I have a question for those of you who've been to both. We've been to Locarno and really enjoyed it. Next trip we thought we'd spend a couple nights at Lugano (Walter Au Lac hotel) and one or two at Locarno. Would you recommend one city over the other or should we stay at one--Locarno, for example, and day-trip to the other? Thanks.

Locarno has IMO the more authentic atmosphere and is smaller. Lugano is very busy and noisy.<BR><BR>However, there are so many sights around Lugano! You cannot see it all if you stay in Locarno and do only daytrips to Lugano. So I recommend to stay a couple of nights in Lugano. I haven't been to Walter au Lac, but it seems to be right on the lake promenade. There is a noisy street in front of it I think. I would prefer a more quiet place.<BR><BR>Ingo

Ingo,,<BR>Thanks for the advice. I think we'll spend a couple days in each location.<BR><BR>I couldn't tell from the Lugano tourism website how noisy it would be near the Walter Au Lac--there was mention of the walking area behind the hotel, but the photos suggested traffic in front. <BR><BR>Another option that looked interesting was a place on the water in Castognola--Fischer Seehotel. Any info on staying in that area or hotel (or Gandria?) would be appreciated. I noticed a thread elsewhere that lamented the cost of a bus to that area -- something like $12, which seemed high for a bus. Is it?

I cannot possibly resist saying something about these two towns and their lakes. They are different and both terrific. I loved Lugano but didn't stay there, so the bustle was fine with me. It's a beautiful small city with arcades and a wonderful market and a magnificent fresco in S. Maria degli Angioli. I've admired the isolated Fischer Seehotel from the lake boat on the way to Gandria. I'd entertain the idea of staying there even if you took the lake boats to and from Lugano. But I really cannot imagine that it costs $12 to catch a bus. Take the boat to Morcote as well. J.

jw<BR>Thanks for the info--I hadn't thought about a boat to Castognola--that would be a fun and functional excursion wrapped into one

John,<BR><BR>I believe that was one of my comments about the $12 bus ride, and, in hindsight, I'm pretty sure I got taken (or just confused . . . ). So don't let that deter you from staying in Lugano. Once you've decided on your hotel, you can try e-mailing the desk to ask how much a bus costs into town.<BR><BR>Looking forward to your trip report! When are you going??<BR><BR>s

Hoping to go this May, though now looking more like next spring. Sigh.

John,<BR><BR>I have trouble to find this thread. It would be helpful if you could mark "Switzerland" or a different country before you open a thread next time.<BR><BR>However, Fischer's Seehotel is a good choice. But you should consider Elvezia al Lago and Carlton Villa Moritz, too.<BR><BR>www.carlton-villa-moritz.ch<BR>Carlton Villa Moritz has a wonderful Mediterranean garden and a small pool. A shuttle bus takes you to the train station and back. The rooms are not even large, but I usually do not spend much time in my room when I am in Lugano! Most of them have lake view.<BR>Enjoy the pictures on their website!<BR><BR>Don't worry about the 12$ bus ticket. I must be a joke.<BR><BR>Ingo

sorry, the website is:<BR><BR>www.carlton-villa-moritz.com<BR><BR>I.

Ingo and John:<BR>My absolute favourite hotel in Lugano is the Hotel Lido-Seegarten. Right on the lake (no street between), and very charming. However, it's a ****<BR>http://www.hotellido-lugano.com/e-welcome.html<BR><BR>If it's just to stay one night, I like the Hotel Dante*** next to station of the funicolare, because it's so convenient and close to Via Nassa.

Sorry, the Dante is a **** too, but a little cheaper. It has been refurbished not too long ago and got another *.<BR>http://www.hotel-luganodante.com/

Ingo & Ursula,<BR>Thanks to you both for good ideas. the hotels look lovely and the photos make the settings look wonderful.<BR><BR>Ingo--this was one of my first posts and I didn't have the hang of getting it into the right thread. Even I can't find it half the time. Experience will help, I'm sure.<BR><BR>Mille Grazie!

Oh John!<BR><BR>Laughed out loud when I saw your query about Fischer Seehotel in Castagnola. My husband and (then) seven year old stayed there a zillion years ago (actually about 16) and loved the place. It's at the beginning of the path to Gandria and the small, simple hotel sort of leans out over the lake. We walked to Gandria, had an outstanding dinner on the porch overlooking the lake, and then in the night were serenaded by a rowboat full of possibly inebriated Italian fishermen who sang a few possibly bawdy melodies. Our room (a double with an extra bed for our son) was tiny, but had a huge balcony that looked over the lake. I'd go back there in a split second. If you do stay there, please report in when you return.

Betsy,<BR>Cool-someone who's stayed there. We were planning to go this spring, but forces in the universe may conspire to push that back to next fall or spring. We'll see. <BR><BR>With all this advice, it's hard to say where we'll stay, but I'm swaying toward the Fischer. Hope to get a chance to see for myself what you liked about it.<BR><BR>What was Gandria like? Looks like this charming little village--would that be accurate?

John, this was 16 years ago! Gandria was, and I hope still is, a picture-perfect tiny village on the side of a hill overlooking the lake. As I recall, there are no cars in the village. We would have loved to have seen it from a boat on the lake. Take your camera!<BR><BR>Buon viaggio

Gandria is still the picture-perfect tiny village. It is indeed car-free. As Betsy mentioned, Fischer's Seehotel is right on the beginning of the walking path to Gandria. You should walk to Gandria and take the boat back. Don't miss the "Grotto" in Cantine di Gandria, right over the lake. They serve excellent food (fish!). When I was there the latest boat back to Lugano departed at 10 pm.<BR><BR>Ingo

Oh Ingo, thanks for the update. Want to head for the airport right now.

You paint such an inviting picture that we'll have to make Gandria a stop on our next trip. Thanks

John, Gandria is indeed very nice, a perfect tiny village, but be prepared to huge crowds. It's very a very popular spot. Go by boat from Lugano. You can even walk back along the lakeside.<BR>Two other scenic spots close to Lugano: Morcote and Bissone.

Ursula,<BR>We were hoping to go in early May (this year or next) and wondered if Gandria is crowded at that time of year, too.<BR>Thanks,<BR>John