The best beaches around Lugano

Now that the spell of bad weather has passed we should be in for a warm weekend... here are the best beaches in and around Lugano:

Lido di Caslano
My absoulte favourite spot is the Lido of Caslano. You need to rise early if you want to catch one of the four sunshades on the sandy beach but it is worth it: http://www.lidodicaslano.ch/.

 Lido de Lugano
The biggest Lido is of course Il Lido de Lugano. Built in 1928, Lugano Lido’s charm has not faded with time. Though the facilities are constantly renovated, improvements always respect the original wooden structure. Lugano Lido is an extremely popular spot not only with residents of Lugano.
Facilities include:

a beach with fine sand (100 x 20 m) and the possibility of swimming in the lake
an Olympics-size pool heated to 25 degrees (50 x 25 m)
a heated medium-sized pool (25 x 12.5 m)
a diving pool with boards at 1, 3, 5 and 10 metres
a pool for children with water games
a beach volley court (25 x 13 m)
a five-a-side soccer pitch (25 x 13 m)
a very cool bar and restaurant area

Ever since 1992 the Lido also features a giant film screen in summer under the auspices of “Cinema al Lago", a festival of great films which has become more and more popular.

Lido di San Domenico
To find respite during torrid days at the beginning of summer the choice is not limited to Lugano Lido. Visit the Lido di San Domenico, an incredibly picturesque natural beauty-spot which affords stunning views over the lake and the Caprino shoreline. Once you have left Lugano behind, heading for Gandria, drive along that section of the Via Cortivo that skirts the village of Castagnola, and you are in the National Pre-alpine Park. Here the nature lover will find thick laurel groves, thriving olive trees, clumps of agave and a wealth of other Mediterranean flora.

Lido Riva Caccia
From the Lido Riva Caccia platform, close to the lakefront and the city centre, a wonderful landscape is to be admired; the setting is characteristic, exclusive and extremely pleasant. The story of this Lido goes back a long way, in tandem with Lugano's development as a centre for tourism. Construction of the "floating Lido” was the brainchild of the Pro-Lugano Association in 1889, inspired by what had already been proposed in Zurich.

Lido di Melide
Another stunning view is to be enjoyed at the Lido di Melide. This outing can be combined with a visit to the nearby Swiss Miniature.

There, you have a Lido for every day of the week. During the weekend you can revisit your favourite spots. Happy suntanning! Happy swimming!

Don't miss the 1. August Brunch

Switzerland's National holiday is approaching fast.

The 1.August Brunch has become a popular activity on our National Day. For the past 22 years Swiss farmers have been inviting city dwellers (Swiss and foreign alike) for brunch on a farm. Last year over 200'000 guests enjoyed the culinary adventure offered by 350 farms throughout Switzerland. Through this movement the farmers' families wish to promote a better understanding and sympathy of local agriculture by the city population.

The 1. August Brunch is an occasion that one should not miss. Hosted by selected Swiss farms who offer you a brunch, they will provide you with the opportunity to taste different kinds of cheese, meat, milk, bread, müesli and many other gastronomic specialities in a very particular atmosphere. You'll also have the certainty to try some excellent products with high quality standard's. If you're lucky you'll enjoy some typical Swiss music, meet a Swiss celebrity, be served out of a giant Roesti frying pan or admire some amazing National costumes. The kids will love all the direct contact with the farms' animals.

Book now for a brunch in one of the farms! Click here to find a list of Ticino's participating farmers.
For a detailed guide with info such as activites, animals or produce for sale click on the following link: http://www.agriturismo.ch/Brunch

My favourite so far is: Alpe Duragno at the top of Monte Tamaro. See purple trail on map.
The Agriturismo Ponte di Vello in Breno looks intriguing. My friends recommend the farms on top of Monte Generoso.

As places in the farms are limited, registration is mandatory and better done early. You can register by telephoning the farmers directly before July 30th 2013. There are still quite a few spots left as of this morning. Please communicate how many children and adults you'll be. look for a brunch place near you here: http://www.brunch.ch/it/ricerca-fattoria/

Venue: 1.August Brunch
When: Saturday, August 1st, 2015
Time: 9:00 - 13:00
Price: CHF 20.- to 40.-
Directions: All participating farms will be signposted with the logo: «Brunch»
For more info:
Tel: 056 462 51 67 on workdays from 8:00 bis 12:00 and from 13.00 to 17:00
or  091 851 90 90 for the Ticino.
E-Mail: info@brunch.ch
Homepage: www.brunch.ch

Ticino's swimming pools

The summer is nearly here and I thought I'd share a useful list of open air and covered swimming pools throughout Ticino. Did you know the Lido of Lugano was founded in 1928 or that Bellinzona's outdoor pool was inaugurated 45 years ago. Check them out for yourself.

