World's most beautiful lakes

By Beth Collins
August 14, 2010

These 10 lakes go to all the right extremes -- highest, deepest, clearest -- and showcase nature at its most spectacular. Soak up the views from a boat, a cable car, a trailhead or a castle tower at the world’s most beautiful lakes.

UNITED STATES

Crater Lake

Thousands of years ago, the top of a 12,000-foot-high volcano in the Cascade Range exploded. The massive pit left behind became known as Crater Lake, the centerpiece of a national park in southern Oregon that displays nature at its rawest and most powerful. Forests of towering evergreens and 2,000-foot-high cliffs surround the lake, where extraordinarily deep waters -- at 1,943 feet, it's the deepest lake in the United States -- yield an intense sapphire-blue hue. If winter hiking and cross-country skiing aren't your thing, wait until early July to visit, when the roads have been plowed and the trails cleared. Rim Drive, a 33-mile road that encircles the lake, has picture-perfect views from all sides. For a closer look, follow the mile-long Cleetwood Cove Trail to the shore. Brace yourself before diving in: The water temperature rarely rises above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Nearby: The laid-back mountain town of Bend, Oregon, 112 miles away, makes a nice home base for a Crater Lake day trip.

Where to stay

cheapOstay has a variety of 26 hotels amd motels in Bend, Oregan ranging from $60 to $242 with up to $35 instant rebate at purchase.

A Hotels Combined search of Bend, Oregan, gives you a selection of 28 hotels ranging from $45 to $227.

CANADA.

Peyto Lake

Alberta's Lake Louise is the famous one, on all the postcards and posters. But Louise's sister lake 29 miles north along Icefields Parkway, a two-laner that winds 142 miles through the Canadian Rockies, is even more picturesque. Thanks to glacial rock flour that flows in when the ice and snow melt every summer, the waters of Banff National Park's Peyto Lake are a brilliant turquoise more often associated with warm-weather paradises like Antigua and Bora-Bora. For the most dramatic views of the 1.7-mile-long stunner, encircled with dense forest and craggy mountain peaks, pull into the lot at Bow Summit, the parkway's highest point, and follow the steep hike to the overlook.

Nearby: The town of Banff, the heart of the park, is 62 miles south of Peyto Lake.

Where to stay

The Swiss Village is the perfectly located on Banff Avenue and easily accessible to downtown. Rooms start at about $75 US.

Banff Rocky Mountain Resort is a pet-friendly hotel is located in Banff National Park and is 4 km (2.5 miles) from downtown Banff. Rooms start at about $102 US.

GUATEMALA

Lake Atitlán

Nearly a mile up in the highlands of Guatemala, Atitlán (Lago de Atitlán) rests at the foot of three massive conical volcanoes. Small Mayan villages line its shores, which are set off by steep hills draped with oak and pine trees and nearly 800 plant species. There's no single, must-see view of the lake, so try several vantage points: from up high on Highway 1; from the town of Panajachel, the buzzing market hub that juts out into the water; or aboard a lancha, one of the many small boats that ferry visitors from village to village. We're saddened to note that the lake has built up high levels of blue-green algae over the years. Last October and November, a film of green scum briefly marred its surface. But an ambitious effort to solve the problem is under way.

Nearby: Panajachel is about 2.5 hours by car from Guatemala City.

Where to stay

Dos Loros Inn is a B&B that provides you with a wonderful stay in Antigua, just south of Panajachel. After a renovation program, we have re-opened with the modern plumbing, fixtures and amenities that so many of our guests want and so many Antigua hotels lack. They welcome pets, smokers and childeren. They do not welcome BedandBreakfast.com gift cards. Rooms start at $48 US.

Casa Madeleine B&B and Spa with hues of blues, yellow and red offers a warm and inviting welcome to its guests. The scents of sandalwood and honeysuckle with the mesmerizing sounds of the baroque styled fountains transporting all guests to a tranquil paradise. Stunning views of the volcano’s, mountains and gardens provides a surreal setting. The multi-colored bougainvillea flowers flowing from balconies and throughout the gardens provide an impressionistic view from any spot. They welcome pets, smokers and childeren. They do not welcome BedandBreakfast.com gift cards. Rooms start at $105 US.

SCOTLAND

Loch Lomond

With a backdrop of windswept rolling hills and medieval castles, Loch Lomond feels like it's straight out of a Victorian romance novel. The 24-mile-long lake is dotted with islands, some so small that they disappear when the water levels are high, and others large enough to be (sparsely) inhabited. Most ferries stop at the largest island, Inchmurrin (population 10), so visitors can get a look at the remains of a 7th-century monastery and the 14th century Lennox Castle, used often as a hunting lodge for kings.

Nearby: The lake is 24 miles north of Glasgow and 66 west of Edinburgh.

