Lugano Tourism

La comunicazione online e le sfide per i professionisti del turismo

2009-10-02T20:31:00.000+01:00

La comunicazione online e le sfide per i professionisti del turismo

Lugano, 11 febbraio 2010.

Swiss Day della Conferenza internazionale ENTER2010 - eTourism: Horizons.

un grande programma!

Ph.D. Research Workshop / ENTER 2010 Conference

2009-09-24T14:43:00.001+01:00

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Ph.D. Research Workshop

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CALL FOR Ph.D. RESEARCH PROPOSALS – ALL STAGES - EXTENDED DEADLINE 15th October 2009

Ph.D. Research Workshop on the 17th International Conference on
Information Technology and Travel & Tourism
IFITT's Global Travel & Tourism Technology and eBusiness Forum
February 9th 2010, Universita’ della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano Switzerland

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WORKSHOP

As a preliminary event to ENTER 2010, IFITT will hold its prestigious annual Ph.D. Research Workshop for doctoral students undertaking research in Information and Communication Technology in Travel and Tourism. The workshop provides a forum for doctoral students to discuss their research with peers, colleagues, and leading supervisors and scholars in the field. Doctoral students at all stages (i.e. beginning as well as nearly completed) are encouraged to participate. The workshop is focusing on practical and methodological issues, research proposals and interim results of participating students.

Workshop program:

09:00 – 09:30 Registration and Coffee
09:30 – 09:40 Welcome and Opening Remarks
Wolfram Höpken, University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten
09:40 – 09:45 IFITT President Message
Andrew J. Frew, Queen Margaret University
09:45 – 10:00 Workshop Introduction: Emerging Issues in ICT and Travel & Tourism
Wolfram Höpken
10:00 – 10:15 Guidelines for Journal Publishing
Jamie Murphy, University of Western Australia
10:15 – 10:30 Tips for Completing that Dissertation
Andrew J. Frew
10:30 – 11:00 Coffee
11:00 – 13:00 Research Proposal Presentation
13:00 – 14:30 Lunch @ MENSA dell’UNIVERSITA
14:30 – 15:30 Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session I
Berendien Lubbe, University of Pretoria
Breakout Session II
Davide Bolchini, Indiana University
15:30 – 16:00 Coffee
16:00 – 17:00 Review of Breakout Sessions & Panel Discussion
Wolfram Höpken
17:00 – 17:30 Awards Ceremony and Closing Remarks
17:30 – 19:30 Wine Tasting and Social Networking

More information about the Ph.D. workshop and the overall conference can be found on http://www.enter2010.org

CALL FOR Ph.D. RESEARCH PROPOSALS

The workshop invites all interested doctoral and prospective students to submit their research proposals. The research proposals should be of a maximum length of five pages (A4) and should typically include the following headings: 1) problem definition; 2) literature review; 3) conceptual development; 4) proposed methodology; 5) anticipated results; and 6) references.

Each submission will undergo a review process. Authors will be notified about the review outcome, along with recommendations to improve the proposal before the workshop.

In your submission, please also indicate the extent of your progress toward completion of the thesis (i.e., thinking about it, just beginning the process, completed proposal etc.). The research proposals will be available to all workshop participants prior to the ENTER 2010 conference. Poster presentations will be displayed throughout the whole ENTER conference and the best research proposal will be given the chance to be presented within the ENTER research track.

Please note there is no cost to students or faculty for participating in the workshop. In addition the registration fee for the full ENTER 2010 conference (February 10th -12th) is heavily discounted for students to encourage active participation in ENTER 2010. Full conference details and all workshop materials and templates are available from the conference website http://www.enter2010.org.

Please direct enquiries to Wolfram Höpken and submit your research proposals any time no later than 15th October 2009. All submissions must use the appropriate workshop template.

ENTER 2010 PH.D. WORKSHOP CHAIRS

Ph.D. Workshop Chair: Prof. Wolfram Höpken, University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten, Germany (wolfram.hoepken@hs-weingarten.de)
Ph.D. Workshop Co-chair: Prof. Berendien Lubbe, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Ph.D. Workshop Co-chair: Dr. Davide Bolchini, Indiana University, USA

da segnare in agenda / mark your agenda

2007-08-31T17:20:00.000+01:00

eTourCamp Lugano: the Barcamp about ICTs and Tourism eTourCamp Lugano: il Barcamp sulle Nuove Tecnologie nel Turismo
>>>

Lovely weather forecast for Eastern!!!!

2007-04-02T10:36:00.000+01:00

The weather forecasts for the Eastern weekend (6th-9th April) are simply beautiful! Temperature will reach 20° celsius, which means that you will be able to have an ice cream in one of the best gelateria, while enjoying the sun in your t-shirt!

Many events are proposed during this weekend: markets, concerts, local music and costumes and much more! Also all facilities like boat service and funiculars are already open for the summer season!

What a great shortbreak and surprise would it be for your fiancée!!!

USA to Lugano... great deals!

2007-02-27T13:45:00.000+01:00

Swiss International Airlines is offering great deals to fly from the US to Lugano:

From:
Boston USD 670.00
Chicago USD 745.00
Los Angeles USD 770.00
Miami USD 740.00
New York USD 502.00

Round trip, Taxes & fees included!
Departure before March the 31th 2007!

Click on the logo of your favorite airline to book your Swiss Winter Web fare to Europe!

Lugano Airport Summer Schedule

2007-02-27T09:27:00.000+01:00

The summer schedule has been announced for Lugano Agno Airport!
Darwin Airline is the main player here and new destinations are offered this summer!
This is their network:

More information under: www.darwinairline.com

Podcast - Presenting The Project (group 1)

2007-02-14T23:49:00.001+01:00

Click here for directly downloading the podcast through iTunes

Click here for the .XML file (or copy the link on iTunes)

How to keep in touch with the Master Students in International Tourism 2006

See us while producing LUGANO PODCAST!

