National Geographic has long been a standard-bearer of travel and a staple in my mailbox, which I pretend doesn't receive bills.
Even if you're the type who steers clear of lengthy paragraphs and simply finger-flips pages to see what awesome destinations they're showcasing, Nat Geo never disappoints.
While I may be old-school with snail-mail mags, we've dove into the digital world and found where the popular publication is touting for a wondrous lakeside getaway in Europe, without the usual names like Como.
Revealing 3 almost unheard-of lakeside wonders that hardly anyone could point out on a map, this trio proves you don't have to follow the crowds to the coast or household names to experience a truly unforgettable Euro-trip.
1) My Personal Favorite: Ohrid, North Macedonia 🇲🇰
Having traversed 45 countries, I can't think of a single other lake town I would move to in a heartbeat if the universe aligned.
One of the biggest surprises from my European jaunts is none other than Ohrid, a quaint lakeside city where the water is clearer than my dusty wine glasses and the Old Town keeps you wandering with steep history, cobbled lanes, and mesmerizing views at every turn.
North Macedonia is often overshadowed by ever-trendy Albania and, of course, Greece, which is hard to leave once you get a taste of it. But next time I’m in the region, there’s no doubt I’m making more time for Ohrid — its lakefront plaza, hillside views, and famed 365 churches are reason enough to come back, even for a non-religious guy like me.
One of which is the Church of St John at Kaneo, hyped by Nat Geo, for its immaculate views.
When it's time to give your feet a break from the cobbled steps winding uphill, there are scenic boat rides to take across quite possibly Europe's prettiest lake (no offense to Como).
Macedonia is very safe to visit too, currently sitting with an impressive 85/100 on our Safety Index:
2) Thun: A Slice of Swiss You Can't Miss 🇨🇭
You know Zurich, and maybe Geneva, if you're glued to talking heads on TV, but the one country Anthony Bourdain refused to visit has way more to offer than its urban sprawls.
In fact, Switzerland is more known for its nature and the type of alpine scenery many travelers mistake for The Sound Of Music territory, though that classic film belongs to Austria.
Still, the lake town of Thun may not strike a chord.
Nat Geo claims Thun blends sweeping mountain views and turquoise glacial waters seamlessly for an indelible, albeit pricey, getaway you'll never forget.
But let's not skip the unmissable 12th-century Spiez Castle either, surrounded by scenic vineyards leading to one of Europe's most vibrant marinas despite being such an under-hyped destination.
That's right — you have castles, wine, and gleaming blue waters all backed by staggering mountains.
Besides Switzerland's notorious sky-high prices, what's not to love?
It's undeniably bucket-list worthy — a place you have to visit at least once even if you lose a comma from your bank account.
Better yet, Switzerland is one of Europe's safest nations, seeing a current score of 90/100:
3) Ribčev Laz: Slovenia's Lake Town Nobody Knows About 🇸🇮
Full disclosure: Nat Geo doesn’t specifically mention Ribčev Laz, but it does list Lake Bohinj — and Ribčev Laz is essentially the front door to Lake Bohinj.
So, in other words, call us geniuses.
Despite still flying under the radar as a country, Slovenia is home to one of the world’s most sought-after lake destinations, once crowned one of the most coveted photo ops on Earth, in fact, for Lake Bled's fairytale island church.
Now that Lake Bled has become less and less of a “hidden gem” per se, that's all the more reason to hop over to Ribčev Laz, where you won't have to wait in lines or crop out fellow tourists from your epic pics.
This charming town is lined with cozy stays along Lake Bohinj’s glassy alpine waters, setting you up for boat rides you'll wish never ended, and views that give Bled a serious run for its money — just without the photo-bomb Olympics.
No matter where you go, whether trying to chase down Luka Dončić sightings or to one of its many gorgeous lakeside villages, it's safe to explore end to end.
Slovenia currently holds a 87/100 score as voted by travelers:
