Part 4 - LUGANO LAKE CAMPING ADVENTURE

Lake Lugano is a picturesque glacial lake straddling the border between southern Switzerland and Italy. It lies in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland and extends into the Lombardy region of Italy. The waterfront towns of Lugano and Morcote, nestled on its shores, offer a delightful blend of Swiss and Italian cultures.

Taken from the PDF version.

The most direct route to our next adventure, Lake Lugano Camping, would have taken us around 3.5 hours on the main roads. Instead, we chose a more scenic, winding path via the village of Meiringen and over the towering 2429m high Furkapass. We left Manor Farm campsite early to enjoy breakfast in Meiringen, a quaint town nestled between two steep mountainsides.

We enjoyed a hearty breakfast of croissants and coffee at the Frutal Versandbäckerei AG, a bakery on Bahnhofstrasse. (Amazing cheese flans also!) After refuelling, we strolled through the village to the Sherlock Holmes Museum. Meiringen seems a peculiar place to find a museum dedicated to the famous English detective, but it was here at the nearby Grand Reichenbach Falls that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle staged the final confrontation between his hero, Sherlock Holmes and his nemesis, Professor Moriarty.

After exploring Meiringen, we embarked on a thrilling drive over the Furkapass. The climb up the pass was breathtaking, with sweeping switchbacks, stunning scenery, and crisp mountain air. The descent, however, was a bit nerve-wracking, with the road narrowing to a single track in places. But we managed to navigate it safely, thanks to a slow and steady approach.

After the adrenaline-filled drive over Furkapass, we still had about 2 hours to complete our journey to Campsite Lugano Lake. Soon, we noticed the landscape changing from snowy peaks to lush hills, and the temperature began to rise. The architecture also transformed, with Swiss cottages giving way to Italian-style buildings. It was like we had crossed an invisible border into a new country.

Upon reaching Lugano Lake Campsite, we were greeted with a prime pitch with an unobstructed lake view. Although the site is situated at the end of a runway for a small local airport, the occasional overhead planes added to the novelty of our camping experience.

Day Six: Lugano to Morcote Ferry

The next day, we set off early to visit Morcote. The best way to reach Morcote is by ferry. Catching a train from near the campsite, we travelled to Lugano and we were soon boarding the first ferry of the morning. The journey is a peaceful and leisurely 1-hour sail across Lake Lugano, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and charming towns. As the ferry approached Morcote, we were greeted by the sight of the village's famous centre, perched on a hillside overlooking the lake.

Morcote, also known as "Little Italy," is a delightful blend of nature and Italian charm. We spent the day exploring the town's narrow, winding streets, admiring the historic architecture, and sampling local cuisine at Ristorante Battello, a lakeside restaurant offering an array of traditional Italian dishes.

Taken from the PDF version