Italy: Hiking and Biking around Lake Iseo
Few places in the world evoke romance as powerfully as the Italian Lakes. Among the star attractions like Lake Como and the magnificent Lake Garda lies the quieter gem of Lake Iseo. Nestled between rugged mountains with the expansive Camonica Valley to the north and the lush Franciacorta wine region to the south, Iseo offers a serene escape. Its shores are dotted with charming towns—Lovere, Iseo, and Sarnico—each with cobbled streets and a decidedly less touristy vibe, making them perfect bases for exploration. Regular ferries glide across the lake, connecting the various towns, while numerous hiking and biking trails meander through the surrounding hills, inviting adventurers to discover their beauty.
Rising majestically from the water is Monte Isola, Italy’s largest island in a lake. Notably, no cars are allowed here—only those of the doctor and the priest. Visitors can traverse the island by public bus or on foot, exploring the eleven quaint fishing villages that dot the landscape. A hike to the hilltop church, perched over 400 meters above the lake, rewards with breathtaking vistas. Culinary enthusiasts will appreciate the area’s signature dish, tinca fish, a flavorful carp sourced straight from the lake, often baked and served alongside creamy polenta.
When it comes to accommodation, Lake Iseo presents more budget-friendly options compared to its popular neighbors. For a unique experience, set up camp at Campeggio Cave, situated right on the water’s edge in Iseo (with pitches starting at £11 plus £5 for adults). Alternatively, consider the Lake Iseo Hostel in Lovere, offering dorm beds from £11, or the Casa Visnenza B&B—a former silk mill featuring charming wooden beams and stone interiors with doubles starting from £72. Accessibility is easy, with regular bus services from the nearby cities of Brescia and Bergamo.
Finland: Europe’s Largest Lake District
With nearly 200,000 lakes blanketing its landscape, Finland boasts the largest lake district in Europe. The picturesque scenery of Finnish Lakeland, where patches of water intermingle with dense forests, becomes a playground for locals during the endless summer days, inviting them to retreat to their waterfront cabins under the midnight sun. Among these aquatic wonders is Päijänne, the country’s second-largest lake, where sandy beaches meet rocky coves, setting the stage for numerous water-based activities.
Indulge in leisurely days swimming in the crystal-clear waters, kayaking, fishing, or embarking on boat explorations across the multitude of islands dotting the lake. The area also encompasses a national park, with nature trails weaving through the stunning wilderness. For accommodation, the charming Lehmonkärki Resort nestled on the southwestern shore offers wooden cottages and villas, complete with personal saunas and rowing boats for rent.
For those yearning for an organized adventure, Best Served Scandinavia’s new self-drive itinerary through Finnish Lakeland includes three nights on Lake Päijänne, a stay in a historic 19th-century farmhouse by the river in Kuusa, and time spent in Jyväskylä—the largest city in Lakeland, renowned for its stunning architecture by local icon Alvar Aalto. This eight-day journey begins at £1,345 per person, encompassing return flights to Helsinki, car hire, and bed and breakfast accommodation. For solo travelers planning their escapades, Visit Finland offers a range of self-drive routes available for download on its website.
Germany: Camping near Berlin
The landscape surrounding Germany’s capital is as pastoral and serene as Berlin is extravagant. The state of Brandenburg, home to around 3,000 lakes and lush forests, makes for an idyllic backdrop for camping enthusiasts. Rent a van from Roadsurfer’s location, just a short bus ride from Tegel airport, and you’ll find yourself relaxing by a peaceful lake in no time.
Starting at Tonsee, located about 30 miles south of Berlin, this small yet pristine lake offers a gentle sloping beach bordered by a wooded campsite, perfect for setting up with your camper van (from £9, plus £6 per person). If you’re up for a bit of a drive, Grubensee in the Dahme-Heideseen nature park is just 40 minutes away, where camping starts at £3.50 per pitch along with swimming spots featuring charming little islands for the more adventurous. For a quieter day, take a leisurely stroll around the lake, discovering additional beaches and picturesque wooden piers that make for lovely picnic spots.
