Lugano, Ticino - Lugano in southeast Switzerland, in the Italian speaking canton of Ticino, borders Italy. The city has a distinctively Italian character with a distinct Mediterranean climate of sunny days and mild winters. Surrounded by mountains and a splendid lake, Lugano brings together all the characteristics of a metropolis with a great lifestyle. The city is framed on all sides by wooded, sugar-loaf hills rising from the water that have led to its being dubbed the 'Rio of the Old World'. Lugano also brings honor to the culinary culture and is particularly endowed with excellent restaurants, praised by the most important gastronomic guides. Must See Must Do Locarno - a city on the northern tip of Lake Maggiore hosts the annual International Film Festival every August in the Piazza Grande. The open air film screening at the Piazza accommodates the crème de la crème of the international film fraternity. The most coveted awards of the festival op are the 'Golden Leopard' or the 'Pardo d'oro,' awarded to the best film. Other awards include the Silver Leopard (second place), and the Bronze Leopard (for best actor and actress). An approximate 500 films are screened over a span of 11 days. The Olive Path - This path was built in 2002 by 'Friends of the Olive Tree' 'Amici dell'Olivo' and threads its way through several little plantations of young olive trees between Gandria and the centre of Castagnola. The path is indicated on green signs and winds along the lakeside displaying rare and ethereal beauty. Most of the trees and shrubs come from the Mediterranean area: olive trees, green cypresses, bay trees, myrtle, pomegranate, Mayaca palm, marine pines, and flowered laurels. At ground level a marvelous spread of wild herbs - oregano, thyme, sage, as well as daisies, carnations, evergreens, daffodils and wild tulips create a multicolored patchwork counterpane that the visitor will never forget. This display is repeated each year in spring in the months of May and June. Mendrisio - Fox Town - Only 15 kilometers from Lugano, Fox Town is a shopaholics' delight! 'Big brands for small prices' is their motto thus setting up a mega mall of designer wares at factory outlet rates. Since the Factory Outlet Center shopping is already a proven theory in the United States these retail spaces offer the most famous international companies offer their products at factory prices directly to the customer, with a discount from 30% to 70%. Generally open through the week it houses name brands like Dior, Lacoste, Hugo Boss etc. Swiss Premium - Alprose - A member of 'Chocosuisse', Alprose is amongst the largest chocolate producing companies in Switzerland. Using the best of the ingredients for their high quality milk chocolate, they produce three different varieties of chocolate. Visitors are taken for a grand tour of the factory, inhaling in the rich creamy aroma of the delicious chocolate. One can learn more about chocolate making from the various comments and photographs set up in the museum. Chocolat Alprose SA, 6987 Caslano (091 611 88 88)