Lugano, Switzerland (updated, images added)
GPS Coordinates of the campground: 45.99549N 8.90917E
We had heard that the climate in Lugano is mild and favorable - that the city has Mediterranean winds and it doesn't snow. Bearing this in mind, we set out to spend some time in the Italian Switzerland (and why not? we've spent plenty of time in French and German regions of Switzerland).
A note on the drive - I wish I had taken pictures. We had a great freeway system to climb the mountains, coming in from Germany. Beautiful views. Some snow, but the roadway was clear and wet. At certain parts, trucks must pull off and they are then queued back on the roadway - presumably this helps keep traffic backups to a minimum. Once we reached the peak and started the downward descent, the nice wide highway remained, but suddenly we had a series of serious switchbacks to deal with. At certain points, I could look out the side window and see the bridge we had just descended to my right! I don't really like this feeling and the road signs, showin trucks with their engines on fire didn't help to calm my nerves. Alas, engine braking and all, we make the descent just fine and all is well. =)
We stopped for the night in Chur - the oldest Swiss city (according to the signpost as you reach the city limits). The ground was wet and we tentatively found a spot to stay in a very crowded campground for 47 chf per night. Ouch. Welcome back to Switzerland. We had Internet access at the gate, but not at our parking spot. Bummer. We didn't do much here - the cost to stay is pretty prohibitive given that we have our own facilities and really just need power and a parking spot. I did enjoy a nice jog along the river - with the Swiss military using the side of the mountain as a firing range. And, I was saddened to hear that they used to have snow - but not for the past 15 years. Global warming.
On to Lugano. There are no campgrounds in Lugano, per sey. The nearest (and the only one open in winter) was TCS Camping La Piodella just outside of Agno. Steep price again - 47 chf per 
night. Summer rates are up to 60chf and vary depending on proximity to the lake. It's not that we mind paying to camp; but the facilities for which we are paying are closed for the season (swimming pools, tennis, boating, beach). Even the playground was closed - which we ignored and let the kids play anyway. On the funny side, walking to the shopping plaza, we found Sophie Lounge outside of the World Trade Center.
We came this far, we must see Lugano (tourist site is here) and see what all the fuss was about. Daytime weather was nice, warmer than Munich. Nights were frosty. Internet access was nill - so what is there to research? Nothing.
We embarked on a train from Agno and disembarked about 20-minutes later in Lugano. Where to go now? The train tracks literally dead-end and while you can see the town below, it's not entirely obvious how to get there. Crossing the street (up hill), we found the train station and fumbling our way around, managed to find the funicular that takes travelers down the mountain, to Lugano. Cool!
The city is comprised of narrow streets and tall buildings, much as one anticipates from European cities. We wandered a bit and found our way to the lake front promenade. Such a beautiful day and so nice to stroll along the lake, enjoying the scenery. Portions of the walkway contain a sculpture garden to enjoy as well. At some point, we stopped for our brown-bag lunch and felt a bit the tourist stand-outs as people walking by were mostly decked out in high fashion. Here we were, eating a picnic lunch, two kids running around like crazy, enjoying the beauty of the area. Of course, this is when I finally noticed how terribly dirty Megan's light pink jacket is. (sign) I especially loved the guy who was wearing a pristine suite, but had a knit Nike cap on his head! Such a contrast in statements - made me giggle. We saw plenty of fur and high heels.
Left: View from the lake front promenade, facing the city
Right: View from the lake front promenade, facing the mountains
We visited three churches - the second only briefly as it appeared worship services were in process. The first was deserted when we entered and we were overwhelmed with the frescos. And so, we were free to wander Di Santa Maria Degli Angeli A Lugano church. This church was started in 1490 and completed in 1499. It contains a fresco that details the history of the Ticino region on the interior walls as well as very ornate religious paintings. (dates are provided on the Italian tourist site but I was unable to translate the full history of the church into English. Sometimes, Bablefish just doesn't work its magic.)
The third church we visited was an accidental find. By this time, we're tired and ready to go home for dinner. Coming upon the funicular again, we peeked around the corner and saw the street running up hill, in parrallel. Megan was bargaining hard to take the funicular again. Dan and I thought we should take the street path. Grown ups win on this one - though she gave us "frowny" faces the entire walk up. Picture to the right: tryin to give perspective to the hill we walked up. 
Imagine our surprise to see the beautiful church when we reached the top of the hill! We basically walked right in to Cattedrale San Lorenzo. From our reading, we see the church was referred to as early as 818 with the facade errected in the 1500's. We explored the church in detail, again, we were virtually the only people there and it was simply marvelous. So many details to study, so little time (and hey, it would help if we spoke the language - it's simply not all in English!) Lower Right: View of the bright colors and details of the altar (no, I didn't use flash)
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