Podcast - Living the lake (group 8)

2007-02-14T11:46:00.000+01:00

Click here for directly downloading the podcast through iTunes
Click here for the .XML file (or copy the link on iTunes)

Discover the Lido, the Terasse of the lake
Lido

Activities in, on and around the lake
Activities

Dive into the lake with Vincenzo
Diving

Podcast - Culture in Lugano (group 9)

2007-02-14T11:18:00.000+01:00

Click here for directly downloading the podcast through iTunes

Click here for the .XML file (or copy the link on iTunes)

Discovering the tasteful world of chocolate!!!
Alprose Chocolate Museum

Experience the most international bues festival in Lugano!!!

Blues to Bop

Enjoy the looneiest carnival in Ticino!!!

Carnival

Podcast - Sport Centres / Wellness (group 7)

2007-02-14T11:07:00.000+01:00

Click here for directly download the podcast through iTunes

Click here for the .XML file (or copy the link on iTunes)

Swimming,sunbathing,partying,freak? Check out Lido di Lugano

Open up your senses for wellness and spa in Lugano

Where players train......Tennis Club Lido di Lugano

Podcast - Shopping in Lugano (group 5)

2007-02-14T10:52:00.000+01:00

Click here for directly download the podcast through iTunes

Click here for the .XML file (or copy the link on iTunes)

Expericence shopping for clothes in Lugano

Advices about shopping for food in Lugano

Luxury shopping: watches and jewels in Lugano

Podcast - Guided Excursions (group 4)

2007-02-14T10:35:00.000+01:00

Click here for directly download the podcast through iTunes

Click here for the .XML file (or copy the link on iTunes)

Guided excursion on Lugano Lake: didactical olive path

Guided excursion on Lugano Lake: a tipical ticinese village, Gandria

Guided excursion on Lugano Lake: a trip to Morcote

Podcast - Parks (group 3)

2007-02-14T10:27:00.000+01:00

Click here for directly downloading the podcast through iTunes

Click here for the .XML file (or copy the link on iTunes)

Breath-

taking

views are waiting for you in San Michele Park!

Park San Michele

Come and enjoy the most romantic park in Lugano!

Park of Villa Heleneum

Enjoy one of the finest parks in Switzerland: Ciani Park!

Ciani Park

Podcast - Mountain Bike Tours (group 2)

2007-02-14T10:11:00.000+01:00

Click here for directly download the podcast through iTunes

Click here for the .XML file (or copy the link on iTunes)

To Start Exploring Mountain Bike in Ticino and its great Challenges.

Just few minutes far from Lugano...Here's the bikers Paradise, where is the nature to lead your wheels...

One of the main experts in the region takes you into the Ticino's Mountain Bike backstage...

Our blog has been added to Yahoo! directories !!!!!

2007-02-09T18:44:00.000+01:00

This is the message arrived from Yahoo Directories last Feb ruary 7th.

Welcome to Yahoo!

The following URL submitted for expedited review with Yahoo! Directory
Submit Order #90405049 has been added to the Yahoo!
Directory:

FINDING YOUR SITE

Directory Placement
Within 2-4 days, your site will appear in our "What's New" List at:

http://www.yahoo.com/new/

To find your listing, enter your URL in the search box on that page.
You can also browse through the individual categories or the complete list of sites added on that day.

Your Site in Search
While inclusion in the Yahoo! Directory does not guarantee search result placement, your site may appear in Web Results due to its increased relevance. You will usually see the best results for your site if you search on your site name or unique URL. You may also wish to independently explore other options to optimize your site's web presence.

Important note:
Acceptance into the Yahoo! Directory does not in any way guarantee that your site will appear in Web or Directory Results in any manner or order. Establishing a web presence and optimizing search results are the sole responsibility of the site owner. Yahoo! cannot offer advice or respond to questions regarding a site's search ranking, keywords, metatags, or any other optimization-related topics.

[...]

Podcast III

2007-02-06T01:57:00.000+01:00

Pre Visitor Experience:

Group n°1: Andrea Ronchi - Daniele Cereghetti - Gianna Arnold

Click here for directly download the podcast through itunes

Click here for the .XML file (or copy the link on iTunes)

The first podcast to let you discover Lugano, Switzerland

What you just cannot miss when in Lugano

How to reach Lugano

PodCast Session II

2007-02-06T00:56:00.000+01:00

How will the service works??

Easy & Quick, are the key-words

Click on the link to view the video-Podcast in .mp4 through your browser

If you want to transfer them on your iPod or if you just want to organize them in your iTunes library use the .xml link

if you cannot open the .xml link follow these quick step:

Copy the .Xml link
Open iTunes
Select "subscribe to podcast" from the "advanced" menu
Copy the .xml link in the dialogue box
enjoy!!

Video Instructions HERE:

PodCast Session

2007-02-06T00:41:00.000+01:00

The Video-Podcast Service is Coming....

A brand new service that will guide you discovering the beauties

of this amazing city will be available soon.....

*watch the movies

*Download them on your Pc

*Transfer them directly on your iPod

or Mobile

Watch the spot

Reach Lugano flying to Milan Malpensa

2007-02-01T14:43:00.000+01:00

Lugano Airport currently is not served by any major low-cost airline. But Milan Malpensa airport (MXP) is only a few kilometres away from Ticino! Those are some low-cost flights landing in Milan Malpensa, prices are return all inclusive:

From

Amsterdam from 59.98 Euros

Athens from 71.98 Euros

Berlin from 53.98 Euros

Dortmund from 45.98 Euros

Edinburgh from 75.07 Euros

London Gatwick from 69.07 Euros

Paris CDG from 58.48 Euros

Prague from 53.98 Euros

all with www.easyjet.com

You can then reach Lugano in only one hour by bus! Star Bus offers 12 connections daily between Lugano and Milan Malpensa (www.starbus.info), while Giosy Tours offers 7 connections daily between Lugano and Milan Malpensa (www.giosytours.ch)

Come to Lugano, experience Swiss quality with Italian tradition!

