I visited the 'Venice of the Alps,' Lake Annecy. I think it's going to be the next big European destination for Americans.

• I traveled to Lake Annecy, which has a great mix of adventure, breathtaking views, and history.
• It was easy to get around, with good public transport and cycle paths.
• I think it could be the next great Eurotrip destination for Americans.

A local recommended visiting a commune called Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, about an hour and a half from Annecy, to hike the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval trail, which features 30 waterfalls.

Another great walk we did was the Pissieu Fall, about an hour away from Annecy.

It was everything I wanted from a trip.

Lake Annecy is great because it serves as an excellent launchpad for exploring the Haute-Savoie region.

You don’t need more than a few days in Annecy itself, and I’d probably shorten my trip next time. But if you want a relaxing yet outdoorsy summer vacation, it’s perfect.

While it’s busy in July and August, it was less crowded overall than other lakes in Europe, and as someone who enjoys swimming and hiking, I found it the perfect spot for adventure.

I believe Lake Annecy could be the next American destination for a Eurotrip.

I think the key thing that distinguishes Lake Annecy from other lakes in the Alps, like Lake Como, is the relatively small proportion of international tourists. While it does get busy in the summer, I noticed it was mostly French tourists, so I highly recommend it for Americans seeking a more authentic feel to their trip.

Despite its popularity in France, in early September, we were able to walk into restaurants for dinner in the old town without booking, and the streets were easy to explore.

The range of outdoor activities also means it’s somewhere you could visit year-round — something the local tourist office encourages.

Its proximity to Geneva Airport, which several US airports have nonstop flights to in the summer, makes it easy to get there, and if you’re on an Alps road trip, it’s a stop I couldn’t recommend enough.