Crowded coastlines and beach escapes once defined summer travel. Now, a quiet inland shift seems to be occurring – one towards lakeside ‘coolcations’.
According to Trip.com Group, searches for ‘coolcations’ and cooler-weather travel have risen 74 percent year-on-year since the start of 2026, while search volume during last summer’s June-to-August period increased 237 percent compared to the same period in 2024.
There are several reasons leading to the change. Climate conditions are reshaping summer behavior – Southern Europe has experienced repeated extreme heatwaves, with temperatures in parts of Italy, Spain, and Greece regularly exceeding 104°F during peak summer months, making previously popular coastal destinations intolerable for many travelers.
At the same time, shorelines, particularly across the Mediterranean, are becoming increasingly crowded each year. Destinations including Barcelona and Mallorca have seen recurring anti-tourism protests linked to overtourism, housing strain, and infrastructure pressure, and parts of the French Riviera continue to face growing pressure from overcrowding.
In light of this, lake regions are emerging as some of the ‘hottest’ summer destinations. During summer, they are typically 5–9°F cooler than nearby coastal areas, while offering the same sense of seasonal escape – with the additional pine scenery, calmer water, and a slower pace.
For many travelers considering swapping Cannes for Lake Tahoe and Ibiza for Como, we’ve rounded up the best lake destinations for a more relaxed luxury summer vacation.
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Lake Tahoe, California, USA
Straddling California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe sits around 6,200 ft above sea level in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The area is known as a winter snowsports destination, but summer is also a popular time to visit, especially for Northern California locals, who flock to the lakeside to enjoy paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming, and boating on the cool water.
Between June and August, temperatures typically range from 69–77°F, with July peaking slightly higher. Popular activities include exploring the waters at Sand Harbor, riding the Heavenly Gondola for mountain views, hiking sections of the Tahoe Rim Trail, and boating around Emerald Bay.
For a luxury lakeside stay, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, sits minutes away from several lakefront beaches, and offers golf, hiking and lakeside activities throughout the summer. Guests can also make use of the hotel’s large spa and choose between five onsite dining destinations.
The resort’s largest accommodation, the Ritz-Carlton Suite, spans roughly 1,900 sq ft, and a selection of separate private residences offer multi-bedroom layouts for families, with full kitchens and large living spaces.
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Finger Lakes, New York, USA
New York's Finger Lakes have become one of the Northeast’s most on-the-rise summer escapes. Comprising 14 counties across more than 9,000 sq miles, the Finger Lakes region is almost as large as the state of Massachusetts, characterized by long glacial lakes, waterfalls, and vineyard-covered hillsides.
The area’s cooler climate and fertile landscape have made it particularly well known for Riesling production, while hiking trails, lake swimming, and boating draw visitors outdoors throughout the warmer months. Towns such as Skaneateles, Aurora, and Geneva offer a slower pace of travel centered around independent restaurants, wineries, and lakefront inns.
Summer activities include hiking around Buttermilk Falls State Park, cooling off in Cayuga Lake, and exploring wineries, including Sheldrake Point Winery and Hermann J Wiemer Vineyard. There’s also a growing craft beer scene, with breweries spread throughout the region’s small towns and lakeside communities.
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Lake Como, Italy
Lake Como remains one of Europe’s most established lake destinations, long attracting artists, politicians, and international travelers seeking privacy and a touch of old-school glamor. Set against the foothills of the Alps in northern Italy, the Y-shaped lake is divided into three branches meeting at Bellagio, Menaggio, and Varenna, all connected by a regular ferry network.
Summer days here are often spent moving slowly between lakeside towns, taking private boat trips across the water, swimming from hotel docks, or lingering over long lunches overlooking the shoreline. For a warmer and more Mediterranean summer vibe, stay in the south, or for something quieter and more alpine, head further north.
One of the most recognizable – and luxurious – stays in Lake Como is Grand Hotel Tremezzo, with its symmetrical, butter-hued facade on the western shore. The Art Nouveau property dates back to 1910 and has long attracted well-heeled international travelers. All rooms overlook the lake, while suites feature marble bathrooms, steam rooms, and whirlpool tubs.
If you’re bringing the family, opt for Villa Sola Cabiati. Sleeping 12, the luxury accommodation overlooks the lake but sits separate from the main hotel for added privacy, with its own swimming pool and jetty, and a host of dedicated staff on hand, including a butler, housekeepers, and a chef.
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Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Framed by mountains, summer temperatures in Lake Lucerne are generally mild, making the region particularly appealing for travelers looking to escape extreme southern European heat.
Ferries connect lakeside towns while peaks such as Mount Rigi and Mount Pilatus are accessed directly from the shoreline via cable car or cog railway. On the water, visitors can enjoy boat trips and lakeside swimming.
We recommend pairing a lakeside stay with a spa break at Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa, which sits above the shoreline, overlooking the lake and surrounding peaks. The resort estate spans 148 acres and includes multiple hotels alongside a large spa with infinity pools, hammams, and wellness facilities. To stay, the Lake View Royal Suite is the top accommodation, which extends to around 3,300 sq ft, and features a private sauna, Steinway piano, and lake-facing rooftop terrace.
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Lake Garda, Italy
For northern Italians, Lake Garda has long served as a summer alternative to the country’s southern beaches. The surrounding Alps help keep temperatures comfortable even during peak August heat, with highs typically ranging between 77–86°F.
The lake is popular for boating, swimming, sailing, and village-hopping, with towns such as Sirmione, Limone sul Garda, and Malcesine drawing visitors each summer. Roman villas, medieval streets, and more modern hotels sit side by side, though quieter corners are still easy to find beyond the main tourist hubs.
Set in the forested hills above the shoreline, Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda offers guests luxury lakeside living with a heavy focus on wellness. The spa, one of the largest in the Dolomites, spans over 50,000 sq feet, with hydrotherapy circuits, saunas, and indoor-outdoor pools.
For the ultimate seclusion, the Royal Pool & Spa Suite offers guests their own private spa, with a bio-sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi. The one-bedroom suite also features a kitchen, dining area, and bar for in-suite dining, and a terrace with a heated valley-view whirlpool.
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Lake District, UK
Despite its unpredictable weather, the Lake District has long appealed to travelers seeking a slower, outdoors-focused break, and, should you be blessed with some sunshine, is one of the UK’s most beautiful vacation destinations. Days here revolve around walking, wild swimming, and boating on some of the larger lakes.
Should you be cursed with rain, fear not – in recent years, Cumbria has become one of the UK’s strongest food destinations, with the most Michelin stars outside of London, so you’ll be plenty occupied eating your way around the lakeside villages.
L'Enclume, housed inside a 13th-century former blacksmith’s workshop, holds three Michelin stars and a Michelin Green Star. Chef Simon Rogan bases the restaurant’s tasting menu around seasonal produce sourced largely from the restaurant’s own 12-acre farm, helping place the village of Cartmel firmly on the culinary map.
For luxury accommodation right on one of the Lake District’s most famous lakes, The Samling looks south across Windermere toward the Coniston mountain range. Set within 67 acres of countryside, the hotel combines a peaceful lakeside setting with one of the region’s strongest fine-dining programs.