Switzerland's pools by Canton: http://www.badi-info.ch
Lugano's Lido: http://www.luganoturismo.ch
Bellinzona' Bagno Publico: http://sport.bellinzona.ch
Lido di Locarno: http://www.lidolocarno.ch
Lido's and public baths around Lugano: http://www.luganoturismo.ch

My personal favourite is Lido di Caslano. Make sure you get there early since it is very small but a unique experience.

Ladies' night at the Splash&Spa

Today one of my friends suggested a I join her for a ladies night out. What I didn't realise is that it does not only include good company but also sublime pampering.

Forget your work schedules, commitments and everyday demands. Treat yourself to an evening of complete relaxation and wellbeing with your girlfriends.

Every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, from 17.30 until 22.00, Splash & Spa will pamper you with different themed activities.

- Facial mask
- Ritual infusions with face and body peeling
- Turkish bath with Rhassoul therapeutic mud
- Healthy culinary delights

To top it all, a wellness expert will be at your service during the evening to answer all your questions. The entrance to the Splash area is included in the offer of Chf 65.- per person.

All the sauna areas are reserved exclusively for women. The Hamam area and all the other SPA attractions are accessible to everybody.

So what are you waiting for, go ahead and make your reservation now.

Venue: Ladies Night
Where: Splash & Spa, via Campagnole 1, 6802 Rivera-Monteceneri
Date: Every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month
Time: 17:30 to 22:00
Book here: http://splashespa.ch/en/ or call 091/936'22'22

Summer hang out

Summer, blue skies, sun, luxurious plants in bloom. The green with its fragrances enchants us all and demands a stop. From Caslano to Castagnola and Melide to Bissone, you need only pause a moment to calmly select which beach to visit. It is a tradition in Switzerland to swim in the lakes. A fact my Italian hubby who grew up along the seaside cannot get his mind around.

What about the 80'000 m2 of lakefront on Lake Maggiore, shaded by centuries-old trees and 600 meters of sandy beach? The Ceresio shores welcome you with their fine sand beach leading directly to the lake. And don't forget the sandy banks of many rivers that in places offer astounding pools of water with micro-beaches.

Ticino is generous but above all organized and well-equipped, and it offers so much for adults and children, who can play and cool off in pools dedicated to them. And what's more, between a dive and a swim, there is room for a beach volley match and for healthy laughter watching the children on the playground and the young boys showing off on the springboard.

And when the sun fades, lights and good music come on: shores and beaches don evening wear to enjoy a good aperitif and meet friendly new people. In brief: in Ticino shores and beaches are worth a visit, while your "thoughts"... stay offshore!

One last little tip: Laghetto di Astano

Splash and Spa Tamaro opens in Ticino

Tomorrow is the big day. After months of construction and preparations, the big day has finally come:
the opening of the new waterpark SPLASH E SPA TAMARO.

Splash e Spa Tamaro, an innovative new tourist attraction, unique of its kind, is the first Waterpark 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.

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 housing 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 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.

What are you waiting for? Sun, rain or snow, Splash e Spa Tamaro will always be open to offer the very best in water leisure pursuits and well-being. There is something for everyone, just choose the right ride for you.

For more detailed information click here.
For the Splash & Spa Tamaro brochure click here.

Best beaches around Lugano

Ever since I was a little girl summer time not only brought warm weather and sunshine but many happy hours spent by the lake. My husband who grew up near the sea still can't get his mind around diving into a lake but I have trained my kids. Not much choice when you live in a landlocked country, one of 48 around the globe!

Lido di Caslano
My absoulte favourite spot is the Lido of Caslano. You need to rise early if you want to catch one of the four sunshades on the sandy beach but it is worth it: http://www.lidodicaslano.ch/.

Lido de Lugano
The biggest Lido is of course Il Lido de Lugano. Built in 1928, Lugano Lido’s charm has not faded with time. Though the facilities are constantly renovated, improvements always respect the original wooden structure. Lugano Lido is an extremely popular spot not only with residents of Lugano.
Facilities include:
a beach with fine sand (100 x 20 m) and the possibility of swimming in the lake
an Olympics-size pool heated to 25 degrees (50 x 25 m)
a heated medium-sized pool (25 x 12.5 m)
a diving pool with boards at 1, 3, 5 and 10 metres
a pool for children with water games
a beach volley court (25 x 13 m)
a five-a-side soccer pitch (25 x 13 m)
a very cool bar and restaurant area

Ever since 1992 the Lido also features a giant filmscreen in summer under the auspices of “Cinema al Lago", a festival of great films which has become more and more popular.

