Is it that time of the year again? When half of Ticino’s adult population disappears in the woods for entire days? When everyone seems to have, well, something to hide?

Don’t worry, no-one is in trouble. It’s only mushroom season. Again! In this part of the world they are known as fungiat, mushroom seekers.

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A few days ago, while having lunch with some colleagues, I found myself involved in a conversation about rivalry between Ticinese cities.

Sitting between my three companions - each a proud resident of one of the three biggest cities, Lugano, Locarno and Bellinzona -my eyes wide with incredulity, I was witnessing a real contest for popularity. (more…)

The dilemma continues to trouble me. In Switzerland, is it better to own my house or to rent forever and invest somewhere else?

Why do most Swiss decide to remain in rented accommodation? In all honestly, to begin with I didn’t like the thought of never being my own landlord. After two years of reasoning it seems, however, that buying outright was just not an option. (more…)

Like Ticino, most Swiss regions enjoy the benefits of well-defined seasons typical of continental climates.

It means that, by living in Switzerland, one is pretty much guaranteed snow in the winter and reliable sunny days in the summer. (more…)

Whether you come and work in Ticino or are here on a business trip, don’t be surprised to be taken out for a lavish 3-course lunch.

I was, soon after arriving from a previous job in London, where lunch breaks were at best taken in a decidedly dutiful manner. (more…)

Almost two years living in Ticino, and I’m still struggling to fully understand the love-hate relationship between my adoptive canton and the neighbouring peninsula.

First of all, it’s kind of cute. They eat the same food, speak a similar dialect and practically share the same culture. (more…)