Hi, Thanks everyone for your help on my itineray so far. I have readjusted my plans for Locarno/Lugano etc. accordingly. Without your help, I would have made a couple of costly mistakes. My (hopefully) last question. I am a cheapie when it comes to hotels, but I am wondering if I will be sorry that I don't have A/C in the southern climate in August. Just how hot and humid does it get down there? Also, is Zurich likely to be hot? thanks

Zurich averages in the 70s in August. Lugano in the 80s. Air conditioning is relatively rare in Switzerland because the climate is so pleasant. And for future reference, www.weatherbase.com allows you to look up average temperatures for anyplace in the world.

My husband and I visited Zurich and Lugano in August a couple of years ago. We managed just fine without A/C in Zurich with the windows open - if you don't mind the church bells peeling all through the night. Our hotel in Lugano had A/C, and given how warm the days were, I think we would have been uncomfortable without it. (We're from Georgia, USA so we may be acclimated to the necessity for A/C.)

I took my mother to Lugano in 2003. We stayed in a pleasant hotel, but no AC. It was boiling hot and I ended up showering 3 times a day. We killed time in the Lugano casino simply to take advantage of the airco there.
But normally it's not THAT hot. We didn't have airco for previous visits and were fine.
On our next warm-weather visit to Lugano we're going to hedge our bets...we'll stay in the Hotel Delfino, where the rooms have large balconies where we can sit and catch the breeze. And the hotel has a pool, so if it really gets hot, we can enjoy a refreshing dip.

That same summer (2003), we also stayed in Basel, which has a climate similar to Zurich. The actual temperature was lower than in Lugano, but it was much muggier, so we felt hotter. Our hotel did have AC, but was kept at just a degree or so cooler than outside. Some hotels with AC don't allow you to adjust the temp in your room.
If you're worried about the heat, ask for a room that gets afternoon shade.

Hi, thanks everyone, I guess I'll just take the chance. I did check weather.com as you suggested but I find that the averages only give you a general idea. I feel better having 1st person accounts.

I suggested weatherbase.com, which is an entirely different website than weather.com. But, as long as you found the information you needed, that's great.

Temperature is such a personal preference, it's hard to give or take advice without knowing the person. I work with some people who are hot every day of the year, while the person on the other side of me wears a sweater all summer because they think it's cold when the AC is on.