Myer

While Lakes Lucerne and Como rate high with me, I would like to add Lake Thun.<BR><BR>As the boat leaves Thun and you look back at the mansion on the shore, then the lake opens to the mountains and then Spietz. On to the big three at the other end.<BR><BR>Amazing what a few mountains can do to a lake.

rar

Lake Lugano

Snoopy

Yep, John H. Buttermere, Ullswater, or Thirlmere.

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Wow--I love Lakes, and especially where mountains meet Lakes, and have sought them out for many years. I have seen many of the Lakes above and get goose bumps thinking about them. However, I am surprised one of my favs has not been mentioned. Not far from Hallstatt is the Gosausee where high peaks frame the lake--most exceptional. Hmmm ! How about a total itinerary going from one lake to another? Not a bad idea.

Missy

Hands down: Lake Como in Northern Italy.<BR>Fantastically interesting small villages and bigger towns (especially Bellagio which was dreamy), great architecture, tasty food, and the most beautiful surrounding mountains I've ever seen. It is my favorite spot on earth. There are some inexpensive very nice lodgings in the town of Como and you can enjoy taking ferry boats all around the lake.

former nyc resident

Grasshopper, you are a poet.<BR><BR>Lake Guarda in Italy, on a sunset cruise in the warm latter part of April, past the summer palaces built by the 17th century barons, with snow tipped Alpine peaks contrasted against cherry blossoms and new green leaves, with the softness of air on the Italian side of the Alps, and landing in Sirmione, the village lost in time for a dinner in a castle.<BR><BR>Lake Lucerne on a very hot July day, a grass beach cut like a putting green, ringed with distant, snowcapped very needly high pointy Alps, blue blue sky, the medieval town in the background, diving in pleasant water, swimming to the floating deck, and just laying on my back looking at it all in a state of total wonder. <BR><BR>I grew up on both sides and all parts of Lake Michigan so my standards for lakes are very high. They must be large, clear, silt free, scenic, important and emit a sense of power all on their own, just as bodies of water. They have to make people want to jump in and swim! They must have many boats and they must have fascinating scenery including beautiful summer homes in exclusive areas.

Tim

Great Lakes of Europe?<BR><BR>Let's see.... Lac Luman, with the view across the lake from Montreux to Evian and the Chillon casle, or down from the Golden Pass trains chugging up through the hillside neighborhoods.<BR><BR>Lugano. Even on a hazy day, the view down from the trails above Morcote is great...<BR><BR>Lucerne. Boating for people that Don't Do Boats...<BR><BR>Korcula Town. OK, so it's technically an ocean sea. But sure looks lakelike beautiful...

Kate

Lake Lugano

Brad

where in France is Lake Annecy?

xxxx

In the french alps region near the Swiss border. Northeast of Lyon.<BR><BR>

Wayne

Linda---Great question. I've been to every mainland European lake named in this thread so far except the one in Finland, so I feel as if I'm somewhat of an authority. (Haven't been to the British Isles lakes, so can't judge them) Lakes and mountains coming together make the most memorable scenes I have found.<BR><BR>I don't believe there is any such thing as a &quot;most beautiful&quot; lake. But having always planned my trips around lovely lake and mountain scenery, I would classify lakes into the categories of simply small and large. Then using that classification, I would vote for these as my most favorites:<BR>SMALL LAKES: Orta, Bled, Annecy, Mondsee, Lugano, Gosausee, Misurina, Hallstattersee, Konigsee, Silvaplana, Altaussee, Batak, Kastorias.<BR>LARGE LAKES: Aachensee, Como, Garda, Traunsee, Maggiore, Ohrid.<BR><BR>You could argue with my classifications, but I don't think there is much argument with the beauty of the lakes in this list.

randi

I agree. Until this year I would have voted hands down for Lake Como, but after having been to Ireland and seeing the lakes of Killarney I would have to vote for them.

Bubba

I gotta vote for a good ol' USA lake don't none of these stinkin' furring lakes when we got good ol' Great Salt Plains lake in Oklahoma. Man it is a beaut, with all them there 4 wheel drive trucks and campers and good ol' boys adrivin' them there bass boats all over the place and jes acatchin' them fish and adrinkin' that beer. Bes place in the whole world y'all know?

w

lakes tend to be wet