Dear partners
Our love affair with Summer, Lakes and Boats continues as this month we turn our attention to the lakes of Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Canada.
Lakes - we love sitting by them, exploring them, cruising them and viewing them. And there’s all manner of ferries, hydrofoils and pleasure boats to take you up, down and across to other lakeside villages and fascinating sights.
Don't forget that there are lots of two centre and multi-centre options available if you fancy the delight of two or more lakes in one holiday.
Plus for bookings made by the end of April 2012 your users will get a free walking map in selected resorts!
Austria
Austria - Small is beautiful
They may not be quite as large as many of their Italian and Swiss sisters but the lovely lakes of Austria certainly don't lag behind on the scenery stakes.
Take Lake Achensee, for example, the largest lake in the Austrian Tyrol. With its emerald waters and the picturesque Karwendel and majestic Rofan mountain ranges forming a gorgeous backdrop, it's a marvellous setting for a boat trip from our resort of Pertisau. Beautifully poised on the lake's scenic western shore, the village also offers sailing, windsurfing, diving and rowing.
Further east, Lake Zell is worth a visit, given its outstanding scenic beauty. Zell am See, the lake's main town, is a great summer resort which boasts a lakeside lido and daytime and evening lake cruises as well as a huge variety of watersports including rowing, sailing, windsurfing, water skiing and white water rafting.
Lakes and Mountains resorts in Austria:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3206&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inghams.co.uk%2Flakes-mountains-holidays%2Fcountry%2Fitem13%2Faustria%2F
Lake Achensee – Pertisau:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3206&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inghams.co.uk%2Flakes-mountains-holidays%2Fresorts%2Fhotels%2Fitem628%2Flake-achensee-pertisau%2F
Zell am See:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3206&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inghams.co.uk%2Flakes-mountains-holidays%2Fresorts%2Fhotels%2Fitem1057%2Fzell-am-see%2F
Austria's Lake District
The Salzkammergut Lake District consists of no less than 76 different lakes in the heart of Austria. We have chosen three resorts on two of the best known lakes nearest to Salzburg.
Named after St Wolfgang of Regensburg, Lake Wolfgang ("Wolfgangsee" in German) is almost split into two by a peninsula, opposite which lies our enchanting resort of St Wolfgang. Once an important place of pilgrimage, this market town boasts pretty painted houses and shops lining narrow cobbled streets. Lake Wolfgang is probably Austria's best loved and best known lake.
The historic village of St Gilgen is on the lake's north west shore. Famous for its association with Mozart (his mum was born here), this pretty Baroque and Rococco-inspired village is linked by boat with St Wolfgang. Mozart’s sister got married in St Gilgen and held her reception in the lovely Hotel Zur Post where you too can stay.
Salzburg:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3206&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inghams.co.uk%2Flakes-mountains-holidays%2Fresorts%2Fhotels%2Fitem768%2Fsalzburg%2F
St. Wolfgang:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3206&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inghams.co.uk%2Flakes-mountains-holidays%2Fresorts%2Fhotels%2Fitem1047%2Fst-wolfgang%2F
St. Gilgen:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3206&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inghams.co.uk%2Flakes-mountains-holidays%2Fresorts%2Fhotels%2Fitem312%2Fst-gilgen%2F
Switzerland
The Swiss Riviera
Lake Geneva, the largest lake in Switzerland, enjoys an unusually mild climate and is surrounded by gentle hillsides covered in gardens and vineyards, including those of the Lavaux UNESCO world heritage site.
Our world famous resort of Montreux is an excellent base for exploring this beautiful area which is aptly known as the Swiss Riviera. And exploring is made even easier by our half-price Travel Card, worth over £80, which is included for everyone booking an Inghams holiday to Switzerland.
The city has a lovely lakeside promenade, and there are boat trips from here to pretty lakeside villages such as Vevey and to the superb Swiss city of Lausanne. You can also take a day trip by lake steamer to the famous French spa town of Evian-les-Bains.
As an added bonus, we can pre-book great value travel passes for you here - these cover boat and rail travel within the Lake Geneva region.
Guests staying in Montreux also benefit from the resort card which gives free travel on local buses, including to Villeneuve nature reserve and the Glion viewpoint above the lake, as well as 50% reduction on many attractions, such at Château de Chillon and Swiss Toy Museum.
Lakes and Mountains resorts in Switzerland:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3206&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inghams.co.uk%2Flakes-mountains-holidays%2Fcountry%2Fitem43%2Fswitzerland%2F
Montreux:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3206&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inghams.co.uk%2Flakes-mountains-holidays%2Fresorts%2Fhotels%2Fitem537%2Fmontreux%2F
Merligen Magic Poster Lake Pin up
We think that Lake Thun in the Swiss Bernese Oberland is so attractive that we put it on the front cover of our Inghams Lakes & Mountains Summer 2012 brochure.
