“Beautiful lakes and majestic mountains”: European readers’ tips | Holidays in Europe

For a few more Dolomites, Italy

Alleghe, in Belluno, 130 km north of Venice, is a picturesque town on a beautiful lake, framed by the majestic Eastern Dolomites. We found the streets truly charming, the local cuisine exceptional and enjoyed the exhilarating hikes during which we barely encountered a soul. Alleghe was the perfect base from which to explore one of the most enchanting and unspoilt regions of Italy.
Lorna Young

Rock windows and waterfalls, Slovenia

Kranjska Gora in the Julian Alps is home to some great peaks for thrill seekers. Try Prisank (2,547 metres) and see the amazing rock window on the way. Mala Mojstrovka (2,332 metres) has great views and is easier to climb. We loved the walk up to ZelenciEmerald green pools and visited Martuljek waterfall, passing through beautiful forests. We relaxed on the banks of Lake Jasna, enjoying the 360-degree view, and ate delicious creamy resin coffee cake by the lake. Then we cycled to the north-east of Italy on the fantastic off-road trail.
Matthew

The Cursed But Magnificent Peaks of Albania

The Albanian Alps, or Cursed Mountains, offer dramatic peaks, bucolic, pastoral valleys and glacial turquoise rivers. While many tourists opt for a quick visit to cover the 18 kilometres from Theth to the Valbonë Pass, we spent five days in Theth, staying at the wonderful and welcoming house Bujtina Vellezerit Grrela (double rooms from £49 B&B), which offers excellent traditional Albanian cuisine. Relatively undeveloped, Theth is a great base to recover from tough mountain hikes. The exceptional views and warm June evenings spent watching swallows and fireflies with the peaks as a backdrop were truly memorable.
Emily

Monasteries by the lake, North Macedonia

On the shores of Lake Ohrid, one of the deepest in Europe, we recently spent some wonderful days exploring the monasteries and ruins that sit along the water’s edge. We had lunch on a wooden veranda of a restaurant, which juts out so you can dip your feet in the clear water, and finished the day with a tasting at a local winery. North Macedonia has a unique blend of Balkan and Mediterranean influences, from domed churches to delicious plates of grilled vegetables, lamb and fresh sheep’s cheese. Sofia

Solo on Lake Bracciano, near Rome

Lake Bracciano, an hour's drive north of Rome, was the perfect place to relearn how to enjoy (really enjoy) a solo vacation, after completely losing my desire to travel during the pandemic. Motor boats are prohibited and the water is cool, clear and perfect for swimming, paddle boarding and relaxing. The three sleepy towns on the lake – Bracciano, Anguillara, Trevignano – offer an impressive choice of restaurants and places to have an aperitif. I felt pampered by the locals, who were eager to hear my tips for visiting the islands of Scotland (where I am from) and were patient with my dodgy Italian. I am already planning my return.
Ealasaid

Inspired by Newby in the Italian Apennines

We explored the mountains of the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, inspired by Eric Newby's book Love and War in the Apennineswho recounts his experiences hiding from the German army in mountain farms during World War II. We followed his trail into the mountains south of Parma, traversing wooded areas to reach the main crinal (ridge), from where you will have a fantastic view of the Ligurian coast. The trails are well marked and we stayed in one of the shelters (alpine refuges) managed by the Italian Alpine Club (from €55 half-board). The cuisine is seasonal and local: mushrooms, polenta, homemade pasta and cold meats.
RW

Border break by local train from Slovenia to Italy

To get from Lake Bled to Italy, you might be tempted to head back to Ljubljana and take a fast train or bus to Trieste. Instead, take one of Slovenia’s most scenic journeys: the regional train from Bled Jezero station (at the western end of the lake) to the Slovenian town of Nova Gorica, on the Italian border. The 90-minute ride, which cost us just €7.30 each, took us from Lake Bled through the Bohinj Valley, offering views of the Julian Alps and the emerald waters of the Soca River. Once in Nova Gorica, walk about 20 minutes to cross the border into Italy at the pretty town of Gorizia.
Frances Li

Glacier stay near Chamonix

Chamonix is ​​best known as a ski resort, but it is just as charming in the warmer months. Starting from the village of Les Praz on the outskirts of Chamonix, we hiked through the peaceful forest, stopping several times to admire the stunning views of lush greenery and snow-capped mountains. In the forest, we discovered Floria Chaletat 1,350 meters, where we enjoyed an omelette and pie blueberry (blueberry pie). The next day we took the funicular to the Mer de Glace ice cave. It was breathtaking: the cold was intense, the ice sculptures impressive and we learned fascinating details about the history of glaciers.
Nitika

Glider flight over Lake Lugano, Switzerland/Italy

Lake Lugano is shared between Italy and Switzerland and last summer we found a great way to explore both sides of it. We took the sparkling white Swiss public boat Sailing on Lake Lugano ferry for a return trip of £20. Departing at 10:30 from Porto Ceresio in Italy, the ship glides on very calm waters, crisscrosses the lake, stops in villages with stone houses, alternates between stops in Switzerland and Italy, notably in the magnificent Swiss miniature Open-air miniature museum in Melide. Along the way, you can admire pine-covered slopes and snow-capped peaks in the distance. Arriving in Lugano after just over an hour, we explored the beautiful city and even managed to take a dip in the lake, before returning at 7pm to watch the sunset.
Nigel

Winning tip: Such larks in Interlaken, Switzerland

My husband and I took our four-year-old son on his first adventure abroad, traveling to Interlaken via Amsterdam by ferry and overnight train. We arrived, tired from the journey, to see the turquoise waters of Lake Thun sparkling in the early summer sun. Just east of Interlaken is another beautiful lake: Lake Brienz. Over the next few days, we explored the surrounding mountains, hiking up to Lake Brienz. Murren of the Lauterbrunnen Cable CarIt was an unforgettable adventure for all of us.
Hannah