Should you venture farther, Schmöldesee awaits about an hour’s drive away, offering various water activities and a network of hiking and biking trails following the path of German author Theodor Fontane. To further enhance your experience, consider picking up a copy of Take Me to the Lakes, a comprehensive guide to 50 of Brandenburg’s best lakes.
Slovenia: Walks and Swims with Fairytale Views
With its enchanting lakes, meandering rivers, and dramatic mountain ranges, Slovenia is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The iconic Lake Bled, with its fairytale castle and picturesque island church, is perhaps the most famous, while the nearby Bohinj Lake, nestled within the vast Triglav National Park, captivates visitors with its breathtaking natural beauty.
For a truly active experience, Intrepid Travel’s eight-day Hike, Bike & Raft tour takes participants on scenic treks around Bohinj, through mountain biking routes along the Radovna River, and thrilling whitewater rafting adventures on the Sava Dolinka River, beginning at £880 per person. Meanwhile, for those with a deep love for water, Strel Swimming offers a four-day holiday spent swimming in Lake Bled, Bohinj, and the legendary River Soča, led by marathon swimmer Martin Strel himself. Alternatively, visitors can opt for kayaking or paddleboarding alongside their companions.
Sweden: Paddling in Dalsland
Sweden’s expansive lake district features a stunning network of interconnected clear waters and well-maintained overnight shelters—an ideal backdrop for a serene paddling escapade. A mere two hours north of Gothenburg, this region remains largely untouched by tourism, providing a tranquil sanctuary of rich forests, wildlife, and rugged coastlines.
Within this idyllic landscape, deep forests home to moose and beavers line the shores of crystalline lakes, while the tranquil waters offer easy paddling across their undisturbed surfaces. The waters of the Dalsland Canal beckon with its narrow waterways leading out to Lake Vänern, the largest lake in Sweden.
For those preferring a more laid-back experience, consider renting a log cottage with a sauna near Svardlang Lake (Rabens Cottage accommodates four from £220 for two nights). The area boasts over 100 prepared wild campsites equipped with wind shelters, open fire pits, and eco-friendly facilities. Canoeists must obtain a Naturvårdskort (nature conservation card) to access the shelters, available for purchase at local tourist offices for £5 a night. Canoes can be rented from various regional outlets. Nature Travels offers four-day tours priced from £147 per person, accommodating two paddlers per canoe.
Central Europe: Cycle around Lake Constance
Lake Constance stretches an impressive 170 miles, with the majority of its shores located in Germany and portions extending into Austria and Switzerland. This stunning region is peppered with charming lakeside towns and quaint villages that provide a welcoming base for exploration, offering endless opportunities for sailing, windsurfing, or leisurely boat trips.
One of the most delightful ways to experience the lake is by bike, thanks to its flat and car-free cycling routes. The Lake Constance Trail encircles the entire lake, meandering through resort towns like Überlingen, medieval gems such as Meersburg, and serene nature reserves like Wollmatinger.
Austria claims 15 miles of lakeshore, including the vibrant city of Bregenz, where each July and August classical performances come alive on a floating stage. Switzerland’s Kreuzlingen also hosts the whimsical Fantastical Festival each August, showcasing music and a spectacular fireworks display.
For independent cyclists, the tourist board has developed a digital map to facilitate trip planning, including a helpful accommodation search feature. Guided trips through tour operators also allow travelers to enjoy a stress-free experience, complete with accommodation, routes, and luggage transfers included.
For those seeking a structured experience, an eight-day journey with Ragweg-Reisen costs from £473 per person, averaging 45 kilometers of cycling each day while including boat trips and B&B accommodations. Walking enthusiasts may be drawn to Inntravel’s six-night holiday starting from £715, which features luggage transfers and comfortable hotels, even on the enchanting monastic island of Reichenau.
The Bodensee Card Plus is a treasure for independent travelers, covering boat trips across the lake to all four countries, along with access to numerous attractions, priced from £60 per adult and £36 for children aged 7-16.
Romania: The Danube Delta
Europe’s second-largest river delta stands as one of the world’s most pristine wilderness areas, a UNESCO-protected biosphere that embodies stunning biodiversity. After a 1,770-mile journey, the Danube gracefully flows into the Black Sea, its extensive 2,200-square-mile wetland area predominantly nestled within Romania’s borders.
