A lakes and mountains summer holiday is a great alternative to the traditional beach holiday and the lakes and mountains found throughout Europe are some of the very best in the world, you will find both tranquillity and some of the most breath-taking and scenic vistas you will ever experience. From the magnificent Bavarian Mountains and the Swiss Alps to the crystal-clear waters of the stunning Italian and Austrian lakes and their surrounding towns and villages, you will not be disappointed. You will relax, unwind and indulge in the natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere these glorious lakes and mountains holidays provide.
Far from the noisy crowds of tourist hotspots, and the hustle and bustle of city life, a mountain holiday will provide you with an unrivalled opportunity for both serenity and, if you choose, adventure. So, whatever you are looking for a romantic getaway, an adventure weekend or a family holiday, the idyllic mountains and sparkling lakes of Europe are just waiting to be discovered.
Holidays in the mountains offer many ways to keep you happily occupied for the whole of your holiday, no matter what your activity interest is. Outdoor adventures come in endless variety and unsurprisingly, hill-walking tops the bill. Did you know Switzerland alone has more than 40,390 miles (65,000km) of waymarked trails, astonishing in a country just 220-ish miles long. Biking is also very popular, there are mountain bikes, carbon-fibre bikes, e-bikes and bike hotels. Festivals welcome stars of opera, jazz, reggae and film. Families can try caving, canyoning and canoeing, paragliding and pony-trekking. For the more adventurous there is mountain climbing, hang gliding and white-water rafting! Or how about simple enjoying your surroundings on a relaxing picnic taking in the views?
For nature-lovers early summer sees meadows strewn with dazzling wildflowers, while forests and peaks bustle with young birds and animals, and June is the Alps’ peak season for enjoying life on the wild side.
Accommodation ranges from Heidi-esque chalets, cottages, cabins and farm stays to hip design hotels and everything in between.
So, this month we have teamed up with Inghams Lakes & Mountains and Classic Collection Holidays to give you a taster of a summer lakes and mountains holiday. Take a look at the Inghams video to find out more.
Enjoy a Lakes & Mountains holiday with Inghams
The Inghams summer programme includes a variety of holidays from traditional lakes and mountains holidays, to iconic rail tours, walking holidays, cycling holidays, family holidays, chalet and Chalet Hotel holidays, culture excursions and flexible holidays with multiple destinations in one break.
Amongst the many attractions of an Inghams Lakes & Mountains summer holiday is the fact that these beautiful and invigorating destinations can be tailored to suit exactly the style of holiday you want. You can explore the beauty of the mountains and lakes, take a tour or a cruise or enjoy a vibrant city and culture break. Their market leading range covers the entire spectrum, from simply relaxing in some of the world’s finest beauty spots, to more energetic options, exploring on foot, by bike, or via every imaginable combination of trains, planes, ships, cable cars and chair lifts!
Destinations include Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal & Madeira, Slovenia and Switzerland. Inghams also have great flexible durations and combinable resorts so you can add that element of variety into your summer holiday and stay away from 3 days to over 3 weeks.
Experience the Italian lakes with Classic Collection Holidays
Owing to its fabulous climate, enviable gastronomy, fantastic wines, beautiful scenery, magnificent architecture and rich heritage, Italy has long been a favoured haunt for British travellers and Italy is the perfect destination for all holiday-makers.
The Italian Lakes have been a fashionable holiday destination since Roman times, and continue to attract their share of tourists along with a smattering of celebrities. Travellers approaching from the snow-clad Alps are greeted by a Mediterranean vista of palm trees, lemon blossoms and rows of bougainvillea tumbling down towards deep blue waters. Lakeside villages cling onto rugged cliffs, fishing boats bob along the shore, while punctured here and there are grand lakeside villas flanked by some of Italy’s most impressive gardens. The lakes’ mild climate is a persuasive draw, although it’s the sublime views that will leave you with a permanent impression.
Spread out over four of Italy’s regions – Piedmont, Lombardy, Trentino Alto Adige and Veneto – the lakes differ greatly in both size and setting. To the west is romantic little Lake Orta, home to the gorgeous medieval village of Orta San Giulio, while a short drive away is graceful Lake Maggiore, which stretches into Switzerland. Elegant Lake Como lies east, its shores sprinkled with sumptuous hotels and grand villas, while further east still is pretty Lake Iseo, home to Europe’s largest lake island. Lake Garda, Italy’s largest, is only a couple of hours from Venice. It offers a varied topography of gentle hills, steep rocky cliffs and hills dotted with lemon trees, olive groves and vineyards that produce some of the country’s best wines.
Classic Collection Holidays offers an excellent range of tailor-made holidays to Italy featuring a selection of handpicked 4 and 5-star hotels with something to suit everyone including Lake Garda, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore. Discovering the beauty of the Italian lakes and the largely untouched region of Puglia, is simply a holiday must.
Inspired to find out more about a summer lakes and mountains holiday? Please get in touch and we look forward to helping you explore the options and find a lakes and mountains holiday specifically for you.
