Skip the coast: travel experts recommend three of Europe's loveliest lakes as worthwhile destinations to visit - instead.

Lake Annecy in Haute-Savoie, France | Lake Annecy is one of France’s many stunning lakes that stretch for 100km or so across this picturesque mountain region, where light winds ruffle the palm fronds of our parasol as we sip Orangina while watching windsurfers fly across the water, windsurfers skimming past on windsurfers; our beach cafe plays gentle Balearic beats… But this shimmering expanse isn’t really Mediterranean… At the foothills of France’s Alpine range and more than 250 miles from any coastline lies Annecy – an exquisite medieval town on its namesake Alpine lake just an hour’s journey away from Geneva. Annecy has earned its moniker as “Venice of the Alps” due to its network of canals criss-crossing La Vieille Ville (old town). Like its more well-known Italian counterpart, Annecy can become swamped with tourists during summer season as visitors throng its cobblestone streets and flower-decked bridges. Annecy boasts an unrivalled network of reliable local buses – free for use during July and August – which transport both visitors and locals around the lakeside area and up into its mountainous environs. There’s also a cycling path which follows the shoreline for those who’d rather explore on their own steam. We enjoy cycling along its perimeter while taking in tantalising glimpses of turquoise water and dreamy villas and hotels around its edges. Annecy Lake, France’s third-largest, can help visitors escape crowds easily; with nine miles long by two wide surface area. Each morning we pack beach towels and picnic supplies before walking from our apartment in Old Town to the bus station and taking whatever local bus was ready first to leave. As we circle Lake Annecy, we enjoy stunning glimpses of turquoise water, luxurious waterside villas and hotels featuring private pontoons and beaches as we pass them by. Talloires Bay on Lake Annecy provides an entrancing scenic backdrop. Take your pick between Menthon St Bernard, Veyrier-du-Lac or Doussard; each offering its own set of hiking routes up Mont Veyrier with panoramic mountaintop views all the way to Mont Blanc – not forgetting Doussard’s nature reserve and family campsites – when choosing where you wish to explore by lake. There are several public beaches along its length ranging from sandy Saint-Jorioz beach volleyball courts and children’s pool; through to lively Marquisats beach that can easily reached from Annecy town by foot. Talloires beach is our go-to spot. Here, we spend our days sunbathing on the grass, playing petanque and swimming (it isn’t as cold as one might expect!). Plus we get to watch teenagers compete to perform crazy dives off of diving boards! From above us float paragliders gliding across Lake Bracciano in Lazio Italy on wind thermals under an ideal blue sky, josanne O’ConnorLake di Bracciano near Rome is home to these gliders which take full advantage of cloudless blue skies to take flight on thermals and take to the sky! Joanne O’ConnorLago di Bracciano near Rome Photograph by Sandrixroma/Getty ImagesLake di Bracciano can be reached easily in an hour by train from Rome’s central district, yet feels worlds away from its crowds of tourists and nonstop traffic jams. Though vibrant during summer months, Lago di Bracciano never becomes as hectic or flashy as some alternatives along the Tyrrhenian Coast; plus there’s hiking and biking available nearby should sunbathing prove tiresome! All of which makes Lake Como an idyllic summertime retreat for Romans and tourists. Created when an entire magma chamber collapsed into one another, this bucolic lake boasts forests, olive groves, ancient Roman ruins and three charming little towns: Trevignano Romano, Anguillara Sabazia and Bracciano; with Bracciano boasting one of Italy’s grandest and best preserved castles – Castello Orsini-Odescalchi – that overlooks it all – which features extensive Renaissance art collections alongside historical artefacts from around Europe spanning five centuries! Bracciano stands out among Italian summer holiday destinations for its panoramic tower views; and visitors who admire laid-back charm will find Bracciano to be an idyllic oasis in which to unwind. As Bracciano sits between Tuscany and Umbria, its cuisine serves up both Roman-influenced fare as well as Apennine dishes that incorporate cheeses and charcuterie that give this town its special charms. But no trip to Bracciano would be complete without trying some cartoccio di latterini fritti (fried sand smelt from Lake Bracciano), fresh off of Castle Orsini-Odescalchi and served hot. Photograph by: Luca Antonio Lorenzelli/Alamy If you want a little adventure, Trevignano Romano on Lake Como can be reached quickly via bus ride from Bracciano on its northern shore. As one might expect on an Italian summer holiday, Venice epitomises a relaxing pace and laid-back charm, offering plenty of restaurants and bars along its cobbled streets and waterfront promenade. Relais Vigna Caio (PS255), located directly beneath Bracciano Castle and offering stunning lakefront views at an economical price, provides guests with luxurious accommodation at Bracciano Lakeside Resort. Built originally as a private residence during the 1930s, and later renovated by its current owner — an interior designer from Rome — into its current form by their loving renovation.Colin O’BrienMecklenburg lake district of north GermanyMecklenburg is known for being known as Germany’s ‘land of many lakes”. Photograph by Westend61/Getty Images Although Germany’s Mecklenburgische Seenplatte lies less than two hours’ train journey north from Berlin, it remains relatively unfamiliar among non-Germans. Although not as spectacular, Bavaria provides an idyllic escape from city life – its bucolic landscape features over 600 interlinked lakes that make up its picturesque countryside. Mirow, Neustrelitz and Plau am See all provide great bases from which to explore this diverse region – easily reached via train and bus network. Its nickname, the Land of a Thousand Lakes”, may only be slightly exaggerated! Home to charming towns and cities with charming, laid-back residents as well as manor houses and nature parks – making for an inviting journey through Lake County! Waren an der Muritz is my go-to spot when visiting Berlin. Muritz is Germany’s largest lake entirely within German territory, boasting a charming old town filled with medieval architecture as well as numerous cafes and restaurants such as Fischerhof Waren, where daily catch can be tasted! This vibrant town can also boast one of Europe’s longest rivers: Rhine. At Lake Muritz you’ll also find the Murizeum: an aquarium featuring native species with interactive multimedia exhibition about Muritz National Park as a world heritage site nearby. White-tailed eagles may occasionally be spotted there! Photograph by Buiten-Beeld/AlamyThe park boasts protected beech forests and moors as well as over one hundred lakes of its own, plus miles of walking trails and well-maintained cycle paths, such as one that goes around Lake Muritz itself. At this park, endangered bird populations thrive; you could spot white-tailed eagles, ospreys and cranes as well as local fauna like red deer, black storks or even deer! Its diverse environment may even inspire visitors to create artwork in response. At Bear Park Muritz – which boasts the largest sanctuary for bears in Western Europe – some rescued bears can also be seen roaming free and being cared for, although these do not roam free as such.Wurttemberg, along with the lake district in general, boasts some wonderful places to stay: from charming guest houses and budget campsites to houseboats. Rent a houseboat, raft, sauna-boat for leisurely lake cruising without special licensing – or use scheduled boat services such as Klink, Robel, Plau am See and Malchow! Paul O’Sullivan There are InterCity/ICE train connections all over Germany which connect directly to Berlin; from here it takes roughly 1 1/2 hours by public transit to get from there to Waren an der Muritz in Lake District of Muritz and Waren an der Muritz.