ITALY - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 353

Shopping in Lugano is a pleasant experience. The place to do this is concen-
trated in the market area stretching from the bottom of the funicolare to the city
square fronting the lake. Mouthwatering food vies for your attention along with a
wide selection of Swiss products and crafts. We have yet to see a visitor enter the
market area around lunchtime and not emerge a few minutes later with a sandwich
in hand rivaling anything that Dagwood could concoct.
Shopping in this market area is, for the most part, in the shelter of overhead ar-
cades. If you have been looking for specialty items of the Ticino area of Switzer-
land, you will find them here. Although firmly Swiss, the market in Lugano does
have that piquant touch of Italy.
If you are longing for a Swiss-made watch, stop by Bucherer's in Lugano at Via
Nassa 56. Hours: 0900-1830 Monday-Friday and Saturday until 1700. It carries
its own styles as well as the other top Swiss names.
For a special treat be certain to visit our “secret hangout,” Gandria, a small cliff-
side village that clings precariously to the mountains descending from the east into
Lake Lugano. Gandria has no streets, but there is a bus stop on the mountainside
road above. The best, and more romantic, access is by lake steamer. If you want
to share in our secret, inquire at any steamer pier regarding schedules to Gandria.
You will want to take the Lugano-Porlezza Line and plan to have an early dinner at
one of Gandria's superb restaurants.