Switzerland 🇨🇭 @ Lugano 7:2026 | The Italian Soul of Switzerland | Mindfulness LinkedIn

I have been to Switzerland many times, but most of my previous trips were in the German-speaking part — mountains, lakes, trains, villages, and that clean, orderly, classic Swiss feeling. This time, I finally travelled south to Lugano, in Ticino, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, and it felt like entering another side of the country. Switzerland is special because it is not defined by only one language or one culture. German, French, Italian and Romansh all belong to its identity. For a long time, my impression of Switzerland came mainly from the German-speaking regions. But Lugano was different: still safe, efficient and well-organised, yet warmer, slower, softer, and deeply influenced by Italian culture. Lugano sits beside Lake Lugano, close to the Italian border, surrounded by mountains such as Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore. It is an elegant lakeside city with narrow streets, arcades, cafés, parks, lake promenades and mountain views. What touched me most was not only the scenery, but the lifestyle. Along the lake, people were walking, cycling, swimming, sunbathing, chatting and dining. In many Swiss cities, I feel the beauty of order; in Lugano, I felt the beauty of leisure. I also noticed that many people working in hotels, restaurants and service industries came from Italy. Some lived across the border and came to Lugano for work, even just for a few part-time shifts. This cross-border rhythm made Lugano feel even more unique — Swiss in structure, Italian in soul, and international in daily life. We stayed in Lugano for three nights and used it as a base to visit nearby towns. Every time we took the train elsewhere, I felt how different this region was from central Switzerland. The German-speaking areas often feel like alpine holiday regions, with wooden chalets, green hills and mountain villages. Lugano feels more like a lakeside resort — warm, stylish, Mediterranean, and made for slowing down. Our hotel was close to the old town. The narrow streets and arcades still showed its historic character, although many parts have been modernised into shops, restaurants and commercial spaces. From a preservation point of view, it may feel a little regrettable, but Lugano still has its own charm: a mix of old and new, with cafés, boutiques, lively squares and a relaxed southern feeling. One of the most beautiful moments was seeing Lugano from above. From the mountain viewpoint, the whole lake opened in front of us — the city, the water, green slopes, small villages, and the distant direction of Italy. It was not only Switzerland, and not only Italy, but a meeting point between both worlds. During our three-night stay, we had dinner by the lake on two evenings. Sitting beside the water, watching the sky change colour, feeling the breeze and seeing people enjoy their evening without hurry gave me a strong sense of peace. That kind of leisure was not forced; it seemed to flow naturally from the city itself. This trip also gave me a personal reminder. While getting off a train, I hurt my left knee. Every step became painful, sometimes sharply painful. At that moment, I clearly felt that I was no longer as young as before. But even with the pain, I did not regret continuing to walk around. Instead, it reminded me that the time when I can freely travel, walk, climb, explore and see the world may not be unlimited. Because of that, I hope my knee recovers soon. I still want to walk more, go further, see more places and travel higher while I can. Age is only a number, but if I keep carrying that number in my mind, it becomes a burden. If I can put it down, maybe I can still travel with a younger heart. Lugano gave me more than beautiful scenery. It showed me another side of Switzerland — Italian warmth, lakeside leisure, Mediterranean colour, and a slower rhythm of life. After three nights, we were already planning to return next year, hopefully for a whole week, using Lugano as a base to explore northern Italy too. For me, Lugano is where Switzerland meets Italy, where order meets leisure, where lake and mountain meet sunlight, and where a painful knee reminded me to treasure every step I can still take.