Have you ever imagined how living in a quaint, laidback style on the shores of a pretty lake feels? Banks of rivers have always been cradles of civilizations and attracted huge number of praises through the ages, closely followed by sea coasts. Lakes however have silently contributed their share in development of towns and cultures. We all are well acquainted with the Great Lakes of the North American continent and the existence of the awe inspiring city of Venice . Now let us take a walk into some of the other incredibly lovely lakeside cities of the world.
10.
Srinagar, India
Once you wear the incredible beauty of the city in your eyes it would never come off - such is the splendor of Srinagar . It is the Himalayan summer capital of the controversial state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. This beautiful city is perched adjacent to the Dal Lake which forms the heart of the city. Houseboats float in the water and daily chores are performed by the locals in the floating market and shops with paramount ease.
The city draws a considerable amount of tourists all year long. According to legends, the entire valley was a vast lake which was later made habitable by Kashyap Rishi, a notable Hindu mythological character. History has it that Buddhist Emperor Ashok had built the city of Srinagar which was later captured by the Huns and finally by a string of Muslim rulers, including the Mughals. The vast majestic Mughal Gardens bear testimony to this.
9.
Gargnano, Italy
The quiet European hamlet of Gargnano situated on the western shores of the clear blue waters of Lake Garda imparts a typical European country life feeling. Even Mussolini could not escape the enveloping charm of this lakefront heaven and kept on coming back from time to time. When in Gargnano, the history buffs can check out the Monastery of San Francisco.
The adventure seekers can try their hand at sailing as the place is popular for hosting International level regattas on the lake. Explore the dreamy inland area and watch Gargnano cast a spell over you. And finally, is it possible to forget food when we are in Italy? This old bewitching fishing town will not only enrich your aesthetics but also please your taste buds. Absorb the slow pace of life as you take a plunge in the sinfully sweet gelatos or gorge on a pizza. Life is good here!
8.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Just when you are about to form an idea in your head that lakeside cities can only be characterized with a lazy life, Queenstown comes in the picture and turns your precious judgment upside down! This town dwells Deep South in the remote country of New Zealand, nestled amidst towering Southern Alps and fed by the waters of Lake Wakatipu.
The discovery of anephradite jade, known as Pounamu to the Maori people, is responsible for the foundation of this city. This stone which holds high cultural relevance to the Maori people was unearthed here and the early Maori people kept on revisiting the place for collecting more Pounamus. Later on Europeans flocked to this town in greed of gold. The present day world considers Queenstown the ' Adventure Capital of the World'.
Bungee Jumping, Snowboarding, Skiing, Sky diving, Paragliding, Jet skiing are only a few demos of what Queensland can offer. Since tourism is the primary business here travelers are extremely well taken care of.
7.
Annecy, France
The azure water of Lake Annecy welcomes a traveler to the magical town of Annecy blooming under the shadow of the French Alps. The picturesque lake is one of the cleanest lakes in Earth . Nature is plentiful in the peaceful lake town with the backdrop of the Alps. Melting of Alpine glaciers some 18000 years ago led to the formation of this lake.
It is believed that Annecy is one of the older towns in the Alps and it earned considerable amount of importance in the past due to its proximity to the city of Geneva. Nowadays Annecy has embraced industrialism and is thronged by tourists. The spot is famous among cyclists.
Provisions are available for exploring underwater archaeological sites, dating back to the Neolithic era.The town of Annecy remains lit by the sun till late night during summer time. The old town of Annecy is sure to steal your heart away with its winding pedestrian lanes along the canals.
6.
Pokhara, Nepal
This is an unusual Asian town which you ought to experience before life weighs you down. The city thrives on the shore of the breathtaking Phewa Lake in Nepal encircled 180 degree by the whitewashed Annapurna range with its crystal clear reflection falling on the lake. This Himalayan delight is the paradise of paragliding enthusiasts.
