeside views, and rich culture

There is no better guide for gourmets in southern Switzerland than Dany Stauffacher. We had the pleasure of accompanying the founder and CEO of the Sapori Ticino culinary festival on an enjoyable tour of his home region and not only pass on his enthusiasm for the restaurants presented here, but also a message that was very important to him: ‘When I’m asked for restaurant tips, I always have the same problem: I’m spoilt for choice. There’s so much on offer now in Ticino that for every restaurant I recommend, I have to leave out dozens of others that are just as deserving.’

Ticino’s biggest city has long been renowned for its parks, flower gardens and villas. Over the past few years, however, it has also gained a reputation for its cultural offering. Located between Zurich and Milan, Lugano today combines scenic beauty with an extensive range of cultural activities for visitors to enjoy. Whether your interest lies in nature, history, art or sociology, the region’s 36 museums are sure to delight and enthral any culture fan with a wide-ranging programme of exhibitions and events throughout the year.

It's hard to believe that you're still in Switzerland, just a two-hour train ride from Zurich, once you arrive at the sun-drenched terrace of this beautiful location. With an average of 2000 hours of sunshine per year, this idyllic spot has its unique pace of life that encourages visitors to slow down the minute they arrive.