Nonetheless the lake region is unspoiled by industrialization it is an oasis of nature where one can relax in peace and breath crisp, fresh air. The main valleys surrounding the lake are Val Rezzo, Val Menaggio, Val Sanagra and Val Cavargna. They are abundant in rich vegetation. Typical dishes in the region include milk and cheese, as cattle and sheep rearing have always been important local activities. The irregularly shaped lake is surrounded by mountain ranges. The highest summits are Monte di Tremezzo (1 700 m), Sasso Cima Verta (2 078 m) and Pizzo di Gino (2 245 m). During the last ice age the glaciers left only the highest summits uncovered. A huge ice strip descended from Valtellina, branching off towards Lake Ceresio. The ice shaped the land over many millenniums, finally forming Lake Lugano and Lake Como (199 m above sea level). Visitors often take pleasure cruises of the lake from Lugano, using the opportunity to discover the amazing scenery. A prominent landmark on the lakeshore is the enchanting Villa Fogazzaro at Oria with hanging gardens on two balconies, oleander aromas and lemon trees.

Culture and Attractions
The lakeside region hosts many spectacular events all year round. The winter season offers concerts, theatrical performances and other amenities. Events in spring and summer include the Lugano Classical Music Festival, the Jazz Festival with exciting open-air concerts in Mendrisio and Lugano, the musical Autumn Festival and the Blues to Pop event. The ethnological museum of Val Cavargna features a collection of all kinds of items, telling about the heritage and traditions of the people living in the valley. From here you can access the San Lucio pass, where there is a prehistoric chapel. The lakeside area offers wonderful shopping opportunities and an exciting nightlife. With regard to the latter the Lugano Casino is heartily recommended. In the malls of the towns and cities on the shores one can find absolutely everything traditional craftwork and souvenirs, antiques, luxury items and more. Of lakeside parks, the Lungolago is the most notable. It was built in several stages. The groundwork was laid out between 1865 and 1876 according to plans of designer P. Lucchini. The second part was completed in 1887. Engineers Galli and Gaggini completed the last section in 1918. At that point the park extended from Chiesa degli Angioli to Paradiso. It is among the most significant works on the lakeside to this day. After the sections were completed trees were added to the park lanes, mostly horse chestnut and linden. They bring refreshing shade in the scorching summer heat.

Families are sure to have a great time at Lake Lugano. Attractions for children abound from the Swissminiatur open-air museum to the Play Planet amusement park. The Swissminiatur museum merits a comparison with Madurodam it features models of many world-famous Swiss buildings on a 1:25 scale. Your children will also enjoy a visit to the Magliaso Zoo on the banks of the Magliasina River to see over 100 animals from all parts of the globe. You can take a pleasant stroll through the lush, green Ciani and Tassino parks, located on the estuary of the Cassarate River and north of the Lugano train station respectively. Ciani Park is beautifully landscaped and features subtropical flora, vast lawns and flowerbeds. You can go for some R&R in Tassino, which offers terraced flowerbeds and a playground for children. You can also stop to admire the gorgeous deer of the natural reserve. Finally, the Play Planet amusement park and recreational center offers modular rubber structures, which your kids can enjoy safely throughout the year.

Sports
A wide variety of sports are practiced in Lake Lugano region. Its mild climate ensures optimal conditions for recreation. Among the activities available are mountain hiking, swimming, golf, tennis, sailing, water-skiing, windsurfing, and walking. Most of the towns and villages on the shores have outdoor and indoor swimming pools, lidos, public baths, fitness centers, golf courses and tennis courts. You can rent sailing- or motorboats at many points along the lake. Lugano lies at the heart of a region that offers a vast array of excursions in every season, thanks to its efficient transport network with boats, buses, trains, cableways and funiculars. Rock climbing, mountain biking and paragliding are widely practiced. A great mountain biking trail is that of the Alto Vedeggio area. It was part of the 2003 Cross Country World Championship circuit and is around 5 km long. The route is strenuous but well worth it. A gentler route has been created for less experienced bikers. For visitors who prefer more conventional forms of recreation, a great possibility is hiking. The most popular route is from Monte Tamaro to Monte Lema. It follows the border between Italy and Ticino and is a truly excellent excursion of the Swiss Pre-Alps. To the south you will enjoy spectacular views of Lake Lugano and the valleys, and to the north - of Lake Maggiore, Valle Maggia, Locarno and Centovally. These views are supplemented by the fantastic mountain backdrop. When you reach the cable lift station at Monte Tamaro you will have easy access to the Church of Santa Maria of the Angels, completed in 1994. You will delight in this fortress-like building, jutting out right from the mountain rocks. The structure was realized in porphyry and opens up a splendid view of Lake Lugano, the valleys and the imposing alpine summits. The first stretch of the route is the most challenging. It leads to the top of Monte Tamaro. The elevation gain here is 430 m, but hikers are rewarded with a 360-degree view from the summit. You can reach the Tamaro hut only along an unpaved track, but all other stretches are along hiking trails. An easier hike is the one around the peak, where you head straight for Bassa di Indemini.

Towns in the area
Lugano is on Swiss territory, but the city is distinctly Italian in terms of culture. Its name comes from the Latin word Lucus, which means sacred wood. Lugano lies where Cassarate River flows into Lake Lugano between the San Salvatore and the Bre mountains. Its attractions include the splendid St. Lawrence Cathedral, built between the 9th and the 15th centuries, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Extraeuropean Cultures, the Cantonal Art Museum and the Historical Museum. Other resort towns on the shores of the lake are Gandria, Campione d'Italia, Ponte Tresa, Agno and Morcote.