jhm, the village is almost completely shut in the evenings, so it would be in Lugano. I will drive in and meet you at your hotel.

The UIG likes to eat fairly late, so I would probably meet you around 9 pm.

It sounds like a lot of trouble for you (leaving aside the possibility of snow storms) to drive in and out of Lugano for a few drinks! I'm perfectly happy to amuse myself on Friday evening but of course would also be very pleased to meet up.

Obviously snow can change everything, but other than that it is no problem at all. The village is only about 4 kilometers from the Lugano Dante Hotel.

OK, thanks! By the time we've had a drink or two, I assume most (decent) places for dinner in Lugano will have shut so I'll plan on eating before we meet up.

okflyer, just as an aside, "Ticino" is the Italian name of the Swiss canton (sorta like "State") that Lugano is located in. You may also see it being referred to as "Tessin" (that's what it's called in French and German). When visiting Lugano, you're automatically in Ticino.

Looking forward to meeting you. I'll be staying at my family's place half-way between Bellinzona and Lugano and drive from there. As it looks now, I'll only get there on Saturday afternoon though.

I'm a long-time lurker around here who just came back from some time in Italy/Switzerland (including a wonderful lunch on All-Saints Day in Lugano) but thought I'd mention one thing which can add some costs-vignettes. These are the Swiss Autobahn stickers that are required to drive on the highways there-they are 40 francs per calendar year and I'm guessing if you are there Dec 06 - Jan 07 you will need to get two stickers for a total of 80 francs? This might be a big increase in costs for those flying into Milan and renting cars.

Wish I could be there for the new year but my 2-week Northern Italy/Swiss vacation drained me of vacation time (and funding).
Have fun and enjoy-Switzerland has some of the most beautiful landscapes I've come across...

Tom

No, the sticker is valid from 01. December till 31. January of the following year, so only one Vignette ;)

Ah-I would hope they had some overlap. I spent 2 1/2 days in CH and had to grab one...well if anyone rents a blue Citroen C4 with French plates at ZRH you're welcome for the free sticker ;-)

Also keep in mind that the vignette is not required to drive in Switzerland -- only to be on its autostrada.

If you are coming in from MXP, you can get off the Italian autostrada at Chiasso and cross the border into Switzerland, taking back roads into Lugano.

If I recall correctly, it is only about 20 kilometers from Chiasso to Lugano.

Okay, all that said -- if you are coming in from MXP and staying in downtown Lugano, I still suggest taking the bus. It is cheapest and easiest. You will have to grab a taxi to and from the Meet but that will present no problem at all.

Just saw the news on Talk Mail - As a Do in Switzerland is always appreciated and Dec 30th is not the busiest time of the year, please count me plus my gf in as a maybe. We will travel by car/train, thus definitive confirmation will most probably be last minute.
B.t.w. thanks for organizing, I assume this will be the first Do in Ticino ever.

Verve, it was my pleasure to add the two of you.

I would request, however, that you try to give us a definite answer at least a week in advance simply because of the need to make reservations. This is not a big restaurant and it will have to know how many chair to hold for us.

Thanks Dovster, I've put a reminder in my calendar....

alex0683de, thanks for enlightening me. I have been many places in Switzerland several times before, but not in the Lugano area. I though I saw "Ticino" on a map, thinking it was the name of a village/City and not the name of the Canton itself.

Dovster, what do you think is best, getting the bus tickets at MXP when I get there, or ordering and paying for them in advance online? I would be inclined to wait until I get to MXP to get the tickets just in case of delays etc.