Lugano & Ticino: Meetings with a view

I’m not going to lie. Lugano had always been a place I wanted to go to. Just seeing pictures of it conjured up heavenly impressions, an ideal combination of scenic landscapes, an enthralling lake, and meetings with a view. On the occasion of the official opening of LAC – Lugano Arte e Cultura – I discovered a fascinating place, both for unusual meetings and attractive incentives.

Report Rémi Dévé

The most important city in Southern Switzerland and the country’s third financial centre, Lugano is nested on the shores of a splendid lake and has over the years become a tourist resort renowned for its wide range of accommodation and numerous activities on offer. No matter what your budget is, you will find something that suits your group’s needs.

Of course, I won’t be able to list everything that makes Lugano a great meeting destination. But the few places I visited speak for themselves. The LAC (picture), first, is the new cultural centre dedicated to visual and performing arts and music, complete with a 1,000 seat concert and theatre auditorium, amazing views of the lake and several spaces, like the Agorà or the Teatrostudio, that can be used for conferences.

Secondly, the Lugano Convention Centre, for events up to 1,130 people in its main auditorium, is your straight-forward but efficient venue. Then there are of course a few high-end hotels, all with a view! I stayed at the Grand Hotel Villa Castagnola au Lac and took a tour of the Villa Principe Leopoldo. With 10 meeting rooms (for up to 120 people), the former is an elegant villa built in 1880 combining the charm of a bygone era with the confort of a modern hotel. The latter is a former Prussian prince’s residence situated in the tranquillity of the exclusive Collina d’Oro – it boasts 7 meeting rooms, the largest of which accommodates 140 pax.

And if you have a little time, don’t hesitate to go and discover the surrounding region. I personally could catch a glimpse of history-rich Locarno, famous for its Festival del Film Locarno, and Bellinzona, the capital of Ticino, which treasures its three medieval castles – all can be used for very special events. All in all, Ticino offers many possibilities for an unforgettable social programme and memorable incentives, from excursions across diamond-like glaciers to wine tasting and cooking lessons to adrenaline-filled sports of all kinds.

Contact
Sebastiano Lurati

Incoming Office, Lugano Turismo
T. +41 58 866 6627
sebastiano.lurati@luganomice.ch
www.luganomice.ch

Monica Reggiani
Ticino Turismo
Product Manager Meetings
T. +41 (0) 91 825 70 56
monica.reggiani@ticino.ch
www.meetings.ticino.ch