Cool off in the European Lakes this Summer
To help inspire you, I’ve picked my top-5, from the all-time classics that have charmed for centuries, to lesser-known spots you may never have heard of.
Lake Garda, Italy - It’s hard to beat Lake Garda in the charm stakes, with castle-topped villages set against the craggy peaks of the Dolomites and colourful villas lining aquamarine shores. Bardolino, Lazise, Malcesine and Sirmione are all hotspots and for good reason, but for a quieter option try a stay at the secluded Splendido Bay Resort, a recently opened resort with a superb position on the edge of the lake. There’s a spa, pool, bistro and Michelin-starred restaurant and it’s just a 10-minute drive to the historic town of Desenzano, known for its Roman villa and 16th-century cathedral.
Lake Bled, Slovenia - Shimmering mirror-like amid the greenery of the Julian Alps, Lake Bled is the stuff of picture books, and it’s not hard to see why visitor numbers here have been increasing in recent years (albeit before the Covid pandemic). Presiding over the lake is the medieval Bled Castle, set high on a hilltop, but it’s not the only attraction, with hiking trails, canyoning adventures and natural attractions such as Vintgar Gorge – an ethereal, aqua stream of water carving its way through the forest – drawing active types. For an especially peaceful base right on the lake, I recommend the Astoria Hotel, recently renovated and set in a quiet location beneath the turreted castle.
Loch Lomond, Scotland - Lakeside breaks needn’t mean trekking too far, Scotland alone boasts more than 30,000 lochs. For one of the most impressive, look to Loch Lomond – 44 square miles of water bordered by verdant peaks, ancient castles and whisky distilleries, where kayaking, waterskiing, paddleboarding and other adventures take visitors out onto its rippling waters. For a private stay away from it all, head to Cameron North Lodge, a luxury, glass-fronted retreat sleeping up to eight and backing right onto the loch, with a hot tub, play area and private beach among its facilities, plus three golf courses in the area. Lake Saimaa, Finland - For a lakeside break with a difference, may I suggest Saimaa, the largest lake in Finland, home to more than 13,000 islands and surrounded by forests where elk, wolves, bears and foxes roam between the trees. It’s a popular swimming hole in summer, but it’s at its most striking in winter, when the water freezes over and turns into a giant ice rink, bringing locals flocking to explore its trails. I have some great options here including guided skating excursions and a stay at the atmospheric Hotel & Spa Resort Jarvisydan, which comes with a huge Finnish sauna area as well as new wooden ‘Kota’ huts straddling the shore.
Lake Brienz, Switzerland - Switzerland rarely fails to impress, and Lake Brienz, in the Bernese Oberland, is no exception. It’s worth a visit for its historic paddle steamers alone – they’ve been linking towns together for more than a century and now offer themed trips, from Alpine-style brunches to fondue cruises. But there’s plenty more to lure, from the Brienz Rothorn Railway, whisking passengers up through scenic mountain passes, to Giessbach Falls, a 500m-high cascade crashing into the lake below. For an especially peaceful base, I suggest the Strandhotel, set on the lake in the village of Iseltwald with lake-view balconies, a sunny terrace restaurant and e-bikes for exploring the locale.
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