Countryside, Lake & Mountain Holidays
Active, artistic or just given to relaxing in lovely surroundings? Europe’s endless choice of countryside, lakes and mountains make delightfully diverse holidays. Perfect for families who want to spend time together - but like to pursue their own passions too. And whatever you like to do, HouseTrip has the ideal home to make everything possible from chic apartments to mountain chalets, elegant lakeside villas to forest cottages and ancient village houses.
And with 1000’s of homes to choose from you can create your own holiday with HouseTrip: tour Bordeaux’s vineyards and take to the Landes coast too: explore Tyrolean villages and climb tall mountains: visit Germany, Austria and Switzerland on one lake: or be Italian on the water and in the city. And remember, because you always live like a local for a little with HouseTrip, you’re bound to find dozens of diverse delights on your doorstep too.
Why book your countryside, lake or mountain holiday with HouseTrip?
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Unique, and memorising destinations are waiting to be discovered:
Lake Maggiore
Elegant Italian villas with magnificent gardens float in haze above the water. Red tile roofs glow in the sun. Lemon groves scent the air wherever you walk. Tall church spires are dwarfed by mighty peaks. To see the immensity of Lake Maggiore take the cable car up Mt. Mottorone - it’s breathtaking. Catch a ferry or a boat and visit the lake’s jewel-like islands. Or cycle and walk in the evening and watch the sun go down behind the Alps. Long, lovely Lake Maggiore, ringed by mountains, and just 20km from one of the world’s most glamorous cities, Milan.
Lake Como
Lush, green and impossibly pretty, Lombardy is the essence of romantic Italy and its most famous lake, Lake Como, is considered by many to be the most beautiful in Europe. Although it’s famous for film star residents, grand villas and luxurious spas, Lake Como is also warm, friendly and surprisingly down-to-earth. Follow the local lead at Lido de Leno: beach by day, cool beach bar at night. Visit the renowned Vanini groves and try arguably the world’s finest olive oil. Or set sail round a string of colourful Lake Como towns and decide where’s best to stop for a sunset aperitivo.
Lake Garda
The Roman ruins and Renaissance Villas, hanging gardens, castellated towers, hills, mountains and pretty villages on Lake Garda are lovely, but see them from the water and they’re amazing. Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake and it’s endlessly colourful: from the gorgeously lush, pine forested hills framed by jagged Alpine peaks to little pink and yellow painted towns. On land, visit the ancient termes at Sirmione and soak in the soothing sulphur springs. Stroll by the edge of the lake’s transparent waters and smell the lime blossom. Or pick a sun umbrella on a promenade and just enjoy the view.
Cornwall
Stunning coastline and beautiful beaches define Cornwall but this lovely English county is as fascinating inland as it is by the sea. Forests and woods all over are criss-crossed with trails for walking, cycling and horse-riding - Steeple Wood above St Ives has wonderful views. Gardens grow beautifully in the gentle Cornish climate and many are open to visitors and free. There are miles and miles of wonderful moorland to trek. And the land of ancient mystery has more than its fair share of castles and romantic ruins - legendary Tintagel, perched high above the Atlantic, is best by far.
The Lake District
The Lake District has inspired poetry, art and literature and it’s really not surprising. Whether you visit to climb the austere Fells or prefer the gentler charms of rambling by rivers and trekking country roads between villages and ancient market towns, The Lake District is mesmerising. Take to Lake Windermere on a traditional steamer and time stands still. Walk up through the ancient slate houses of Ambleside to Stock Ghyll Force waterfall. Spend hours cheerfully exploring in forests. Or find a quiet spot by a pretty stream, take off your boots and paddle the crystal, clear water for a while.
Scottish Highlands
For sheer drama, hours of solitude, unspoiled views and rare wildlife, nowhere comes close to the Scottish Highlands. From Sutherland’s patchwork landscape of moors and lochs to Skye’s immense, jagged peaks, the historic prettiness of Eilean Donan Castle to the eternal mystery of Glencoe, the Scottish Highlands are grand and magnificent. But it’s not all huge scale. Private whisky distilleries are whitewashed and charming, colourful harbours enchant and ancient crofts, tiny chapels, stone circles and sweet little towns are hidden about all over the place. And with a little patience it’s even perfectly possible to spot an eagle – or two.
Lausanne
Lausanne on Lake Geneva is sometimes called the Swiss San Francisco, not for its trams or bridges but because of the hills. If you like to climb, in Lausanne you could wear yourself out without setting foot anywhere else. But then you’d miss so much. Like exploring the beautiful Sauvabelin Woods where a 100ft tall tower lets you see Mont Blanc. Or cycling 25km from Lausanne to Montreaux through pristine vineyards. Or walking from Lausanne to Saint Sulpice with a sail on Lake Geneva into the bargain. So climb around the city then take to the country, it’s all lovely.
