‘We drifted downriver and camped the place we favored’: readers’ favorite lake and river breaks in Europe

Successful tip: a chic dip in northern Italy

Within the hills above Riva del Garda in Trentino is Lago di Tenno, a good looking blue-green mountain lake. It’s sufficiently small to stroll round in underneath an hour, enclosed on all sides with pretty mountain views, nevertheless it’s the swimming that can carry you again many times. The clear waters could also be a tad chilly at first toe-dangle, however goosebumps are quickly forgotten as you swim throughout the small hole to the grassy island. Enjoyable, mountain air, stunning views. The village of Tenno, with its medieval hilltop fortress, has a couple of inns and there’s a high-quality campsite near the lake.
Ant

We’re on a Spree, Germany

The meandering rivers and 200 canals of the Spreewald, a richly forested Unesco biosphere reserve south-east of Berlin, supply a whole lot of miles of navigable waterways. Basing ourselves at Lübbenau, we employed kayaks and glided previous wildlife-rich riverbanks recognizing coypu and kingfishers. We regularly noticed homeowners of riverside houses slipping into their very own vessels to commute or buy groceries. Handcrafted indicators on tree trunks information paddlers: our favorite cease being the Gasthaus Wotschofska – a beautiful beer corridor that can not be reached by automotive. Tie up your watercraft and step on shore for a stein of beer and a dish that includes the well-known Spreewald gherkin pickle. We employed our kayaks from Bootsverleih Franke in Lübbenau from €30 a day or €12 for one hour.
Lauren Jones

A Slovenian climbing and paddleboarding haven

We stayed within the Julian Alps at Camp Bohinj (adults from €16 an evening) in a tent immediately on the shores of Lake Bohinj, the biggest everlasting lake in Slovenia. The place has marvellous views, nice swimming, hammocks and a pleasant little bar. There’s tons to do on the lake with kayaking and paddleboarding, however you may as well simply hike up into the mountains for unbelievable views. It’s additionally near Lake Bled and the Austrian/Italian borders, so an ideal stop-off if touring round.
Dave Gregory

Lakeside tenting and sunsets, France

Lac d’Aiguebelette in France’s Savoie Mont Blanc area (a couple of miles west of Chambéry) has deservedly entered our household folklore. Smaller and fewer developed than neighbour Annecy, and being a nature reserve, motorised vessels are forbidden – making it good for swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding. One in all France’s warmest pure lakes, its nonetheless, emerald waters are surrounded by gorgeous mountains. Most days had been spent enjoying on the campsite’s non-public seashore, or exploring the waters by paddleboard, leaping off commonly to swim. As soon as the youngsters had been tucked up, the adults took turns to take to the water to benefit from the sundown. We stayed at Camping le Curtelet the place pitches begin at about €22 in August.
Jenny McConkey

Biking the shores of Garda, Italy

A visit to Peschiera del Garda on the southern finish of Lake Garda offered a chance to attempt the 30-mile River Mincio cycle path. Low cost bike rent is on the market in Peschiera and the route is flat all the best way to the architectural gem of Mantua. Cease off alongside the best way on the pretty medieval village of Borghetto or the close by city of Valeggio sul Mincio the place you possibly can attempt its personal tackle a pasta traditional: tortellini di valeggio.
Calum

One other tack, jap France

Lac des Sapins, north-west of Lyon, within the Rhône-Alps area of France, has lengthy been a household favorite. With a home made picnic and natural crimson Beaujolais and Viognier white wine from Oedoria cooperative in Létra, we spend the day there, picnicking, swimming, chatting. My English goddaughter’s a eager sailor so she, my French goddaughter and I employed a dinghy. We’d reached the center of the lake when the wind dropped. I assumed we’d want a tow, however she tacked backward and forward, catching each little breeze to get us again. The homeowners applauded our arrival and we toasted her with Beaujolais.
Lynne

Adrift in southern Sweden

In Värmland, south-west Sweden, a beautiful journey may be had by reserving a rafting journey on the Klarälven River beginning at Gunnerud. We went with Vildmark (one night time to one-week choices from £175-£420, group bookings accessible): you construct a raft (recommendation is offered, however you do the constructing), then you definitely set off in your drift down the river, by rolling hills and forest. The present guides you south and the week-long choice will take you as much as 70 miles. You sleep in your tent, making use of the Swedish proper to camp wherever so long as you permit no hint. You cook dinner your personal meals (which may be pre-ordered) and can see few indicators of civilisation aside from different folks on rafts.
Åsa

Europe’s largest volcanic lake, Italy

Lake Bolsena in central Italy, between Rome and Siena, is the biggest volcanic lake in Europe. We love staying with Anna at Agriturismo Castell’Araldo with flats for about €100 an evening. The meals within the space is terrific and the lake is gorgeous with its black sand seashores and islands, similar to Bisentina, which make for a superb day journey. A foodie heaven and an amazing various to the vacationer traps within the north of Lake Garda and Lake Como.
Angharad

Therapeutic waters, Romania

One in all Europe’s largest heliothermic lakes is Ursu (Bear) Lake in Sovata, Romania. Right here you possibly can float like a cork in blissfully heat saltwater no matter what number of papanasi cheese doughnuts you’ve scoffed from the village’s cafes. The lake shaped in 1875 from a mix of pure occasions. The freshwater prime layer flows in from close by streams and acts as a thermal insulator, however the deeper you go, the hotter it feels: at 1.5 metres, temperatures can prime 45C. In addition to the heat, the salinity will increase buoyancy, making it inconceivable to sink. Fringed with woods and wood sunbathing terraces (and altering cabins), the spacious four-hectare lake is famend for its therapeutic properties. And for those who fancy making an attempt one other comparable lake, there are 4 others throughout the nature reserve: Alunis, Rosu, Verde and Mierlei.
Caroline

Weir and fantastic: kayaking in Belgium

The Lesse River is gorgeous. You may rent your kayak in Dinant then paddle as much as eight miles and catch the prepare again, or do the prepare bit first. Sensible spots for a picnic and a break are across the chateau at Walzin. There are some weirs to navigate: as newbies it took 20 minutes to construct up the braveness to go down the primary small weir. The second was whitewater-esque, however we barrelled by like we had been on our technique to Olympic gold. Chips with mayo had been nicely earned. Again in Dinant there are little electrical boats to hire out (€60 however maintain six) and the possibility to benefit from the mightier Meuse River.
Antony