We were here to enjoy the Mediterranean climate and experience “dolce far niente”, a blissful idleness after our travels.

Our leisurely boat cruise from Lugano to Gandria,  population 200, was included with our Swiss Pass.

We made our lunch selections---lake perch,  ossobuco and polenta, and a Ticino merlot-- from a colorful menu at Ristorante Antico.  

The view from Ristorante Antico's lakeside balcony was lovely. 

 Gandria, which is right by the border with Italy,  was once known for olive oil, silk, and smuggling.

Once isolated, it was connected to both Lugano and Italy in 1935 by a road and tunnels.

The Museum of Swiss Customs is just across the lake.

We walked Gandria’s narrow labyrinth of cobbled lanes and climbed flights of stairs that scale the steep lakefront slope, passing a large stone, Sasso della Predescia. 

It was carved by early Celtic inhabitants, presumably for religious purposes.

We continued to the medieval belfry and baroque interior of the 16th century Church of San Vigilio.

It was constructed by Medieval Lombard master stoneworkers known as maestri comacini who had worked for the King of Spain and returned to the village in their later years.

The painting behind the altar of St. Virgilio being martyred is by the Torricelli brothers.

The hillside Olive Tree Path from Gandria to Castagnola ...

is marked with 18 panels describing the olive tree’s history, botany, cultivation, and products.

the lakeshore promenade and statue of Swiss hero William Tell, and the flora and Ticinese sculpture of Belvedere Gardens.