Lugano and Lake Como

A good friend of mine lives in Lugano, in the Italian part of Switzerland.  It is situated on the edge of Lake Lugano and is home to a number of historic buildings and museums.  It has acquired the nickname of 'The Monte Carlo of Switzerland" as a number of celebrities and successful athletes spend time there.  I have visited on a number of occasions .. it's a lovely relatively quiet city but there is plenty to see and do in the surrounding areas.  
One of my favourite day trips is to catch the train to Como in Italy (also a great place to explore) and board the ferry to Bellagio.   It is a beautiful town, with cobbled streets and villas and an abundance of shops and places to eat.  The ferry ride itself is very relaxing and the views are spectacular .. stunning alpine scenery and gorgeous Italian villas on the lake's shore and beyond - if you get a feeling of deja vu it's probably because you've seen it all before in a James Bond movie!
And if you are feeling adventurous and decide you want to go a bit further afield, you could always hop back on the train and spend some time in Milan - do some shopping or go to dinner and stay overnight .. it's less than an hour away.  
For info on Lake Como and ferries http://www.lakecomopages.com

I'll be going back late August so will share some more of the area with you then!