Wednesday 16 October 2019 - Setting off!

We got the old black suitcase out, looked at our packing list that we always print out and collected our holiday clothes for a three-night stay. We hoped the weather would be mild and sunny, but we packed jumpers and umbrellas just in case.

We also checked all our TV recordings during our absence and watered the balcony plants. We only needed to take Swiss currency, and our phones with Google Maps to find the bus routes and funiculars. We had already checked our train timetable on the SBB website.

Arriving at Lugano station

We caught the bus and then the 11.14 train from Thalwil to Zug. However, there was a 20 minute delay. So we took a train from Zug to Arth-Goldau, hoping to catch an earlier train to Lugano. But we ended up staying on that train, through the Gotthard Tunnel, to Bellinzona and then on to Lugano. At least we had seats and it was sunny.

In Lugano by the lake

At the station in Lugano, we hung around waiting for a number 2 bus which arrived in 25 minutes. It took us to Hotel Delfino, where we checked in. We had booked for a double room only, but in the end we had breakfast there anyway, as there was nowhere handy nearby.


Then we walked down to the lake, where we walked along to the Lido and stopped for a beer. Before heading back to the hotel, we found a cafe for coffee and cake.We had a rest at the hotel before going out in search of dinner.

Enjoying dinner at Soave 10

We took the bus and funicular down to the town centre and found Ristorante Soave 10 which looked nice, and we got a table inside. I had delicious tomato soup, followed by risotto ai porcini. We also enjoyed a bottle of Piemonte Red - a dry blend of Nebbiolo, Dolcetto and Barbera. It was all delicious but we felt rather tired afterwards.