Where to stay

The Alexander Thomson Hotel was renovated in 2006 by local Glaswegian architect Alexander Thompson and is now an architectural landmark in the city. The hotel is located in the heart of Glasgow set amidst an array of shops, bars and restaurants and close to the main train station. Rooms start at about $40 US.

The Jurys Inn Glasgow is located just two-minutes walk from Central Station and is close to the city’s major shopping and culture districts. Rooms start at about $81 US.

The Dreamhouse Apartments Glasgow Merchant City are spacious and luxurious apartments that have been developed to provide the highest standards of accommodation. Guests can choose to stay in many different styles of apartment including traditional Victorian, Georgian townhouses or modern developments all of which are located in a newly refurbished complex on Ingram Street, next to George Square, in the heart of Glasgow making them an ideal accommodation option for both business and leisure. Rooms start at about $106 US.

ITALY

Lake Garda

If the shape of Italy is a couture boot, think of the imprint of Lake Garda as a design from the funky sister line -- long and skinny at the top, opening up toward the bottom. Garda is the country's largest lake and one of the most popular vacation spots among Italians. The southern shore is home to hot springs, resort towns with pastel villas and terra-cotta-roofed hotels, and most of Garda's 28 miles of serene, pebbly beaches. To the north are the jagged peaks of the Dolomites, a magnet for hikers and bicyclists who want to test their endurance. In Malcesine, an adorable speck of a town with cobblestoned streets and a medieval castle, you can board a cable car up to Mount Baldo for one of the best aerial views of the lake.

Nearby: Lake Garda is about halfway between Milan (89 miles away) and Venice (109 miles away), but to get the full, relaxing effect, stay in one of the south shore's many small towns.

Where to stay

Garde Vacance offers a variety of vacation accommodations for your holiday in Italy. These accommodations will include apartments, bed & breakfast, camping, hotels, villas and luxury holidays.

Hotel Oliveto is situated in Desenzano del Garda on the lakeside way, in front of the beautiful Sirmione and surrounded by centuries old olive groves. In the "Olivo d' Oro" restaurant, guests can sample tasty regional cuisine all washed down with a glass of local wine. Rooms start at about $73 US.

FRANCE

Lake Annecy

This alpine lake in the heart of the French Alps is a looker, but don't expect to spend your visit gazing over the water in quiet reflection. Lake Annecy is all about activity -- particularly in August, when Paris shuts down and the French take extended holidays. Sailors, kayakers and water-skiers crisscross the water; bikers and hikers hit surrounding nature trails; and refugees from the city fill the outdoor tables at the lakeside restaurants and bars. Repeat visitors know to plan their trip for the first Saturday of August, when a staggering, nearly two-hour-long fireworks display illuminates the water.

Nearby: The closest major city is Geneva, 30 miles north, in Switzerland, but most people stay right on the lake.

Where to stay

Ibis Annecy Sud hotel is an ideal stopover point on the way to and from winter sports. Located in Cran-Gevrier, it is close to the main morways, 5 minutes from Annecy, the centre of the old city and its lake. Rooms start at about $45 US.

Mercure Annecy Centre is ideally located in heart of the city centre, 150 m from the TGV railway station, 200 m from Lake Annecy and a short stroll from the historic city centre and its traditional restaurants. Rooms start at about $65 US.

Novotel Atria Annecy is a 3 star hotel located right in the city centre, just a 5 minute walk from the old city and the lake, and 50 m from the TGV train station. Rooms start at about $81 US.

CROATIA

Plitvice Lakes

These 16 blue-green lakes, hidden by thick vegetation and connected by hundreds of waterfalls, could be the set for the next Jurassic Park. For adventure as well as killer views, start at one of the lower lakes and work your way up following the sturdy wooden planks that turn what could be a treacherous trek into a fun hike. Take a detour along the 10-minute loop that leads to the region's tallest fall, 230-foot-high Veliki Slap ("Big Waterfall"), a breadth of streaming white water that collects in turquoise pools. While hiking, keep your eyes peeled for deer, wildcats, boars, wolves and bears -- a more likely sighting than a T. rex.

Nearby: There are four hotels in Plitvice Lakes National Park, but most people drive in for the day from Zagreb, about 2 hours by car.

Where to stay

Grabovac Hotel is located in the city centre of Plitvice. Rooms start at about $48 US.

Jezero Hotel is located on the coastline of Plitvice and was established in 1970. Rooms start at about $78 US.

KENYA

Lake Nakuru

The water is blue enough, and the backdrop -- grasslands and rocky hillsides --has the makings of a nice photo, but neither is what sets this lake in central Kenya apart. The real draw here is the mass of pink on Nakuru's edges. Flamingos are one of the few species that can withstand the lake's hostile conditions -- the water has so much sodium carbonate that it burns nearly everything that touches it -- and they flock to the lake en masse. There can be as many as a million birds feeding on algae in the shallows at one time, wading side by side.

