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Adventuresome tipsters are drawn to stunning scenery, shimmering lakes, and pristine views from France to Albania
For a few Dolomites more, Italy
Nestled next to a picturesque lake and encircled by the striking eastern Dolomites lies the picturesque town of Alleghe in Belluno, about 80 miles north of Venice. We enjoyed energetic walks where quiet reigned, delicious local cuisine, and picturesque streets. Discovering one of the most beautiful and unspoiled areas of Italy was made possible by Alleghe. Lorna Young
Rock windows and waterfalls, Slovenia
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The Julian Alps’ Kranjska Gora gives travellers thrilling peaks. On the ascent, marvel at the striking rock window and explore Prisank (2,547 metres). Mala Mojstrovka (2,332 metres) is comparatively easier to climb and offers breathtaking views. We had a great time walking through gorgeous forests to the emerald green waters of Zelenci and seeing the Martuljek waterfall. We enjoyed a lovely creamy kremna rezina cake at the lakeside cafe while unwinding on the banks of Lake Jasna and taking in the expansive views. After that, we rode an amazing off-road track into northeastern Italy by bicycle. Matthew
Albania’s stunning yet formidable mountain peaks
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The Accursed Mountains, often called the Albanian Alps, are characterised by their imposing peaks, tranquil pastoral valleys, and ice blue rivers. Many guests choose to hike the 11 miles from Theth to Valbonë pass, but we stayed in Theth for five days. Delicious traditional Albanian cuisine was served during our stay at the lovely Bujtina Vellezerit Grrela (rooms from £49 including breakfast). Relatively undeveloped, Theth offered a peaceful respite after strenuous mountain excursions. Our visit was simply unforgettable, with warm June evenings spent watching fireflies and swallows against the backdrop of the peaks. Emily
Monasteries nestled by the lakeside in North Macedonia
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We just spent several days seeing lakeside monasteries and old ruins at Lake Ohrid, one of Europe’s deepest lakes. We ate lunch on the wooden deck of a restaurant that overlooked the lake and let us put our feet in the glistening water. We finished the day with a wine tasting at a nearby winery. We were enthralled by the Balkan and Mediterranean blend of North Macedonia’s culture, which was evident in everything from its exquisite grilled vegetable and lamb meals to its fresh sheep’s cheese. Sofia
Alone exploration near Rome at Lake Bracciano
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An hour’s drive north of Rome is Lake Bracciano, which offered the perfect environment for me to rediscover the pleasure of travelling alone—something I had lost during the pandemic. The water is pristine, cool, and ideal for swimming, paddleboarding, and relaxing as motorboats are prohibited. Bracciano, Anguillara, and Trevignano, the three peaceful towns along the lake, have an amazing array of eateries and aperitivo spots. The people there made me feel really welcome and were patient with my poor Italian as I gave them travel advice for the Scottish islands, which is where I’m from. I’m eagerly anticipating my upcoming visit. Ealasaid
Drawn to Newby in Italy’s Apennines
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Motivated by Eric Newby’s book “Love and War in the Apennines,” we travelled into the Emilia Romagna area of Italy, which is home to mountains. We followed his trail in the southern Apennines near Parma, walking through woodlands to reach the main ridge that had stunning views of the Ligurian coast, after he had spent the war hiding from the German forces on mountain farms. We stayed in an alpine hut (rifugio) run by the Club Alpino Italiano (from €55 including half board), and the paths were clearly marked. Seasonal and regional delicacies including polenta, homemade pasta, cured meats, and mushrooms were served at the meal. RW
Taking the local train from Slovenia to Italy and crossing borders
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One of Slovenia’s most picturesque routes is the regional rail from Bled Jezero station (at the western end of the lake) to the Slovenian town of Nova Gorica near the Italian border. This is a more scenic option for travelling from Lake Bled to Italy than returning to Ljubljana for a quick train or bus to Trieste. From Lake Bled, you can take this 90-minute, €7.30 per person trip via the Bohinj valley, which offers breathtaking views of the Julian Alps and the emerald-green River Soca. After arriving in Nova Gorica, you may cross into Italy and reach the charming town of Gorizia with a 20-minute stroll. Frances Li
Glacier retreat near Chamonix
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The popular ski resort of Chamonix is just as charming in the summer months. We started our walk from the quiet village of Les Praz, which is located outside of Chamonix. We stopped often to take in the breathtaking view of the snow-capped mountains and verdant surroundings. At 1,350 metres, we found Chalet de la Floria in the middle of the forest, where we enjoyed tarte myrtille (blueberry tart) and an omelette. We took a funicular train the next day to investigate the ice grotto in the Mer du Glace glacier. The experience was breathtaking: breathtaking ice sculptures, intriguing insights into the history of the glaciers, and a tangible sense of cold. Nitika
cruising on Lake Lugano, which separates Italy and Switzerland
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Shared by Switzerland and Italy, Lake Lugano provided us with a great summertime opportunity to visit both countries. We paid £20 for a day back on the shiny white public Navigazione Lago di Lugano ferry in Switzerland. At 10.30 a.m., the ship sailed across the lake from Porto Ceresio in Italy, making stops at quaint Swiss and Italian villages with stone homes. The Swiss Miniatur outdoor museum in Melide was one of the highlights. We were treated to views of far-off snow-capped peaks and slopes blanketed in pines throughout the trip. We travelled for just over an hour to get to Lugano, where we visited the lovely town and even went for a cool lake swim before coming back by 7 p.m. to see the sunset. Nigel
Top tip: Enjoying fun activities in Interlaken, Switzerland
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My partner, our four-year-old son, and I set out on our first international adventure, taking trains and overnight ferries from Amsterdam to Interlaken. Weary from our journey, the stunning turquoise waters of Lake Thun shimmered in the early summer sun when we arrived. Another beautiful lake is Lake Brienz, which is located east of Interlaken. We hiked from Lauterbrunnen to Mürren via the cable car over the course of the following several days while we explored the surrounding mountains. For all of us, it was a trip to remember.