Five Reasons to Stay in the Lakes & Mountains this Summer
Looking for some holiday inspiration? Why not visit Europe’s finest lakes or mountain resorts this summer?
Whether you want to relax by the lakeside, enjoy a spot of sightseeing, or spend the day hiking in the mountains, there are hundreds of last-minute deals available from Inghams. With prices starting from just £249pp, there is no better time to book your getaway. To help you make up your mind, we have put together our top 5 reasons to go on a Lakes & Mountains holiday.
1 Delicious food, wine and… gelato!
Italy is a real foodie’s heaven and whichever region you choose, you will not be disappointed. From fresh fish and local seafood to hand-made pasta and irresistible risottos, not to mention the superb local wines, aperitifs and gelato, Italian cuisine has something for everyone.
Well-known for its vineyards and olive groves, the pretty town of Bardolino is an ideal spot for exploring Lake Garda and the treasures of the Veneto region of Italy, including Venice and Verona. Situated on the east coast of Lake Garda, the resort offers easy access to other popular lakeside destinations such as the thermal spa town of Sirmione and the northern resorts of Malcesine and Riva. There is also a scenic walk along the lakeside promenade which takes you to neighbouring Garda. For those looking for a relaxing holiday, Bardolino offers plenty of inviting terrace cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy the views of Lake Garda and sample the local food, wine and of course – ice-cream.
Bardolino
Our pick
Half Board from £449 per person
The superb Hotel San Pietro oozes Italian character and has a brand new panoramic rooftop restaurant. Set in a quiet location just a short walk from the centre of Bardolino, the hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool and terrace with sun beds as well as a colourful garden where you can enjoy al fresco snacks and drinks.
2 Cultural delights
The beauty of the lakes and mountains has been an inspiration for many writers and composers over the centuries. Fans of classical music will enjoy walking in the footsteps of Mozart and Strauss in Austria, or visiting the truly unforgettable Verona Opera in northern Italy.
There is also an abundance of music festivals and summer fairs taking place across Europe throughout the summer – celebrating all genres of contemporary music as well as local culture and cuisine.
This year marks the 50 anniversary of the famous Julie Andrews film – The Sound of Music, so if you happen to visit Austria this summer, make sure to stop over in Salzburg where a lot of the scenes were filmed.
Our pick
Soll
Half Board from £419 per person
Free afternoon tea and cakes; Free day trip to Salzburg
Situated midway between Innsbruck and Salzburg, the scenic village of Söll makes a superb base for exploring the cities and the surrounding Wilder Kaiser mountain range.
Dating back to the 13th century, the Postwirt is one of the oldest buildings in Söll and is full of character and Austrian charm. The hotel offers a relaxed, informal atmosphere and stunning views from the outdoor pool across the gardens to the Hohe Salve. Ideally located in the pedestrianised central area, it has an excellent reputation for good food and offers a free welcome drink and free daily afternoon cakes for all guests.
3 Glorious gardens
Keen gardeners and garden lovers will relish the opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful gardens in Europe – many of which are within an easy reach of the popular Lakes & Mountains resorts. Take a boat trip to one of the famous garden-islands in the Italian Lakes, Isola del Garda on Lake Garda or Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore and be inspired by their beautifully designed villa gardens. While staying in Lake Garda why not head to Gardone Riviera, home to the famous André Heller Botanical Gardens?
If you prefer the elegant Lake Como, there are plenty of lakeside villa gardens there to enjoy, including the unmissable Villa Carlotta in Tremezzo and Villa Balbianello in Lenno.
For those planning a summer city break, the historic Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg are a must-see, especially for fans of ‘The Sound of Music’, as are the famous Water Gardens at Hellbrunn Palace with their quirky trick water fountains and the open-air stone theatre.
The extensive formal baroque gardens of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna will not disappoint either and you could easily spend an entire day exploring the grounds, admiring the botanical displays and sculptures, wandering in the maze and enjoying the views from the Gloriette. Slightly smaller but also worth a visit are the Belvedere Palace Gardens and the nearby University Botanical Gardens .
Our pick
Salo
Casimiro Village Park Hotel (4*)
All Inclusive, from £449 per person
Situated on the west coast of Lake Garda, the picturesque Belle Epoque town of Salò boasts a long lakeside promenade and is just a short boat trip away from the botanical gardens in the nearby Gardone Riviera and the beautiful garden-island – Isola del Garda.
The Casimiro Village Park Hotel enjoys views across the bay of Salò and offers a superb range of facilities including two outdoor swimming pool and a new spa with an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath and a gym. There is also a lovely lake side garden with loungers and umbrellas – perfect for relaxing after a days’ sightseeing.
4 Walker’s paradise
Nothing beats walking in the great outdoors – stunning views of lakes and mountains, rolling hills covered with luscious wildflower meadows and the beautifully fresh air… Whether you are a keen walker or are simply looking for a fun way to get fitter, there are plenty of Lakes & Mountains resorts that offer fantastic walking opportunities for all abilities.
Many Alpine towns and villages offer resorts cards* which include free use of cable-cars, chairlifts or mountain railways as well as free entry to local attractions and leisure centres. These include the Austrian resorts of Lech, St Anton, Ischgl and Obergurgl, the French town of Chamonix and the Swiss resorts of Davos, Klosters, Saas Fee and Montreux.
Our pick
Kitzbuhel
Half Board, from £454.50 per person
With its impressive network of hiking trails and scenic flat valley paths, the vibrant Tyrolean town of Kitzbühel is a true walker’s paradise. Set in the heart of Kitzbühel’s medieval centre, the Hotel Tiefenbrunner boasts a lovely indoor swimming pool and spa, and a relaxing water garden. There are also plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in the resort – from a game of golf on one of the four golf courses to swimming or rowing in the beautiful lake Schwarzsee.
5 Solo adventures
Whether you stay in a lakeside resort or opt for a holiday in the Alps, there are plenty of things to do for solo travellers. Better still, there are plenty of singles-friendly hotels that offer single or double rooms to solo guests at no extra cost, making the experience even more affordable.
If you are looking for an active holiday, there is an abundance of well marked hiking trails and walks for all abilities, and many resorts run free Guided Wanderwalks so you can explore the local area in good company.
Our pick
Filzmoos
Half Board,from £349 per person
No single supplement + Free daily packed lunch, afternoon tea & cakes and a €20 spa voucher
The picturesque resort of Filzmoos is surrounded by unspoilt scenery and offers endless opportunities for walkers and hikers of all abilities. This quaint village is also just an hour away from the beautiful city of Salzburg – the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for the film ‘The Sound of Music’ which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Set in lovely grounds with mountain views all around, the traditional Hotel Unterhof oozes history and character and offers cuisine and comforts of the highest standard. The hotel is ideal for solo travellers and couples.
For more Lakes & Mountains offers or to book your holiday, please visit www.inghams.co.uk or call 01483 345 859 and quote ‘Silversurfers’.
All prices are correct at the time of publication and are subject to availability. All offers are for 7 nights and include flights, transfers and accommodation (typically on a half-board basis). Supplements for selected flights/airports may apply.
*Resort cards are free to all Inghams guests.
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