Once closed to American travelers, Myanmar is now full of discovery. The monasteries of Bagan and the capital of Yangon continue to be its biggest draws, but you’d be remiss to skip Inle Lake, in the Shan Hills. There, stilted villages, built out over the water, are interspersed with centuries-old stone pagodas and monasteries, and the lake itself is plied by one-man boats whose fishermen balance on one leg and steer their oar with the other.
Pehoé Lake, Chilean Patagonia
Pehoé Lake
Torres del Paine National Park covers roughly 500,000 acres of southern Chile—enough space to cover many climates and terrains, from snow-capped granite mountains and glittering glaciers to rolling grasslands and pampas and—yes—ice-blue lakes. Its most panoramic view is of Torres range beneath the Salto Chico waterfall on Lake Pehoé.
Lake Baikal, Russia
Lake Baikal
This ethereal body of water in Russian Siberia holds a lot of records. Not only is Baikal the world’s oldest lake, it’s also its deepest, containing 20% of the world’s fresh water (that’s as much as all five Great American Lakes combined). Due to its isolation and absence of minerals, Baikal is also one of the world’s cleanest and clearest lakes, which makes for a fantastic show. During the summer, runoff from the Siberian mountains means that in some spots, you can see as far as 130 feet below the surface. Come winter, when the lake freezes over, fissures and methane bubbles can form in the ice—or not, creating the illusion that you’re walking on air.
Lake Tahoe, California
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is one of America’s great destinations—an outdoor adventure paradise backed by the Sierra Nevadas that’s beautiful in every season. During the summer, visitors flock to its turquoise waters and sandy beaches for sailing and kayaking or tackle the Tahoe Rim Trail for views of the basin. When winter hits, the area’s lauded ski resorts kick into high gear. Base yourself at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe for access to its private beach, fleet of boats, cabin-like rooms, and heated outdoor pool.
Lake Pichola, India
Lake Pichola
In 1899, Rudyard Kipling wrote in Letters of Marque, “If the Venetian owned the Pichola, he might say with justice, ‘see it and die.’” It’s easy to understand what he was talking about when you lay eyes on this serene escape in the middle of Udaipur. Many don’t realize the lake is actually man-made, first built in 1362 as an easier means of transporting grain across the city. Check in at the floating Taj Lake Palace hotel, accessible only by boat, to take in the city’s Mediterranean-esque waterfront from afar.
Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand
Lake Wakatipu
Queenstown, on New Zealand’s South Island, is the adrenaline capital of the world—the birthplace of bungee jumping as well as one of the best spots to go sky-diving, whitewater rafting, paragliding, and hiking. The base of your stay should be anywhere land meets the shore of Lake Wakatipu, which is surrounded on all sides by mountains—most notably the snow-capped Remarkables range. Our pick: the rustic-luxe Matakauri Lodge.
Laguna Colorada, Bolivia
Laguna Colorada
Bolivia’s “red lagoon” is otherworldly. Red algae gives the shallow salt water its distinct rusty hue, which is broken up every so often by white pools made up of borax deposits that sit on the surface. Even more striking are the famous flamingoes that flock here to feast on plankton—white by nature, their feathers take on a pink glow from being stained by the algae they wade through
Lake Como, Italy
Lake Como
With its sprawling villas, Riva-lined marinas, and romantic promenades, this glamorous Italian playground continues to seduce today’s biggest stars. At Villa d’Este, a 16th-century old-world palace loved for its fountain-filled formal gardens and floating pool, you can rent the hotel boat for a cruise across the lake. Is your taste a bit more modern? Head to Torno and check in at Il Sereno Lago di Como, a contemporary showstopper designed by Patricia Urquiola.
Dead Sea, Jordan
Dead Sea
The saltiest spot on Earth is a swimmer’s favorite thanks to its natural buoyancy, but as the lake continues to recede at an astonishing rate, we’re reminded not only of its beauty but of its importance as the sole feeder of the Jordan River as well as a major center for health research. While it’s still here, it’s worth a pilgrimage. After soaking in the salty, cobalt-blue waters, tour the ancient fortress of Masada before resting your feet at the Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, a romantic resort 1,400 feet below sea level.
Crater Lake, Oregon
Crater Lake
America’s deepest lake is also one of its most peculiar. Its famously clear blue water pooled here after Mount Mazama erupted more than six thousand years ago, leaving behind a cavernous caldera. At one end sits Crater Lake Lodge, where you can enjoy breakfast with a view before a ranger-led boat tour that touches on the park’s geology.