Sick Brits cough up
Finally, Traunsee, the deepest of the four. Stay in Traunkirchen, watched over by a white chapel perched on a rocky outcrop. GO: Four nights half board, plus cycle hire, luggage transfers and taxi to and from Salzburg airport, are included, from £798pp. Flights not included. See inntravel.co.uk.
Dash and splash Lakes Bled and Bohinj, Slovenia, for breathtaking swimming
These two very tranquil lakes sit nestled on the sunnier side of the Alps, where the water is emerald green. They are popular without being POORLY tourists claim an average £700 for medical treatment on their hols. The Balearics are top of the list for claims by Brits, followed by Greece, France, the US and Cyprus, according to research from Admiral. Most medical insurance over-busy and are within easy striking distance of capital city Ljubljana.
Bled is the more developed with a lakeside resort, casino and an island where you can get married. Bohinj is remote and unspoiled, dominated by high mountains.
The challenge is to swim across both – more than two miles across the two swims. GO: This full-on itinerary starts with the Bohinj swim first, followed by a lunch refuel on the Pokljuka plateau, which has amazing mountain paths that make for an enchanting night hike.
The next day’s big event is the Bled swim, followed by a chance to look around the lakeside resort.
It costs from £297, including guides and one night’s dinner, bed and breakfast. See muchbetteradventures.com. claims from the firm are made in July, with more than 3,000 travellers a week needing emergency treatment. Treatment for a heart attack in the US without insurance can be £230,000, a jellyfish sting in Australia £12,000. Italy’s largest, at 30 miles long and ten miles wide, this mountain-framed lake is a guaranteed winner. Expect historic towns such as Malcesine, camping, luxury hotels, boutique villas, elegant dining and lots of ways of going out on the water. Ancient Romans loved it here, and so, today, does much of Europe. It is a thriving, celebpacked spot, with access to Venice, Verona and Milan, and the chance to sample lake fish and drink the best Italian wine. GO: A nine-day coach-based tour, with six nights half board at Hotel Villa Mulino, a lake tour and day trips to Venice and Verona, plus overnight stays on the return journeys from the UK, costs from £496pp. See shearings.com.