If we loved Annecy - where next? (Swimming, kayaking, cycling)

[HeyDiddleDumplings]

Looking for suggestions for summer 2024 (August).

We loved Annecy (stayed on a holiday park) this year for the beautiful views and all the active things we could do so easily. We cycled, canoed, hiked, swam. It was glorious. We drove in our car then went on to the coast. Perfect trip.

We don’t want to repeat the same again next year. But we did love it.

Can anyone recommend somewhere we might like? Particularly for cycling and lake activities. Our DC are still young - 9&7.

We’ve been thinking maybe ferry over to Caen or St Malo and explore that area. Or maybe fly to an island completely different - but that might get pricey with flights, accommodation and car hire.

If you’ve done a more active holiday where did you go?

Thanks!

Slovenia, gorgeous lakes, mountains. Lake Bled or Lake Bohinj

I stayed at this place a few years back - wasn’t with a family, but a group to watch the Tour de France and cycle for a few days. It was a beautiful area, lots to do, and full of French families who spent the day doing all manner of activities. It looked great! The food was amazing, and the owner spoke really good English and was a lovely guy.
https://www.rechastel.fr/sejour-tout-compris-alpes/village-vacances-lac-serre-poncon.php

Massif Central in France - amazing rivers to paddle, great cycling, hills to climb and a proper 'local France' feel with fewer international tourists, great weather.

Southern Germany - amazing cycle infrastructure, great places for swimming, alps next door...

Austria for similar reasons.

Lake Garda
Lake Constance
Gorges du Verdon

Camping Le Rive is on the edge of a lake. It’s not as pretty as Annecy, but has all the activities you could want and it’s right next to the coast too.

Love Annecy, was there earlier this year.

What about a Mark Warner or Sunsail holiday?

Montenegro, specifically Kotor Bay

You wouldn't be able to cycle there - but your other requirements would be met 😊

Can you stretch to Swiss ££££ prices?

If so, then near Interlaken and the Lauterbrunnen Valley (Jungfrau region). Lots of activities on the lakes, hiking in the Alps, lots of biking possibilities

BIL & SIL went to Lake Bled in Slovenia this summer for exactly this type of holiday, they loved it!

Lake bohinj in Slovenia is perfect for this, also Lakes in the Salzkammergut region of Austria also.
Would love to know the holiday park you went to in Annecy.

Didn’t stay here, but this site has a lovely view.

I second/third the Lake Bled suggestions, also Lake Bohinj

Also Lake Constance is a great suggestion

Germany - Titisee

Austria - Attersee, Hallstatt

Croatia - Lake Peruca, Plitvice Lakes (for hiking)

Macedonia - Lake Ohrid

France - Limousin, Mercantour National park, Annecy, Aix Les Bains, Tignes, Combloux, Provence

Italy - Lake Garda

If you’d be happy with sea rather than lake - Sardinia (particularly Porto Conte Regional Park), Corsica, Croatian Islands (Brac comes to mind but there are so many lovely ones!), Menorca

Black Forest Germany is lovely added advantage is europaparc is there too for theme park fun. I stayed in Titisee but there's lots of options

Another option is aviemore in Scotland, has very similar activities

take a look at BAGNI DI LUCCA area - fly in and out of PISA.
Very popular activity area and super beautiful

Lake Garda. The north if you want more active (Riva del Garda or Torbole). Where did you stay at Lake Annecy - I fancy visiting it

@Noduckpicsplease

We have been to Annecy twice with our touring caravan and stayed on the site below - they do have lodges to rent as well.

It is one of the few campsites with direct access to the lake, part of the campsite is an inlet for swimming and launching paddleboards etc! It is walking distance from the small town of Saint Jorioz.

https://www.campinglesolitaire.com/

Norway! We had a great summer holiday there just before COVID. Easy for fjord swimming and kayaking, steep hikes and great views, cycle hire and well marked tracks. Flights and campsites were cheap though food expensive.

Also Austria, flying into Innsbruck and easy public transport up to resorts. Lots of kid-friendly adventure trails with obstacles and challenges along the way.

Loire Valley/The Ardeche/The Vendee?

Austria - we had a ball this summer, rafting, lake swimming, walking in the mountains. The food was to die for and the views the same. Gorgeous place!

Innsbruck and Aachensee very lovely.

Loire valley? Has the Loire a vélo cycle routes and kayaking on the Loire or smaller rivers. You can't really swim in the Loire itself but the smaller rivers in the area have swimming spots or there are swimming lakes (not quite the same as Lake Annecy though!). Only takes 3 hours or so from St Malo or Caen.

Ardeche?

Great for cycling and swimming and great for canoeing too.

Hi, it was Camping La Nubliere. It didn’t have a pool sadly but was lake side, which we loved. I’m not sure how it compares to other places but we all had a great time.

Wow - thanks so much for all the suggestions. Mum sent always comes up trumps with holiday recommendations. Thank you.

Id been looking at Ardeche actually but thought it might be better when my youngest is a couple of years older - maybe 9 rather than 7.

im going to look into all your suggestions. My DH is keen on Italy I think it might too hot in August.