Luxury in Lake Geneva 

Shared between Switzerland and France, Lake Geneva (or Lac Léman) sits among the dramatic background of the Alps. Evian-les-Bains, of the mineral water fame, is on the French side and is a refreshing spot. Having made its wealth as a spa town, it retains its Belle Epoque charms and well-to-do reputation. The Evian Resort is made up of two luxury hotels, a golf course, casino and the Evian les Thermes spa. The historic Hôtel Royal has a attracted a guest list including Rita Hayworth and Proust in its time, and is now a popular spot for a luxurious and active stay with the like of rafting, mountain biking, water skiing and even a yoga hike. It has kids’ clubs, too.   

Evian Hotel

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Family staycations 

England’s Lake District National Park is not only beautiful but also has plenty of outdoor activities to keep all ages happy. You can cycle, walk, paddleboard and kayak, taking in the likes of Windemere, Ullswater and Coniston Water. There’s also more than 50 accessible walking routes, as well as historic houses to explore, including Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse home which inspired her books. You can dine well – Cumbria has the most Michelin stars outside of London, including Simon Rogan’s three-Michelin starred L’Enclume in Cartmel. Stay at Storrs Hall on the shores of Windermere, which welcomes families, but also has six grown-ups only Lakeside Suites complete with hot tubs and private terraces overlooking the lake.   

Storrs Hall

Italian Road Trip

Take a road trip to see the best of the Italian lakes. Drive out to glamorous Lake Como, explore the towns along Lake Garda, kick back in Maggiore and head to the the lesser known lakes of Iseo, Orta, and Lugano. All are different and have their own character. The beauty of a road trip is that you can greedily enjoy them all over a few weeks or set your sights on just a couple. Swim from the lakeside lidos or go villagehopping by boat. Stay at Hilton Lake Como with a rooftop pool with views of the lake and mountains. 

Hilton Lake Como / Lake Garda

Back to nature 

With its clear waters, Lake Königssee in Bavaria’s Berchtesgaden National Park is a prime location for fans of the great outdoors with all the activities you could possibly want and is a top spot for hiking. But one of the most popular ways to see it is to take an electric passenger boat to St. Bartholomew where the boatman plays a trumpet to create an echo from the rock face. St. Bartholomew is a pilgrimage church known for it for its red onion domes. The area is home to 700 types of butterflies, deer, golden eagles and rare orchids. There are pretty places to stay along the waterfront, and the national park has plenty of camping spots.

Lake Königssee

Nessie Spotting 

Loch Ness has all the water-based fun you might expect including kayaking and jet skiing. You can also go whisky tasting or explore the legends of Nessie at the Loch Ness Centre. Stay at Cameron House, an old baronial mansion on the banks that is family and dog friendly.

Loch Ness