Paragliding in Lugano

2007-01-23T21:04:00.000+01:00

"Glide into the wonderful fourth dimension - to forget about the fifth gear of your car. Seen from above, it looks so far away, even farther than the clouds on the horizon."

...Just bear in mind these simple and fascinating words...and you'll begin to understand the pureness and the incredible charm of flying...

Yes folks, Paragliding can make human's biggest dream come true !!!

These incredible flying tool is actually the simplest and the lightest existing on Earth...a sort of "Parachute's cousin" but much more enjoyable and affordable! In fact, you don't need to attend a "12 months course" or a "intensive back-breaking traning session" to float in the air...just ask for an instructor, fix the "launch", bring your camera and your favourite music with you and GO !

What are you waiting for?...no best place than Lugano to start,right?

On "Asbest Lugano" Website you can find more infos and contacts:

http://www.asbest.ch

...and stop keepin' dreaming...

By: Sara Borghi & Charlotte Mailland

Mountain Bike in Monte Bré

2007-01-23T13:45:00.000+01:00

An amazing experience in Lugano is Mountain bike in Monte Bré.

This Mount, overlooking this wonderful area can be accessed by the traditional funicular, and then you can have fun, getting down with a mountain bike.

You can choose between 2 options: the easiest one is to go down to Brè village and then follow the normal route till Lugano suburb "Cassarate" ,or, second choice, but harder, take the mountain bike path to Alpe Bolla,come down to Cureggia and finally reach Pregassona, really close to Lugano.
If you are interested in it, many itineraries exist all around the area. So many routes that the 2003 Mountain Bike World Championships were held in Lugano
Also, if you prefer to be accompanied by qualified staff, you can contact the team of Sport&Turismo (+41 (0)91 924 96 53), which organizes different excursions for the beginner to the expert biker.
You can rent Mountain bikes in SFR Railway Station of Lugano, in Blamelli Sport (via Pioda 12), located in the town centre, or either at the funicular of Monte Bré.

More information on :

http://www.ticino.ch/15/common_details.jsp?id=79945

http://www.montebre.ch/it/servizi1.html

By : Charlotte Mailland & Sara Borghi

Tropical weather in Lugano

2007-01-19T16:14:00.000+01:00

Today is the 19th January 2007. Normaly you would expect snow in Switzerland. That is not the case for Lugano, at least not today! We had a beautiful day, with temperature reaching 23 degrees celsius. Believe it or not, this picture was taken today...

Do you now still need more reasons to visit Lugano?

How to reach Lugano by plane

2007-01-19T10:09:00.000+01:00

Lugano offers a very tiny but confortable airport, located just 7 km from the city centre. Darwin Airline offers connections to Geneva, Rome, Bern and London. Swiss International Airlines offers 4 daily flights to Zurich, where you can connect with the Swiss International Airlines' network.

Even if air travel demand to / from Lugano is not so big, Darwin and Swiss offer some good deals:

Geneva, Rome and Bern starting from 99 CHF one way all inclusive;
London starting from 149 CHF on way all inclusive;
The connecting flight to/from Zurich is often offered for free by Swiss if connecting with another Swiss flight to/from Zurich (an example: Amsterdam - Lugano is offered for just 310 CHF return all inclusive).

Check-in can be done until 20 minutes before your flight takes off!

To know more:
wwww.darwinairline.com
www.swiss.ch
www.lugano-airport.ch

Media and culture in the Ticino

2006-12-12T17:01:00.000+01:00

1. Tv (TSI 1 and 2) and Radio (RSI 1,2,3) in the Ticino view themselves as the main cultural cornerstones here in Ticino.

2. Focusing on culture as well as the regional specifications of a multiethnical Swiss society, are the two priorities the program pursues since its creation. These two priorities are based on a mandate contained in two articles of the Swiss federal law on creation of radio and tv (RTVG). These two articles, article 3 and 46, are directed on the SRG-SSR. Article 3 implies and emphasizes the goal to promote the work on Swiss cultural affairs, thus inspiring viewers and spectators to participate in cultural affairs. Article 26 says that the SRG-SSR in its entity of programs has to take into consideration the specific circumstances of the nation as well as the requirements of the cantons, obliging it to a well balanced creation of the content of its programs.

3. Besides its main clientel in the Ticino TSI1 and 2 have two main clientels they focus on: the people coming from the Ticino but living in other areas of Switzerland, and the high number of north Italian viewers, appreciating a Swiss-Italian program, not giving way to an increasing higher mix of info-entertainment soap dominating their and many other European programs.

4. "Switzerland is on one hand a nation by will of its people but - on the other hand - no Tv-nation", as once stated by the Neue Züricher Zeitung (NZZ). "The mutual conscience of alienation is here independently seen from the language barriers, based on a different perception of TV-entertainment, leading to a manifestation of diversity of different cultures and mentalities.
In spite of this or especially because of that: integration is and remains a difficult task for society, and realizing especially this is the daily assignment for the SRG-SSR."

by Oliver Meissner

Rice with Luganighetta sausage

2006-12-12T09:44:00.000+01:00

For a very special dinner with friends, try the Rice with Luganighetta. In italian, we call it “Risotto alla luganighetta”.