On a clear day, colorful wings crisscrossing the white background is a common view.Several uphill hiking trails through the woods are scattered around the city. Pokhara is a hotspot to bask in the beauty of the mighty Himalayas. The first settlers of Pokhara were the Aryans, though the exact history is not certain and ambiguity still exists. The place lies on the then important trade route, which connected India to Tibet . Prior to the construction of the linking highway to this lake city, getting here required several days pony trek and passing deadly terrains. Pokhara is the land where an amalgamation of religion, ethnic groups, culture and food took place.
Once you wear the incredible beauty of the city in your eyes it would never come off - such is the splendor of Srinagar . It is the Himalayan summer capital of the controversial state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. This beautiful city is perched adjacent to the Dal Lake which forms the heart of the city. Houseboats float in the water and daily chores are performed by the locals in the floating market and shops with paramount ease.
The city draws a considerable amount of tourists all year long. According to legends, the entire valley was a vast lake which was later made habitable by Kashyap Rishi, a notable Hindu mythological character. History has it that Buddhist Emperor Ashok had built the city of Srinagar which was later captured by the Huns and finally by a string of Muslim rulers, including the Mughals. The vast majestic Mughal Gardens bear testimony to this.
The quiet European hamlet of Gargnano situated on the western shores of the clear blue waters of Lake Garda imparts a typical European country life feeling. Even Mussolini could not escape the enveloping charm of this lakefront heaven and kept on coming back from time to time. When in Gargnano, the history buffs can check out the Monastery of San Francisco.
The adventure seekers can try their hand at sailing as the place is popular for hosting International level regattas on the lake. Explore the dreamy inland area and watch Gargnano cast a spell over you. And finally, is it possible to forget food when we are in Italy? This old bewitching fishing town will not only enrich your aesthetics but also please your taste buds. Absorb the slow pace of life as you take a plunge in the sinfully sweet gelatos or gorge on a pizza. Life is good here!
Just when you are about to form an idea in your head that lakeside cities can only be characterized with a lazy life, Queenstown comes in the picture and turns your precious judgment upside down! This town dwells Deep South in the remote country of New Zealand, nestled amidst towering Southern Alps and fed by the waters of Lake Wakatipu.
The discovery of anephradite jade, known as Pounamu to the Maori people, is responsible for the foundation of this city. This stone which holds high cultural relevance to the Maori people was unearthed here and the early Maori people kept on revisiting the place for collecting more Pounamus. Later on Europeans flocked to this town in greed of gold. The present day world considers Queenstown the ' Adventure Capital of the World'.
Bungee Jumping, Snowboarding, Skiing, Sky diving, Paragliding, Jet skiing are only a few demos of what Queensland can offer. Since tourism is the primary business here travelers are extremely well taken care of.
The azure water of Lake Annecy welcomes a traveler to the magical town of Annecy blooming under the shadow of the French Alps. The picturesque lake is one of the cleanest lakes in Earth . Nature is plentiful in the peaceful lake town with the backdrop of the Alps. Melting of Alpine glaciers some 18000 years ago led to the formation of this lake.
It is believed that Annecy is one of the older towns in the Alps and it earned considerable amount of importance in the past due to its proximity to the city of Geneva. Nowadays Annecy has embraced industrialism and is thronged by tourists. The spot is famous among cyclists.
Provisions are available for exploring underwater archaeological sites, dating back to the Neolithic era.The town of Annecy remains lit by the sun till late night during summer time. The old town of Annecy is sure to steal your heart away with its winding pedestrian lanes along the canals.
This is an unusual Asian town which you ought to experience before life weighs you down. The city thrives on the shore of the breathtaking Phewa Lake in Nepal encircled 180 degree by the whitewashed Annapurna range with its crystal clear reflection falling on the lake. This Himalayan delight is the paradise of paragliding enthusiasts.
On a clear day, colorful wings crisscrossing the white background is a common view.Several uphill hiking trails through the woods are scattered around the city. Pokhara is a hotspot to bask in the beauty of the mighty Himalayas. The first settlers of Pokhara were the Aryans, though the exact history is not certain and ambiguity still exists. The place lies on the then important trade route, which connected India to Tibet . Prior to the construction of the linking highway to this lake city, getting here required several days pony trek and passing deadly terrains. Pokhara is the land where an amalgamation of religion, ethnic groups, culture and food took place.
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