Chamonix Valley
Known for extreme skiing, Mont Blanc and the Glass Sky Walk on top of 3842m high Aiguell du Midi, The Chamonix Valley is not for the fainthearted. Even in spring and summer, Chamonix’s for intrepid travellers who like hiking and walking hard and think nothing of taking Tour de France training routes. But if scaling Mont Blanc is too much, delightful forests on the lower slopes make gentler walking experiences. Cycle the infamous Col des Aravis or choose easier routes with equally great views. And then there are the legendary Alpine meadows to stroll, if the only extreme you need is extreme-relaxation.
Pays de la Loire
Gentle and accessible Pays de la Loire is one of the best places to cycle safely as a family in France. By converting hundreds of kilometres of disused railway tracks into cycle ways, Pays de la Loire have created a huge network of routes that are flat, easy-going for children and great fun. This gentle French region is good for walkers too, with stunning coastal routes, river trails and ancient forest treks. The coastline is scattered with little seaside towns where pretty beaches are seldom busy. And for wonderful museums, galleries, architecture and shopping take to the region’s capital, Nantes.
France... offers something for everyone
The largest country in Western Europe, France is as diverse as it is lovely. The glorious Pyrénées with their ice-cold, hidden lakes and massive cirques are as wonderful to walk in summer as they are to ski in winter. Languedoc-Roussillon may be best known for Carcassonne but cycling or sailing its gentle Canal du Midi is much more intriguing. Let the crowds head for the Côte d’Azur’s celebrity haunts and choose to discover the rugged beauty and intricate secrets of Var on the Mediterranean or Vaucluse - close to the mystical Camargue and dominated by stately Avignon. Explore the source of Crozes Hermitage in the delightful Rhone Valley vineyards and mountains of Southern France. Head north to Brittany with its romantic lighthouses, breathtaking towns and cities, ancient forests and Celtic heritage. Or choose neighbouring Normandy for fairy tale Mont St. Michel, woodland walks, wonderful cycling and miles of unspoiled views.
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Top countryside, lake and mountain holiday destinations:
South Tyrol
Swiss or Italian? South Tyrol is difficult to define. But over 13,000km of trails across the small region let you try. Stroll Alpine meadows and wildflower pastures. Wander through apple orchards and chestnut groves. Scale the Dolomites to frozen lakes. Or explore dense forests, fairy tale villages and vineyards. There’s even art and sculpture hidden away - if you look closely.
Holiday Rentals in South Tyrol
Cinque Terre
The colourful villages of Cinque Terre teeter above the Ligurian Sea, defying time and gravity. The path between them is well trodden in summer but walking in spring is warm and gentle. And when it’s busy you just have to climb into the hills away from the coast to find alternative and equal beauty in Cinque Terre’s immense and fascinating countryside.
Holiday Rentals in Cinque Terre
Tuscany
Everything you imagine about the Tuscan countryside is true. Fields of sunflowers stretch to the horizon punctuated by little farms and grand estates. Vineyards tumble down gentle hillsides and precise Cypress pierce the bluest skies. Terracotta, ochre and blue dominate the colour palette. Ancient towns and villages suddenly surprise you. Florence is lovely but what surrounds it, is even lovelier.
Holiday Rentals in Tuscany
Lake Constance
Lake Constance is vast and shared by Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Cycle round and dip in to the different cultures. Or pick a place and explore it thoroughly. Germany for dense forests, fairy tale castles, lakeside beaches and the city of Konstanz. Austria for wildflower meadows, pretty villages and Alps. And, for the Rhine Falls alone, Lake Constance in Switzerland is unforgettable.
Holiday Rentals in Lake Constance
Aquitaine
Historic, romantic Aquitaine is trimmed by snow-capped Pyrénées, bordered by the huge, unspoiled Landes Coast and covered in scented pine forests, ancient towns and endless stretches of wild, unbroken solitude. The capital, Bordeaux, has a longstanding rivalry with Paris but could have the edge if only for nearby Bassin D’Arcachon, the River Garonne and its manicured, lovely and countless vineyards.
Holiday Rentals in Aquitaine
Piedmont
Tourists go to Tuscany, Italians choose Piedmont: charmingly hilly, close to Turin and famous for wonderful food – Alba’s Saturday morning street market consumes the city and it’s delicious. Piedmont’s home to Barolo so the vineyards are amazing. Dense forests hide prized truffles. And little towns and villages are where you’ll find the locals: eating, playing boules and enjoying the peace.
Holiday Rentals in Piedmont
Elba
If you had to be exiled, Elba would be fine. In the Mediterranean off Tuscany’s coast, Elba’s loved for white beaches and clear water. Cyclists are spoiled by wonderful routes ranging from tough and professional to totally child-friendly. There are mountains to climb, as well as cliffs and crags. Forests are pretty and pine-scented. And enchanting wildlife rewards peaceful, patient walkers.
Holiday Rentals on Elba
Provence
Land of lavender, red roofs, glowing hills, deep valleys and clear pools, Provence does drama and prettiness in equal measure. Be King of the Mountains or cycle gently through polished farmland. Hiking trails delight demanding walkers and amblers alike. And, even in the most out of way villages, there’s a sleepy square with a little café and a cool drink.
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Italy
Other destinations
Discover our other holiday guides: Beach Holidays | City Breaks | Pet Friendly Holidays | Skiing Holidays