You just need:
300 gr of carnaroli rice
50 gr of scallion
2 dl of white wine
300 gr Luganighetta
some chicken bouillon
50 gr of carrots
50 gr of celery

50 gr of parmesan

50 gr of butter

50 gr of whipped cream

olive oil

Fry the scallion in a pan with olive oil.
Then, add a half of Luganighetta, carrots, celery and rice.
Leave it tosting for a few minutes. Pay into the white wine and wait until it evaporates.

Pour out the chicken bouillon, inch by inch, and cook for about 15 minutes.
At the end, decorate with butter, parmesan, whipped cream and the other half of roasted luganighetta.

Resega

2006-12-12T08:37:00.000+01:00

If you are in Lugano in winter time you could think about ice skating... It's a wounderfull activity for the whole family. I've been there a couple of days ago with my brother, his wife and his little dauther and we had a lot of fun. Regina (his dauther), at first, was a little afraid of ice skating, but then with our help she started learning and then she woulnd't stop anymore... It was very relaxing and I really liked the fact the the whole family was doing all this togeather.

The place to go if you want to spend a couple of hours ice skating with your children is called "Resega" and it's located in Lugano, very close to the Soccer Stadium. It's also the place where the famous Hockey Club Lugano plays, the main Hockey team of the city and also the swiss champions.

Inside Resega you can eat and drink, there is a restaurant and a bar, the prices are a little higher then outside but still OK... If you don't have your ice-skates, don't worry, you can rent them for only 5 swiss francs, while the entry cost 6 swiss francs for adults, 5 for students and 1 for little children.

You can go there by bus using line number 3 direction Pregassona, there's a bus stop called "Resega", or by car, the adress is Via Chiosso, Porza, you can leave your car in the parking right outside the Resega.

Opening time: from 22 september to 30 march Resega is open to public from 8.30 to 11.30 and from 14.00 to 16.45 every day except for the weekend, when it's open only from 14.00 to 16.45. Friday and Sathurday you can also ice skate after dinner, from 20.30 to 23.00 and feel the magic of this fantastic activity.

Practical informations: Prices and informations

Phone number: 004158 866 69 17

Swissminiatur

2006-12-11T14:10:00.000+01:00

An exciting place for families and their children, Swissminiatur is an open air museum where you can admire the most important Swiss buildings and means of transportation at a scale of 1:25! Inside ''Miniswiss'' you can find more than 120 models reprezenting the patrician houses, the most important castels and cathedrals in Switzerland, but also 3500 meters of rails with no less than 18 trains, funiculars, rack-railways, cable cars and boat in motion. And this is not all ! For garden-lovers there are more than 1500 different plants and over 15000 beautiful coloured flowers.
If you feel like enjoying the view, there is a special park for children that will allow you to sit quietly on the restaurant terrace while your children have fun. Located in Melide, 5 km far from Lugano and 1 from Campione d'Italia, Swissminiatur is easy to reach either by car, train or boat!

For those interested in this fantastic land here are some information:

opening time: from 18th of march until 29th of octomber
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
price entry: adults 15 ch
children 10 ch
website: http://www.swissminiatur.ch/

History -Today

2006-12-11T12:10:00.000+01:00

From 1900 to 1945 the City underwent important urban changes caused by another demographic increase and economic pressure which really changed radically the structure of the old city centre and of whole districts.

Today Lugano is the most important city in Canton Ticino and with its 100.000 inhabitants, it has become an important center for organization of international conference, which is famous all over Europe. Moreover the city is an important financial and cultural reference for Switzerland itself.

The financial and banking sector started its development at a moderate pace at the beginning of the 20th century and has grown at a steady pace since the sixties and the seventies. After only a few decades Lugano has become the third financial market in Switzerland.

By Kang-Bronz Yun Ji, Gasparini Silvia, Resende Regina

History - Past

2006-12-11T10:18:00.000+01:00

Lugano’s history dates back to at least the Stone Age.
In fact, fossil remains have proven that Lugano used to stand below sea level. Stone age evidence includes fossils, and various remains sometimes found at excavation sites.

People living in pile dwellings inhabited the area, as found by various excavations on sites throughout Lugano where remains from the the Paleotic Era have been found. The famous lake on which Lugano sits, was formed by glaciers of the sub alpine region.

In ancient times the area of what is today Ticino was settled by the Lepontii, a Celtic tribe. Later, probably around the rule of Augustus, it became part of the Roman Empire After the fall of the Western Empire, was ruled by the Ostogothes, the Lombards and the Franks.
Around 1100 CE Lugano was the centre of struggle between the free communes of Milan and Como: in the 14th centry it was definitively acquired by theVisconti, Dukes of Milan.

By Kang-Bronz Yun Ji, Gasparini Silvia, Resende Regina

The sweet heart of the town

2006-12-10T00:03:00.000+01:00

Walking around in the city centre, looking for a little present to bring home for friends or relatives, treat yourselves to 10 minutes of sweetness.

La bottega del caffé is a pretty bright bar, specialized in blends of coffee and tea. During the summer, it exposes an unusual assortment of home-made ice creams, with flavours as Jamaica, cheese, walnut, fig, American red grapes, and so on. It also have few tables outside and a nice balcony with other seats on the second floor. Easy to join by the funicular, worth prices. Via Cattedrale 6, Tel. +41 91 9234733.

