Another recommendation by our Hotel Clerk was a 3-hour boat tour of Lake Lugano and gave us a 50% off certificate for the boat tour. By the time we arrived at the boat to purchase our tickets ($10.36UDS each) it was raining. But that would not deter us from this adventure. While the other passengers were sitting inside, viewing the sites through rain drenched windows, we found a spot on the deck with a wide overhang that protected us from the rain, pulled up two chairs and enjoyed the scenery.
Beautiful 'big-band' hits were playing on the loud speaker interrupted occasionally for a recorded mini-tour of the small Venetian-type towns we were passing given in four languages, Italian, French, German and English. The messages told about the history of each village, famous past residents and modern day utilization. The Village of Gandria, for instance, does not allow any cars as there are no roads 'Have boat-will travel.'
The lake stretches for many miles each side of Lugano and enters into Italy on the southern leg. Just as you leave one village and cannot imagine anything more beautiful, you come across the next village, which proves that theory to be wrong.
The boat was large enough for everyone on board to find a comfortable area, including bench-type seats on the upper decks or in the full-service restaurant below.