Other Activities

Join us for an evening of art and culture at the Museo d’arte della Svizzera italiana (MASI Lugano). We have arranged a private guided tour of the current exhibition, providing a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the collection with expert insights.

Following the tour, we invite you to join the group for an informal aperitivo in Lugano’s city center—a perfect chance to discuss the art and socialise.

The Plan

• When: Thursday, 13th and 20th August
• Meeting Point: MASI Lugano Entrance (LAC building, Piazza Bernardino Luini 6) at 5:50 pm.
• Tour Start: 6:00 pm sharp.
• Language: The tour will be held entirely in English.
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour.
• Post-Tour Aperitivo: After the tour (around 7:00 pm), we will walk to a nearby venue in the city center for drinks and conversation.
  • Note: The aperitivo is optional and self-paid.

Registration & Cost

The tour of the museum exhibition will be free of charge for registered participants. To ensure we have the correct number of guides, please confirm your attendance via the online form (registration will open in late May). Please note that the number of spaces is limited to 50 for each date. The aperitivo is optional and self-paid - please indicate on the registration form if you intend to join, so that we can find a suitable venue to book a few tables.

Are you joining us for the full two weeks? Or perhaps just catching a weekend in Ticino before heading home after Week 1, or arriving early for Week 2? Either way, we’d love for you to join us for a half-day trip to Mt. Generoso on Saturday the 15th of August.

Experience some of the most magnificent views in the region: to the north, the Alps (stretching from the Matterhorn to the Bernina Range); to the south, the Lombardy Plains, Milan, and the Apennines.

The Plan

• Meeting Point: Lugano Train Station at 9:40 am.
• Departure: 9:52 am train to Capolago Riva S. Vitale.
  • Note: Please purchase your own ticket. If you are staying in a hotel, your Ticino Ticket covers this journey.
• The Ascent: From Capolago, we take the rack railway (Ferrovia) to the mid-station, Bellavista.
• The Hike: From Bellavista, we will hike to the summit.
  • Route: 3.4km / 479m ascent.
  • Difficulty: Safe and straightforward, but expect a steady climb!
• The Summit: You’ll have roughly 1.5 hours of free time. Enjoy a packed lunch or grab a meal at Ristorante Vetta while soaking in the 360° views.
• Return: We will descend back to Bellavista by foot, take the Ferrovia to Capolago, and return to Lugano by 4:00 – 4:30 pm.

Booking & Costs

The cost for the rack railway portion (return) is CHF 26.40. This is a reduced price for a group booking thus, we need at least 10 registered participants for the trip to go ahead. We will collect advanced bookings and payments via an online form starting in mid to late June. If not enough bookings are made, individuals will be refunded the cost directly.

Looking for a relaxing way to enjoy the late afternoon sun? Join your fellow summer school participants for an informal 'Swim & Dine' at the historic Lido di Lugano.

This is a self-guided social event—there will be no official staff present, but by meeting at the same time, you can head in as a group to enjoy the pools, the lake, and one of the best sunset views in the city.

The Plan

• When: Monday, 10th and 17th August
• Meeting Point: Main Entrance of the Lido (Via Pasquale Lucchini 4/Via Lido) between 5:20 pm and 5:30 pm.
• Entrance Fee: From 5:30 pm, you can purchase a discounted afternoon entry for only CHF 5.
• Swimming: The pools and the lake area remain open for swimming until 7:00 pm.
• Aperitivo & Dinner: At 7:00 pm, the group will gather at the Al Lido beach bar for an optional aperitivo or light dinner. If you'd rather skip the swimming, you can enter the bar for free and join the group at 7 pm for food and drinks.

How to Find the Group

Since this is an informal gathering, please wear your Summer School badge! This will make it easy for everyone to identify each other at the entrance and/or at the bar afterward.

What to Bring

• Swimwear and a towel.
• Sunscreen.
• A warm layer for the evening by the lake.
• Card/Cash for the entrance fee and your own food/drinks.

Enjoy the water and the great company in a safe, beautiful environment!