In the heart of Lugano, the luxurious Grand Café Al Porto is the ideal place for get-togethers, business lunches and cocktail parties, and for tasting special culinary creations in a unique atmosphere. Delight your palate with savoury and delicate desserts belonging to the Swiss tradition with an Italian touch.
To try: the Flavours of the month, delicious pastry creations from their confiserie. Among these, the mandarin soft ice cream, the chocolate cake with strawberries sauce, the one made of onions…and the cheastnuts Tronchetto with bilberries and butter cream, suitable for people allergic to peanuts and flour too. Top quality food is guaranteed.
Located in Via Pessina 3, the restaurant is open from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6.30 p.m. You can reserve a table but also take away. Tel. +41 91 9105130.
www.grand-cafe-lugano.ch

Going on the same street, you will arrive in via Pessina 10: here is Merkur, a chocolate shop selling a great variety of pralines, loose or in original boxes, and pieces of home-made chocolate, black or white one, with pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds, berries, etc. Your mouth will be watering looking at the window, but mind the prices, they are quite expensive.
Open from Monday to Friday, Tel.+41 91 9232869.
www.merkur-chocolaterie.ch

Torta di pane (Cake of bread)

2006-12-09T23:35:00.000+01:00

One of the specialities of Lugano is the cake of bread (the original name is torta di pane), ever available at the folk festivals. Here is the recipe.

Ingredients:

300 gr of stale bread
5 cookies “amaretto”
1 litre of milk
a few salt
a whole lemon
150/200 gr of sugar
one spoon of cacao
a glass of grappa
200 gr of raisins
1 gr of vanilla
50 gr of cedar
50 gr of pine nuts
butter

Leave the bread in the hot milk for 4 hours (or all the night), then mince it and add the other ingredients - except peanuts and butter. Pour the compound in a buttered baking tin. Cover with the pine nuts and cook in the oven for 2 hours and a half. Then sprinkle with 50 gr of sugar.

Chill out Nights in Lugano II

2006-12-09T16:02:00.000+01:00

La Lanchetta Lounge Bar

Relaxing atmosphere, great wine's selection, excellent cocktails, and good food...

If you are looking for those ingredients in order to have a real chill out evening, well, "La Lanchetta" is definitely your place.

Smooth Jazz and lounge music will be the soundtrack of your nights in Lugano, sipping a delicious glass of Prosecco enjoying the amazing view of the lake.

Thursday: Live Jazz Music

Friday and Saturday: Dj set

How to get there:

viale Castagnola 16
6900 Lugano

By Bus: TPL SA
N°1,N°2,N°9,N°12

Watch the Map

Watch the Videoclip

(better using Firefox Mozilla, or check I.E. preference)

Tel: +41 091 972 25 98

Chill out Nights in Lugano

2006-12-08T15:47:00.000+01:00

etnicafè

Are looking for a place before a great night out, or just go somewhere for a nice dinner, maybe for a coffee with your friends? etnicafè could be the perfect choice to enjoy all of that. It is a highly recommended café in Quartiere Maghetti, close to the center of Lugano. Eventhough it is surrounded by unlikely looking purpose-built warren of shops and pharmacies, it is still one of the most fashionable place among young people. You can find a relaxed atmosphere for an inexpensive candlelight dinner, with different etnical dishes. The menu is all Mediterranean, with Greek, Spanish and Lebanese specialities around Fr.15, for example Tartizza, Tacos, Quesadillas. Take away is also possible.

You also can plump for a large pint of beer or any kind of cocktailes following your taste. Special Margharitas and Daiquiris are available also in 1 liter size, which are suitable for a group of 4. The tasts are in lemon, strawberry and banana, they give you a refreshing and unforgetable experience. Unfortunately the café is closed on Sunday evenings, but on the rest of the week we can enjoy the ambiance till 1 am. After, the closest choice for a long night out is the New Orleans bar, just 1 minute far from Etnic.

A great night in Etnic

Address
Piazza Maghetti, 6900 Lugano

View the map

Contact
+41 91 923 3825

Chocolate museum

2006-12-07T22:01:00.000+01:00

If I say: "If I show you this picture, what would you think?" Obviously you will think at Caslano and its Alprose Chocolate Museum!

A little bit of hisory...

Cacoa was mentioned by the Olmecs as early as 1000 b.C. In the year 1502 Christopher Columbus brought cocoa home to europe, where it spread rapidily, conquering Italy first, then France. In the 18th century chocolate progressively becomes a mass production.
Since 1957, expert chocolatiers in Caslano near Lugano have been dedicating their effort to the creation and production of the finest possible chocolate products. Alprose belongs among the largest chocolate-producing companies in Switzerland.

Following the catwalk, you will be introduced to the various steps of chocolate production: you discover how to dry and liquid ingredients are mixed and stirred, then poured into their final form and packaged.
Your visit at the museum ends in the "Nostalgia" shop, where you can taste the rich variety of Alprose products: bars, napolitains, dragées, pralinés... The prices are also quite low!

I am sure that the highest moment of your visit, as it was for me, would be the chocolate fountain: a real source of chocolate! You must not miss it!

Few pratical information:

The museum is open from Monday to Friday at 09.00 - 17.30 and on Saturday and Sunday at 09.00 - 16.30.
The shop is open from Monday to Friday at 09.00 - 18.00 and on Saturday and Sunday at 09.00 - 17.00

Price: CHF 4.- Adults/CHF 1.- Children 6-16 years

www.alprose.ch

Buildings - An architectual approach

2006-12-07T21:05:00.000+01:00

Important examples of modern architecture in Lugano are the Mixed-Use Building, via Ciani, the Caimato Offices, via Maggio and the Banca del Gottardo, viale Franscini; three works by Mario Botta, one of the most famous Ticino architects.
Derived from given urban situations, the designs provide consistent architectural responses, exercising a purifying effect on the urban context. Special emphasis is given on the image as a determining factor.

In the great cylinder at Molino Nuovo, the volumetric tension is reflected in the inner spatial organisation, while at the Caimato Building, the handling of the external surfaces alludes to traditional practice.

Botta uses large vertical cuts and so light, essential elements in his works, to give more feeling to the Building of Banca del Gottardo.