Lido di San Domenico
To find respite during torrid days at the beginning of summer the choice is not limited to Lugano Lido. Visit the Lido di San Domenico, an incredibly picturesque natural beauty-spot which affords stunning views over the lake and the Caprino shoreline. Once you have left Lugano behind, heading for Gandria, drive along that section of the Via Cortivo that skirts the village of Castagnola, and you are in the National Pre-alpine Park. Here the nature lover will find thick laurel groves, thriving olive trees, clumps of agave and a wealth of other Mediterranean flora.

Lido Riva Caccia
From the Lido Riva Caccia platform, close to the lakefront and the city centre, a wonderful landscape is to be admired; the setting is characteristic, exclusive and extremely pleasant. The story of this Lido goes back a long way, in tandem with Lugano's development as a centre for tourism. Construction of the "floating Lido” was the brainchild of the Pro-Lugano Association in 1889, inspired by what had already been proposed in Zurich.

Lido di Melide
Another stunning view is to be enjoyed at the Lido di Melide. This outing can be combined with a visit to the nearby Swiss Miniature.

There, you have a Lido for every day of the week. During the weekend you can revisit your favourite spots. Happy suntanning! Happy swimming!

A Swiss application for the summer

Wondering about the weather? What about the pools? How warm is the water? When do the "lidos" open?

Check out Switzerland Tourism’s swimming weather forecast. It offers wide-ranging information in seconds on Switzerland’s swimming venues and water temperatures – over 250 open-air/indoor swimming pools and designated lakeside swimming areas are included. Where is the closest swimming venue? How warm are the pools? What facilities does the infrastructure provide? You can download all of these details directly to your iPhone or access them at Myswitzerland.com.

Download it now from i-tunes: Swimming weather

Swimming in the lake

Spring, blue skies, sun, luxurious plants in bloom. The green with its fragrances enchants us all and demands a stop. From Caslano to Castagnola and Melide to Bissone, you need only pause a moment to calmly select which beach to visit. It is a tradition in Switzerland to swim in the lakes. A fact my Italian hubby who grew up along the seaside cannot get his mind around.

What about the 80'000 m2 of lakefront on Lake Maggiore, shaded by centuries-old trees and 600 meters of sandy beach? The Ceresio shores welcome you with their fine sand beach leading directly to the lake. And don't forget the sandy banks of many rivers that in places offer astounding pools of water with micro-beaches.

Ticino is generous but above all organized and well-equipped, and it offers so much for adults and children, who can play and cool off in pools dedicated to them. And what's more, between a dive and a swim, there is room for a beach volley match and for healthy laughter watching the children on the playground and the young boys showing off on the springboard.

And when the sun fades, lights and good music come on: shores and beaches don evening wear to enjoy a good aperitif and meet friendly new people. In brief: in Ticino shores and beaches are worth a visit, while your "thoughts"... stay offshore!

One last little tip: Laghetto di Astano

Let's meet at the Lido di Lugano

Today, May 1st, is when the Lido of Lugano officially inaugurates its season. It is a Lugano tradition to head down to the lake - no matter what the weather is like - to have the first ice cream of season!

So go ahead, dip your toes in the water and have a drink on their lovely terrasse while the kids have a run along the sandy beach.

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!

Six fun water games

Wow, is it hot! Help your kiddies cool off with these backyard water games. No more missing the swimming pools and beaches when you can have all the fun at your home and backyard itself.

FREEZE UP
Try this game on a really hot summer day in your backyard kiddie pool. Kids will love it, but believe me—if it's hot enough adults will play, too.
Fill the kiddie pool with water and add ice cubes! Have each person try to remove the ice cubes with their feet. You'll be cool before you know it! For a real challenge, have each person remove the ice cubes using only one foot. The person to remove the most ice cubes is the winner.

SPONGE TAG
Use a large bucket and a bag of sponges. Fill the bucket with water and put the sponges in it. Use the sponges for tag. Depending on the rules, you can either throw the sponges or require them to keep the sponge in their hands! When someone tags a person, they have to go back to the bucket and get the sponge wet again before tagging someone else!
If you have a group, play multiplying sponges. The first person starts with a sponge, when they tag someone, they keep the sponge and the new person gets their own sponge too until everyone has been tagged! Need to have lots of sponges but it's fun.

ICE CUBE MELT RELAY
The first person of each team holds and rubs an ice cube until their hands get to cold. Then they pass it to the next person, and so on, until the ice cube melts. What ever team melts their ice cube first wins.

WET FASHION SHOW
Put out a bucket/team filled with water and lots of newspaper. Using only wet newspaper, have your own crazy fashion show by dressing up your teammate! Be sure to make sure that all the newspaper is cleaned up before the next group arrives.

A WATER WINDMILL (Can be played as team relay race)
1. Half fill a child’s pail (with handle) -- with water.
2. Have children hold the pails in one hand and hold that arm straight down by their side.
3. Keeping the arm straight, children swing the pail around and around in a circle.
4. No water should spill, if pail is kept moving like a windmill.
5. Decide how many times the “windmill” will go around before the “next windmill” starts.

