The earth consists of about 70% water so it’s no wonder that there are many gorgeous lakes around the world. Quite a few of these lakes are located in unlikely places. While it’s impossible to list all of the beautiful lakes around the world, here are our top picks.
Lake Garda
Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake and is located in the northern part of the country. Much of the lake is surrounded by mountains and there are five main islands and many smaller ones. The town of Sirmione is located on the lake’s south side and is a popular destination for tourists due to its numerous stores, hotels and restaurants. Another popular spot near the lake is the Scaliger Castle, the former home of poet, Catullus. The sulfur springs, located at the peninsula’s tip, is known for its healing properties. For those that want to leave the lake’s tranquil atmosphere behind they can visit one of Italy’s most famous theme parks, Gardaland. There are several Northern Italy tours that focus Milan, Venice and other small towns in the region with an extended stay in the Italian Lakes.
Plitvice Lakes
These 16 lakes are located in Croatia in a national park. All together the lakes are about .77 square miles. They are separated by a lower and upper cluster that is formed by the runoff of the nearby mountains. One of the most alluring things about these lakes is the interesting blue, green or grey colors of the water. Because of the unique area that the lakes are located there are a variety of things to see and do including wildlife watching a hiking. The lakes are also located within close proximity to Herzegovina and Bosnia.
Lake Bled
Lake Bled, located in northeastern Slovenia, adjoins the Julian Alps and the town of Bled. The lake is 6,960 feet long by 4,530 feet wide. One of the things that make it so beautiful are the mountains and forests that surround it. On the north shore of the lake there’s also Bled Castle. The entire lake surrounds Bled Island. On the island are several buildings including the church Assumption of Mary. Lake Bled is very popular among rowers since its conditions are generally very favorable for this sport. The World Rowing Championships were actually held here in 1966, 1979, 1989 and 2011.
Loch Lomond
Lock Lomond in Scotland is about 24 miles long. There are many islands located in the lock, including the British Isles. On one of the islands, Inchconnachan, there’s a colony of wallabies. Lock Lomond is now considered part of the Lock Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The main route to get here is A82, which is located on the western shore. Because of this, this area is quite popular with tourists, especially during the summer months mainly for its watersports which include jet skiing, canoeing and windsurfing.
Crater Lake
This lake is located in south-central Oregon. It is about 1,943 feet deep and the deepest lake in the United States. It is known as the “Old Man of the Lake” because of a stump from a full-sized tree that has bobbed up and down in the lake for over a hundred years. There are two islands in Crater Lake: Phantom Ship and Wizard Island. The lake has no indigenous population of fish and fish were actually put in the lake for many years. Because of these efforts there are several self-sustaining fish populations today. There are plenty of things to do here including visiting Crater Lake National Park, paddling or birdwatching.