Reference: M.Daguerre, Birkhäuser Architectural Guide Switzerland 20th Century

To know more:
www.botta.ch
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Botta

Enjoy! By Daniele Cereghetti, Dunai Ferenc & Magni Elisabetta

Buildings - A tourist approach

2006-12-07T20:42:00.000+01:00

If you are in Lugano, you can't miss the San Lorenzo Cathedral! This fabulous building is situated over the city centre, near to the funicular which brings you to the railway station. I didn't know that it was so ancient: it was built in 875 and now it is facing a period of restoration. This Cathedral is envied by the most beautiful Italian cities... so if you are there you have to go and see how great it is!!!

Go and have a look to the City Hall too. It was built in 1844 with the proposal of being the headquarters for the cantonal parliament. It was built with the money of Lugano citizen and its particularity is that it was a really expensive project. So go and read the plate dedicated to Lugano’s people... It is situated in the heart of the city, dominating the well-known “Piazza Riforma”. It is a really nice building you can't miss it!!!

I was then walking along via Trevano and I saw this interesting building… "Banca del Gottardo". I discovered that it was built in 1988 by the famous architect Mario Botta. I was surprised by its dimensions and by the fact that this enormous building is only a bank… it is one of the biggest banks in Lugano!!! Go and see it: Lugano is famous for its banks!!!

To know more:
www.lugano.ch
www.lugano-tourism.ch
www.gottardo.ch

Enjoy! By Daniele Cereghetti, Dunai Ferenc & Magni Elisabetta

Climbing For Beginners

2006-12-07T18:08:00.000+01:00

Climbing in Ticino has a really long tradition, which goes back over 20 years ago.

This is for sure of the reasons which pushed The USI Sport to organise a 4 lesson-course for every strong-arm student who is interested in approaching this "vertical" activity .

The course is supervised by Giovanni Galli, who is also an expert alpine guide...so keep calm guys...he's like a spider, I'm sure he will take you down even if you are stuck on the roof !!

The boulder room is located just between the 2 soccer fields in Cornaredo (via Trevano 100), and it's made by boards equipped with specific grips to help climbers getting higher and higher. And most important thing...on the floor there are lots of really soft "crash pads"...just in case you'll fall down !

All the equipment is provided by the trainers (shoes, ropes, harness, crabs and so on...) so just go there, breath deeply and focus on the wall !

...Only be sure that all the knots are tight enough to your body before starting...It's up to you!

If you want to experience the "real" adrenaline of climbing, once a month indoors and outdoors excursions are organized in all Ticino's region...We strongly suggest you to go...and challenge yourself with real rock faces !

If you need more infos...just check this out:

http://www.sport.unisi.ch/pag/a_arrampicata.htm

By: Sara Borghi, Charlotte Mailland

Exhibition: Miquel Barceló

2006-12-07T17:37:00.000+01:00

We would like to invite you to join us on our stroll through a comparably new but quite successful "temple of culture": "The Museum of Modern Art of the City of Lugano" (Museo d'Arte Moderna della Città di Lugano).

The current exhibition (12th November 2006 - 4th Februrary 2007) displays more than 80 works, paintings and sculptures, of the contemporary Spanish artist Miquel Barceló (*1957). We took a closer look at his biography and his paintings.

The most striking aspect is the mixture of materials Barceló uses to create a certain liveliness in his paintings. For example he "recycles" rice, spaghetti, fibres, straw, sand and newspapers. It was very entertaining to discover what materials were used in the different paintings. The temptation to explore the screens by touching them was therefore tentalising, but the guards of the museum were anxiously aware of this and always close on our heels. Even though his use of materials is unconventional the displayed subjects are derived from everyday life. Therefore the exposed works of art are quite easily accessible, also for laymen (like we consider ourselves). Most of his paintings are realised on huge screens and create the illusion that you easily could "enter" resp. "step inside" them.

For more information

http://www.miquelbarcelo.org/

http://www.mdam.ch/

by Alexandra Sowka and Mona Contzen

The Museum of Modern Art of the City of Lugano

2006-12-07T17:24:00.000+01:00

"The Museum of Modern Art of the City of Lugano" (Museo d'Arte Moderna della Città di Lugano) was our first step to explore the cultural side of Lugano.

As you can see, right from the design it's worth to take a look at the building from the outside!

History of the museum

The "Villa Malpensata", constructed in the 18. century, was donated to the city of Lugano in . Used as a museum it exposed different works of art until the city decided in 1990 to reconstruct the buildung and at the same time to change the museum's concept. So, in 1992, the "The Museum of Modern Art of the City of Lugano" opened its doors and focused from then on particularly on the promotion of 20. century art.

Exhibitons

Special attention is drawn to the expressionist movement, with man and his worries in the focus of interest. Previous exhibitions were dedicated to the works of: Emil Nolde (1994), Edward Munch (1998), Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (2000). Collections from the surrealist Marc Chagall and the artistic couple Christo and Jeanne-Claude were also shown.

Our opinion

From our point of view, it is quite remarkable that such a small museum can manage to organise exhibitions with works of art from famous artists and one should defenitely use the opportunity to see great art at close quarters.

Wanna try?

