Situated on the border between southern Switzerland and northern Italy, Lake Lugano, which is also known as Lake Ceresio, is a glacial lake in the canton of Ticino and the Provinces of Varese and Como.

Built in the sixteenth century as a country residence, Villa della Porta Bozzolo later became a country seat for the aristocracy. An impressive Italian garden was later added, which is now considered to be one of the most majestic examples of garden design in Italy. The ornate interiors preserve one of the most sophisticated and decorative series of frescoes from eighteenth-century life in Lombardy, which are attributed to the Varese artist Magatti.

The Sacro Monte of Varese is a place of great historical and artistic value in the Varese area, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in July 2003. Its Via Sacra, a devotional path about 2 km long, is studded with 14 chapels, each dedicated to a Mystery of the Rosary and perfectly integrated into the surrounding natural environment. The highlight is the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Monte, which houses the Coronation of the Virgin Mary as the 15th Mystery of the Rosary, and the Romanesque Crypt, accessible by guided tour.