Italy, France and Switzerland are talkholiday’s top three choices when it comes to holidays in alpine or lakeside resorts. This week, we check out Lake Garda in Italy, Lausanne in Switzerland and Chamonix, France to give you a taste of what’s on offer in these beautiful, scenic destinations.
Lake Garda
In short, Lake Garda is a stunning region in northern Italy packed with medieval villages, quaint town and jaw dropping scenery.
The resorts are lively enough but if you want rocking nightlife, don’t come here. The pace of life is pretty relaxed and the vibe is chilledthe perfect spot to enjoy la dolce vita!
It’s very family friendly and the clientele consists of couples, families, singles, and seniors. You are very unlikely to encounter large groups of revellers.
April to June is a nice time to visit as the weather is warm but resorts are less crowded. July and August can get very hot and as this is when Italians take their holiday it can be very busy.
Places you must visit :
Verona around an hour from most lake resorts. Take in an open-air opera at the Verona Arena, an ancient amphitheatre in the middle of the city
Gardaland Amusement Park Italy’s #1 amusement park on the south-eastern banks of Lake Garda
Monte Baldo by cable car enjoy the spectacular views of Lake Garda from above
Lausanne, Switzerland
A cultured and vibrant town, Lausanne’s lakeside setting offers picture postcard perfection. The magnificent Gothic Cathedral set against a stunning alpine backdrop dominates the skyline.
Lausanne is perfect for lovers of fresh, mountain air and traditional Swiss hospitality.
Visitors will be spoilt for choice with the many cafes and restaurants that are dotted along the pretty, medieval alleyways.
There is plenty to do on Lake Geneva for water sports enthusiasts but it’s also a pleasant destination for simply relaxing and enjoying the stunning lakeside views.
Set on the banks of Lake Geneva or Lake Leman, looking across to the French Alps and surrounded by boutique vineyards, Lausanne is one of the most attractive cities in Switzerland.
Whilst it’s a small city, it is rich in culture, gastronomy, nightlife and shopping.
Places you must visit :
Lausanne Cathedral the most beautiful Gothic church in Switzerland
Lake Geneva one of the largest lakes in Western Europe; 9 miles long
Port Ouchy in the Old Town was once a fishing village but is now a popular lakeside resort
Chamonix, France
Nestling at the foot of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is the original home of Alpine tourism. Dazzling, snow-clad mountains provide a magnificent backdrop to this picturesque and colourful French jewel.
Chamonix is often used in reference to the whole area that is made up of several ski resorts and charming villages, all of which are steeped in olde-worlde French character.
Whether you’re looking for an action-packed ski break or just the chance to kick back and relax, Chamonix is an alpine delight with stunning scenery from every angle.
Bordering Italy and Switzerland, Chamonix’s quaint fairy-tale streets and imposing snow clad mountains is a beautiful year-round holiday hotspot but it’s probably most famous for being one of the oldest ski resorts in Europe and features primarily as a winter destination.
Places you must visit :
Mont Blanc guided tours – take a classic alpine walk or enjoy the mountain railway : Tramway du Mont-Blanc
Alpine Museum and Exhibition celebrating its 150th anniversary of the golden age of mountaineering
Mer De Glace and Montenvers Train the “Sea of Ice” is the largest glacier in France
Lakes & Mountains Holiday Deals
Check out the latest offers with the help of talkholiday when you’re planning your 2016 holiday :
Stunning Lake Garda flying from Edinburgh