Lake Bohinj

Bled gets the postcards and the crowds; Bohinj, its sister lake inside Slovenia's strictly protected Triglav National Park, gets the people who want to swim, paddle and walk. There is no resort town wrapped around the shore, and the summer boat across the water is an electric launch that glides without engine noise. Lakeside walking is easy and the mountains rise straight from the water, so a week can be gentle loops, cold swims and long evenings on a guesthouse balcony. The Savica waterfall, which drops more than 230 feet, makes an easy outing from the lake. Come in June or September for warm water without the August rush.