The peaceful village of Merligen lies on this serene lake, and our "Inghams Select" Hotel Beatus is located directly on the lakefront.
With the ‘Day on Lake Thun’ boat ticket, you can hop aboard one of the lake steamers and stop at various points around the lake so that you can explore the beauty and history of the area.
There are charming lakeside villages to visit and medieval castles, as well as the old town of Thun at one end of the lake, and our resort of Interlaken at the other end (from here you can also get to Lake Brienz).
Upgrade to 1st class on the boats to make sure you have the best views with seats on the top deck!
Lake Thun – Merligen:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3206&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inghams.co.uk%2Flakes-mountains-holidays%2Fresorts%2Fhotels%2Fitem505%2Flake-thun-merligen%2F
Interlaken:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3206&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inghams.co.uk%2Flakes-mountains-holidays%2Fresorts%2Fhotels%2Fitem366%2Finterlaken%2F
Swiss Style
Lake Lucerne ("Vierwaldstättersee" in German - "the Lake of the Four Forest Cantons") is the fourth largest lake in Switzerland. We feature a trio of super resorts here, and Inghams clients in all three receive a complimentary one-hour panorama boat trip with commentary as part of their "Inghams Plus" added value.
The picturesque villages of Weggis and Vitznau have lovely flower-lined lakeside promenades with cafés and restaurants in which to enjoy beautiful evening sunsets. They are only 15 minutes apart by lake steamer and about 40 minutes by boat from Lucerne, a beautiful city which has lots of interesting sights to see.
Lake Lucerne:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3206&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inghams.co.uk%2Flakes-mountains-holidays%2Fresorts%2Fhotels%2Fitem1033%2Flake-lucerne%2F
Trains and boats and planes
Can't decide which Swiss lake to visit? No problem. You'll be spoilt for choice on our Lakes of Switzerland and William Tell Express rail tours.
Lakes of Switzerland:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3206&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inghams.co.uk%2Flakes-mountains-holidays%2Ftours%2Fitinerary%2Fitem196187%2Flakes-of-switzerland%2F
William Tell Express:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3206&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inghams.co.uk%2Flakes-mountains-holidays%2Ftours%2Fitinerary%2Fitem92540%2Fwilliam-tell-express%2F
Constance Craving, Germany
It may be one of the largest lakes in Europe and straddle the borders of three countries (Germany, Switzerland and Austria), but Lake Constance is somewhat of a well-kept secret amongst the British.
For sheer variety of aquatic days out you cannot beat our German lakeside resort of Constance which offers a huge selection of boat trips both on the lake and on the River Rhine. Destinations include the “flower island” of Mainau, a lake village on stilts, a Bavarian island town, Germany’s oldest castle, the birthplace of the Zeppelin airship, and waterfalls on the River Rhine.
Some of these jaunts also involve train travel and all our guests staying for a week or more at the Steigenberger Inselhotel qualify for a whopping 50% discount on most Lake Constance boat trips.
Lake Constance:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3206&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inghams.co.uk%2Flakes-mountains-holidays%2Fresorts%2Fhotels%2Fitem195%2Flake-constance%2F
Canada - Last but certainly not least, Lake Louise
Don’t forget the stunning lakes of Canada. Take the emerald waters of Lake Louise, for instance - here you can canoe or take the Lake Louise Gondola, a glorious 14 minute cruise, in an open chair or a fully enclosed gondola, to one of the Banff National Park's greatest views.
Or for the more adventurous, drench everyday routine with an exciting whitewater or gentle scenic rafting trip on the vibrant Kicking Horse River, a shuttle ride away from Lake Louise.
Whatever your fitness level, Lake Louise will quickly capture your heart, so be sure to bring your camera to save your own special memories of soaring peaks, stunning glaciers, lush carpets of alpine wildflowers fed by clear bubbling springs, and-often-delightful glimpses of wildlife surrounded by the unspoiled beauty of summer.
We cannot talk about Lake Louise without mentioning the even more beautiful Moraine Lake (close to Lake Louise and absolutely stunning, pictured above!)
Lake Louise:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3206&awinaffid=!!!id!!!&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.inghams.co.uk%2Flakes-mountains-holidays%2Fresorts%2Fhotels%2Fitem466%2Flake-louise%2F
Please remember to swap !!!id!!! with your affiliate id
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us
The Inghams affiliate team
Vicky Smith
Vicky.Smith@inghams.co.uk
Marine de Mascarel
Marine.de.mascarel@affiliatewindow.com