T-SHIRT FREEZE
1. Collect or buy a t-shirt for each child the day before your activity.
2. Put the shirt in a Ziploc bag with the person's name on it.
3. When you have all the t-shirts, fill the bag with water and freeze them solid.
4. Bring out the frozen bags at your activity and pass back out to the owner.
5. The first person to get their frozen t-shirt out, defrost it and put it on is the winner.

My favourite Lugano beaches

Ever since I was a little girl summer time not only brought warm weather and sunshine but many happy hours spent by the lake. My husband who grew up near the sea still can't get his mind around diving into a lake but I have trained my kids. Not much choice when you live in a landlocked country, one of 48 around the globe!

Lido di Caslano
My absoulte favourite spot is the Lido of Caslano. You need to rise early if you want to catch one of the four sunshades on the sandy beach but it is worth it: http://www.lidodicaslano.ch/.

Lido de Lugano
The biggest Lido is of course Il Lido de Lugano. Built in 1928, Lugano Lido’s charm has not faded with time. Though the facilities are constantly renovated, improvements always respect the original wooden structure. Lugano Lido is an extremely popular spot not only with residents of Lugano.
Facilities include:
a beach with fine sand (100 x 20 m) and the possibility of swimming in the lake
an Olympics-size pool heated to 25 degrees (50 x 25 m)
a heated medium-sized pool (25 x 12.5 m)
a diving pool with boards at 1, 3, 5 and 10 metres
a pool for children with water games
a beach volley court (25 x 13 m)
a five-a-side soccer pitch (25 x 13 m)
a very cool bar and restaurant area

Ever since 1992 the Lido also features a giant filmscreen in summer under the auspices of “Cinema al Lago", a festival of great films which has become more and more popular.

Lido di San Domenico
To find respite during torrid days at the beginning of summer the choice is not limited to Lugano Lido. Visit the Lido di San Domenico, an incredibly picturesque natural beauty-spot which affords stunning views over the lake and the Caprino shoreline. Once you have left Lugano behind, heading for Gandria, drive along that section of the Via Cortivo that skirts the village of Castagnola, and you are in the National Pre-alpine Park. Here the nature lover will find thick laurel groves, thriving olive trees, clumps of agave and a wealth of other Mediterranean flora.

Lido Riva Caccia
From the Lido Riva Caccia platform, close to the lakefront and the city centre, a wonderful landscape is to be admired; the setting is characteristic, exclusive and extremely pleasant. The story of this Lido goes back a long way, in tandem with Lugano's development as a centre for tourism. Construction of the "floating Lido” was the brainchild of the Pro-Lugano Association in 1889, inspired by what had already been proposed in Zurich.

Lido di Melide
Another stunning view is to be enjoyed at the Lido di Melide. This outing can be combined with a visit to the nearby Swiss Miniature.

There, you have a Lido for every day of the week. During the weekend you can revisit your favourite spots. Happy suntanning! Happy swimming!

When Hawaii meets Lugano

Ever heard of Stand Up Paddle? Well, it is worth checking out this new intriguing sport that hit the shores of Lake Lugano this summer.

The Stand Up Paddling or SUPing, like surfing, comes from Hawaii.

Fully respectful of nature, zen and sporty at the same time, the Stand Up Paddle will give you the opportunity to discover Lugano's lake like you've never seen it before.

It's good for the body and mind: you will enjoy a training time in harmony with the nature. You will increase your balance and develop your shape. All muscles receive a soft workout in line with SUPers motto of: "A clean body in a clean mind".
It's easy and friendly: all you need to know is how to swim and you're off paddling with family and friends. All ages and abilities can enjoy this sport their first time out.

Yoann HAMONIC and his team will provide you with the necessary tools to safely and effectively become a stand up paddler. They would love to share their experience as professional SUP instructors to make sure each and everyone of you get the most out of the sport of SUP.

So go ahead, dive into this new adventure and drive out to Figino with your kids this week and check it out for yourself! Head to the Lido of Figino-Barbengo and make it an unforgettable day.

For more information check out their fabulous site: http://lugano-sup.ch or contact Yoann directly via: mail: yoann@lugano-sup.ch
telephone: 091/604'61'73
cellular: 079/388'62'69

INDIVIDUAL LESSON:
1h - 80 CHF - Initiation
3h - 140 CHF - Advanced Technic

GROUP LESSON (2-5 persons max)
1h30 - 60 CHF/pers - Initiation
c 3h - 80 CHF/pers - Advanced Technic

A game of Minigolf - cooling off at the Lido di Caslano

A lovely Sunday morning spent playing Mini Golf followed by a dip in the Lake at the Lido of Caslano.
Lunch at the Osteria del Battello to top it all off. Now we are ready for our Sunday siesta!