Inspired by the clarity of a September swim in an open lake, the beloved memories of hours with my father, and the luxury of time well spent

I love the unique stillness of lakes, the hidden nooks and crannies. They are less showy than oceans and more intimate than rivers. They gather light, cradle reflections, and invite quiet joys: a slow paddle, a deep breath, a swim without urgency. Some of my favorite memories are of quiet mornings paddling a canoe with my father on Gale Meadows in Vermont. The mists of fog moved along the crystal surface. Our companionable silence enveloped us in the seductive, contemplative hours of nature.

This curated collection celebrates some of Europe’s (and one of America’s) most soul-stirring lakes, each paired with a luxurious retreat that invites immersion — in nature, in culture, and in the spaciousness of being unhurried. These are places to linger longer, to savor silence, to remember how good it feels to simply be.

Lake Como, Italy

A deep, glacier-carved jewel framed by alpine peaks and elegant villas, Lake Como is pure cinematic beauty — timeless, moody, and magnetic. Its waters shimmer beneath cypress-lined hillsides and echo with centuries of noble summering. Bell towers ring across the lake as wooden boats glide from village to village.

The Hotel: Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni — A Belle Époque masterpiece in Bellagio, known for its frescoed ceilings, manicured gardens, and gracious old-world service. The private dock invites early swims and late departures.

Activities: Drift across the lake in a vintage Riva, visit Villa Balbianello, book a private chef picnic, or slip into the water for a morning swim beneath the cliffs.

Lake Orta, Italy

Tucked away west of Maggiore, Lake Orta lovers of Italy often miss this stunning setting — which only adds to its romance. With its hushed atmosphere, baroque chapels, and luminous silver-green surface, Orta offers an almost monastic serenity. The spiritual presence of San Giulio Island seems to sanctify the air.

The Hotel: Villa Crespi — A dream in Moorish Revival style, with domes, arches, and a 2-Michelin-starred restaurant led by chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo. Every room feels like a secret.

Activities: Take a wooden boat to San Giulio Island, explore Orta San Giulio’s cobbled lanes, or enjoy a private tasting in the Piedmontese hills.

Lake Fuschl, Austria (near Germany)

Encircled by forest and sky, Lake Fuschl shimmers in vivid shades of green and turquoise. Once a Habsburg retreat, it remains a place of quiet majesty where swans glide and mist rises in the early hours. Its waters are so clear, the fish cast shadows on the lakebed.

The Hotel: Rosewood Schloss Fuschl — A reimagined 15th-century castle with turrets, stone balconies, and a lakeside setting that whispers of imperial days gone by. Rosewood’s polish enhances the soul of the original.

Activities: Wild swimming, spa rituals, alpine hikes, forest foraging, or e-biking through charming Bavarian villages.

Lake Lucerne, Switzerland

Lucerne’s lake winds like a secret through the mountains, revealing ever-changing vistas of cliffs, chalets, and castles. Part lake, part fjord, it offers one of Switzerland’s most dramatic backdrops. Steamboats and funiculars are not just modes of travel here — they’re part of the mythology.

The Hotel: Bürgenstock Resort — Perched high above the lake, this mountaintop marvel blends modernist design with Swiss precision. The infinity pool is nothing short of legend.

Activities: Ride the cogwheel railway, unwind in the spa with panoramic views, or hike cliffside trails with a guide.

Lake Annecy, France

France’s cleanest lake glows with glacial clarity. Framed by alpine peaks and dotted with Belle Époque villas, it’s as if a painting came to life. Annecy’s medieval streets spill toward the water, while the lake itself begs for a morning paddle or an evening float.

The Hotel: Auberge du Père Bise – Jean Sulpice — A lakeside Relais & Châteaux gem in Talloires with a 2-Michelin-starred restaurant. Its calm sophistication is matched only by the view.

Activities: Paddleboarding, biking the lake circuit, market foraging in Annecy, and long dinners with mountain light lingering overhead.