Nearby: The lake is in the heart of Lake Nakuru National Park, a sanctuary for black-and-white rhinos, three hours by car from Nairobi.

Where to stay

Lake Nakuru Lodge (USA Reservation Toll Free: 1-888-790-5264), is situated in a wonderful area which lies in the heart of one of Kenyas most densely animal populated national park, Lake Nakuru Lodge provides quality service that makes it one of the finest lodges in the world and the perfect relaxation getaway for all. The lodge features guest accommodations which include standard rooms, deluxe rooms, junior suites and deluxe suites. The lodge blends well with its environment and offers awesome views of Lake Nakuru and Nakuru National Part. At Lake Nakuru Lodge guests will be left with an experience of a lifetime. Full board rooms start at about $180 US.

Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge lies in the middle of Lake Nakuru National Park which offers one of the most amazing ornithological spectacles in the world - the flamingo-rimmed Lake Nakuru. Guests experience a slice of paradise as culture meets wildlife in a backdrop that can only be described as breath taking. Contact us for room rates.

Hotel Kipepeo Nairobi is close to National Archives, City Market, and Jeevanjee Gardens . Area attractions include Moi International Sports Centre. This is a smoke free property. Rooms start at about $71 US.

Glory Royal Residence is conveniently close to the airport, near Arboretum and Kenya National Theatre. Rooms start at about $160 US.

NEW ZEALAND

Lake Matheson

Alternately known as Mirror Lake, this South Island lake is famous for its reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Visiting just after dawn is ideal, when the water is at its calmest and mirror images are impossibly perfect. The lake itself is well worth exploring, too. Park near the Clearwater River suspension bridge and follow the 1-mile loop past kahikatea and rimu trees, which have extra-tall trunks and fanciful bushy tops and look like something from a Dr. Seuss book.

Nearby: Fox Glacier township, a village that serves as a base camp for trekkers, is three miles east of the lake.

Where to stay

Te Weheka Inn offers luxury bed & breakfast accommodation nestled beneath the towering Southern Alps on the awesome West Coast of New Zealand. Close by, the mighty Fox Glacier grinds seaward while the tranquil waters of Lake Matheson reflect the scenic grandeur encompassed by native bush, all part of nature's grand scheme. Rooms start at about $105 US.

SLOVENIA

Lake Bled

Why not get to the good stuff right away? To take in this Slovenian lake's most breathtaking vista, head immediately to Bled Castle, at the edge of a sheer, 460-foot-high cliff. You'll see mountains in every direction -- the Julian Alps and the Karavanke range -- and below, the Alpine lake and its main attraction, Bled Island, a tiny forested circle that's home to the 17th-century Church of the Assumption and its prominent baroque clock tower. Down on the lake's shore, board a pletna boat (similar to a gondola) to the island. Be sure to ring the church bell and make a wish before returning to the mainland. Mountains shield the water from icy northern winds, so Lake Bled is warm, relatively speaking (79 degrees Fahrenheit). If that's still too chilly, head to the lake's northern section, where three hotels have built pools around natural thermal springs.

Nearby: The Slovenian capital of Ljubljana is an easy 35 miles away.

Where to stay

Trst Hotel a 4 star hotel is located in the city centre of Bled and was established in 1969. It is close to the lake. Rooms start at about $48 US.

The recently renovated Savica Hotel in Bled is the first family friendly hotel in Slovenia.It offers its quests quality accommodation at reasonable prices and the excellent comfort of connected family rooms. They are furnished with special attention to the little needs and desires of a family especially those with small children.Children are entertained year round by the friendly host Zaki the Swan who prepares numerous activities at his club and often has his animal and fairytale friends over. Playrooms provide a fairytale haven for children of various ages where they can enjoy themselves without a care in the world which also gives the parents some well-deserved free time.Meadows extend all around the hotel and are perfect for children to run and play in unboundedly having fun on playground equipment or in the numerous organised activities. Children go crazy over camp fires camping outdoors visiting domestic animals and many other unforgettable adventures surrounded by nature. Every spring a garden springs up at the hotel which is always a lively place where young gardeners develop an interest in the so often unpopular veggies. The hotel also prepares food to suite the tastes of young guests. There are menus for children with allergies. The kitchen is always more than happy to provide some extra help to parents with babies or toddlers. Rooms start at about $65 US.

Grand Hotel Toplice is situated on the shore of the picturesque Lake Bled and offers a spectacular view of the island, the medieval cliff-top castle and the Julian Alps. Rooms start at about $97 US.

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