Lake tips

Located in the centre of New Zealand's North Island, the town of Taupo sits sublimely in the shadow of the snow-capped peaks of Tongariro National Park. Fittingly, this 40,000-person lakeside town has recently become one of New Zealand's most popular tourist destinations, as hikers, trout fishers, water sports enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies have started descending upon it.

All travel is by definition quixotic — the most seasoned globetrotters can be led on wild goose chases, deceived, and/or just plain make huge mistakes all by themselves about what's around that next corner. Trekking up to the Scottish highlands to look for "Nessie," aka, the Loch Ness "monster," allegedly "sighted" — perhaps even several times — a half-century ago in the Highlands' breathtakingly gorgeous 23-mile-long freshwater lake just south of Inverness, is an epic, decades-long wild goose chase.

It happened at an indoor wall for the sport of “bouldering”. I was standing watching some athletic young men conquer a tricky route that was beyond my abilities, half-listening to their banter, when I suddenly understood what they were discussing. A proposal to climb outdoors. They had never done it. They dreamed of it, but were uncertain how to go about it.

Tourists flock to Lake Garda in summer for the laidback lakeside lifestyle, cool water and pretty towns.

The Uros Islands are a group of over 60 floating grass islands located in the middle of Lake Titicaca, Peru. The 1,200 or so people who inhabit those islands, the Uru people, have lived here for centuries. They started building islands out of totora reeds they harvest from the lake to protect themselves against the Incas and have preserved this lifestyle ever since.

Lake Como, or Lago di Como, is what the Riviera is to France: An area of the country that is so beautiful and serene it has attracted the rich and famous for centuries. (It is no secret that George Clooney has a swanky villa along the lake.) All these wealthy celebrities have managed to create a bubble of luxury around this magnificent part of northern Italy by building immense and luxurious villas along the lake’s shore, but if you’re a non-millionaire traveler who wants in on the action, worry not, there are ways to have a good and affordable time on the shore of Italy’s most famous lake.

Lake Como, located in the Lombardy region of Italy in the northern part of the country, is a picture-postcard Italian vacation destination. The shore of this huge lake, shaped like an upside-down Y, is dotted with charming little towns that you can spend many afternoons exploring — in between long swims in the lake’s turquoise water and sunbathing sessions under the lovely Italian sun, that is. And to make the most of your time around Lake Como, you need to find the right place to stay, whether that’s a five-star hotel on the water or a boutique hotel in one of the aforementioned little towns.

Located about 30 miles east of St Petersburg, Lake Ladoga is Europe’s largest freshwater lake, home to a whopping 660 islands. Flanked by thick forests and characterised by rocky coves, this vast body of water provides a range of outdoor opportunities, from swimming to rock climbing, as well as a fair share of historical and cultural sights.

With romantic peaks to ramble, idyllic villages to discover, and inspirational literary locations to explore, the Lake District in Cumbria, England, is as much a dream destination for culture vultures as it is for walkers, hikers and nature-lovers. The Lake District is also a top spot for family breaks, with the region’s Beatrix Potter connections and exciting outdoor activities. If you are wondering what are the most beautiful places in the Lake District to visit read on for our top picks, with further inspiration (and practical information) available in our travel guide Rough Guide Staycations: The Lake District.

Slicing a north-south swathe through the mountains and coniferous snow forests of Siberia, visiting Russia’s Lake Baikal (Ozero Baikal) is a world-beating experience — and that’s no exaggeration. At over 1.6 km deep, Lake Baikal is the world’s deepest freshwater lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an undeniable sparkling jewel in Siberia’s crown. From finding out what you need to know before you go to Baikal, to discovering what makes it special, read on for your Lake Baikal travel guide.

Discover winter walking in The Lake District. This World Heritage site offers some of the best hiking in England and it's blissfully quiet in the colder months of the year. Follow Ben Lerwill as he avoids the crowds and braves the elements for four days winter walking in the Lake District. The information in this article is taken from The Rough Guide to England. For practical and inspirational travel information for the Lake District in Cumbria, also check out the the travel guide Rough Guide Staycations: The Lake District.

Switzerland has a reputation for being the destination of choice for ski fiends and adrenaline junkies, but Lake Lucerne, right in the heart of the country, is perfect for anyone who appreciates taking it slow.