Lake Windermere, England

Poetic and weather-washed, Lake Windermere stretches between wooded hills and meadows where sheep graze lazily. This view is the landscape that stirred Wordsworth’s pen — and it still inspires quiet reflection today. Clouds drift low, and the mist softens every line.

The Hotel: Gilpin Hotel & Lake House — A refined retreat with private spa lodges and warm Cumbrian hospitality. Peaceful, polished, and deeply rooted in place.

Activities: Rowing, fell walking, guided literary hikes, garden tours, and of course, afternoon tea with a view.

Lake Tyrifjorden, Norway

Just west of Oslo, Tyrifjorden feels like a dream — glassy, wide, and edged by evergreen forest. A branch of the lake, Steinsfjorden, is particularly scenic, featuring cliffs, castles, and coves. The light here shifts constantly, painting the water in silvers and blues.

The Hotel: The Thief — Oslo’s premier design hotel, perched on the fjord and offering sleek, art-filled interiors and seamless access to lake country.

Activities: Sauna rituals, kayaking on Steinsfjorden, private art tours, and guided Nordic forest walks.

Lake Saimaa, Finland

Sprawling, mythic, and near-mystical, Lake Saimaa feels ancient. With over 13,000 islands and inlets, it’s less a lake than a labyrinth — one best explored slowly. Here, nature speaks in whispers: rustling birch leaves, paddles dipping into dark blue water, loons calling at dusk.

The Hotel: Järvisydän Hotel & Spa Resort — Built into rock and timber, this soulful spa retreat offers floating decks, earth-hewn suites, and elemental luxury.

Activities: Wild sauna hopping, canoe safaris, floating yoga, and stargazing under aurora-lit skies.

Lake Alqueva, Portugal

Created by a dam but imbued with timeless beauty, Lake Alqueva is a sun-drenched expanse in the heart of Alentejo. Its shores are dotted with cork oaks, olive trees, and whitewashed villages. The water is still, the pace slow, the air fragrant with the scent of rosemary.

The Hotel: São Lourenço do Barrocal — A Virtuoso-listed estate surrounded by vineyards and stone paths. Understated, artful, and deeply rooted in the land.

Activities: Stargazing in a Dark Sky Reserve, sailing, horseback riding, vineyard visits, and swimming in sun-warmed silence.

Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Tucked deep in the Canadian Rockies, Lake Louise stuns with its surreal turquoise hue, fed by glacial melt and surrounded by jagged peaks and pine forest. It’s a place where silence feels sacred, the air is pine-sweet and thin, and the mountains seem to stand guard over time itself. Morning mist curls above the water; in winter, the lake becomes a frozen mirror.

The Hotel: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise — A storied mountain resort with front-row views of the lake, this grand chateau blends alpine tradition with modern comforts. Wake to glacial light pouring through your window and end the day with fireside cocktails beneath vaulted beams.

Activities: Canoe across the turquoise lake, hike to a hidden teahouse, ice skate in winter, explore Banff National Park with a naturalist guide, or unwind at the spa after a glacier trek.

Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire, USA

A grande dame of New England’s lake tradition, Winnipesaukee is vast, island-speckled, and full of summer nostalgia. It captures an Americana of canoes and cabins, golden-hour boat rides, and forested hikes. In fall, the lake blazes with color. In summer, it hums with joy.

The Hotel: The Pickering House Inn — A luxury inn in historic Wolfeboro, restored with modern interiors and authentic charm. With just 10 rooms and exquisite attention to detail, it’s a rare find — elegant, welcoming, and genuinely local.

Activities: Private cruises, paddleboarding, village antiquing, autumn foliage trails, and lakeside picnics curated by the inn’s chef.

Where Still Waters Run Deep

Lakes hold a different kind of power — quieter than the sea, but no less profound. They mirror the sky and reflect the self. In their presence, time seems to stretch, hearts slow, and memories take root. Whether you’re swimming at sunrise or sipping wine on the shore, each of these lakes invites you to live more presently — and more luxuriously.

Let yourself linger. There’s nowhere else you need to be.