Lugano, Switzerland

I never got the chance to visit Italy, but this Swiss town felt like it came pretty close. It was a tiring journey to get there because I severely overestimated my own energy levels; I thought three and a half hours on changing trains would be just fine if I left early enough, but I did not anticipate how crowded, loud and stressful the second leg of the journey would be!

Still, upon arrival, Lugano was quiet. It was serenely empty, with just enough people about that it didn't feel like a Sunday on a Saturday, but it seemed the throngs of tourists who'd found every other pretty Swiss town on TripAdvisor had mostly missed this one. I'm actually not sure how I came across it either. 

There was not a whole lot to do, but I liked it that way, because I got to sightsee and take so many pretty pictures, and had the best time ever by myself on a paddle boat on some of the bluest water I had ever seen. The coffee shops didn't have the exuberant prices of Zurich and the coffee was good. I enjoyed a croissant and a latte in outdoor seating, walked a lot of steps and covered every landmark accessible by foot, and finished off a late lunch at a poke bowl spot. 

views from the train window on the way

I made a vlog with my digital camera too. It's kind of shite, but I think it has an eclectic vibe if you pretend the horrid sound quality is intentional.