Botel Diffuso Dei Laghi

If you’re heading to Switzerland for a day of exploring, have a walk around pastel-coloured Brusino Arsizio village (five minutes’ drive) and then take the funicular up to Serpiano for views over the snow-capped Alps. Sitting at the head of the lake, lovely Lugano (40 minutes) may well be your next stop. It’s the big-hitter over on the Swiss side of the border, with art galleries and museums galore as well as high-end shopping. Take a boat cruise around the lake from its ferry port, or settle in a waterside restaurant to get down to some serious people-watching. Back in Italy, loved-up couples can lunch in romantic, seafront Brusimpiano (10 minutes) restaurants, take a dip in the pool at the lido and laze in the sun on the promenade. Lavena Ponte Tresa (15 minutes) is a bustle of shops and markets, as well as a peaceful lakeside boardwalk and a yacht marina to stroll. Heading inland, drive up to Ca’ del Monte (10 minutes) to explore the peaceful mountain village and admire mountain-ringed Lake Lugano spread out below.