Address

Museo d'Arte Moderna
Riva Caccia 5 6900 Lugano

Contact

Tel. 0041 (0)58 866 7214
Riva Caccia 5
E-mail. info@mdam.ch
www.mdam.ch

Open: Tuesday - Sunday, 9am - 6pm

by Alexandra Sowka and Mona Contzen

San Lorenzo Cathedral

2006-12-07T16:19:00.000+01:00

San Lorenzo Cathedral

2006-12-07T16:09:00.000+01:00

San Lorenzo cathedral is set in Via Cattedrale, Lugano, a very nice panoramic position.From the church one can enjoy a beautiful view of the town, the lake and the sorroundings mountains.
The church origins are very old: some writings already in 875 A.C. speak of a church called "Sancti Laurentii in Luano". It has a facade early renaissance period (1517). Inside the cathedral there are frescoes from the 14th century to the 16th century on the pilasters. On one of them you can find the portrait (executed in 1346) of Bishop Bonifacio da Modena. Madonna delle Grazie Chapel (the most important of the side chapels) was founded in 1494 and was rebuilt in 1774 following the project of the architect Gianbattista Casasopra.

The altar was a project of Andrea Biffi, also architect of Milan's Cathedral. Above the altars you can find the portraits of Saint Lawrence and Saint Rocco in front of Saint Mary, all painted by Giovanni Battista Carloni da Rovio.

The church became cathedral in 1888.

Some restoration took place between 1905 and 1910 with Bishop Alfredo Peri-Morosini.

In 2003 the cathedral was totally restored.

For more infos about this and other churches in Lugano visit:http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/

Parco Botanico San Grato

2006-12-07T14:46:00.000+01:00

Driving to Parco Botanico San Grato is a real adventure in itself. First, we got lost somewhere up in the mountains, then we nearly crashed down from the narrow mountain streets and - last but not least - a man we asked for the right way nicely warned us not to go there at this time of the year because it would not be worth it.

Finally, we reached the 62.000 square metre area located in Carona, 12 kilometres far from Lugano, which hosts the largest collection of azaleas, rhododendrons and conifers of the Insubric Region. Within the park, visitors can chose between a variety of theme walks signed by different signposts and enjoy the diversified flora, the overwhelming panorama, as well as some interesting information about the ornamental and natural vegetation.

Still "suffering" from our adventurous drive we decided to enjoy the calmness of the nature by walking along the "relax path" - with its 1.5 km the shortest and most comfortable walk through the park. On our trip we got to know that the park was passed on to the bank of Switzerland and in 1997 donated to the Lugano Tourist Office.
Despite the winter season, the beauties and the benefits people can get by experiencing the park are manifold. We experienced the loneliness, the silence and a "fairytale" atmosphere which stood in strong contrast to the noisy and polluted city nearby. Even though the blossoms were not present anymore, we enjoyed our stay by walking a bit, watching the artworks, singing, or simply sitting down amidst the autumn colours of the leaves.

For those who are interested in a very deep and different experience:

Opening time: all the year
Ideal time of visit: April/May
Entry: free
Restaurant/Bar: Open in spring and summer
Website: http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/

By Marika Pierguidi, Leonie Peter

Parco Civico Lugano

2006-12-07T14:39:00.000+01:00

The only thing we knew about Parco Civico, or „Parco Ciani“- as it is called by the inhabitants - was that it is supposed to be one of the most beautiful parks in Switzerland.
Being curious, we entered the 63.000 square metre area, located on the lakeside only two minutes from Central Lugano.
The name of the park goes back to the aristocratic Ciani brothers from Lugano, who bought the estate in 1845 and restored it by planting new, rare plants and trees and who also placed some sculptures of popular artists like Vincenzo Vela.

Despite the typical December weather the red and yellow colours of the leaves and plants stood in a sharp contrast to the sky and the misty lakeside and created a fascinating atmosphere.
As described in the brochure, it took us an hour to stroll along the ways, passing by azaleas, olive trees, cork trees , willows hanging their branches into the lake, winter flowers and gaggling seabirds.

Finally we reached the cubic building of "Villa Ciani" that also hosts the art-museum of Lugano, and its garden, embellished by an ornament of white flowers. From there one has a nice view on the monumental Monte San Salvatore and the coastline of the city of Lugano.
For all those who like Mediterranean flora and want to take romantic pictures in a quiet environment, we strongly recommend a visit also in autumn and winter!

Opening hours : Summer 6 - 23 h / Winter 6 - 21 h
Best time to visit : all year
Art-Museum : closed on Monday
Website: http://www.lugano-tourism.ch/

By Marika Pierguidi, Leonie Peter

Jewish Religion

2006-12-06T12:09:00.000+01:00

Jewish history in Switzerland has begun in early 13th century. In 1213, Basel was one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe and the first recorded mention of Jews in Switzerland.
Coming from Germany and France, they traveled along the rivers to Bern, Zurich, Geneva, St Gallen, Lucerne, Vevey, Neuchâtel, Fribourg and many other cities.Banished during the fifteenth century, they obtained protection and the right to reside in two villages in the Aargau canton, Lengnau and Oberendingen.

Just for general knowledge, Synagogues are Jewish houses of prayer and study, they usually contain separate rooms for prayer (the main sanctuary), smaller rooms for study, and often an area for community or educational use. Although the synagogue still represents the center of religious life a wide range of activities take place there to meet the most varied needs: conferences and adult education courses are organized, there are social provision associations, as well as daycare centers and a Jewish day school in certain communities.

Addresses:

Via Maderno 11, Lugano

Hotel Dan, Via Fontana 1, Lugano

Banks In Lugano

2006-12-05T16:35:00.000+01:00

Banking legislation in Switzerland is well known in the whole world, because of its banking secret and its profitable way of investing capitals.Lugano is the third financial power in Switzerland; in every corner there is a bank offering private banking services but not only: its secular tradition, with the help of Swiss legislation, has taught bankers to have a deeper relation with customers.

Banks and financial institutions are one of the pillars of swiss economy, also thanks to the swiss franc, that is one of the strongest and more stable currency. Swiss monetary and financial markets are two of the most important in the world, as for example its main bank institutions (UBS and Crédit Suisse).
Swiss banks hold the world leadership in private banking services and asset management for private customers. They manage one third of the world private and institutional capitals invested abroad. More than one third of UBS and Crédit Swiss returns come from private banking sector. In 2004 helvetic banks counted 115.600 full time workers, of which 16.000 employed in foreign branches.

