Lakes & Mountains

Vacation like a local and make your next getaway one to Europe's summer mountain resorts or charming lakeside villages. Recharge amongst the continent's sprawling mountain ranges or beside refreshing waters and soak up the charms of the region.

When many think about mountain vacations in Europe, Switzerland comes to mind-and for a good reason. It shares the Alps with seven other countries, including France, Italy, and Germany, and is home to some of the most famous mountain peaks: Matterhorn, Jungfrau, Rigi, and Titlis, to name a few. A rail vacation in the Swiss Alps promises stunning sites and exciting excursions, from hiking to scenic rail journeys on some of Europe's most famous trains, such as the Glacier Express. Switzerland has some famous lakes of its own, too, and a culinary cruise on Lake Lugano or a leisure cruise on Lake Lucerne are memorable moments on summer mountain vacations-and in winter, too.

For a relaxing vacation with a twist, consider a stunning holiday to the beautiful lakes in Europe. Italy's Lake Como may be the most famous, but Lake Garda is one of Italy's best-kept secrets, as is Lake Maggiore. Other popular destinations for Europe lakes and mountains holidays include Scotland, home to its iconic mountain, Ben Nevis-best seen from the Jacobite Steam Train's rail cars-and mysterious Loch Ness, and Slovenia' Lake Bled, nestled in the Julian Alps. With more than 500,000 lakes and numerous peaks and valleys, options abound for rail vacation to European mountain towns and lakeside hamlets.