2 Story Apartment on Mountainsides of Lake Lugano

Comfortable apartment for a family. Located in Gentilino village, which is one of many hillside villages above Lake Lugano. Apartment is in walking distance from playgrounds and numerous popular local restaurants and grottos (historic caves that have been transformed into restaurants specialising in local cuisine).

The area is very safe, great for those who enjoy hiking, biking and outdoor activities. Public transport is easily accessible. The main bus stop and Post Office is only 50m from the apartment. The Commune or Town Hall with the Police station is only 20m from our apartment. One of the finest hotels in Lugano is also about 100m away (Villa Principe Leopoldo).

The first floor has the living/dining room, bathroom #1 (with shower) and kitchen with high ceilings. The second floor is a loft/high ceiling setting. The Master bedroom has a king size bed and large bay window with mountain views. The second bathroom has a tub and washing machine. There is a large wrap around hallway (toy/playroom) with lots of toys, books and sports equipment for the kids to entertain themselves. The den has two sky lights, a futon that can transformed to sleep up to 2 people. More for the kids and adults, our boys have their Wii U and games as well as a DVD player and flat screen TV.

Bedroom #2 has two single beds and 3rd bedroom has an IKEA pull-out single bed that can be transformed into a double bed if needed. The apartment can sleep up to 8 people (6 comfortable).

The apartment is the one of 4 apartments in the historic building, ours being the largest and on the top floor. The apartment is considered the 3rd apartment (as a reference on the entrance door/buzzer list). There is one other tenant on our floor, which is being used as a psychologist's office. The neighbor downstairs are teachers at the American School In Switzerland (TASIS), which is 400m up the hill from the apartment. We have a cleaner that comes twice a week to clean (this an option that we will make available to tenants). Parking is across the street (blue parking is for 2 hours and white parking spots are best as you can park as long as you want).

Free WiFi throughout the house, water is drinkable from tap, radiator heating and fans for each room during the summer periods when needed. The trash and recycling stations are across the street from the apartment. Quiet hours for the village is after 10:30pm, but they are less strict here than other parts of Switzerland. Sundays, most shops are closed and families are out and about. We are in Ticino, which is the Italian speaking part of Switzerland. Some people speak English, most speak French and German.

The Ticino canton is considered the 'sunny' part of Switzerland. It is known for its beautiful lakes and dramatic mountains. The Italian border is only 20-25 minutes away, Lake Como (35-40 minutes away). The Lugano Agno Airport (LUG) is 4 minutes from our apartment. It can be expensive to fly into and out of, but it is very convenient. Most choose to use Milan, Malpensa International Airport (MXP). It is about an hour drive door to door. There are lots of low-budget airlines that fly in/out of there (EasyJet and Ryan Air). There is a bus shuttle to/from MXP and the Lugano train station (25Euros each way). Many of us with cars will drive to the MXP, park it for the time we are away (very cheap, about 15Euros a week).

This part of Switzerland is very safe, very clean, has super safe water (public watering holes/open fountains all over the area), friendlier atmosphere than other parts of Switzerland. It is ideal for those who enjoy the outdoors, being active or just want some peace and quiet. The Lugano train station is down the hill from the apartment (about a 15-20 minute walk down and/or 25-30 minute walk up hill, or you can take a 3 minute taxi for 25CHF.