Lakes as a Magnet for Holidaymakers

This website is the ideal address for anyone who has discovered the appeal of lakes and, in particular, has come to know, or would like to get to know, the fascination of Lake Maggiore or Lake Orta. It is an online travel guide devoted above all to the world of Lake Maggiore, Lake Orta and the towns and villages along their shores. Here you will find general information on these two lakes in northern Italy, along with advice, tips and suggestions for suitable places to stay, recommended restaurants and other venues that make a holiday even more enjoyable. You can also be inspired by cultural and historical background on the various places in the region, helping you choose your very own destination or plan an interesting excursion or two.

The Allure of Fascinating Lakes

A holiday by a lake has always been popular, and that interest has never waned. Many people prefer a lake to the sea, which some find baffling and others find perfectly easy to explain. The world's lakes impress in many different ways. They may not hold as much water as the oceans, of course, but for many people the whole landscape around a lake is more attractive because it is more varied. Lake Maggiore is a particularly good example. It lies on a geographical boundary where the influence of the Atlantic low-pressure systems fades, giving the lake and its surroundings a pleasant Mediterranean climate and encouraging subtropical scenery. Meanwhile the majestic Alps remain in the background with their snow-capped peaks, creating a striking contrast with the magnolias and oleanders growing along the shore.

Enchanting Lakes Draw Dream Holidays from Around the World

The fascination and beauty of a lake, with the surrounding landscape reflected in its waters for even more magic, is of course not limited to Lake Maggiore; it makes holidaymakers' hearts beat faster all over the world. Europe alone offers plenty of examples. Lake Garda is one of the most popular destinations, and the Swiss lakes and the cross-border Lake Constance attract countless visitors every year. Legendary, fairy-tale lakes such as Lake Starnberg and Lake Chiemsee in Bavaria, enchanting glacial lakes in the mountains, the fascinating Mecklenburg Lake District, Finland as the land of a thousand lakes and, not least, Lake Balaton in Hungary all show that there are plenty of reasons why people increasingly head for a lake on holiday, and the trend certainly does not stop at Europe's borders. Even in Africa, where the first thoughts are of savannah, desert and drought, lakes are magical attractions for visitors. The continent's largest lake is the famous Lake Victoria. At an incredible 70,000 square kilometres, it is comparable in area to the whole of the Czech Republic. A magnificent array of wildlife and plants defines the lake, although the cities on its shores, such as Mwanza in Tanzania and Kisumu in Kenya, unfortunately also cause pollution and ecological problems. At 33,000 square kilometres, Lake Tanganyika is Africa's second-largest lake and, thanks to its enormous depth, the continent's largest freshwater reservoir. It is also regarded as the most species-rich lake in the world, where visitors can marvel above all at Nile crocodiles and freshwater jellyfish. Lake Malawi, Africa's third-largest lake, covers 30,000 square kilometres, is 570 kilometres long and is remarkable for its many species of cichlids, as well as hippos and fish eagles.

Canada: A Paradise for Lake Lovers

Canada is without question a dream destination at any time for anyone who delights in the beauty and impressive sight of lakes. The northern part of North America (not counting Alaska) is home to more than two million lakes, which cover almost eight per cent of Canada's total area. Most of them date back to the last Ice Age. When people think of lakes and Canada, they usually think first of the five Great Lakes, often described as inland seas, which together form a body of freshwater unmatched in size anywhere on Earth. Lake Erie is the shallowest and southernmost of the Great Lakes. It is fed by the Detroit River and is linked to the Hudson River via the Erie Canal. In terms of surface area, Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes, but it enchants with around 1,500 islands and attractive sand dunes along its shores. Lake Superior is the deepest and largest of the Great Lakes. Unusually for a lake, it often sees storms and extremely high waves, and its water is very cold. It also feeds Lake Huron to the south, another of the Great Lakes. Lake Huron in turn is connected to Lake Michigan, the only one of the five that lies entirely within the United States and so is not counted among the Canadian lakes. The border between the USA and Canada runs through each of the other four. The largest lake lying wholly within Canada is Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories, and Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba is also impressive for its sheer size. Great Slave Lake, at more than 600 metres deep, is also remarkable and is considered the deepest lake in all of North America. Many more lakes lie in the Canadian Rockies, which adds a visual highlight: the lakes are usually surrounded by majestic, often snow-covered mountains. Duffey Lake, Peyto Lake and Lake Louise are further distinguished by their turquoise water, which according to experts gets its colour from the glacial meltwater that flows into them. A trip to Canada is therefore worthwhile at any time for the enchanting and impressive world of its lakes alone, although the country of course has a great many other sights to offer that make any journey unforgettable.

Important Documents for Entering Canada
Special regulations apply to entering North America, and not only since the terrorist attacks in the neighbouring USA, when hijacked planes were flown into the World Trade Center in New York. Since then a great deal has changed in terms of flight security and entry requirements, which also applies to Canada and therefore to visiting its lakes. With the right preparation this is anything but a problem and may even be easier than before. For example, people who live in the USA or who come from countries exempt from Canada's visa requirement need a so-called eTA for Canada. eTA stands for Electronic Travel Authorization, and the Canada eTA has been the entry ticket for a Canadian holiday since 2016, without having to apply for a visa. On the website kanada-eta.de you can find everything you need to know about the new rules, and above all which countries the visa-free arrangement applies to. You can also apply for the electronic travel authorisation straight away on this portal, pay for it online and have it sent to you immediately over the internet, so nothing stands in the way of a dream holiday in Canada and its lakes.