A dozen of the best Lakes and Mountains holiday hotspots you can reach directly from Manchester Airport

Mercantour National Park

Fly to Nice with easyJet and Jet2.com

Almost a million visitors converge on Mercantour National Park in south-east France every year. Tourists can enjoy traversing over 370 miles of footpaths which criss-cross the mountain ranges, or take to their bicycles and explore on two wheels. They'll be rewarded with breathtaking scenery such as the stunning Lac d'Allos, a crystal-clear glacial lake over 7,000ft above sea level, and the National Park's famous 'perched villages', built onto steep mountainsides which bloom with an abundance of wildflowers.

Mercantour National Park is located just north of Nice on the French Riviera, with direct flights from Manchester year-round with easyJet and Jet2.com.

Tyrol

Fly to Munich with easyJet or Lufthansa

Few places encapsulate Alpine culture and scenery quite like Tyrol, in western Austria. Famous for yodelling cowherders in lederhosen, medieval castles and The Sound of Music, Tyrol is proud of its unique culture and heritage but also offers plenty to do for adventure enthusiasts. Some of Europe's best white water rafting and rock climbing hotspots can be found here, and Tiefenbach Gorge is a picturesque hiking spot, with ancient forests and impressive waterfalls.

Foodies should try a Marend, the region's answer to a ploughman's lunch with local cheeses, breads and charcuterie, typically enjoyed with a serving of schnapps, beer or wine.

The German city of Munich is served directly from Manchester by easyJet or Lufthansa, and is around an hour away by car from the border with Austria - and the Tyrol region.

Lake Iseo

Fly to Milan-Bergamo with Ryanair

The Italian Lakes are world-famous, but if you're looking for a quiet and relaxed break away from the crowds then dodge Como and Garda and head to Lake Iseo. It's one of the smaller lakes in the region but that means its attractions are closer together and the scenery is just as incredible.

On Monte Isola, an island in the middle of the lake, no cars are permitted and the villages have barely changed in centuries. It's a great spot to stroll and explore at a leisurely pace - but if you're looking for a challenge, take on the hike to the Santuario della Madonna della Ceriola, a medieval chapel with sweeping views over the area. Agritourism is popular here, with local farms offering family-run accommodation.

Lake Iseo is only 20 miles from Milan-Bergamo airport, which is served directly from Manchester by Ryanair.

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