This delta is a sanctuary for wildlife, housing Europe’s largest population of pelicans, along with a myriad of fish and plant species—over 1,150 types of flora, including water lilies and lianas. Access to some villages is solely via water, providing a glimpse into remote communities whose way of life remains largely unchanged through the centuries.
While boat trips and cruises provide scenic views of the delta, the ultimate exploration experience might be a multi-day canoeing adventure. Barefoot Tours offers excursions ranging from four days to a week, complete with canoe training included. Starting from Tulcea, guests board ferries to Crisan, exploring the nearby lakes and waterways and staying with local families as they savor home-cooked meals. Birdwatchers and fishing enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities in this tranquil refuge, with prices starting from £252.
Czech Republic: Laidback River Trip/Booze Cruise
Drifting down the Vltava River, which winds gracefully from southern Bohemia to Prague and ultimately merges with the Elbe, is a beloved summer pastime in the Czech Republic. The vibrant waterway comes alive as canoes, kayaks, and rafts filled with laughter and chilled drinks bob downstream, with groups of friends and families enjoying a blissfully carefree journey.
In this sociable atmosphere, bottles of tuzemák (local rum) and beer dangle over the sides to stay cool while larger groups lash their boats together, steering with one canoe while sipping refreshments. For many, this delightful two-day escape serves as a refreshing interlude between the bustling city of Prague and the fragrant forests of southern Bohemia.
Canoe rentals are available at Vyšší Brod for just £22 for two days, and camping at the halfway point at Kemp Branná is an adventure in itself, priced at £6 for a tent and two people. Under starry skies, the campsite invites guests to enjoy a few drinks and some pickled sausages at its little bar, cozying up in a tipi by a crackling fire before falling asleep to the sounds of nature. After paddling 20 miles, adventurers disembark at Český Krumlov, undoubtedly one of Europe’s most enchanting towns, where time seems to stand still amid its blend of baroque and Renaissance architecture.
North Macedonia: Explore City and Shore
Combine the dynamic allure of river and lake with a twin-center retreat in North Macedonia, featuring both the vibrant capital city of Skopje and the stunning Lake Ohrid. The River Vardar carves a route through Skopje, separating the predominantly Muslim region from the Orthodox Christian side, with the charming 15th-century Stone Bridge connecting the two. The Turkish quarter, Čaršija, buzzes with life as daily bazaars, historic trading inns, ornate mosques, and ancient fortresses tell stories of the city’s rich past. Notably, the Mustafa Pasha Mosque stands as the largest and most stunning in Skopje, while the Daut Pasha Hamam National Gallery—a transformed 15th-century bathhouse—now showcases contemporary art.
Three hours south of the capital, you’ll find the UNESCO-protected shores of Lake Ohrid, where medieval churches and monasteries mingle harmoniously with traditional houses adorned with red-tiled roofs, inviting visitors to unwind and explore.
For those interested in such a journey, Regent Holidays offers an eight-day tour starting at £715 per person, which includes flights and bed and breakfast accommodation, adding value to your travel experience.
Austria: Alpine Hiking
In the heart of the Tiroler Lech nature park, the Lechweg River flows freely through a U-shaped valley embraced by the jagged peaks of the Lechtal and Allgäu Alps—one of Europe’s few remaining wild river landscapes. This stunning environment has nurtured the region’s diverse fauna and flora for centuries, supporting over 1,000 flower species and providing sanctuary for many bird species, including golden eagles, woodpeckers, and various owls.
For hikers, an array of trails offers opportunities to explore the park. Among them, the ambitious 75-mile Lech River Trail traverses the breathtaking scenery, leading past the royal castles of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Kneipp pools, and the dramatic Simms waterfall—home to Austria’s longest suspension footbridge at 200 meters, providing jaw-dropping views of the valley below.
For those looking to take part in this unforgettable experience, Walks Worldwide offers a nine-day self-guided tour starting at £949, inclusive of flights, allowing nature lovers to immerse themselves in the splendor of the Austrian Alps.
This article was updated to correct a previous reference to part of the Lake Constance shoreline being in Liechtenstein.
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