Switzerland also has an important number of private banks (13 in 2003), whose owners are powerful capitalists, who have the control and whole responsibility of all bank's activities. In other words, in case of bankruptcy the whole fortune would get lost.
These banks are now facing hard times, due to strong pressures of other commercial competitors that started offering the same services. Switzerland also numbers a network of bank cooperatives, Raiffeisen Banks, including 537 branches located in small centres. Each branch is self managed: the members have decisional power and share responsibility on the good performance of the branch.

So, if you’ve money to invest, now you know where the best place is…

For more information on Lugano's banks, foreign and national, see the link below:

http://www.lugano-online.ch/i/getrecords.asp?cat=7&sct1=66&amp;amp;amp;ct=1&tt=0&sl=&qry=Search%3A&typ=

Lugano Skateboard Mania

2006-12-05T15:52:00.000+01:00

...If you feel like you're crazy enough or if you get bored of the usual sport activities, here we have the solution for You ! ...At only 10 minutes walking (5 skateboarding...) from USI , in the beautiful environment of the Cinestar parking, a group of Swiss guys in the '80s built their own paradise ! Skatepark Lugano is part of "Centro sportivo Cornaredo" (Via Trevano) and thanks to its free access, it allows lots of young people to go there and create their tricks.
Don't think you are too old to try ! The skatepark staff is keen to help everyone to approach this discipline. You can try by yourself or in a group, and they can also provide you some equipment if you lack of it.
...Otherwise...if your not confortable enough with this "thrilling" activity, don't worry,there's also place for you: in the bar just in the middle of the Park Happy Hours & Parties are organized every week on Thursday from 18.30pm with good music and drinks !

Learn more on : http://www.skatelugano.ch/

By: Sara Borghi, Charlotte Mailland

Food

2006-12-05T15:34:00.000+01:00

The most important protagonist of the Casino of Lugano is the restaurant “La Perla Del Lago ” with its magnificent view. Every evening it offers the selected menù for the gastronomy lovers and an immense choice of the most valuable wines. In addiction, the restaurant is the meeting spot for the customers, thanks to the ad hoc organization of events and degustation evenings. During the day, the restaurant is transformed into a prestigious center for business lunch, of course, thanks to its splendid terrace located in one of the hotspots of Lugano.

Open every days:
from 12:00 to 15.00
from 19:00 to 02:00

For more information:
Tel +41 91 973 72 72
Fax +41 91 973 72 73

Another beautiful and tipical place where you have to go to know the true Lugano's traditions is:

"GROTTO FLORA"

You can try the tipical Ticino's dishes with a wonderful atmosphere of Macconi's family.

For more information check the link....
http://www.grottoflora-bnb.ch/italiano/index.htm

or visit the virtual tour ttp://www.vrway.com/grotto_flora/

University of Lugano

2006-12-05T15:08:00.000+01:00

University of Lugano

The University of Lugano (Università della Svizzera italiana-USI) was founded in 1996. As a public institution , it joined the nine cantonal universities and two federal institutes of technology that form the Swiss university system. It distinguishes itself as the only university outside Italy where the official language of tuition is Italian.
Today, USI comprises four Faculties: Economics, Communication Sciences and Computer Sciences in Lugano, and Architecture in Mendrisio, for a total student population of approximately 2026 from 30 different countries, and a total teaching staff of 400 professors and assistants.
Benefiting from a unique geographic, political, and cultural location, USI has gained distinction as a multilingual and multicultural university, with a broad international outlook. It enjoys privileged relations with several Italian universities, particularly with those located in Northern Italy, and has built special collaborative or exchange partnerships with a number of foreign universities in Europe and elsewhere.
A period of practical training (internship) is an integral part of the undergraduate curriculum in general: thus by fulfilling this requirement, with a firm, institution or organisation in Switzerland or abroad, undergraduates contribute to promoting the image of a university open to the ‘real’ world of work.
Small size, direct student-teacher contact, fruitful synergies between the different disciplines (the humanistic, the socio-economic, and the technological), but also ample classroom and laboratory space as well as top-quality equipment and facilities: USI offers the ideal premises for the pursuit of learning and research.

For more information directly contact the University following the link below:
www.unisi.ch

Shopping

2006-12-05T14:52:00.000+01:00

Forget about your diet!
You are in Switzerland and this is the place for induldging into the sinful ocean of chocolate pleasure!
Now that you decided to go hedonist your direction is surely Manor at Piazza Dante.
The variety of tastes, flavours and colors will open up your senses and make you accept the challenges ahead...

Manor SA - Grandi Magazzini
Piazza Dante 2
6900 Lugano
Tel. +41 91 912 71 71
http://www.manor.ch/

by Gianna, Zorana and Daniela

Shopping

2006-12-05T14:12:00.000+01:00

If you want to cook a dinner for friends, we recommend you to go to Manor for picking up exquiste ingredients for tasty dishes and even better wine.
Whether you fancy pasta, sauces, fruit, cheese, salami, panetone or even outrageously expensive truffles, for sure you won't leave empty handed!
The eyecatching outlay of the food and beverage makes you excited about sharing the joy and passion of cooking with your friends and beloved ones.
However, don't be surprised about the high prices as the the quality of the goods more than makes up for it.
In case you have a dinner to organize, this is where you have to go:

Manor SA - Grandi Magazzini
Piazza Dante 2, 6900 Lugano
Tel. +41 91 912 71 71
http://www.manor.ch/

by Gianna, Zorana and Daniela