Beyond the bucket and spade

What can be more exhilarating and enjoyable than spending your holiday in the fresh crisp air of the mountains and lakes? Once you have experienced a trip to the summer mountain meadows and sat on the shores of the crystal clear lakes, you will want to return. Lakes and mountains offer a very relaxing place to escape to, but they can also provide you with a completely different type of holiday. They are a natural playground just waiting to be explored - rafting, canyoning, mountain biking and trekking are among the variety of new sports which have evolved over the years.

For several years, my family and I would holiday in the beautiful region of the Haut Savoie, France and stay on the shores of Lake Annecy. Anyone who visits this region is quickly spellbound by its beauty and charm. The town is 50km from Geneva Switzerland. The lake has various shoreline villages around it which have their own traditional shops, a large selection of cafes and restaurants as well as their own lakeside bathing areas. These charming villages are set below the rising peaks of Mont du Veyrier. One visit, in need of some alpine action, I felt compelled to do a tandum para-gliding jump from the top of the mountain. Strapped to an experienced pilot, the views of the lake and surrounding area were absolutely awesome. It was truly an unforgettable unique experience!

There is so much for the family to do. From pedeloes, rowing boats and kayaks, the Alpine lakes offer plenty of ways to have fun on the water together. Seeing my eight year old neice waterskiing one handed on Lake Annecy is another memory I will not forget. Hiring a motorboat was straightforward. My husband enjoyed showing off his monoski skills also.

If the idea of enjoying all these wonderful activities leaves you in a dilemma because your children are a little young, then do not fret. There are companies who offer childcare arrangements while you hike the hills or experience the adrenaline rush of wild water rafting. Esprit holidays have been offering family breaks to the Alps for 25 years. Their nurseries from 4 months to 3 years, Alpies clubs for 3 to 6 years and 7 to 11 years introduce children to the mountains with fun adventurous activities suitable to their range and abilities See Esprit holidays .It’s really important to remember that Mum and Dad’s wellbeing is just as important as the children’s.

If you are fortunate enough to have someone look after your little treasures – generous grandparents or a nanny, the Italian lakes are seductive and dramatic for a weekend break away. What better place to go and celebrate an important anniversary or special birthday? Lake Como, Maggiore or Garda are all picturesque offering spectacular landscapes. Writers and artists alike have all flocked to the Italian Lake district inspired by its tranquil waters and majestic scenery. Go and see the “Belle Epoque” palazzos and elegant architecture for yourselves – a wonderful solution for some serious parent pampering.

Of course, there are more lakes and mountains than those in central Europe you should consider. Few countries compare with Canada when it comes to the great outdoors. Covering over 3.5 million square miles, it is a country of diverse landscapes and mesmorising scenery, wide open spaces and sophisticated cities. Alberta and British Columbia contain some of the most breathtaking scenery – majestic peaks, stunning glaciers, deep fjords, pine forests and crystalline lakes. Banff National Park (a UNESCO world heritage site) boasts the beautiful Lake Louise and Lake Moraine. Nowhere else on this earth can you get frequent sightings of black and grizzly bears, wolves, deer and waterfowl. It’s not uncommon to see elk wandering around Banff town centre. A 10 hour flight to Calgary or Vancouver is worth every minute for the reward of the Canadian experience. The Canadian Rockies have to be one of nature’s masterpieces. A helpful website on the area of British Columbia is British Columbia Tourist Board http://www.hellobc.com/ Whatever your plans are for the summer, it is worth thinking beyond the buckets and spades. The beach does come into its own in the summer holiday but the lure of the fresh mountain air and clear blue lakes can be so relaxing – you will not be able to help yourself from having a few “Maria moments”