SWITZERLAND

Location - Western Europe; Capital - Berne; Population - 8 million; Currency - Swiss Franc MORE SWITZERLAND

From Busingen it was on to the second enclave in Switzerland, Campione d'Italia, a small piece of Italy on Lake Lugano. So the perfect base was the Swiss city of Lugano, an Italian speaking lakeside resort - April 2014.

20 Swiss Francs

The train journey from Zurich to Lugano passes some great scenery including several Alpine lakes. After Lake Zurich comes Lake Zug

And soon after is Lake Lucerne

Walking along cobbled shopping streets in Lugano. The red booths are being prepared as Easter stalls

Gabbani is a famous delicatessen selling sausages et al - Lugano

The Cantonale Art Museum is on the left - Lugano

Piazza della Riforma is the centre of the city - Lugano

It's a hive of activity during the day with lots of bars and al fresco dining - Lugano

I love this statue in Piazza Indipendenza - Lugano

Parco Civico is a place to lounge around with friends and family - Lugano

The park is on the shores of Lake Lugano - Lugano

The Alps serve as a backdrop to San Lorenzo Cathedral - Lugano

Arcaded lakeside buildings at Lake Lugano - Lugano

The shimmering waters of Lake Lugano - Lugano

A tree-lined boulevard on the waterfront - Lugano

Lake Lugano's promenade - Lugano

The shore curves around and rises to 925m Monte Bre with snow capped mountains between - Lugano

The San Salvatore funicular climbs to the top of Monte San Salvatore - Lugano

The views from San Salvatore are absolutely superb: the deep blue lake, the city sprawl and the snow capped Alpine mountains as a backdrop - Lugano

Take in the 360° views - Lugano

On top of Monte San Salvatore - Lugano

The city of Lugano curves around the lake - Lugano

The reason I came to Lugano was to visit the Italian enclave below, Campione d'Italia, surrounded by Switzerland

Middle left near the lakeshore is the vast Casino d'Italia - Campione d'Italia

The link between Campione d'Italia and Lugano

The Alps surrounding Lugano are around 2,500 to 3,000m high - Lugano

On the opposite end of the city is the funicular to Monte Bre - Lugano

The pastel yellow building is a restaurant, ideal for absorbing more stunning views - Lugano

Campione d'Italia is on the left, Monte San Salvatore on the right - Lugano

The peak on the left is Monte San Salvatore, leading down to Lugano

Street art on the tunnel beneath the train station - Lugano

My next stop by night, Campione d'Italia. As usual it's dominated by the casino, lit up here in red - Campione d'Italia

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LINKS

www.lakelugano.info

www.myswitzerland.com - Swiss tourist office

www.sbb.ch - Switzerland train website

www.youthhostel.ch - youth hostels in Switzerland

www.swisstravelsystem.com - info on Swiss public transport

I am not responsible for the content of external websites.