Austria summer lakes?

[massistar]

We're staying with my inlaws in Italy this summer near Lido di Jesolo and are looking for somewhere to escape to (from the hot weather and the inlaws!) for about 5 days. We went up to the mountain/lakes near Trento last year but my husband quite fancies Austria. We'll be driving so preferably not too far from the Italian border. Thanks for any tips!

From Italy, the closest are with plenty of lakes etc. is Carinthia, Villach and the Millstaettersee. There are several large lakes in Carinthia including the Woerthersee, which is surrounded by resorts. It's a bit off the beaten track in terms of British tourists but is really beautiful.

The other main area of lots of lakes & mountains is further north in the Salzkammergut (roughly to the east of Salzburg), here you'll find Wolfgangsee, Hallstatt, and then to the south of Salzburg there is Zell Am See and others. All are stunningly beautiful.

It depends what you're looking for really. I think Carinthia feels more semi-mediterranean but with mountains, whereas the areas around Salzburg are definitely alpine. Carinthia is much closer tho so that is a consideration. Having said that, the motorways are good and not usually too busy, so the drive is not difficult.

I used to live in Klagenfurt on the Woerthersee and spent many weekends driving down to Lide, Venice, Grado, etc. in the summer.

Dx

Thanks! Some great suggestions to get me started. Just felt like I was totally working in the dark as I don't know the area at all.