THE LAKES OF THE SOUTH – SWIMMING IN WINE

The well known one

Betwixt water and wine: swimming surrounded by gently sloping vineyards with views of the foothills of the South of South Tyrol surely makes for a unique experience. When it's the warmest bathing lake in the Alps too, a lake large enough to cater for sailors and surfers, when its banks feature beaches, restaurants and kiosks and the countryside is still preserved and looked after, when the water is olive-green in some places and shimmers deepest blue in others, then we're talking about the well known Lake at Kaltern, which also lends its name to the wine growing around it.

The one in harmony with nature

Vineyards quickly give way to mixed deciduous woodland, the fragrance of the south to the scent of woodland. It's wonderful floating across the unspoilt Montiggl Lakes – the playground of Überetsch locals. Children swing into the water on a rope – 'wild' swimming is permitted. Anyone looking for a restaurant, café or sun lounger will find it here, too. For on one side of the lake everything is carefully manicured and groomed.

The wild one

The bathing lakes in Überetsch still not enough? Then maybe a more mountainous location is in order. We now swap mixed woodland for coniferous forest, where the trees are dotted more sparsely around the countryside in between green meadows. The lake known as Fennberger See or Fenner See enjoys a particularly idyllic spot and more than caters for those seeking peace and quiet and a close-to-nature experience.