Advent market in Lugano

Today, the first Advent Calendar window has been opened and therefore the countdown towards Christmas has officially begun.

To celebrate the first of Advent, head down to Piazza Riforma at 17:00 this afternoon to see Lugano's official Christmas tree. Accompanied by music, Julie Arlin will host the lighting of the city's tallest Christmas tree. A really exciting event, especially for children.

After, also check out the Advent market starting today. During all of Advent, Riforma Square will be populated by charming wooden houses, where you can find all sorts of Christmas specialties, decorations and original gift ideas.

A magical world for children, which even adults love to partake in. The joy of being together, without necessarily having to stay in one's home living room. The pleasure of buying presents at the market or in boutiques. This is the kind of Christmas that the city of Lugano proposes and which will feature 37 very special days in the streets of the city centre so that the Christmas season can reach out to everyone.

Lighting of the Christmas Tree
Sunday 1.12.13 at 5.00 p.m.
Riforma Square

Advent Market
Sunday 1.12.13 at 5.30 p.m.
Every day until Monday 23.12 from 11.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Tuesday 24.12 from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

10 years of Ticino Junior

Hurry. Check out your local kiosk and pick up a copy of Ticino Junior. This magazine is full of useful information and tips for your free time in Ticino. It is sure to keep you and your children busy this summer. Ticino Family Junior is 10 years old and is publishing its 20th edition.

Just click on this link to have a peak online: Ticino Junior 2013

Easter in Lugano 2013

Easter is just around the corner and the weather can only get better. According to Meteo Svizzera it will be a wee bit warmer and - if we're lucky - we might see some sun.

Easter draws a myriad of vacationers and travelers to Lugano every year. Join the festive atmosphere of Easter in the City and explore the numerous intriguing and entertaining activities for young and old.

"Pasqua in Città" (Easter in the City), will take place from Friday through Monday. Every day from 11   to 18.00 the city center will transform into a fun and amusing stage. Each of the main city squares will be hosting a different entertainment programme. You'll have the opportunity of purchasing many local products, which will be exhibited on more than 100 stalls that will be set up in Piazza Riforma, Via Nassa, Piazza Dante, Via Pessina and Via Soave. Don't miss the Street Animation shows along the way.

There will be the “Rabbit’s Den”, at the Piazza della Riforma, dedicated to children. It will feature children’s make-up artists, egg painting activities, Henne tatoos and a Ludobus. During the whole event, three funny rabbits will be distributing sweet little chocolate eggs. You can't miss that!?

Two lovely performances by local Luganese bands are not to be missed either. The Castagnola Philarmonic will be performing on Saturday at 17:00, while the Pregassona Philarmonic will be playing on Monday at 10.30.

Venue: Pasqua in città
Where: downtown Lugano
When: March 29th to April 1st, 2013
Tiem: 11:00 - 18:00
Click here for the detailed programme: http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/programma

International Mother Language Day 2013

"One should respect his motherland, his culture and his mother tongue because they are givers of happiness."
Rig Veda

February 21st is International Mother Language Day - a special day recognized by the UN and UNESCO to promote cultural diversity and multilingualism. They also encourage people to maintain their knowledge of their mother language while learning and using more than one language.

Language plays a vital role in relation to identity, communication, social integration, education and development. It is estimated that, without measures to protect and promote minority and endangered languages, half of the 6000 plus languages spoken today will disappear by the end of this century, with 96 percent of these languages spoken by a mere 4 percent of the world’s population.

The theme of the International Mother Language day 2013 is "Mother tongue instruction and inclusive education". This year’s theme refers to the importance of language in accessing quality education and encourages UNESCO member states to promote instruction and education in the mother tongue.

ALL FOR KIDS exists to provide English speaking families with products that encourage learning and inspire creativity while having fun. To celebrate this day they have a special offer IF you order before midnight tomorrow (February 22nd): you'll get 13% off everything (it's 2013, after all) - and if you order 13 items or more, All for kids will even ship for free! Check out their site and don't miss the Bargain Basement section: All for Kids.

Should you have five minutes to spare, find out why language matters:

Ticino's first Water Park to open 2013

Are you ready for Splash e Spa Tamaro, an innovative new tourist attraction, unique of its kind? It will be the first Waterpark in Ticino covering more than 10,000m2 dedicated to leisure and well-being, offering aquatic leisure activities together with Spa and Wellness treatments - all inside a single complex.

The Splash e Spa Tamaro will boast more than 7,000m2 of Splash and 3,000 m2 of Spa incorporated under three separate Domes. Leisure and well-being will be centre-stage in each of them.

The Entertainment Dome will offer a 30m long pool with one metre high waves. A swimming pool with poolside bar will be equipped with more than 80 water and air jets attractions.
One area will be dedicated to the very smallest with slides, sprinklers, channels, wells and interactive water games while the parents will be able to supervise from comfortable poolside loungers.
The restaurant - with access to the terrace – will offer a broad selection of freshly-prepared typical local dishes.

The Action Dome will be dedicated to five latest-generation slides. Unique in Europe, with spectacular shows of light, sound and water all along the way. The brave, not so brave, young and adults will feel the rush of adrenalin combined with sheer enjoyment.
Funnels, whirlpools or even defying gravity in two or four person rubber dinghies make for a thrilling and unforgettable descent.

The Wellness & Spa Dome will incorporate a spacious and luxurious SPA, a Wellness Centre and generously-proportioned relaxation zones. Those who will abandon themselves to themed saunas and Turkish baths, massages and a range of other treatments, will recover from their day-to-day stress in just a few hours.
There will be several outdoor attractions, too, including an amazing panoramic swimming pool heated to 34°C offering more than 85 different types of massages, jets of water and air, loungers and much more. The generous terrace and its breathtaking view, the sauna and the saltwater pool also heated to 34°C, will complete the offer.

This spectacular sounding Splash e SPA Tamaro Water Park opens in spring 2013. So get ready for the fun. You have something to look forward to next year!