Meals at Villa Maderni will give you the opportunity to experience some of the traditional food of the Ticino region, as well as the manner in which people in the region take meals. While breakfast is self-serve, lunch and dinner are rather formal meals where everyone eats together, in two shifts, at a set time. You are served on linen table clothes with a full place setting. All dishes, except for the salad bar, are served family style. Students take turns setting up, serving and clearing the tables.

Students also sign up for meals twice a week, indicating whether or not they will be present. Vegetarian preferences are accommodated. You can also sign up for bag lunches if you plan on being away from Villa for a meal. A meal schedule will be handed to you on your arrival at CESA. With prior registration, you can also invite a guest for a meal at a set rate.

Food prepared in the kitchens at the apartments or la Pabiana is the responsibility of the students. The CESA housekeepers are not responsible for cleaning dirty dishes in la Pabiana or the apartments.

The nearby supermarket in the area is called Riva San Vitale Supermarkets.

Department Stores including Supermarkets with more selection are Migros and Manor, both of them are located in Mendrisio and Lugano.

The following are a list of restaurants within walking distance of where you will be staying:

The Svizzero: near the train station in Capolago

Unione: located by the co-op in Capolago

Grotto Tiglio: above/behind the train station

Cafe Sociale: across the street from co-op (walking distance)

Bar Lido: across the street and up from the co-op

Riva Piazza Grande: Mexican

Bed sheets, blankets, pillows, soap, laundry detergent, hangers, cleaning supplies and a laundry bag are provided while at the Villa. However, THESE ITEMS MAY NOT BE TAKEN OUT OF THE HOUSE FOR PERSONAL TRIPS. The housekeeping staff will take care of washing sheets and towels.

One wash load of your personal laundry costs 1.40 CHF and takes approximately one hour. The dryer costs 1.20CHF for an hour of drying time.

La Pabiana machines take laundry cards only (provided by the office).

There is also an ironing board and irons in each of the houses for student use.

Students living in apartments typically do their laundry at Villa Maderni or La Pabiana.

There are 3 mountain bikes, a croquet set, volleyball net and several balls at the Center for you to use. Across the street from Villa Maderni is a field for playing soccer. This field may be used after 4:00 pm on weekdays and anytime on the weekends, as there are children in school nearby during the day.

There is also a basketball court next to the elementary school that can be used after 4:30pm. In the area, there is plenty of hiking, swimming, and places to go for other sports such as skiing, parasailing, horseback riding, etc.

There are also local, regional and national games to attend for Hockey, Soccer, and Basketball.

For additional information on sports activities in Switzerland: <Click Here>

Newspapers: Currently, CESA subscribes to Daily Newspapers, The International Herald-Tribune and The Local Corriere Del Ticino. Further, current periodical subscriptions include Domus, Archi, Business Week, The Economist, Rivista Tecnica, and National Geographic.

Hair Dressers: There are two hairdressers in Riva; one is five minutes' walk away south of the Villa on the main road to Mendrisio. There are also many salons in downtown Lugano and Mendrisio. Ask Sandra to help you make an appointment. The Villa also has a set of clippers available for use.